Value based on use under which property qualifies
General rule
Limitation on aggregate reduction in fair market value
The aggregate decrease in the value of qualified real property taken into account for purposes of this chapter which results from the application of paragraph (1) with respect to any decedent shall not exceed $750,000.
Inflation adjustment
Qualified real property
In general
Qualified use
Adjusted value
Decedents who are retired or disabled
In general
Disabled defined
For purposes of subparagraph (A), an individual shall be disabled if such individual has a mental or physical impairment which renders him unable to materially participate in the operation of the farm or other business.
Coordination with recapture
For purposes of subsection (c)(6)(B)(i), if the requirements of paragraph (1)(C)(ii) are met with respect to any decedent by reason of subparagraph (A), the period ending on the date on which the continuous period taken into account under subparagraph (A) began shall be treated as the period immediately before the decedent’s death.
Special rules for surviving spouses
In general
If property is qualified real property with respect to a decedent (hereinafter in this paragraph referred to as the “first decedent”) and such property was acquired from or passed from the first decedent to the surviving spouse of the first decedent, for purposes of applying this subsection and subsection (c) in the case of the estate of such surviving spouse, active management of the farm or other business by the surviving spouse shall be treated as material participation by such surviving spouse in the operation of such farm or business.
Special rule
For the purposes of subparagraph (A), the determination of whether property is qualified real property with respect to the first decedent shall be made without regard to subparagraph (D) of paragraph (1) and without regard to whether an election under this section was made.
Coordination with paragraph (4)
In any case in which to do so will enable the requirements of paragraph (1)(C)(ii) to be met with respect to the surviving spouse, this subsection and subsection (c) shall be applied by taking into account any application of paragraph (4).
Tax treatment of dispositions and failures to use for qualified use
Imposition of additional estate tax
Amount of additional tax
In general
Adjusted tax difference attributable to interest
Adjusted tax difference with respect to the estate
For purposes of subparagraph (B), the term “adjusted tax difference with respect to the estate” means the excess of what would have been the estate tax liability but for subsection (a) over the estate tax liability. For purposes of this subparagraph, the term “estate tax liability” means the tax imposed by section 2001 reduced by the credits allowable against such tax.
Partial dispositions
Special rule for disposition of timber
Only 1 additional tax imposed with respect to any 1 portion
In the case of an interest acquired from (or passing from) any decedent, if subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1) applies to any portion of an interest, subparagraph (B) or (A), as the case may be, of paragraph (1) shall not apply with respect to the same portion of such interest.
Due date
The additional tax imposed by this subsection shall become due and payable on the day which is 6 months after the date of the disposition or cessation referred to in paragraph (1).
Liability for tax; furnishing of bond
The qualified heir shall be personally liable for the additional tax imposed by this subsection with respect to his interest unless the heir has furnished bond which meets the requirements of subsection (e)(11).
Cessation of qualified use
Special rules
No tax if use begins within 2 years
Active management by eligible qualified heir treated as material participation
Eligible qualified heir
Student
For purposes of subparagraph (C), an individual shall be treated as a student with respect to periods during any calendar year if (and only if) such individual is a student (within the meaning of section 152(f)(2)) for such calendar year.
Certain rents treated as qualified use
For purposes of this subsection, a surviving spouse or lineal descendant of the decedent shall not be treated as failing to use qualified real property in a qualified use solely because such spouse or descendant rents such property to a member of the family of such spouse or descendant on a net cash basis. For purposes of the preceding sentence, a legally adopted child of an individual shall be treated as the child of such individual by blood.
Qualified conservation contribution is not a disposition
A qualified conservation contribution (as defined in section 170(h)) by gift or otherwise shall not be deemed a disposition under subsection (c)(1)(A).
Election; agreement
Election
The election under this section shall be made on the return of the tax imposed by section 2001. Such election shall be made in such manner as the Secretary shall by regulations prescribe. Such an election, once made, shall be irrevocable.
Agreement
The agreement referred to in this paragraph is a written agreement signed by each person in being who has an interest (whether or not in possession) in any property designated in such agreement consenting to the application of subsection (c) with respect to such property.
Modification of election and agreement to be permitted
Definitions; special rules
Qualified heir
The term “qualified heir” means, with respect to any property, a member of the decedent’s family who acquired such property (or to whom such property passed) from the decedent. If a qualified heir disposes of any interest in qualified real property to any member of his family, such member shall thereafter be treated as the qualified heir with respect to such interest.
Member of family
Certain real property included
In the case of real property which meets the requirements of subparagraph (C) of subsection (b)(1), residential buildings and related improvements on such real property occupied on a regular basis by the owner or lessee of such real property or by persons employed by such owner or lessee for the purpose of operating or maintaining such real property, and roads, buildings, and other structures and improvements functionally related to the qualified use shall be treated as real property devoted to the qualified use.
Farm
The term “farm” includes stock, dairy, poultry, fruit, furbearing animal, and truck farms, plantations, ranches, nurseries, ranges, greenhouses or other similar structures used primarily for the raising of agricultural or horticultural commodities, and orchards and woodlands.
Farming purposes
Material participation
Material participation shall be determined in a manner similar to the manner used for purposes of paragraph (1) of section 1402(a) (relating to net earnings from self-employment).
Method of valuing farms
In general
Value based on net share rental in certain cases
In general
If there is no comparable land from which the average annual gross cash rental may be determined but there is comparable land from which the average net share rental may be determined, subparagraph (A)(i) shall be applied by substituting “average annual net share rental” for “average annual gross cash rental”.
Net share rental
Exception
Method of valuing closely held business interests, etc.
Property acquired from decedent
Community property
If the decedent and his surviving spouse at any time held qualified real property as community property, the interest of the surviving spouse in such property shall be taken into account under this section to the extent necessary to provide a result under this section with respect to such property which is consistent with the result which would have obtained under this section if such property had not been community property.
Bond in lieu of personal liability
If the qualified heir makes written application to the Secretary for determination of the maximum amount of the additional tax which may be imposed by subsection (c) with respect to the qualified heir’s interest, the Secretary (as soon as possible, and in any event within 1 year after the making of such application) shall notify the heir of such maximum amount. The qualified heir, on furnishing a bond in such amount and for such period as may be required, shall be discharged from personal liability for any additional tax imposed by subsection (c) and shall be entitled to a receipt or writing showing such discharge.
Active management
The term “active management” means the making of the management decisions of a business (other than the daily operating decisions).
Special rules for woodlands
In general
In the case of any qualified woodland with respect to which the executor elects to have this subparagraph apply, trees growing on such woodland shall not be treated as a crop.
Qualified woodland
Timber operations
Election
An election under subparagraph (A) shall be made on the return of the tax imposed by section 2001. Such election shall be made in such manner as the Secretary shall by regulations prescribe. Such an election, once made, shall be irrevocable.
Treatment of replacement property acquired in section 1031 or 1033 transactions
In general
In the case of any qualified replacement property, any period during which there was ownership, qualified use, or material participation with respect to the replaced property by the decedent or any member of his family shall be treated as a period during which there was such ownership, use, or material participation (as the case may be) with respect to the qualified replacement property.
Limitation
Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to the extent that the fair market value of the qualified replacement property (as of the date of its acquisition) exceeds the fair market value of the replaced property (as of the date of its disposition).
Definitions
Qualified replacement property
Replaced property
Statute of limitations
Application of this section and section 6324B to interests in partnerships, corporations, and trusts
The Secretary shall prescribe regulations setting forth the application of this section and section 6324B in the case of an interest in a partnership, corporation, or trust which, with respect to the decedent, is an interest in a closely held business (within the meaning of paragraph (1) of section 6166(b)). For purposes of the preceding sentence, an interest in a discretionary trust all the beneficiaries of which are qualified heirs shall be treated as a present interest.
Special rules for involuntary conversions of qualified real property
Treatment of converted property
In general
Amount of tax where there is not complete reinvestment
Treatment of replacement property
Definitions and special rules
Involuntary conversion
The term “involuntary conversion” means a compulsory or involuntary conversion within the meaning of section 1033.
Qualified replacement property
Certain rules made applicable
The rules of the last sentence of section 1033(a)(2)(A) shall apply for purposes of paragraph (3)(B)(ii).
Exchanges of qualified real property
Treatment of property exchanged
Exchanges solely for qualified exchange property
If an interest in qualified real property is exchanged solely for an interest in qualified exchange property in a transaction which qualifies under section 1031, no tax shall be imposed by subsection (c) by reason of such exchange.
Exchanges where other property received
Treatment of qualified exchange property
Qualified exchange property
For purposes of this subsection, the term “qualified exchange property” means real property which is to be used for the qualified use set forth in subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (b)(2) under which the real property exchanged therefor originally qualified under subsection (a).
Pub. L. 94–455, title XX, § 2003(a)90 Stat. 1856Pub. L. 95–472, § 4(a)92 Stat. 1334Pub. L. 95–600, title VII, § 702(d)(1)92 Stat. 2928Pub. L. 97–34, title IV, § 421(a)95 Stat. 306–313Pub. L. 97–448, title I, § 104(b)(1)96 Stat. 2381Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title X, § 1025(a)98 Stat. 1030Pub. L. 99–514, title I, § 104(b)(3)100 Stat. 2105Pub. L. 100–647, title VI, § 6151(a)102 Stat. 3724Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, § 11802(f)(5)104 Stat. 1388–530Pub. L. 105–34, title V111 Stat. 845Pub. L. 108–311, title II, § 207(22)118 Stat. 1178Pub. L. 115–97, title I, § 11002(d)(1)(DD)131 Stat. 2060(Added , , ; amended , (c), , , 1336; , (2), (4), (5), , , 2929; –(d)(2)(A), (e), (f), (h)–(j)(2)(A), (3), (4), , ; , (2), , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , §§ 501(b), 504(a), (b), 508(c), title XIII, § 1313(a), , , 853, 854, 860, 1045; , , ; , , .)
Inflation Adjusted Items for Certain Years
section 1 of this titleFor inflation adjustment of certain items in this section, see Revenue Procedures listed in a table under .
Editorial Notes
References in Text
act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 53149 Stat. 620section 1305 of Title 42The Social Security Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(4)(A)(i), is , . Title II of the Social Security Act is classified generally to subchapter II (§ 401 et seq.) of chapter 7 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see and Tables.
Amendments
Pub. L. 115–972017—Subsec. (a)(3)(B). substituted “for ‘calendar year 2016’ in subparagraph (A)(ii)” for “for ‘calendar year 1992’ in subparagraph (B)”.
Pub. L. 108–3112004—Subsec. (c)(7)(D). substituted “section 152(f)(2)” for “section 151(c)(4)”.
Pub. L. 105–34, § 501(b)1997—Subsec. (a)(3). , added par. (3).
Pub. L. 105–34, § 504(b)Subsec. (b)(5)(A). , struck out at end “For purposes of subsection (c), such surviving spouse shall not be treated as failing to use such property in a qualified use solely because such spouse rents such property to a member of such spouse’s family on a net cash basis.”
Pub. L. 105–34, § 504(a)Subsec. (c)(7)(E). , added subpar. (E).
Pub. L. 105–34, § 508(c)Subsec. (c)(8). , added par. (8).
Pub. L. 105–34, § 1313(a)Subsec. (d)(3). , amended heading and text of par. (3) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The Secretary shall prescribe procedures which provide that in any case in which—
“(A) the executor makes an election under paragraph (1) within the time prescribed for filing such election, and
“(B) substantially complies with the regulations prescribed by the Secretary with respect to such election, but—
“(i) the notice of election, as filed, does not contain all required information, or
“(ii) signatures of 1 or more persons required to enter into the agreement described in paragraph (2) are not included on the agreement as filed, or the agreement does not contain all required information,
the executor will have a reasonable period of time (not exceeding 90 days) after notification of such failures to provide such information or agreements.”
Pub. L. 101–5081990—Subsec. (a)(2). amended par. (2) generally, substituting present provisions for provisions which established graduated increase in applicable limit on aggregate reduction in fair market value from $600,000 in the case of decedents dying in 1981 to $750,000 in the case of decedents dying in 1983 or thereafter.
Pub. L. 100–6471988—Subsec. (b)(5)(A). inserted at end “For purposes of subsection (c), such surviving spouse shall not be treated as failing to use such property in a qualified use solely because such spouse rents such property to a member of such spouse’s family on a net cash basis.”
Pub. L. 99–5141986—Subsec. (c)(7)(D). substituted “section 151(c)(4)” for “section 151(e)(4)”.
Pub. L. 98–3691984—Subsec. (d)(3). added par. (3).
Pub. L. 97–448, § 104(b)(1)1983—Subsec. (b)(5)(C). , added subpar. (C).
Pub. L. 97–448, § 104(b)(2)(A)Subsec. (i)(1)(B)(ii). , substituted “the qualified exchange property” for “the other property”.
Pub. L. 97–448, § 104(b)(2)(B)Subsec. (i)(3). , substituted “subparagraph (A) or (B)” for “subparagraph (A), (B), or (C)”.
Pub. L. 97–34, § 421(a)1981—Subsec. (a)(2). , substituted “Limit on aggregate reduction in fair market value” for “Limitation” in heading “shall not exceed the applicable limit set forth in the following table:” for “shall not exceed $500,000” in text, and inserted table.
Pub. L. 97–34, § 421(b)(1)Subsec. (b)(1). , substituted “qualified use by the decedent or a member of the decedent’s family” for “qualified use” in provision preceding subpar. (A), and in subpars. (A)(i) and (C)(i).
Pub. L. 97–34, § 421(b)(2)Subsec. (b)(4), (5). , added pars. (4) and (5).
Pub. L. 97–34, § 421(c)(1)(A)Subsec. (c)(1). , substituted “10 years” for “15 years”.
Pub. L. 97–34, § 421(h)(2)Subsec. (c)(2)(E). , added subpar. (E).
Pub. L. 97–34, § 421(c)(1)(B)(i)Subsec. (c)(3). , redesignated par. (4) as (3) and struck out former par. (3), which provided for a phaseout of additional tax between the 10th and 15th years.
Pub. L. 97–34, § 421(c)(1)(B)(i)Subsec. (c)(4), (5). , redesignated pars. (5) and (6) as (4) and (5), respectively. Former par. (4) redesignated (3).
Pub. L. 97–34, § 421(c)(2)(B)(ii)Subsec. (c)(6). , in subpar. (B) substituted “more than 3 years” for “3 years or more”.
Pub. L. 97–34, § 421(c)(1)(B)(i), redesignated par. (7) as (6). Former par. (6) redesignated (5).
Pub. L. 97–34, § 421(c)(1)(B)(i)Subsec. (c)(7). , (2)(A), added par. (7). Former par. (7) redesignated (6).
Pub. L. 97–34, § 421(j)(3)Subsec. (d)(1). , substituted “The election under this section shall be made on the return of the tax imposed by section 2001. Such election shall be made in such manner as the Secretary shall by regulations prescribe. Such an election, once made, shall be irrevocable.” for “The election under this section shall be made not later than the time prescribed by section 6075(a) for filing the return of tax imposed by section 2001 (including extensions thereof), and shall be made in such manner as the Secretary shall by regulations prescribe.”
Pub. L. 97–34, § 421(i)Subsec. (e)(2). , substituted provisions designated subpars. (A) through (D) for “such individual’s ancestor or lineal descendant, a lineal descendant of a grandparent of such individual, the spouse of such individual, or the spouse of any such descendant”.
Pub. L. 97–34, § 421(f)Subsec. (e)(7). , added subpar. (B), redesignated former subpar. (B) as (C), and inserted “and that there is no comparable land from which the average net share rental may be determined” after “determined” in subpar. (C), without specifying whether the language was to be inserted in cl. (i) or (ii) of subpar. (C). In view of H. Rept. No. 97–201, 97th Cong., , p. 492, the language was inserted in cl. (ii) as the probable intent of Congress.
Pub. L. 97–34, § 421(j)(2)(A)Subsec. (e)(9). , struck out from subpar. (B) “in satisfaction of the right of such person to a pecuniary bequest” after “from the estate” and in subpar. (C) substituted “(to the extent such property is includible in the gross estate of the decedent)” for “in satisfaction of a right (which such person has by reason of the death of the decedent) to receive from the trust a specific dollar amount which is the equivalent of a pecuniary bequest”.
Pub. L. 97–34, § 421(c)(2)(B)(i)Subsec. (e)(12). , added par. (12).
Pub. L. 97–34, § 421(h)(1)Subsec. (e)(13), (14). , (j)(4), added pars. (13) and (14).
Pub. L. 97–34, § 421(e)(2)Subsec. (f)(1). , substituted “to which subsection (h)” for “to which an election under subsection (h)”.
Pub. L. 97–34, § 421(d)(2)(A), substituted “conversion or exchange”, “(h) or (i)”, and “replace or of the exchange of property” for “conversion”, “(h)”, and “replace”.
Pub. L. 97–34, § 421(j)(1)Subsec. (g). , inserted provision that for purposes of the preceding sentence, an interest in a discretionary trust all the beneficiaries of which are qualified heirs shall be treated as a present interest.
Pub. L. 97–34, § 421(e)(1)(A)Subsec. (h)(1)(A). , struck out “and the qualified heir makes an election under this subsection” after “qualified real property”.
Pub. L. 97–34, § 421(c)(1)(B)(ii)Subsec. (h)(2)(A). , substituted “; except that” for “, except that” and “the 10-year period” for “the 15-year period”, deleted cl. (i) designation, and struck out cl. (ii), which provided the phaseout period under par. (3) of subsec. (c) be appropriately adjusted to take into account the extension referred to in cl. (i).
Pub. L. 97–34, § 421(c)(1)(B)(iii)Subsec. (h)(2)(C). , substituted “(6)” for “(7)” in provisions preceding cl. (i).
Pub. L. 97–34, § 421(e)(1)(B)Subsec. (h)(5). , struck out par. (5) which provided for making a subsec. (h) election at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may by regulations prescribe.
Pub. L. 97–34, § 421(d)(1)Subsec. (i). , added subsec. (i).
Pub. L. 95–600, § 702(d)(1)1978—Subsec. (b)(1). , inserted “which was acquired from or passed from the decedent to a qualified heir of the decedent and” after “located in the United States”.
Pub. L. 95–600, § 702(d)(5)(A)Subsec. (c)(6). , inserted “unless the heir has furnished bond which meets the requirements of subsection (e)(11)” after “respect to his interest”.
Pub. L. 95–600, § 702(d)(2)Subsec. (e)(9). , added par. (9).
Pub. L. 95–600, § 702(d)(4)Subsec. (e)(10). , added par. (10).
Pub. L. 95–600, § 702(d)(5)(B)Subsec. (e)(11). , added par. (11).
Pub. L. 95–472, § 4(c)Subsec. (f)(1). , inserted provision relating to the expiration of the statutory period for the assessment of additional tax due under subsec. (c) in the case of an involuntary conversion to which an election under subsec. (h) is applicable.
Pub. L. 95–472, § 4(a)Subsec. (h). , added subsec. (h).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2017 Amendment
Pub. L. 115–97section 11002(e) of Pub. L. 115–97section 1 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years beginning after , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Pub. L. 108–311section 208 of Pub. L. 108–311section 2 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years beginning after , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
section 501(b) of Pub. L. 105–34section 501(f) of Pub. L. 105–34section 2001 of this titleAmendment by applicable to estates of decedents dying, and gifts made, after , see , set out as a note under .
Pub. L. 105–34, title V, § 504(c)111 Stat. 854
section 508(c) of Pub. L. 105–34section 508(e)(2) of Pub. L. 105–34section 170 of this titleAmendment by applicable to easements granted after , see , set out as a note under .
Pub. L. 105–34, title XIII, § 1313(b)111 Stat. 1045
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Pub. L. 100–647, title VI, § 6151(b)102 Stat. 3724
In general .—
Waiver of statute of limitations .—
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Pub. L. 99–514section 151(a) of Pub. L. 99–514section 1 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years beginning after , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title X, § 1025(b)98 Stat. 1031Pub. L. 99–514, § 2100 Stat. 2095
In general .—
Refund or credit of overpayment barred by statute of limitations .—
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Pub. L. 97–448Pub. L. 97–34section 109 of Pub. L. 97–448section 1 of this titleAmendment by effective, except as otherwise provided, as if it had been included in the provision of the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981, , to which such amendment relates, see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Pub. L. 97–34, title IV, § 421(k)95 Stat. 313Pub. L. 97–448, title I, § 104(b)(4)96 Stat. 2382Pub. L. 99–514, § 2100 Stat. 2095
In general .—
Increase in limitation .—
Subsection (d).—
Subsection (e).—
Certain amendments made retroactive to 1976.—
In general .—
Timely election required .—
Reinstatement of elections .—
Statute of limitations .—
Effective Date of 1978 Amendment
Pub. L. 95–600, title VII, § 702(d)(6)92 Stat. 2929
Pub. L. 95–472section 4(d) of Pub. L. 95–472section 1016 of this titleAmendment of section by applicable with respect to involuntary conversions after , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date
Pub. L. 94–455, title XX, § 2003(e)90 Stat. 1862
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 .
Waiver of Statute of Limitation for Taxes on Certain Farm Valuations
Pub. L. 107–16, title V, § 581115 Stat. 93
Information Necessary for Valid Special Use Valuation Election
Pub. L. 99–514, title XIV, § 1421100 Stat. 2716Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1014(f)102 Stat. 3562
In General .—
Executor Must Provide Information .—
Effective Date .—
Special Rule for Certain Estate .—
Land Diverted Under 1983 Payment-in-Kind Program
section 3 of Pub. L. 98–4section 61 of this titleLand diverted from production of agricultural commodities under a 1983 payment-in-kind program to be treated, for purposes of this section, as used during the 1983 crop year by qualified taxpayers in the active conduct of the trade or business of farming, with qualified taxpayers who materially participate in the diversion and devotion to conservation uses under a 1983 payment-in-kind program to be treated as materially participating in the operation of such land during the 1983 crop year, see , set out as a note under .