US Code

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

26 U.S.C. § 751

Unrealized receivables and inventory items

(a)

Sale or exchange of interest in partnership

The amount of any money, or the fair market value of any property, received by a transferor partner in exchange for all or a part of his interest in the partnership attributable to—
(1)
unrealized receivables of the partnership, or
(2)
inventory items of the partnership,
shall be considered as an amount realized from the sale or exchange of property other than a capital asset.
(b)

Certain distributions treated as sales or exchanges

(1)

General rule

To the extent a partner receives in a distribution—
(A)
partnership property which is—
(i)
unrealized receivables, or
(ii)
inventory items which have appreciated substantially in value,
in exchange for all or a part of his interest in other partnership property (including money), or
(B)
partnership property (including money) other than property described in subparagraph (A)(i) or (ii) in exchange for all or a part of his interest in partnership property described in subparagraph (A)(i) or (ii),
such transactions shall, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, be considered as a sale or exchange of such property between the distributee and the partnership (as constituted after the distribution).
(2)

Exceptions

Paragraph (1) shall not apply to—
(A)
a distribution of property which the distributee contributed to the partnership, or
(B)
payments, described in section 736(a), to a retiring partner or successor in interest of a deceased partner.
(3)

Substantial appreciation

For purposes of paragraph (1)—
(A)

In general

Inventory items of the partnership shall be considered to have appreciated substantially in value if their fair market value exceeds 120 percent of the adjusted basis to the partnership of such property.

(B)

Certain property excluded

For purposes of subparagraph (A), there shall be excluded any inventory property if a principal purpose for acquiring such property was to avoid the provisions of this subsection relating to inventory items.

(c)

Unrealized receivables

For purposes of this subchapter, the term “unrealized receivables” includes, to the extent not previously includible in income under the method of accounting used by the partnership, any rights (contractual or otherwise) to payment for—
(1)
goods delivered, or to be delivered, to the extent the proceeds therefrom would be treated as amounts received from the sale or exchange of property other than a capital asset, or
(2)
services rendered, or to be rendered.
For purposes of this section and sections 731, 732, and 741 (but not for purposes of section 736), such term also includes mining property (as defined in section 617(f)(2)), stock in a DISC (as described in section 992(a)), section 1245 property (as defined in section 1245(a)(3)), stock in certain foreign corporations (as described in section 1248), section 1250 property (as defined in section 1250(c)), farm land (as defined in section 1252(a)), franchises, trademarks, or trade names (referred to in section 1253(a)), and an oil, gas, or geothermal property (described in section 1254) but only to the extent of the amount which would be treated as gain to which section 617(d)(1), 995(c), 1245(a), 1248(a), 1250(a), 1252(a), 1253(a), or 1254(a) would apply if (at the time of the transaction described in this section or section 731, 732, or 741, as the case may be) such property had been sold by the partnership at its fair market value. For purposes of this section and sections 731, 732, and 741 (but not for purposes of section 736), such term also includes any market discount bond (as defined in section 1278) and any short-term obligation (as defined in section 1283) but only to the extent of the amount which would be treated as ordinary income if (at the time of the transaction described in this section or section 731, 732, or 741, as the case may be) such property had been sold by the partnership.
(d)

Inventory items

For purposes of this subchapter, the term “inventory items” means—
(1)
property of the partnership of the kind described in section 1221(a)(1),
(2)
any other property of the partnership which, on sale or exchange by the partnership, would be considered property other than a capital asset and other than property described in section 1231, and
(3)
any other property held by the partnership which, if held by the selling or distributee partner, would be considered property of the type described in paragraph (1) or (2).
(e)

Limitation on tax attributable to deemed sales of section 1248 stock

For purposes of applying this section and sections 731 and 741 to any amount resulting from the reference to section 1248(a) in the second sentence of subsection (c), in the case of an individual, the tax attributable to such amount shall be limited in the manner provided by subsection (b) of section 1248 (relating to gain from certain sales or exchanges of stock in certain foreign corporation).

(f)

Special rules in the case of tiered partnerships, etc.

In determining whether property of a partnership is—
(1)
an unrealized receivable, or
(2)
an inventory item,
such partnership shall be treated as owning its proportionate share of the property of any other partnership in which it is a partner. Under regulations, rules similar to the rules of the preceding sentence shall also apply in the case of interests in trusts.

Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 73668A Stat. 250Pub. L. 87–83476 Stat. 1035Pub. L. 88–272, title II, § 231(b)(6)78 Stat. 105Pub. L. 89–570, § 1(c)80 Stat. 762Pub. L. 91–172, title II, § 211(b)(6)83 Stat. 570Pub. L. 94–455, title II, § 205(b)90 Stat. 1535Pub. L. 95–600, title VII, § 701(u)(13)(A)92 Stat. 2918Pub. L. 95–618, title IV, § 402(c)(5)92 Stat. 3202Pub. L. 97–448, title I, § 102(a)(6)96 Stat. 2368Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title I98 Stat. 558Pub. L. 99–514, title II, § 201(d)(10)100 Stat. 2141Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII107 Stat. 467Pub. L. 105–34, title X, § 1062(a)111 Stat. 946Pub. L. 105–206, title VI, § 6010(m)112 Stat. 816Pub. L. 106–170, title V, § 532(c)(2)(F)113 Stat. 1930Pub. L. 108–357, title IV, § 413(c)(11)118 Stat. 1507Pub. L. 115–141, div. U, title IV, § 401(a)(140)132 Stat. 1191(, ; , §§ 13(f)(1), 14(b)(2), , , 1041; , , ; , , ; , , ; , title X, § 1042(c)(2), title XI, § 1101(d)(2), title XIX, §§ 1901(a)(93), 1906(b)(13)(A), title XXI, § 2110(a), , , 1637, 1658, 1780, 1834, 1905; , , ; , , ; , , ; , §§ 43(c)(3), 76(a), title IV, § 492(b)(4), , , 595, 854; , title XVIII, § 1899A(19), , , 2959; , §§ 13206(e)(1), 13262(b)(1), (2)(A), , , 541; –(b)(2), , , 947; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 115–1412018—Subsec. (c). substituted “and sections” for “and, sections” in two places in concluding provisions.

Pub. L. 108–3572004—Subsec. (d)(2) to (4). inserted “and” at end of par. (2), redesignated par. (4) as (3) and substituted “paragraph (1) or (2)” for “paragraph (1), (2), or (3)”, and struck out former par. (3) which read as follows: “any other property of the partnership which, if sold or exchanged by the partnership, would result in a gain taxable under subsection (a) of section 1246 (relating to gain on foreign investment company stock), and”.

Pub. L. 106–1701999—Subsec. (d)(1). substituted “section 1221(a)(1)” for “section 1221(1)”.

Pub. L. 105–2061998—Subsec. (c). substituted “731, 732,” for “731” wherever appearing in concluding provisions.

Pub. L. 105–34, § 1062(a)1997—Subsec. (a)(2). , amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows: “inventory items of the partnership which have appreciated substantially in value,”.

Pub. L. 105–34, § 1062(b)(1)(A)Subsec. (b)(1). , added subpars. (A) and (B) and struck out former subpars. (A) and (B) which read as follows:

“(A) partnership property described in subsection (a)(1) or (2) in exchange for all or a part of his interest in other partnership property (including money), or

“(B) partnership property (including money) other than property described in subsection (a)(1) or (2) in exchange for all or a part of his interest in partnership property described in subsection (a)(1) or (2),”.

Pub. L. 105–34, § 1062(b)(1)(B)Subsec. (b)(3). , added par. (3).

Pub. L. 105–34, § 1062(b)(2)Subsec. (d). , amended heading and text of subsec. (d) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (d) consisted of pars. (1) and (2) relating to inventory items which have appreciated substantially in value.

Pub. L. 103–66, § 13262(b)(1)1993—Subsec. (c). , in concluding provisions, substituted “section 731 or 741” for “section 731, 736, or 741” in two places and “, sections 731 and 741 (but not for purposes of section 736)” for “sections 731, 736, and 741” in two places.

Pub. L. 103–66, § 13206(e)(1)Subsec. (d)(1). , amended heading and text of par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “Inventory items of the partnership shall be considered to have appreciated substantially in value if their fair market value exceeds—

“(A) 120 percent of the adjusted basis to the partnership of such property, and

“(B) 10 percent of the fair market value of all partnership property, other than money.”

Pub. L. 103–66, § 13262(b)(2)(A)Subsec. (e). , substituted “sections 731 and 741” for “sections 731, 736, and 741”.

Pub. L. 99–514, § 1899A(19)1986—Subsec. (c). , substituted “section 617(f)(2)), stock” for “section 617(f)(2), stock” in second sentence.

Pub. L. 99–514, § 201(d)(10), struck out “section 1245 recovery property (as defined in section 1245(a)(5)),” before “stock in certain foreign corporations” in second sentence.

Pub. L. 98–369, § 492(b)(4)1984—Subsec. (c). , struck out “farm recapture property (as defined in section 1251(e)(1)),” before “farm land”, and “1251(c),” after “1250(a),” in second sentence.

Pub. L. 98–369, § 43(c)(3), inserted last sentence.

Pub. L. 98–369, § 76(a)Subsec. (f). , added subsec. (f).

Pub. L. 97–4481983—Subsec. (c). inserted reference to section 1245 recovery property (as defined in section 1245(a)(5)) in second sentence.

Pub. L. 95–6181978—Subsec. (c). substituted “oil, gas, or geothermal property” for “oil or gas property” in second sentence.

Pub. L. 95–600Subsec. (e). added subsec. (e).

Pub. L. 94–455, § 1906(b)(13)(A)1976—Subsec. (b)(1). , struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary”.

Pub. L. 94–455Subsec. (c). , §§ 205(b), 1042(c)(2), 1101(d)(2), 1901(a)(93), 2110(a), in second sentence, inserted reference to stock in a DISC (as described in section 992(a)), reference to stock in certain foreign corporations (as described in section 1248), and reference to farm land (as defined in section 1252(a)), franchises, trademarks or trade names (referred to in section 1253(a)), and an oil or gas property (described in section 1254), substituted “1252(a), 1253(a), or 1254(a)” for “or 1252(a)”, and inserted “1248(a),” after “1245(a),” and “995(c),” after “617(d)(1),”.

Pub. L. 91–1721969—Subsec. (c). , in second sentence, substituted “section 1250 property (as defined in section 1250(c)), farm recapture property (as defined in section 1251(e)(1)), and farm land (as defined in section 1252(a))”, and “1250(a), 1251(c), or 1252(a)”, for “and section 1250 property (as defined in section 1250(c))” and “1250(a)”, respectively.

Pub. L. 89–5701966—Subsec. (c). , in second sentence, inserted reference to mining property (as defined in section 617(f)(2)) and to section 617(d)(1).

Pub. L. 88–2721964—Subsec. (c). , in second sentence, inserted reference to section 1250.

Pub. L. 87–834, § 13(f)(1)1962—Subsec. (c). , defined “unrealized receivables” for purposes of this section and section 731, 736, and 741, as including section 1245 property, but only to the extent of the amount which would be treated as gain to which section 1245(a) would apply if (at the time of the transaction described in this section or section 731, 736, or 741, as the case may be) such property had been sold by the partnership at its fair market value.

Pub. L. 87–834, § 14(b)(2)Subsec. (d)(2). , added subpar. (C), redesignated former subpar. (C) as (D), and substituted “subparagraph (A), (B), or (C)” for “subparagraph (A) or (B)”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

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 1999 Amendment

Pub. L. 106–170section 532(d) of Pub. L. 106–170section 170 of this titleAmendment by applicable to any instrument held, acquired, or entered into, any transaction entered into, and supplies held or acquired on or after , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1998 Amendment

Pub. L. 105–206Pub. L. 105–34section 6024 of Pub. L. 105–206section 1 of this titleAmendment by effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provisions of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, , to which such amendment relates, see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1997 Amendment

Pub. L. 105–34section 1062(c) of Pub. L. 105–34section 724 of this titleAmendment by applicable to sales, exchanges, and distributions after , but not applicable to any sale or exchange pursuant to a written binding contract in effect on , and at all times thereafter before such sale or exchange, see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1993 Amendment

Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, § 13206(e)(2)107 Stat. 467

“The amendment made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall apply to sales, exchanges, and distributions after .”
, , , provided that:

Pub. L. 103–66section 13262(c) of Pub. L. 103–66section 736 of this titleAmendment by section 13262(b)(1) and (2)(A) of applicable in the case of partners retiring or dying on or after , with a binding contract exception, see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

section 201(d)(10) 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)(10) 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 .

Effective Date of 1984 Amendment

section 43(c)(3) of Pub. L. 98–369section 44 of Pub. L. 98–369section 1271 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years ending after , see , set out as an Effective Date note under .

Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title I, § 76(b)98 Stat. 595

“The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to distributions, sales, and exchanges made after , in taxable years ending after such date.”
, , , provided that:

section 492(b)(4) of Pub. L. 98–369section 492(d) of Pub. L. 98–369section 170 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years beginning after , see , set out as a note under .

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 1978 Amendments

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 VII, § 701(u)(13)(C)92 Stat. 2918

section 736 of this title“The amendments made by this paragraph [amending this section and ] shall apply to transfers beginning after , and to sales, exchanges, and distributions taking place after such date.”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1976 Amendment

section 205(b) of Pub. L. 94–455section 205(e) of Pub. L. 94–455section 1254 of this titleAmendment by effective for taxable years ending after , see , set out as an Effective Date note under .

section 1042(c)(2) of Pub. L. 94–455section 1042(e)(1) of Pub. L. 94–455section 367 of this titleAmendment by applicable to transfers beginning after , and to sales, exchanges and distributions taking place after that date, see , set out as a note under .

section 1101(d)(2) of Pub. L. 94–455section 1101(g)(4) of Pub. L. 94–455section 995 of this titleAmendment by applicable to sales, exchanges, or other dispositions after , in taxable years ending after such date, see , set out as a note under .

section 1901(a)(93) of Pub. L. 94–455section 1901(d) of Pub. L. 94–455section 2 of this titleAmendment by effective for taxable years beginning after , see , set out as a note under .

Pub. L. 94–455, title XXI, § 2110(b)90 Stat. 1905Pub. L. 99–514, § 2100 Stat. 2095

“Subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to transactions described in sections 731, 736, 741, or 751 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] which occur after , in taxable years ending after that date.”
, , , as amended by , , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1969 Amendment

Pub. L. 91–172section 211(c) of Pub. L. 91–172section 301 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years beginning after , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1966 Amendment

Pub. L. 89–570section 3 of Pub. L. 89–570section 617 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years ending after , but only in respect of expenditures paid or incurred after such date see , set out as an Effective Date note under .

Effective Date of 1964 Amendment

Pub. L. 88–272section 231(c) of Pub. L. 88–272section 1250 of this titleAmendment by applicable to dispositions after , in taxable years ending after such date, see , set out as an Effective Date note under .

Effective Date of 1962 Amendment

section 13(f)(1) of Pub. L. 87–834section 13(g) of Pub. L. 87–834section 1245 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years beginning after , see , set out as an Effective Date note under .

section 14(b)(2) of Pub. L. 87–834section 14(c) of Pub. L. 87–834section 312 of this titleAmendment by applicable with respect to taxable years beginning after , see , set out as a note under .

Plan Amendments Not Required Until January 1, 1989

Pub. L. 99–514section 1140 of Pub. L. 99–514section 401 of this titleFor provisions directing that if any amendments made by subtitle A or subtitle C of title XI [§§ 1101–1147 and 1171–1177] or title XVIII [§§ 1800–1899A] of require an amendment to any plan, such plan amendment shall not be required to be made before the first plan year beginning on or after , see , as amended, set out as a note under .