Limitation to amount at risk
In general
Deduction in succeeding year
Any loss from an activity to which this section applies not allowed under this section for the taxable year shall be treated as a deduction allocable to such activity in the first succeeding taxable year.
Special rules for applying paragraph (1)(B)
Amounts considered at risk
In general
Borrowed amounts
Certain borrowed amounts excluded
In general
Except to the extent provided in regulations, for purposes of paragraph (1)(B), amounts borrowed shall not be considered to be at risk with respect to an activity if such amounts are borrowed from any person who has an interest in such activity or from a related person to a person (other than the taxpayer) having such an interest.
Exceptions
Interest as creditor
Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to an interest as a creditor in the activity.
Interest as shareholder with respect to amounts borrowed by corporation
In the case of amounts borrowed by a corporation from a shareholder, subparagraph (A) shall not apply to an interest as a shareholder.
Related person
Exception
Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a taxpayer shall not be considered at risk with respect to amounts protected against loss through nonrecourse financing, guarantees, stop loss agreements, or other similar arrangements.
Amounts at risk in subsequent years
If in any taxable year the taxpayer has a loss from an activity to which subsection (a) applies, the amount with respect to which a taxpayer is considered to be at risk (within the meaning of subsection (b)) in subsequent taxable years with respect to that activity shall be reduced by that portion of the loss which (after the application of subsection (a)) is allowable as a deduction.
Qualified nonrecourse financing treated as amount at risk
In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, in the case of an activity of holding real property, a taxpayer shall be considered at risk with respect to the taxpayer’s share of any qualified nonrecourse financing which is secured by real property used in such activity.
Qualified nonrecourse financing
Special rule for partnerships
In the case of a partnership, a partner’s share of any qualified nonrecourse financing of such partnership shall be determined on the basis of the partner’s share of liabilities of such partnership incurred in connection with such financing (within the meaning of section 752).
Qualified person defined
In general
The term “qualified person” has the meaning given such term by section 49(a)(1)(D)(iv).
Certain commercially reasonable financing from related persons
For purposes of clause (i), section 49(a)(1)(D)(iv) shall be applied without regard to subclause (I) thereof (relating to financing from related persons) if the financing from the related person is commercially reasonable and on substantially the same terms as loans involving unrelated persons.
Activity of holding real property
Incidental personal property and services
The activity of holding real property includes the holding of personal property and the providing of services which are incidental to making real property available as living accommodations.
Mineral property
The activity of holding real property shall not include the holding of mineral property.
Activities to which section applies
Types of activities
Separate activities
In general
Aggregation rules
Special rule for leases of section 1245 property by partnerships or S corporations
Other aggregation rules
Rules similar to the rules of subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (3) shall apply for purposes of this paragraph.
Extension to other activities
In general
Aggregation of activities where taxpayer actively participates in management of trade or business
Aggregation or separation of activities under regulations
The Secretary shall prescribe regulations under which activities described in subparagraph (A) shall be aggregated or treated as separate activities.
Application of subsection (b)(3)
In the case of an activity described in subparagraph (A), subsection (b)(3) shall apply only to the extent provided in regulations prescribed by the Secretary.
Exclusion for certain equipment leasing by closely-held corporations
In general
50-percent gross receipts test
For purposes of subparagraph (A), a corporation shall not be considered to be actively engaged in equipment leasing unless 50 percent or more of the gross receipts of the corporation for the taxable year is attributable, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, to equipment leasing.
Component members of controlled group treated as a single corporation
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the component members of a controlled group of corporations shall be treated as a single corporation.
Waiver of controlled group rule where there is substantial leasing activity
In general
Qualified leasing group
At least 3 employees
During the entire year, the group had at least 3 full-time employees substantially all of the services of whom were services directly related to the equipment leasing activity of the qualified leasing members.
At least 5 separate leasing transactions
During the year, the qualified leasing members in the aggregate entered into at least 5 separate equipment leasing transactions.
At least $1,000,000 equipment leasing receipts
During the year, the qualified leasing members in the aggregate had at least $1,000,000 in gross receipts from equipment leasing.
Qualified leasing member
Definitions relating to paragraphs (4) and (5)
Equipment leasing
Leasing of master sound recordings, etc., excluded
The term “equipment leasing” does not include the leasing of master sound recordings, and other similar contractual arrangements with respect to tangible or intangible assets associated with literary, artistic, or musical properties.
Controlled group of corporations; component member
The terms “controlled group of corporations” and “component member” have the same meanings as when used in section 1563. The determination of the taxable years taken into account with respect to any controlled group of corporations shall be made in a manner consistent with the manner set forth in section 1563.
Exclusion of active businesses of qualified C corporations
In general
Qualified C corporation
Qualifying business
Special rules for application of subparagraph (C)
Partnerships in which taxpayer is a qualified corporate partner
Qualified corporate partner
Deduction for owner employee compensation not taken into account
For purposes of clause (iii) of subparagraph (C), there shall not be taken into account any deduction in respect of compensation for personal services rendered by any employee (other than a non-owner employee) of the taxpayer or any member of such employee’s family (within the meaning of section 318(a)(1)).
Special rule for banks
Special rule for life insurance companies
In general
Clause (iii) of subparagraph (C) shall not apply to any insurance business of a qualified life insurance company.
Insurance business
For purposes of subclause (I), the term “insurance business” means any business which is not a noninsurance business (within the meaning of section 453B(e)(3)).
Qualified life insurance company
For purposes of subclause (I), the term “qualified life insurance company” means any company which would be a life insurance company as defined in section 816 if unearned premiums were not taken into account under subsections (a)(2) and (c)(2) of section 816.
Definitions
Non-owner employee
The term “non-owner employee” means any employee who does not own, at any time during the taxable year, more than 5 percent in value of the outstanding stock of the taxpayer. For purposes of the preceding sentence, section 318 shall apply, except that “5 percent” shall be substituted for “50 percent” in section 318(a)(2)(C).
Excluded business
Special rules relating to communications industry, etc.
Business not excluded where taxpayer not completely at risk
A business involving the use, exploitation, sale, lease, or other disposition of property described in subclause (II) of clause (ii) shall not constitute an excluded business by reason of such subclause if the taxpayer is at risk with respect to all amounts paid or incurred (or chargeable to capital account) in such business.
Certain licensed businesses not excluded
For purposes of subclause (II) of clause (ii), the provision of radio, television, cable television, or similar services pursuant to a license or franchise granted by the Federal Communications Commission or any other Federal, State, or local authority shall not constitute an excluded business by reason of such subclause.
Affiliated group treated as 1 taxpayer
In general
Except as provided in subparagraph (G), the component members of an affiliated group of corporations shall be treated as a single taxpayer.
Affiliated group of corporations
The term “affiliated group of corporations” means an affiliated group (as defined in section 1504(a)) which files or is required to file consolidated income tax returns.
Component member
The term “component member” means an includible corporation (as defined in section 1504) which is a member of the affiliated group.
Loss of 1 member of affiliated group may not offset income of personal holding company or personal service corporation
Nothing in this paragraph shall permit any loss of a member of an affiliated group to be used as an offset against the income of any other member of such group which is a personal holding company (as defined in section 542(a)) or a personal service corporation (as defined in section 269A(b) but determined by substituting “5 percent” for “10 percent” in section 269A(b)(2)).
Definition of loss
For purposes of this section, the term “loss” means the excess of the deductions allowable under this chapter for the taxable year (determined without regard to the first sentence of subsection (a)) and allocable to an activity to which this section applies over the income received or accrued by the taxpayer during the taxable year from such activity (determined without regard to subsection (e)(1)(A)).
Recapture of losses where amount at risk is less than zero
In general
Limitation
Pub. L. 94–455, title II, § 204(a)90 Stat. 1531Pub. L. 95–600, title II92 Stat. 2814Pub. L. 95–618, title IV, § 402(d)92 Stat. 3202Pub. L. 96–222, title I, § 102(a)(1)(A)94 Stat. 206Pub. L. 97–354, § 5(a)(31)96 Stat. 1695Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title IV, § 432(a)98 Stat. 811–814Pub. L. 99–514, title II, § 201(d)(7)(A)100 Stat. 2141Pub. L. 101–508, title XI104 Stat. 1388–555Pub. L. 108–357, title IV, § 413(c)(7)118 Stat. 1507Pub. L. 113–295, div. A, title II, § 221(a)(59)128 Stat. 4047Pub. L. 115–97, title I, § 13512(b)(2)131 Stat. 2143(Added , , ; amended , §§ 201(a), (c)(1), 202, 203, title VII, § 701(k)(2), , , 2816, 2906; , , ; –(D), , ; , , ; –(c), title VII, § 721(x)(2), , , 971; , title V, § 503(a), (b), title X, § 1011(b)(1), , , 2243, 2389; , §§ 11813(b)(15), 11815(b)(3), , , 1388–558; , , ; , , ; , , .)
Editorial Notes
Amendments
Pub. L. 115–972017—Subsec. (c)(7)(D)(v)(II). substituted “section 453B(e)(3)” for “section 806(b)(3)”.
Pub. L. 113–2952014—Subsec. (c)(3)(A). substituted “This” for “In the case of taxable years beginning after , this”.
Pub. L. 108–3572004—Subsec. (c)(7)(B). inserted “or” at end of cl. (i), redesignated cl. (iii) as (ii), and struck out former cl. (ii) which read as follows: “a foreign personal holding company (as defined in section 552(a)), or”.
Pub. L. 101–508, § 11813(b)(15)1990—Subsec. (b)(6)(D). , substituted “49(a)(1)(D)(iv)” for “46(c)(8)(D)(iv)” wherever appearing.
Pub. L. 101–508, § 11815(b)(3)Subsec. (c)(1)(E). , substituted “section 613(e)(2)” for “section 613(e)(3)”.
Pub. L. 99–514, § 201(d)(7)(A)1986—Subsec. (b)(3)(C). , struck out “defined” after “person” in heading and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term ‘related person’ has the meaning given such term by section 168(e)(4).”
Pub. L. 99–514, § 503(b)Subsec. (b)(6). , added par. (6).
Pub. L. 99–514, § 503(a)Subsec. (c)(3)(D), (E). , redesignated subpar. (E) as (D) and struck out former subpar. (D) which read as follows: “In the case of activities described in subparagraph (A), the holding of real property (other than mineral property) shall be treated as a separate activity, and subsection (a) shall not apply to losses from such activity. For purposes of the preceding sentence, personal property and services which are incidental to making real property available as living accommodations shall be treated as part of the activity of holding such real property.”
Pub. L. 99–514, § 1011(b)(1)Subsec. (c)(7)(D)(v)(II). , substituted “section 806(b)(3)” for “section 806(c)(3)”.
Pub. L. 98–369, § 721(x)(2)1984—Subsec. (a)(1)(B). , substituted “a C corporation” for “a corporation”.
Pub. L. 98–369, § 432(c)section 267(b) of this titleSubsec. (b)(3). , designated existing provisions as subpar. (A), in subpar. (A) as so designated struck out subpar. designations “(A)” and “(B)” and substituted provisions that, except as provided by regulation, amounts borrowed shall not be considered to be at risk if such amounts are borrowed from any person who has an interest in the activity or from a related person to a person (other than the taxpayer) having such an interest for provision that such amounts would not be considered to be at risk if borrowed from a person who had an interest (other than as a creditor) in such activity or who had a relationship to the taxpayer specified in , and added subpars. (B) and (C).
Pub. L. 98–369, § 432(b)Subsec. (c)(2). , designated existing provisions as subpar. (A), in subpar. (A) as so designated, redesignated former subpars. (A) to (E) as cls. (i) to (v), respectively, struck out provision that a partner’s interest in a partnership or a shareholder’s interest in an S corporation had to be treated as a single activity to the extent that the partnership or the S corporation was engaged in activities described in any subparagraph of this paragraph, and added subpar. (B).
Pub. L. 98–369, § 432(a)Subsec. (c)(7). , added par. (7).
Pub. L. 97–354, § 5(a)(31)(A)1982—Subsec. (a)(1). , redesignated subpar. (C) as (B). Former subpar. (B), relating to an electing small business corporation, was struck out.
Pub. L. 97–354, § 5(a)(31)(B)Subsec. (a)(3). , substituted “paragraph (1)(B)” for “paragraph (1)(C)” in heading and text.
Pub. L. 97–354, § 5(a)(31)(C)Subsec. (c)(2). , substituted “an S corporation” for “an electing small business corporation” the first place appearing and “the S corporation” for “an electing small business corporation” the second place appearing.
Pub. L. 97–354, § 5(a)(31)(D)Subsec. (c)(3)(B)(ii). , substituted “an S corporation” for “electing small business corporation (as defined in section 1371(b))”.
Pub. L. 97–354, § 5(a)(31)(E)Subsec. (c)(4)(A). , substituted “subsection (a)(1)(B)” for “subsection (a)(1)(C)”.
Pub. L. 96–222, § 102(a)(1)(A)1980—Subsec. (a)(1)(C), (3). , struck out in par. (1)(C) “(determined by reference to the rules contained in section 318 rather than under section 544)” after “of section 542(a)” and added par. (3).
Pub. L. 96–222, § 102(a)(1)(D)(iii)Subsec. (b)(5). , substituted “to which subsection (a) applies” for “to which this section applies”.
Pub. L. 96–222, § 102(a)(1)(D)(ii)Subsec. (c)(3)(D). , struck out provisions relating to equipment leasing by closely-held corporations.
Pub. L. 96–222, § 102(a)(1)(D)(i)Subsec. (c)(4) to (6). , added pars. (4) to (6).
Pub. L. 96–222, § 102(a)(1)(B)Subsec. (d). , inserted “(determined without regard to subsection (e)(1)(A)” after “from such activity”.
Pub. L. 96–222, § 102(a)(1)(C)Subsec. (e)(2)(A). , inserted “by reason of losses” after “with respect to the activity”.
Pub. L. 95–600, § 201(c)(1)1978—, substituted “Deductions limited to amount at risk” for “Deductions limited to amount at risk in case of certain activities” in section catchline.
Pub. L. 95–600, § 202section 1371(b) of this titlesection 542(a)(2) of this titlesection 318 of this titlesection 1371(b) of this titlesection 542 of this titleSubsec. (a). , redesignated existing provisions as par. (1), substituted provisions relating to limitations with respect to an individual, an electing small business corporation defined under , and a corporation meeting the stock ownership requirements of and the rules of , for provisions relating to limitations with respect to a taxpayer other than a corporation which is neither an electing small business corporation defined under , nor a personal holding company defined under , and added par. (2).
Pub. L. 95–618, § 402(d)(1)Subsec. (c)(1)(E). , added subpar. (E).
Pub. L. 95–618, § 402(d)(2)Subsec. (c)(2)(E). , added subpar. (E).
Pub. L. 95–600, § 201(a)Subsec. (c)(3). , added par. (3).
Pub. L. 95–600, § 701(k)(2)Subsec. (d). , substituted “(determined without regard to the first sentence of subsection (a))” for “(determined without regard to this section)”.
Pub. L. 95–600, § 203Subsec. (e). , added subsec. (e).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2017 Amendment
Pub. L. 115–97section 13512(c) of Pub. L. 115–97section 453B of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years beginning after , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 2014 Amendment
Pub. L. 113–295section 221(b) of Pub. L. 113–295section 1 of this titleAmendment by effective , subject to a savings provision, see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Pub. L. 108–357section 413(d)(1) of Pub. L. 108–357section 1 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years of foreign corporations beginning after , and to taxable years of United States shareholders with or within which such taxable years of foreign corporations end, see , set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2004 Amendments note under .
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
section 11813(b)(15) 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 1986 Amendment
section 201(d)(7)(A) of Pub. L. 99–514Pub. L. 99–514section 168 of this titleAmendment by applicable to property placed in service after , in taxable years ending after such date, with exceptions, see sections 203 and 204 of , set out as a note under .
section 201(d)(7)(A) of Pub. L. 99–514Pub. L. 99–514section 46 of this titleAmendment by not applicable to any property placed in service before , if such property placed in service as part of specified rehabilitations, and not applicable to certain additional rehabilitations, see section 251(d)(2), (3) of , set out as a note under .
Pub. L. 99–514, title V, § 503(c)100 Stat. 2244
In general .—
Special rule for losses of s corporation, partnership, or pass-thru entity .—
Special rule for athletic stadium .—
section 1011(b)(1) of Pub. L. 99–514section 1011(c)(1) of Pub. L. 99–514section 453B 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 IV, § 432(d)98 Stat. 815Pub. L. 99–514, § 2100 Stat. 2095
section 721(x)(2) of Pub. L. 98–369Pub. L. 97–354section 721(y)(1) of Pub. L. 98–369section 1361 of this titleAmendment by effective as if included in the Subchapter S Revision Act of 1982, , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Pub. L. 97–354section 6(a) of Pub. L. 97–354section 1361 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years beginning after , see , set out as an Effective Date note under .
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Pub. L. 96–222Pub. L. 95–600section 201 of Pub. L. 96–222section 32 of this titleAmendment by effective, except as otherwise provided, as if it had been included in the provisions of the Revenue Act of 1978, , to which such amendment relates, see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1978 Amendment
Pub. L. 95–618section 402(e) of Pub. L. 95–618section 263 of this titleAmendment by applicable with respect to wells commenced on or after , in taxable years ending on or after such date, see , set out as a note under .
Pub. L. 95–600, title II, § 204(a)92 Stat. 2817
Pub. L. 95–600, title VII, § 701(k)(3)92 Stat. 2906
Effective Date and Transitional Rules
Pub. L. 94–455, title II, § 204(c)90 Stat. 1532Pub. L. 95–600, title VII, § 701(k)(1)92 Stat. 2906Pub. L. 99–514, § 2100 Stat. 2095
In general .—
Special transitional rules for movies and video tapes.—
In general .—
Exception for certain agreements where principal photography begin before 1976 .—
Special transitional rules for leasing activities.—
Rule for leases other than operating leases .—
Holding of interests for purposes of subparagraph (a) .—
Special rule for operating leases .—
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 .
Transitional Rules for Recapture Provisions and Leasing Activities
Pub. L. 95–600, title II, § 204(b)92 Stat. 2817Pub. L. 96–222, title I, § 102(a)(1)(E)94 Stat. 208Pub. L. 99–514, § 2100 Stat. 2095