US Code

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

26 U.S.C. § 1503

Computation and payment of tax

(a)

1
1 Subsec. (a) heading editorially supplied.
[General rule] 

In any case in which a consolidated return is made or is required to be made, the tax shall be determined, computed, assessed, collected, and adjusted in accordance with the regulations under section 1502 prescribed before the last day prescribed by law for the filing of such return.

[(b)

Pub. L. 94–455, title X, § 1052(c)(5)90 Stat. 1648 Repealed. , , ]

(c)

Special rule for application of certain losses against income of insurance companies taxed under section 801

(1)

In general

If an election under section 1504(c)(2) is in effect for the taxable year and the consolidated taxable income of the members of the group not taxed under section 801 results in a consolidated net operating loss for such taxable year, then under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, the amount of such loss which cannot be absorbed in the applicable carry-back periods against the taxable income of such members not taxed under section 801 shall be taken into account in determining the consolidated taxable income of the affiliated group for such taxable year to the extent of 35 percent of such loss or 35 percent of the taxable income of the members taxed under section 801, whichever is less. The unused portion of such loss shall be available as a carryover, subject to the same limitations (applicable to the sum of the loss for the carryover year and the loss (or losses) carried over to such year), in applicable carryover years.

(2)

Losses of recent nonlife affiliates

Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1), a net operating loss for a taxable year of a member of the group not taxed under section 801 shall not be taken into account in determining the taxable income of a member taxed under section 801 (either for the taxable year or as a carryover or carryback) if such taxable year precedes the sixth taxable year such members have been members of the same affiliated group (determined without regard to section 1504(b)(2)).

(d)

Dual consolidated loss

(1)

In general

The dual consolidated loss for any taxable year of any corporation shall not be allowed to reduce the taxable income of any other member of the affiliated group for the taxable year or any other taxable year.

(2)

Dual consolidated loss

For purposes of this section—
(A)

In general

Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the term “dual consolidated loss” means any net operating loss of a domestic corporation which is subject to an income tax of a foreign country on its income without regard to whether such income is from sources in or outside of such foreign country, or is subject to such a tax on a residence basis.

(B)

Special rule where loss not used under foreign law

To the extent provided in regulations, the term “dual consolidated loss” shall not include any loss which, under the foreign income tax law, does not offset the income of any foreign corporation.

(3)

Treatment of losses of separate business units

To the extent provided in regulations, any loss of a separate unit of a domestic corporation shall be subject to the limitations of this subsection in the same manner as if such unit were a wholly owned subsidiary of such corporation.

(4)

Income on assets acquired after the loss

The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary or appropriate to prevent the avoidance of the purposes of this subsection by contributing assets to the corporation with the dual consolidated loss after such loss was sustained.

(e)

Special rule for determining adjustments to basis

(1)

In general

Solely for purposes of determining gain or loss on the disposition of intragroup stock and the amount of any inclusion by reason of an excess loss account, in determining the adjustments to the basis of such intragroup stock on account of the earnings and profits of any member of an affiliated group for any consolidated year (and in determining the amount in such account)—
(A)
such earnings and profits shall be determined as if section 312 were applied for such taxable year (and all preceding consolidated years of the member with respect to such group) without regard to subsections (k) and (n) thereof, and
(B)
earnings and profits shall not include any amount excluded from gross income under section 108 to the extent the amount so excluded was not applied to reduce tax attributes (other than basis in property).
(2)

Definitions

For purposes of this subsection—
(A)

Intragroup stock

The term “intragroup stock” means any stock which—
(i)
is in a corporation which is or was a member of an affiliated group of corporations, and
(ii)
is held by another corporation which is or was a member of such group.
Such term includes any other property the basis of which is determined (in whole or in part) by reference to the basis of stock described in the preceding sentence.
(B)

Consolidated year

The term “consolidated year” means any taxable year for which the affiliated group makes a consolidated return.

(C)

Application of section 312(n)(7) not affected

The reference in paragraph (1) to subsection (n) of section 312 shall be treated as not including a reference to paragraph (7) of such subsection.

(3)

Adjustments

Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, proper adjustments shall be made in the application of paragraph (1)—
(A)
in the case of any property acquired by the corporation before consolidation, for the difference between the adjusted basis of such property for purposes of computing taxable income and its adjusted basis for purposes of computing earnings and profits, and
(B)
in the case of any property, for any basis adjustment under section 50(c).
(4)

Elimination of election to reduce basis of indebtedness

Nothing in the regulations prescribed under section 1502 shall permit any reduction in the amount otherwise included in gross income by reason of an excess loss account if such reduction is on account of a reduction in the basis of indebtedness.

(f)

Limitation on use of group losses to offset income of subsidiary paying preferred dividends

(1)

In general

In the case of any subsidiary distributing during any taxable year dividends on any applicable preferred stock—
(A)
no group loss item shall be allowed to reduce the disqualified separately computed income of such subsidiary for such taxable year, and
(B)
no group credit item shall be allowed against the tax imposed by this chapter on such disqualified separately computed income.
(2)

Group items

For purposes of this subsection—
(A)

Group loss item

The term “group loss item” means any of the following items of any other member of the affiliated group which includes the subsidiary:
(i)
Any net operating loss and any net operating loss carryover or carryback under section 172.
(ii)
Any loss from the sale or exchange of any capital asset and any capital loss carryover or carryback under section 1212.
(B)

Group credit item

The term “group credit item” means any credit allowable under part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 (other than section 34) to any other member of the affiliated group which includes the subsidiary and any carryover or carryback of any such credit.

(3)

Other definitions

For purposes of this subsection—
(A)

Disqualified separately computed income

The term “disqualified separately computed income” means the portion of the separately computed taxable income of the subsidiary which does not exceed the dividends distributed by the subsidiary during the taxable year on applicable preferred stock.

(B)

Separately computed taxable income

The term “separately computed taxable income” means the separate taxable income of the subsidiary for the taxable year determined—
(i)
by taking into account gains and losses from the sale or exchange of a capital asset and section 1231 gains and losses,
(ii)
without regard to any net operating loss or capital loss carryover or carryback, and
(iii)
with such adjustments as the Secretary may prescribe.
(C)

Subsidiary

The term “subsidiary” means any corporation which is a member of an affiliated group filing a consolidated return other than the common parent.

(D)

Applicable preferred stock

The term “applicable preferred stock” means stock described in section 1504(a)(4) in the subsidiary which is—
(i)
issued after , and
(ii)
held by a person other than a member of the same affiliated group as the subsidiary.
(4)

Regulations

The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the provisions of this subsection, including regulations—
(A)
to prevent the avoidance of this subsection through the transfer of built-in losses to the subsidiary,
(B)
to provide rules for cases in which the subsidiary owns (directly or indirectly) stock in another member of the affiliated group, and
(C)
to provide for the application of this subsection where dividends are not paid currently, where the redemption and liquidation rights of the applicable preferred stock exceed the issue price for such stock, or where the stock is otherwise structured to avoid the purposes of this subsection.

Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 73668A Stat. 367Pub. L. 86–780, § 274 Stat. 1011Pub. L. 88–272, title II, § 234(a)78 Stat. 113Pub. L. 94–455, title X90 Stat. 1623Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title II, § 211(b)(19)98 Stat. 756Pub. L. 99–514, title XII, § 1249(a)100 Stat. 2584Pub. L. 100–203, title X, § 10222(a)(1)101 Stat. 1330–410Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1012(u)102 Stat. 3528Pub. L. 101–239, title VII103 Stat. 2328Pub. L. 101–508, title XI104 Stat. 1388–530(, ; , , ; , (b)(1), (2), , ; , §§ 1031(b)(4), 1052(c)(5), title XV, § 1507(b)(3), title XIX, § 1901(b)(1)(Y), , , 1648, 1740, 1792; , , ; , , ; , , ; , title II, § 2004(j)(1)(A), (2), (3)(A), , , 3604, 3605; , §§ 7201(a), 7207(a), 7821(c), , , 2337, 2424; , §§ 11802(f)(4), 11813(b)(25), , , 1388–555.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 101–508, § 11802(f)(4)1990—Subsec. (c)(1). , struck out at end “For taxable years ending with or within calendar year 1981, ‘25 percent’ shall be substituted for ‘35 percent’ each place it appears in the first sentence of this subsection. For taxable years ending with or within calendar year 1982, ‘30 percent’ shall be substituted for ‘35 percent’ each place it appears in that sentence.”

Pub. L. 101–508, § 11813(b)(25)Subsec. (e)(3)(B). , substituted “section 50(c)” for “section 48(q)”.

Pub. L. 101–239, § 7821(c)1989—Subsec. (e)(2)(A)(ii). , substituted “another corporation which is or was a member” for “another member”.

Pub. L. 101–239, § 7207(a)Subsec. (e)(4). , added par. (4).

Pub. L. 101–239, § 7201(a)Subsec. (f). , added subsec. (f).

Pub. L. 100–647, § 1012(u)1988—Subsec. (d)(3), (4). , added pars. (3) and (4).

Pub. L. 100–647, § 2004(j)(1)(A)Subsec. (e)(1). , amended introductory provisions generally. Prior to amendment, introductory provisions read as follows: “Solely for purposes of determining gain or loss on the disposition of intragroup stock, in determining the adjustments to the basis of such intragroup stock on account of the earnings and profits of any member of an affiliated group for any consolidated year—”.

Pub. L. 100–647, § 2004(j)(3)(A)Subsec. (e)(2)(C). , added subpar. (C).

Pub. L. 100–647, § 2004(j)(2)Subsec. (e)(3). , added par. (3).

Pub. L. 100–2031987—Subsec. (e). added subsec. (e).

Pub. L. 99–5141986—Subsec. (d). added subsec. (d).

Pub. L. 98–369, § 211(b)(19)(A)1984—Subsec. (c). , (C), substituted “section 801” for “section 802” in heading, and wherever appearing in text.

Pub. L. 98–369, § 211(b)(19)(B)Subsec. (c)(1). , struck out provision that for purposes of this subsection, in determining the taxable income of each insurance company subject to tax under section 802, section 802(b)(3) would not be taken into account.

Pub. L. 94–455, § 1052(c)(5)1976—Subsec. (a). , struck out subsec. (a) designation.

Pub. L. 94–455, § 1052(c)(5)Subsec. (b). , struck out subsec. (b) which provided for a special rule for application of foreign tax credit when overall limitation applies.

Pub. L. 94–455, § 1031(b)(4)Subsec. (b)(1). , struck out “and if for the taxable year an election under section 904(b)(1) (relating to election of overall limitation on foreign tax credit) is in effect” after “section 921)”.

Pub. L. 94–455, § 1901(b)(1)(Y)Subsec. (b)(3)(C). , struck out subpar. (C) which defined “consolidated taxable income”.

Pub. L. 94–455, § 1507(b)(3)Subsec. (c). , added subsec. (c).

Pub. L. 88–272, § 234(a)1964—Subsec. (a). , struck out provisions which increased the tax imposed under section 11(c), or section 831, by 2% of the consolidated taxable income of the affiliated group of includible corporations, and defined “consolidated taxable income”.

Pub. L. 88–272, § 234(b)(1)Subsec. (b). , (2), redesignated subsec. (d) as (b), and substituted references to section 7701 for references to former subsection (c) of this section, in subpar. (A), and definition of “consolidated taxable income” for provisions relating to the computation of tax, for purposes of par. (1)(A), on the portion of consolidated taxable income attributable to any corporation, without regard to the increase of 2% as in subsec. (a), in subpar. (C). Former subsec. (b), which limited the 2% increase in subsec. (a) in cases where the affiliated group included one or more Western Hemisphere trade corporations or one or more regulated public utilities, to the amount by which the consolidated taxable income of the affiliated group exceed the income attributable to such corporations and utilities, was struck out.

Pub. L. 88–272, § 234(b)(1)section 7701(a)(33) of this titleSubsec. (c). , struck out subsec. (c) which defined regulated public utility. See .

Pub. L. 88–272, § 234(b)(1)Subsec. (d). , redesignated subsec. (d) as (b).

Pub. L. 86–7801960—Subsec. (d). added subsec. (d).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1990 Amendment

section 11813(b)(25) of 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 1989 Amendment

Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, § 7201(b)103 Stat. 2329

“(1)

In general .—

The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years ending after .
“(2)

Binding contract exception .—

For purposes of section 1503(f)(3)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, stock issued after , pursuant to a written binding contract in effect on , and at all times thereafter before such issuance, shall be treated as issued on .
“(3)

Special rule when subsidiary leaves group .—

If, by reason of a transaction after , a corporation ceases to be, or becomes, a member of an affiliated group, the stock of such corporation shall be treated, for purposes of section 1503(f)(3)(D) of such Code, as issued on the date of such cessation or commencement, unless such transaction is of a kind which would not result in the recognition of any deferred intercompany gain under the consolidated return regulations by reason of the acquisition of the entire group.
“(4)

Retired stock.—

“(A)
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), if stock issued before , (or described in paragraph (2)), is retired or acquired after , by the corporation or another member of the same affiliated group, such stock shall be treated, for purposes of section 1503(f)(3)(D) of such Code, as issued on the date of such retirement or acquisition.
“(B)
Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to any retirement or acquisition pursuant to an obligation to reissue under a binding written contract in effect on , and at all times thereafter before such retirement or acquisition.
“(5)

Auction rate preferred .—

For purposes of section 1503(f)(3)(D) of such Code, auction rate preferred stock shall be treated as issued when the contract requiring the auction became binding.
“(6)

Special rule for certain auction rate preferred .—

For purposes of section 1503(f)(3)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, any auction rate preferred stock shall be treated as issued before , if—
“(A)
a subsidiary was incorporated before for the special purpose of issuing such stock,
“(B)
a rating agency was retained before , and
“(C)
such stock is issued before the date 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [].”
, , , provided that:

Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, § 7207(b)103 Stat. 2337

“(1)

In general .—

Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to dispositions after , in taxable years ending after such date.
“(2)

Binding contract .—

The amendment made by subsection (a) shall not apply to any disposition pursuant to a written binding contract in effect on , and at all times thereafter before such disposition.”
, , , provided that:

section 7821 of Pub. L. 101–239Pub. L. 100–203, title Xsection 7823 of Pub. L. 101–239section 26 of this titleAmendment by effective as if included in the provision of the Revenue Act of 1987, , to which such amendment relates, see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1988 Amendment

section 1012(u) of Pub. L. 100–647Pub. L. 99–514section 1019(a) of Pub. L. 100–647section 1 of this titleAmendment by effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provision of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, , to which such amendment relates, see , set out as a note under .

Pub. L. 100–647Pub. L. 100–203, title Xsection 2004(u) of Pub. L. 100–647section 56 of this titleAmendment by section 2004(j)(1)(A), (2), (3)(A) of effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provisions of the Revenue Act of 1987, , to which such amendment relates, see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1987 Amendment

Pub. L. 100–203, title X, § 10222(a)(2)101 Stat. 1330–410Pub. L. 100–647, title II, § 2004(j)(1)(B)102 Stat. 3604

“(A)

In general .—

Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the amendment made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall apply to any intragroup stock disposed of after . For purposes of determining the adjustments to the basis of such stock, such amendment shall be deemed to have been in effect for all periods whether before, on, or after .
“(B)

Exception .—

The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall not apply to any intragroup stock disposed of after , and before , if such disposition is pursuant to a written binding contract, governmental order, letter of intent or preliminary agreement, or stock acquisition agreement, in effect on or before .
“(C)

Treatment of certain excess loss accounts.—

“(i)

In general .—

If—
“(I)
any disposition on or before , of stock resulted in an inclusion of an excess loss account (or would have so resulted if the amendments made by paragraph (1) had applied to such disposition), and
“(II)
there is an unrecaptured amount with respect to such disposition,
the portion of such unrecaptured amount allocable to stock disposed of in a disposition to which the amendment made by paragraph (1) applies shall be taken into account as negative basis. To the extent permitted by the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate, the preceding sentence shall not apply to the extent the taxpayer elects to reduce its basis in indebtedness of the corporation with respect to which there would have been an excess loss account.
“(ii)

Special rules .—

For purposes of this subparagraph—
“(I)

Unrecaptured amount .—

The term ‘unrecaptured amount’ means the amount by which the inclusion referred to in clause (i)(I) would have been increased if the amendment made by paragraph (1) and [had] applied to the disposition.
“(II)

Coordination with binding contract exception .—

A disposition shall be treated as occurring on or before , if the amendment made by paragraph (1) does not apply to such disposition by reason of subparagraph (B).”
, , , as amended by , , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Pub. L. 99–514, title XII, § 1249(b)100 Stat. 2585

“The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to net operating losses for taxable years beginning after .”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1984 Amendment

Pub. L. 98–369section 215 of Pub. L. 98–369section 801 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years beginning after , see , set out as an Effective Date note under .

Effective Date of 1976 Amendment

section 1031(b)(4) of Pub. L. 94–455section 1031(c) of Pub. L. 94–455section 904 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years beginning after , see , set out as a note under .

section 1052(c)(5) of Pub. L. 94–455section 1052(d) of Pub. L. 94–455section 170 of this titleAmendment by effective with respect to taxable years beginning after , see , set out as a note under .

section 1507(b)(3) of Pub. L. 94–455section 1507(c) of Pub. L. 94–455section 1504 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years beginning after , see , set out as a note under .

section 1901(b)(1)(Y) of Pub. L. 94–455section 1901(d) of Pub. L. 94–455section 2 of this titleAmendment by applicable with respect to taxable years beginning after , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1964 Amendment

Pub. L. 88–272, title II, § 234(c)78 Stat. 116

“The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) [amending this section and sections 12, 172, 904, 1341, 1552, and 7701 of this title] shall apply with respect to taxable years beginning after .”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1960 Amendment

Pub. L. 86–780section 4 of Pub. L. 86–780section 904 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years 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 .