US Code

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

26 U.S.C. § 195

Start-up expenditures

(a)

Capitalization of expenditures

Except as otherwise provided in this section, no deduction shall be allowed for start-up expenditures.

(b)

Election to deduct

(1)

Allowance of deduction

If a taxpayer elects the application of this subsection with respect to any start-up expenditures—
(A)
the taxpayer shall be allowed a deduction for the taxable year in which the active trade or business begins in an amount equal to the lesser of—
(i)
the amount of start-up expenditures with respect to the active trade or business, or
(ii)
$5,000, reduced (but not below zero) by the amount by which such start-up expenditures exceed $50,000, and
(B)
the remainder of such start-up expenditures shall be allowed as a deduction ratably over the 180-month period beginning with the month in which the active trade or business begins.
(2)

Dispositions before close of amortization period

In any case in which a trade or business is completely disposed of by the taxpayer before the end of the period to which paragraph (1) applies, any deferred expenses attributable to such trade or business which were not allowed as a deduction by reason of this section may be deducted to the extent allowable under section 165.

(3)

Special rule for taxable years beginning in 2010

In the case of a taxable year beginning in 2010, paragraph (1)(A)(ii) shall be applied—
(A)
by substituting “$10,000” for “$5,000”, and
(B)
by substituting “$60,000” for “$50,000”.
(c)

Definitions

For purposes of this section—
(1)

Start-up expenditures

The term “start-up expenditure” means any amount—
(A)
paid or incurred in connection with—
(i)
investigating the creation or acquisition of an active trade or business, or
(ii)
creating an active trade or business, or
(iii)
any activity engaged in for profit and for the production of income before the day on which the active trade or business begins, in anticipation of such activity becoming an active trade or business, and
(B)
which, if paid or incurred in connection with the operation of an existing active trade or business (in the same field as the trade or business referred to in subparagraph (A)), would be allowable as a deduction for the taxable year in which paid or incurred.
The term “start-up expenditure” does not include any amount with respect to which a deduction is allowable under section 163(a), 164, 174, or 174A.
(2)

Beginning of trade or business

(A)

In general

Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the determination of when an active trade or business begins shall be made in accordance with such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe.

(B)

Acquired trade or business

An acquired active trade or business shall be treated as beginning when the taxpayer acquires it.

(d)

Election

(1)

Time for making election

An election under subsection (b) shall be made not later than the time prescribed by law for filing the return for the taxable year in which the trade or business begins (including extensions thereof).

(2)

Scope of election

The period selected under subsection (b) shall be adhered to in computing taxable income for the taxable year for which the election is made and all subsequent taxable years.

Pub. L. 96–605, title I, § 102(a)94 Stat. 3522Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title I, § 94(a)98 Stat. 614Pub. L. 108–357, title VIII, § 902(a)118 Stat. 1651Pub. L. 111–240, title II, § 2031(a)124 Stat. 2559Pub. L. 119–21, title VII, § 70302(b)(6)139 Stat. 192(Added , , ; amended , , ; , , ; , , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 119–212025—Subsec. (c)(1). substituted “174, or 174A” for “or 174” in concluding provisions.

Pub. L. 111–2402010—Subsec. (b)(3). added par. (3).

Pub. L. 108–357, § 902(a)(2)2004—Subsec. (b). , substituted “deduct” for “amortize” in heading.

Pub. L. 108–357, § 902(a)(1)Subsec. (b)(1). , amended heading and text of par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “Start-up expenditures may, at the election of the taxpayer, be treated as deferred expenses. Such deferred expenses shall be allowed as a deduction prorated equally over such period of not less than 60 months as may be selected by the taxpayer (beginning with the month in which the active trade or business begins).”

Pub. L. 98–3691984—Subsec. (a). amended subsec. (a) generally, substituting provisions dealing with capitalization of expenditures for provisions dealing with election to amortize.

Pub. L. 98–369Subsec. (b). amended subsec. (b) generally, substituting provisions dealing with election to amortize for provisions dealing with start-up expenditures.

Pub. L. 98–369Subsec. (c). amended subsec. (c) generally, substituting provisions setting forth definitions for provisions dealing with election.

Pub. L. 98–369Subsec. (d). amended subsec. (d) generally, substituting provisions dealing with election for provisions dealing with business beginning.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2025 Amendment

Pub. L. 119–21Pub. L. 119–21section 174A of this titleAmendment by applicable to amounts paid or incurred in taxable years beginning after , subject to election for retroactive application by certain small businesses and election to deduct certain unamortized amounts paid or incurred in taxable years beginning before , see section 70302(e), (f) of , set out as an Effective Date note under .

Effective Date of 2010 Amendment

Pub. L. 111–240, title II, § 2031(b)124 Stat. 2559

“The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to amounts paid or incurred in taxable years beginning after .”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 2004 Amendment

Pub. L. 108–357, title VIII, § 902(d)118 Stat. 1652

“The amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 248 and 709 of this title] shall apply to amounts paid or incurred after the date of the enactment of this Act [].”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1984 Amendment

Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title I, § 94(c)98 Stat. 615

“The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after .”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date

Pub. L. 96–605, title I, § 102(c)94 Stat. 3522

“The amendments made by this section [enacting this section] shall apply to amounts paid or incurred after , in taxable years ending after such date.”
, , , provided that: