US Code

Public Law 119-88 (05/04/2026)

26 U.S.C. § 471

General rule for inventories

(a)

General rule

Whenever in the opinion of the Secretary the use of inventories is necessary in order clearly to determine the income of any taxpayer, inventories shall be taken by such taxpayer on such basis as the Secretary may prescribe as conforming as nearly as may be to the best accounting practice in the trade or business and as most clearly reflecting the income.

(b)

Estimates of inventory shrinkage permitted

A method of determining inventories shall not be treated as failing to clearly reflect income solely because it utilizes estimates of inventory shrinkage that are confirmed by a physical count only after the last day of the taxable year if—
(1)
the taxpayer normally does a physical count of inventories at each location on a regular and consistent basis, and
(2)
the taxpayer makes proper adjustments to such inventories and to its estimating methods to the extent such estimates are greater than or less than the actual shrinkage.
(c)

Exemption for certain small businesses

(1)

In general

In the case of any taxpayer (other than a tax shelter prohibited from using the cash receipts and disbursements method of accounting under section 448(a)(3)) which meets the gross receipts test of section 448(c) for any taxable year—
(A)
subsection (a) shall not apply with respect to such taxpayer for such taxable year, and
(B)
the taxpayer’s method of accounting for inventory for such taxable year shall not be treated as failing to clearly reflect income if such method either—
(i)
treats inventory as non-incidental materials and supplies, or
(ii)
conforms to such taxpayer’s method of accounting reflected in an applicable financial statement of the taxpayer with respect to such taxable year or, if the taxpayer does not have any applicable financial statement with respect to such taxable year, the books and records of the taxpayer prepared in accordance with the taxpayer’s accounting procedures.
(2)

Applicable financial statement

For purposes of this subsection, the term “applicable financial statement” has the meaning given the term in section 451(b)(3).

(3)

Application of gross receipts test to individuals, etc.

In the case of any taxpayer which is not a corporation or a partnership, the gross receipts test of section 448(c) shall be applied in the same manner as if each trade or business of such taxpayer were a corporation or partnership.

(4)

Coordination with section 481

Any change in method of accounting made pursuant to this subsection shall be treated for purposes of section 481 as initiated by the taxpayer and made with the consent of the Secretary.

(d)

Cross reference

For rules relating to capitalization of direct and indirect costs of property, see section 263A.

Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736 68A Stat. 159 Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, § 1906(b)(13)(A)90 Stat. 1834 Pub. L. 99–514, title VIII, § 803(b)(4)100 Stat. 2356 Pub. L. 105–34, title IX, § 961(a)111 Stat. 891 Pub. L. 115–97, title I, § 13102(c)131 Stat. 2103 (, ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 115–972017—Subsecs. (c), (d). added subsec. (c) and redesignated former subsec. (c) as (d).

Pub. L. 105–341997—Subsecs. (b), (c). added subsec. (b) and redesignated former subsec. (b) as (c).

Pub. L. 99–5141986— designated existing provisions as subsec. (a) and added subsec. (b).

Pub. L. 94–4551976— struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary” wherever appearing.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2017 Amendment

Pub. L. 115–97section 13102(e) of Pub. L. 115–97section 263A of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years beginning after , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1997 Amendment

Pub. L. 105–34, title IX, § 961(b)(1)111 Stat. 891

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

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Pub. L. 99–514section 803 of Pub. L. 99–514section 7831(d)(2) of Pub. L. 101–239section 263A of this titleIf any interest costs incurred after , are attributable to costs incurred before , the amendment by is applicable to such interest costs only to the extent such interest costs are attributable to costs which were required to be capitalized under section 263 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 and which would have been taken into account in applying section 189 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (as in effect before its repeal by ) or, if applicable, section 266 of such Code, see , set out as an Effective Date note under .

Pub. L. 99–514section 803(d) of Pub. L. 99–514section 263A of this titleAmendment by applicable to costs incurred after , in taxable years ending after such date, except as otherwise provided, see , set out as an Effective Date note under .

Coordination With Section 481

Pub. L. 105–34, title IX, § 961(b)(2)111 Stat. 891

“In the case of any taxpayer permitted by this section [amending this section and enacting provisions set out as a note above] to change its method of accounting to a permissible method for any taxable year—
“(A)
such changes shall be treated as initiated by the taxpayer,
“(B)
such changes shall be treated as made with the consent of the Secretary of the Treasury, and
“(C)
26 U.S.C. 481 the period for taking into account the adjustments under section 481 [] by reason of such change shall be 4 years.”
, , , provided that:

Study of Accounting Methods for Inventory; Report Not Later Than

Pub. L. 97–34, title II, § 23895 Stat. 254 Pub. L. 100–647, title VI, § 6252(a)(2)102 Stat. 3752 , , , directed Secretary of the Treasury to conduct a study of methods of tax accounting for inventory with a view towards development of simplified methods and to report to Congress, not later than , prior to repeal by , , .