US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

26 U.S.C. § 1388

Definitions; special rules

(a)

Patronage dividend

For purposes of this subchapter, the term “patronage dividend” means an amount paid to a patron by an organization to which part I of this subchapter applies—
(1)
on the basis of quantity or value of business done with or for such patron,
(2)
under an obligation of such organization to pay such amount, which obligation existed before the organization received the amount so paid, and
(3)
which is determined by reference to the net earnings of the organization from business done with or for its patrons.
Such term does not include any amount paid to a patron to the extent that (A) such amount is out of earnings other than from business done with or for patrons, or (B) such amount is out of earnings from business done with or for other patrons to whom no amounts are paid, or to whom smaller amounts are paid, with respect to substantially identical transactions. For purposes of paragraph (3), net earnings shall not be reduced by amounts paid during the year as dividends on capital stock or other proprietary capital interests of the organization to the extent that the articles of incorporation or bylaws of such organization or other contract with patrons provide that such dividends are in addition to amounts otherwise payable to patrons which are derived from business done with or for patrons during the taxable year.
(b)

Written notice of allocation

For purposes of this subchapter, the term “written notice of allocation” means any capital stock, revolving fund certificate, retain certificate, certificate of indebtedness, letter of advice, or other written notice, which discloses to the recipient the stated dollar amount allocated to him by the organization and the portion thereof, if any, which constitutes a patronage dividend.

(c)

Qualified written notice of allocation

(1)

Defined

For purposes of this subchapter, the term “qualified written notice of allocation” means—
(A)
a written notice of allocation which may be redeemed in cash at its stated dollar amount at any time within a period beginning on the date such written notice of allocation is paid and ending not earlier than 90 days from such date, but only if the distributee receives written notice of the right of redemption at the time he receives such written notice of allocation; and
(B)
a written notice of allocation which the distributee has consented, in the manner provided in paragraph (2), to take into account at its stated dollar amount as provided in section 1385(a).
Such term does not include any written notice of allocation which is paid as part of a patronage dividend or as part of a payment described in section 1382(c)(2)(A), unless 20 percent or more of the amount of such patronage dividend, or such payment, is paid in money or by qualified check.
(2)

Manner of obtaining consent

A distributee shall consent to take a written notice of allocation into account as provided in paragraph (1)(B) only by—
(A)
making such consent in writing,
(B)
obtaining or retaining membership in the organization after—
(i)
such organization has adopted (after ) a bylaw providing that membership in the organization constitutes such consent, and
(ii)
he has received a written notification and copy of such bylaw, or
(C)
if neither subparagraph (A) nor (B) applies, endorsing and cashing a qualified check, paid as a part of the patronage dividend or payment of which such written notice of allocation is also a part, on or before the 90th day after the close of the payment period for the taxable year of the organization for which such patronage dividend or payment is paid.
(3)

Period for which consent is effective

(A)

General rule

Except as provided in subparagraph (B)—
(i)
a consent described in paragraph (2) (A) shall be a consent with respect to all patronage of the distributee with the organization occurring (determined with the application of section 1382(e)) during the taxable year of the organization during which such consent is made and all subsequent taxable years of the organization; and
(ii)
a consent described in paragraph (2) (B) shall be a consent with respect to all patronage of the distributee with the organization occurring (determined without the application of section 1382(e)) after he received the notification and copy described in paragraph (2)(B)(ii).
(B)

Revocation, etc.

(i)
Any consent described in paragraph (2)(A) may be revoked (in writing) by the distributee at any time. Any such revocation shall be effective with respect to patronage occurring on or after the first day of the first taxable year of the organization beginning after the revocation is filed with such organization; except that in the case of a pooling arrangement described in section 1382(e), a revocation made by a distributee shall not be effective as to any pool with respect to which the distributee has been a patron before such revocation.
(ii)
Any consent described in paragraph (2)(B) shall not be effective with respect to any patronage occurring (determined without the application of section 1382(e)) after the distributee ceases to be a member of the organization or after the bylaws of the organization cease to contain the provision described in paragraph (2)(B)(i).
(4)

Qualified check

For purposes of this subchapter, the term “qualified check” means only a check (or other instrument which is redeemable in money) which is paid as a part of a patronage dividend, or as a part of a payment described in section 1382(c)(2)(A), to a distributee who has not given consent as provided in paragraph (2)(A) or (B) with respect to such patronage dividend or payment, and on which there is clearly imprinted a statement that the endorsement and cashing of the check (or other instrument) constitutes the consent of the payee to include in his gross income, as provided in the Federal income tax laws, the stated dollar amount of the written notice of allocation which is a part of the patronage dividend or payment of which such qualified check is also a part. Such term does not include any check (or other instrument) which is paid as part of a patronage dividend or payment which does not include a written notice of allocation (other than a written notice of allocation described in paragraph (1)(A)).

(d)

Nonqualified written notice of allocation

For purposes of this subchapter, the term “nonqualified written notice of allocation” means a written notice of allocation which is not described in subsection (c) or a qualified check which is not cashed on or before the 90th day after the close of the payment period for the taxable year for which the distribution of which it is a part is paid.

(e)

Determination of amount paid or received

For purposes of this subchapter, in determining amounts paid or received—
(1)
property (other than a written notice of allocation or a per-unit retain certificate) shall be taken into account at its fair market value, and
(2)
a qualified written notice of allocation or qualified per-unit retain certificate shall be taken into account at its stated dollar amount.
(f)

Per-unit retain allocation

For purposes of this subchapter, the term “per-unit retain allocation” means any allocation, by an organization to which part I of this subchapter applies, to a patron with respect to products marketed for him, the amount of which is fixed without reference to the net earnings of the organization pursuant to an agreement between the organization and the patron.

(g)

Per-unit retain certificate

For purposes of this subchapter, the term “per-unit retain certificate” means any written notice which discloses to the recipient the stated dollar amount of a per-unit retain allocation to him by the organization.

(h)

Qualified per-unit retain certificate

(1)

Defined

For purposes of this subchapter, the term “qualified per-unit retain certificate” means any per-unit retain certificate which the distributee has agreed, in the manner provided in paragraph (2), to take into account at its stated dollar amount as provided in section 1385(a).

(2)

Manner of obtaining agreement

A distributee shall agree to take a per-unit retain certificate into account as provided in paragraph (1) only by—
(A)
making such agreement in writing, or
(B)
obtaining or retaining membership in the organization after—
(i)
such organization has adopted (after ) a bylaw providing that membership in the organization constitutes such agreement, and
(ii)
he has received a written notification and copy of such bylaw.
(3)

Period for which agreement is effective

(A)

General rule

Except as provided in subparagraph (B)—
(i)
an agreement described in paragraph (2)(A) shall be an agreement with respect to all products delivered by the distributee to the organization during the taxable year of the organization during which such agreement is made and all subsequent taxable years of the organization; and
(ii)
an agreement described in paragraph (2)(B) shall be an agreement with respect to all products delivered by the distributee to the organization after he received the notification and copy described in paragraph (2)(B)(ii).
(B)

Revocation, etc.

(i)
Any agreement described in paragraph (2)(A) may be revoked (in writing) by the distributee at any time. Any such revocation shall be effective with respect to products delivered by the distributee on or after the first day of the first taxable year of the organization beginning after the revocation is filed with the organization; except that in the case of a pooling arrangement described in section 1382(e) a revocation made by a distributee shall not be effective as to any products which were delivered to the organization by the distributee before such revocation.
(ii)
Any agreement described in paragraph (2)(B) shall not be effective with respect to any products delivered after the distributee ceases to be a member of the organization or after the bylaws of the organization cease to contain the provision described in paragraph (2)(B)(i).
(i)

Nonqualified per-unit retain certificate

For purposes of this subchapter, the term “nonqualified per-unit retain certificate” means a per-unit retain certificate which is not described in subsection (h).

(j)

Special rules for the netting of gains and losses by cooperatives

For purposes of this subchapter, in the case of any organization to which part I of this subchapter applies—
(1)

Optional netting of patronage gains and losses permitted

The net earnings of such organization may, at its option, be determined by offsetting patronage losses (including any patronage loss carried to such year) which are attributable to 1 or more allocation units (whether such units are functional, divisional, departmental, geographic, or otherwise) against patronage earnings of 1 or more other such allocation units.

(2)

Certain netting permitted after section 381 transactions

If such an organization acquires the assets of another such organization in a transaction described in section 381(a), the acquiring organization may, in computing its net earnings for taxable years ending after the date of acquisition, offset losses of 1 or more allocation units of the acquiring or acquired organization against earnings of the acquired or acquiring organization, respectively, but only to the extent—
(A)
such earnings are properly allocable to periods after the date of acquisition, and
(B)
such earnings could have been offset by such losses if such earnings and losses had been derived from allocation units of the same organization.
(3)

Notice requirements

(A)

In general

In the case of any organization which exercises its option under paragraph (1) for any taxable year, such organization shall, on or before the 15th day of the 9th month following the close of such taxable year, provide to its patrons a written notice which—
(i)
states that the organization has offset earnings and losses from 1 or more of its allocation units and that such offset may have affected the amount which is being distributed to its patrons,
(ii)
states generally the identity of the offsetting allocation units, and
(iii)
states briefly what rights, if any, its patrons may have to additional financial information of such organization under terms of its charter, articles of incorporation, or bylaws, or under any provision of law.
(B)

Certain information need not be provided

An organization may exclude from the information required to be provided under clause (ii) of subparagraph (A) any detailed or specific data regarding earnings or losses of such units which such organization determines would disclose commercially sensitive information which—
(i)
could result in a competitive disadvantage to such organization, or
(ii)
could create a competitive advantage to the benefit of a competitor of such organization.
(C)

Failure to provide sufficient notice

If the Secretary determines that an organization failed to provide sufficient notice under this paragraph—
(i)
the Secretary shall notify such organization, and
(ii)
such organization shall, upon receipt of such notification, provide to its patrons a revised notice meeting the requirements of this paragraph.
Any such failure shall not affect the treatment of the organization under any provision of this subchapter or section 521.
(4)

Patronage earnings or losses defined

1

1 So in original. Probably should be “mean”.
For purposes of this subsection, the terms “patronage earnings” and “patronage losses” means  earnings and losses, respectively, which are derived from business done with or for patrons of the organization.

(k)

Cooperative marketing includes value-added processing involving animals

For purposes of section 521 and this subchapter, the marketing of the products of members or other producers shall include the feeding of such products to cattle, hogs, fish, chickens, or other animals and the sale of the resulting animals or animal products.

Pub. L. 87–834, § 17(a)76 Stat. 1049Pub. L. 89–809, title II, § 211(c)80 Stat. 1582Pub. L. 91–172, title IX, § 911(b)83 Stat. 722Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, § 1901(a)(153)90 Stat. 1789Pub. L. 95–600, title III, § 316(b)(3)92 Stat. 2830Pub. L. 99–272, title XIII, § 13210(a)100 Stat. 323Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, § 11813(b)(24)104 Stat. 1388–555Pub. L. 108–357, title III118 Stat. 1467(Added , , ; amended , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , §§ 312(a), 316(a), , , 1469.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 108–357, § 312(a)2004—Subsec. (a). , inserted at end of concluding provisions “For purposes of paragraph (3), net earnings shall not be reduced by amounts paid during the year as dividends on capital stock or other proprietary capital interests of the organization to the extent that the articles of incorporation or bylaws of such organization or other contract with patrons provide that such dividends are in addition to amounts otherwise payable to patrons which are derived from business done with or for patrons during the taxable year.”

Pub. L. 108–357, § 316(a)Subsec. (k). , added subsec. (k).

Pub. L. 101–5081990—Subsec. (k). struck out subsec. (k) which cross-referenced section 46(h) for provisions relating to apportionment of investment credit between cooperative organizations and their patrons.

Pub. L. 99–2721986—Subsecs. (j), (k). added subsec. (j) and redesignated former subsec. (j) as (k).

Pub. L. 95–6001978—Subsec. (j). added subsec. (j).

Pub. L. 94–455, § 19011976—Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(i). (a)(153)(A), substituted “” for “the date of the enactment of the Revenue Act of 1962”.

Pub. L. 94–455, § 1901(a)(153)(B)Subsec. (h)(2)(B)(i). , substituted “” for “the date of the enactment of this subsection”.

Pub. L. 91–1721969—Subsec. (f). struck out reference to allocations made by organizations other than by payment of money or other property except per-unit retain certificates.

Pub. L. 89–809, § 211(c)(1)1966—Subsec. (e). , inserted references to per-unit retain certificates.

Pub. L. 89–809, § 211(c)(2)Subsecs. (f) to (i). , added subsecs. (f) to (i).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2004 Amendment

Pub. L. 108–357, title III, § 312(b)118 Stat. 1467

“The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to distributions in taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act [].”
, , , provided that:

section 316(a) of Pub. L. 108–357section 316(c) of Pub. L. 108–357section 521 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years beginning after , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1990 Amendment

Pub. L. 101–508section 49(e) of this titlesection 46(d) of this titlesection 46(b)(2)(C) of this titlesection 11813(c) of Pub. L. 101–508section 45K of this titleAmendment by applicable to property placed in service after , but not applicable to any transition property (as defined in ), any property with respect to which qualified progress expenditures were previously taken into account under , and any property described in , as such sections were in effect on , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Pub. L. 99–272, title XIII, § 13210(c)100 Stat. 324

“(1)

In general .—

section 521 of this titleExcept as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [amending this section and ] shall apply to taxable years beginning after .
“(2)

Notification requirement .—

The provisions of section 1388(j)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 [now 1986] (as added by subsection (a)) shall apply to taxable years beginning on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [].
“(3)

No inference .—

section 521 of this titleNothing in the amendments made by this section [amending this section and ] shall be construed to infer that a change in law is intended as to whether any patronage earnings may or not be offset by nonpatronage losses, and any determination of such issue shall be made as if such amendments had not been enacted.”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1978 Amendment

Pub. L. 95–600section 316(c) of Pub. L. 95–600section 46 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years ending after , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1969 Amendment

Pub. L. 91–172section 911(c) of Pub. L. 91–172section 1382 of this titleAmendment by applicable to per-unit retain allocations made after , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1966 Amendment

Pub. L. 89–809section 1381(a) of this titlesection 211(e)(1) of Pub. L. 89–809section 1382 of this titleAmendment by applicable to per-unit retain allocations made during taxable years of an organization described in (relating to organizations to which part I of subchapter T of chapter 1 applies) beginning after , with respect to products delivered during such years, see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date

section 1381(a) of this titlesection 17(c) of Pub. L. 87–834section 1381 of this titleSection applicable, except as otherwise provided, to taxable years of organizations described in beginning after , see , set out as a note under .

Savings Provision

Pub. L. 101–508section 11821(b) of Pub. L. 101–508section 45K of this titleFor provisions that nothing in amendment by be construed to affect treatment of certain transactions occurring, property acquired, or items of income, loss, deduction, or credit taken into account prior to , for purposes of determining liability for tax for periods ending after , see , set out as a note under .

Per-Unit Retain Certificates Covered by Written Agreements Between , and : Transition Treatment of By-Law Provisions

Pub. L. 89–809, title II, § 211(f)80 Stat. 1584, , , provided that a written agreement between a patron and a cooperative association which met certain qualifications and was entered into after and before , and which was in effect on , was to be treated for purposes of subsec. (h) of this section as if entered into after .