Definition of taxable income
In the case of an insurance company subject to the tax imposed by section 831, the term “taxable income” means the gross income as defined in subsection (b)(1) less the deductions allowed by subsection (c).
Definitions
Gross income
Investment income
The term “investment income” means the gross amount of income earned during the taxable year from interest, dividends, and rents, computed as follows: To all interest, dividends, and rents received during the taxable year, add interest, dividends, and rents due and accrued at the end of the taxable year, and deduct all interest, dividends, and rents due and accrued at the end of the preceding taxable year.
Underwriting income
The term “underwriting income” means the premiums earned on insurance contracts during the taxable year less losses incurred and expenses incurred.
Premiums earned
Losses incurred
In general
Reduction of deduction
Exception for investments made before
In general
Except as provided in clause (ii), subparagraph (B) shall not apply to any dividend or interest received or accrued on any stock or obligation acquired before .
Special rule for 100 percent dividends
Definitions
Prorated amounts
The term “prorated amounts” means tax-exempt interest and dividends with respect to which a deduction is allowable under section 243 or 245 (other than 100 percent dividends).
100 percent dividend
In general
The term “100 percent dividend” means any dividend if the percentage used for purposes of determining the deduction allowable under section 243 or 245(b) is 100 percent.
Certain dividends received by foreign corporations
A dividend received by a foreign corporation from a domestic corporation which would be a 100 percent dividend if section 1504(b)(3) did not apply for purposes of applying section 243(b)(2) shall be treated as a 100 percent dividend.
Special rules for dividends subject to proration at subsidiary level
In general
In the case of any 100 percent dividend paid to an insurance company to which this part applies by any insurance company, the amount of the decrease in the deductions of the payee company by reason of the portion of such dividend attributable to prorated amounts shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the amount of the decrease in the deductions (or increase in income) of the payor company attributable to the application of this section or section 805(a)(4)(A) to such amounts.
Portion of dividend attributable to prorated amounts
Expenses incurred
The term “expenses incurred” means all expenses shown on the annual statement approved by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and shall be computed as follows: To all expenses paid during the taxable year, add expenses unpaid at the end of the taxable year and deduct expenses unpaid at the end of the preceding taxable year. For purposes of this subchapter, the term “expenses unpaid” shall not include any unpaid loss adjustment expenses shown on the annual statement, but such unpaid loss adjustment expenses shall be included in unpaid losses. For the purpose of computing the taxable income subject to the tax imposed by section 831, there shall be deducted from expenses incurred (as defined in this paragraph) all expenses incurred which are not allowed as deductions by subsection (c).
Special rules for applying paragraph (4)
Reduction not to apply to life insurance reserves
Subparagraph (B) of paragraph (4) shall be applied with respect to insurance contracts described in section 816(b)(1)(B) by substituting “100 percent” for “80 percent” each place it appears in such subparagraph (B), and subparagraph (C) of paragraph (4) shall be applied by not taking such contracts into account.
Special treatment of premiums attributable to insuring certain securities
Termination as insurance company taxable under section 831(a)
Except as provided in section 381(c)(22) (relating to carryovers in certain corporate readjustments), if, for any taxable year beginning before , the taxpayer ceases to be an insurance company taxable under section 831(a), the aggregate adjustments which would be made under paragraph (4)(C) for such taxable year and subsequent taxable years but for such cessation shall be made for the taxable year preceding such cessation year.
Treatment of companies which become taxable under section 831(a)
Exception to phase-in for companies which were not taxable, etc., before 1987
Phase-in beginning at later date for companies not 1st taxable under section 831(a) in 1987
Treatment of certain reciprocal insurers
Special rules for applying paragraph (4) to title insurance premiums
In general
Method of discounting
Determination of applicable factors
Undiscounted unearned premiums
The term “undiscounted unearned premiums” means the unearned premiums shown in the yearly statement filed by the taxpayer for the year ending with or within such taxable year.
Applicable interest rate
The term “applicable interest rate” means the annual rate determined under 846(c)(2) for the calendar year in which the premiums are received.
Applicable statutory premium recognition pattern
Deductions allowed
Double deductions
Nothing in this section shall permit the same item to be deducted more than once.
Special deduction and income account
Additional deduction
Purchase of bonds
The deduction under paragraph (1) shall be allowed only to the extent that tax and loss bonds are purchased in an amount equal to the tax benefit attributable to such deduction, as determined under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, on or before the date that any taxes (determined without regard to this subsection) due for the taxable year for which the deduction is allowed are due to be paid. If a deduction would be allowed but for the fact that tax and loss bonds were not timely purchased, such deduction shall be allowed to the extent such purchases are made within a reasonable time, as determined by the Secretary, if all interest and penalties, computed as if this sentence did not apply, are paid.
Mortgage guaranty account
Each company which writes mortgage guaranty insurance shall, for purposes of this part, establish and maintain a mortgage guaranty account.
Additions to account
There shall be added to the mortgage guaranty account for each taxable year an amount equal to the amount allowed as a deduction for the taxable year under paragraph (1).
Subtractions from account and inclusion in gross income
Lease guaranty insurance; insurance of State and local obligations
The provisions of this subsection shall also apply in all respects to a company which writes lease guaranty insurance or insurance on obligations the interest on which is excludable from gross income under section 103. In applying this subsection to such a company, any reference to mortgage guaranty insurance contained in this section shall be deemed to be a reference also to lease guaranty insurance and to insurance on obligations the interest on which is excludable from gross income under section 103; and in the case of insurance on obligations the interest on which is excludable from gross income under section 103, the references in paragraph (1) to “losses resulting from adverse economic cycles” include losses from declining revenues related to such obligations (as well as losses resulting from adverse economic cycles), and the time specified in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (5) shall be the twentieth preceding taxable year.
Interinsurers
Dividends within group
In the case of an insurance company subject to tax under section 831(a) filing or required to file a consolidated return under section 1501 with respect to any affiliated group for any taxable year, any determination under this part with respect to any dividend paid by one member of such group to another member of such group shall be made as if such group were not filing a consolidated return.
Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 73668A Stat. 264Mar. 13, 1956, ch. 83, § 3(b)70 Stat. 48Pub. L. 87–834, § 8(e)(2)76 Stat. 997Pub. L. 88–272, title II, § 228(c)78 Stat. 99Pub. L. 89–809, title I, § 104(i)(7)80 Stat. 1562Pub. L. 90–240, § 5(a)81 Stat. 776Pub. L. 93–483, § 588 Stat. 1458Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX90 Stat. 1782Pub. L. 97–248, title II, § 234(b)(2)(A)96 Stat. 503Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title II, § 211(b)(9)98 Stat. 755Pub. L. 99–514, title X100 Stat. 2395Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1010(c)102 Stat. 3451–3453Pub. L. 101–508, title XI104 Stat. 1388–450Pub. L. 104–188, title I110 Stat. 1873Pub. L. 105–34, title X, § 1084(b)(4)111 Stat. 955Pub. L. 113–295, div. A, title II, § 221(a)(41)(G)128 Stat. 4044Pub. L. 115–97, title I131 Stat. 2096Pub. L. 115–141, div. U, title IV, § 401(a)(143)132 Stat. 1191(, ; , ; –(5), , , 998; , , ; , , ; –(c), , , 777; , , ; , §§ 1901(a)(108), (b)(1)(T), (U), 1906(b)(13)(A), , , 1792, 1834; , , ; , , ; , §§ 1021(a), (b), 1022(a), 1023(a), 1024(c)(1)–(6), , , 2397, 2399, 2406, 2407; , (d)(1), (2), , ; , §§ 11303(a), (b), 11305(a), , , 1388–451; , §§ 1702(h)(3), 1704(t)(45), , , 1889; , , ; , (69), , , 4048; , §§ 13001(b)(2)(I), 13515(a), , , 2144; , , .)
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Pub. L. 99–514, title X, § 1024(a)(1)100 Stat. 2405Section 821, referred to in subsec. (b)(7)(D), was repealed by , , .
Pub. L. 99–514The date of the enactment of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, referred to in subsec. (b)(7)(D), is the date of enactment of , which was approved .
Codification
section 1084(b) of Pub. L. 105–34Another amended sections 101 and 264 of this title.
Amendments
Pub. L. 115–1412018—Subsec. (b)(7)(E)(ii)(II). substituted period for comma at end.
Pub. L. 115–97, § 13515(a)2017—Subsec. (b)(5)(B). , substituted “the applicable percentage” for “15 percent” in introductory provisions and inserted “For purposes of this subparagraph, the applicable percentage is 5.25 percent divided by the highest rate in effect under section 11(b).” at end of concluding provisions.
Pub. L. 115–97, § 13001(b)(2)(I)Subsec. (c)(5). , struck out “sec. 1201 and following,” before “relating to capital gains and losses” in introductory provisions.
Pub. L. 113–295, § 221(a)(41)(G)2014—Subsec. (b)(5)(B)(ii), (D)(i), (ii)(I). , struck out “, 244,”after “sections 243” in subpar. (B)(ii) and after “section 243” in subpar. (D)(i), (ii)(I).
Pub. L. 113–295, § 221(a)(69)(A)Subsec. (e). , struck out “of taxable years beginning after ,” after “In the case” in introductory provisions.
Pub. L. 113–295, § 221(a)(69)(B)Subsec. (e)(6). , substituted “The” for “In the case of any taxable year beginning after , the”.
Pub. L. 105–341997—Subsec. (b)(5)(B)(iii). , which directed amendment of subpar. (B) by adding cl. (iii) at the end, was executed by adding cl. (iii) after cl. (ii) to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
Pub. L. 104–188, § 1702(h)(3)1996—Subsec. (b)(5)(C)(ii)(II), (D)(ii)(II). , substituted “243(b)(2)” for “243(b)(5)”.
Pub. L. 104–188, § 1704(t)(45)section 11303(b)(1) of Pub. L. 101–508Subsec. (b)(7)(A). , provided that shall be applied as if “paragraph” appeared instead of “subparagraph” in the material proposed to be stricken. See 1990 Amendment note below.
Pub. L. 101–508, § 11303(a)1990—Subsec. (b)(4). , substituted “section 807.” for “section 807, pertaining to the life, burial, or funeral insurance, or annuity business of an insurance company subject to the tax imposed by section 831 and not qualifying as a life insurance company under section 816.” in first sentence after subpar. (C).
Pub. L. 101–508, § 11305(a)Subsec. (b)(5)(A). , amended subpar. (A) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (A) read as follows: “The term ‘losses incurred’ means losses incurred during the taxable year on insurance contracts, computed as follows:
“(i) To losses paid during the taxable year, add salvage and reinsurance recoverable outstanding at the end of the preceding taxable year and deduct salvage and reinsurance recoverable outstanding at the end of the taxable year.
“(ii) To the result so obtained, add all unpaid losses on life insurance contracts plus all discounted unpaid losses (as defined in section 846) outstanding at the end of the taxable year and deduct unpaid losses on life insurance contracts plus all discounted unpaid losses outstanding at the end of the preceding taxable year.”
Pub. L. 101–508, § 11303(b)(2)Subsec. (b)(7)(A). , substituted “such contracts into account” for “such amounts into account”.
Pub. L. 101–508, § 11303(b)(1), which directed the substitution of “insurance contracts described in section 816(b)(1)(B)” for “amounts included in unearned premiums under the 2nd sentence of such subparagraph”, was executed by making the substitution for “amounts included in unearned premiums under the 2nd sentence of such paragraph”. See 1996 Amendment note above.
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1010(d)(2)1988—Subsec. (b)(5)(B)(ii)(II). , inserted “(directly or indirectly)” after “attributable”.
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1010(c)(1)Subsec. (b)(7)(C). , substituted “insurance company taxable under section 831(a)” for “nonlife insurance company” in heading and “section 831(a)” for “this part” in text.
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1010(c)(2)Subsec. (b)(7)(D), (E). , added subpars. (D) and (E).
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1010(c)(3)Subsec. (e)(5)(A). , struck out “and” after “preceding taxable year,”.
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1010(c)(3)Subsec. (e)(5)(B). , which directed amendment of subpar. (B) by substituting a comma for the period at end, could not be executed because there was no period at end of subpar. (B).
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1010(d)(1)Subsec. (g). , added subsec. (g).
Pub. L. 99–514, § 1024(c)(1)1986—Subsec. (b)(1)(C). , substituted “exclusively issuing perpetual policies” for “described in section 831(a)(3)(A)”.
Pub. L. 99–514, § 1024(c)(2)Subsec. (b)(1)(D). , amended subpar. (D) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (D) read as follows: “in the case of a mutual fire or flood insurance company described in section 831(a)(3)(B), an amount equal to 2 percent of the premiums earned on insurance contracts during the taxable year with respect to policies described in section 831(a)(3)(B) after deduction of premium deposits returned or credited during the same taxable year, and”.
Pub. L. 99–514, § 1024(c)(3)Subsec. (b)(4). , substituted “paragraph (1)(D)” for “section 831(a)(3)(B)” in two places and amended last sentence generally, substituting “described in paragraph (1)(D) or issuing exclusively perpetual policies” for “referred to in paragraph (3) of section 831(a)” and “described in subparagraph (C) or (D) of paragraph (1)” for “referred to in such paragraph (3)”.
Pub. L. 99–514, § 1021(a)Subsec. (b)(4)(B), (C). , added subpars. (B) and (C) and struck out former subpar. (B) which read as follows: “To the result so obtained, add unearned premiums on outstanding business at the end of the preceding taxable year and deduct unearned premiums on outstanding business at the end of the taxable year.”
Pub. L. 99–514, § 1022(a)Subsec. (b)(5)(A). , in amending par. (5) generally, designated existing provisions of par. (5) as subpar. (A), inserted subpar. heading “In general”, and redesignated former subpars. (A) and (B) as cls. (i) and (ii).
Pub. L. 99–514, § 1023(a)(1)Subsec. (b)(5)(A)(ii). , amended cl. (ii) generally, inserting “on life insurance contracts plus all discounted unpaid losses (as defined in section 846)” and “on life insurance contracts plus all discounted unpaid losses”.
Pub. L. 99–514, § 1022(a)Subsec. (b)(5)(B) to (E). , in amending par. (5) generally, added subpars. (B) to (E). Former subpar. (B) redesignated (A)(ii).
Pub. L. 99–514, § 1023(a)(2)Subsec. (b)(6). , inserted second sentence defining “expenses unpaid”.
Pub. L. 99–514, § 1021(b)Subsec. (b)(7), (8). , added pars. (7) and (8).
Pub. L. 99–514, § 1024(c)(4)Subsec. (c)(5). , substituted “section 834(b)” for “section 822(b)”.
Pub. L. 99–514, § 1024(c)(5)Subsec. (c)(11). , substituted “subsection (b)(1)(C)” for “section 831(a)(3)(A)” and “subsection (b)(1)(D)” for “section 831(a)(3)(B)”.
Pub. L. 99–514, § 1024(c)(6)Subsec. (f). , added subsec. (f).
Pub. L. 98–3691984—Subsec. (b)(4). , in provisions following subpar. (B), substituted “section 816(b) but determined as provided in section 807” and “section 816” for “section 801(b)” and “section 801”, respectively.
Pub. L. 97–2481982—Subsec. (e)(2). struck out “, as if no election to make installment payments under section 6152 is made” after “due to be paid”.
Pub. L. 94–455, § 1901(a)(108)1976—Subsec. (b)(1), (6). , substituted “Association” for “Convention”.
Pub. L. 94–455, § 1901(b)(1)(T)Subsec. (c)(5)(A). , struck out “or to the deductions provided in section 242 for partially tax-exempt interest” after “exchanges of capital assets”.
Pub. L. 94–455, § 1901(b)(1)(U)Subsec. (c)(12). , struck out “partially tax-exempt interest and to” after “and following, relating to”.
Pub. L. 94–455, § 1906(b)(13)(A)Subsec. (e)(2). , struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary”.
Pub. L. 93–4831974—Subsec. (e)(6). added par. (6).
Pub. L. 90–240, § 5(a)1968—Subsec. (b)(1)(E). , added subpar. (E).
Pub. L. 90–240, § 5(b)Subsec. (c)(13). , added par. (13).
Pub. L. 90–240, § 5(c)Subsec. (e). , added subsec. (e).
Pub. L. 89–8091966—Subsec. (d). redesignated subsec. (e) as (d). Former subsec. (d), having reference to the taxable income of foreign insurance companies other than life or mutual and foreign mutual marine, was struck out.
Pub. L. 89–809Subsec. (e). redesignated subsec. (e) as (d).
Pub. L. 88–2721964—Subsec. (c)(10). inserted reference to part I of subchapter D.
Pub. L. 87–834, § 8(e)(3)1962—Subsec. (b)(1)(C). , (5), substituted “section 831(a)(3)(A)” for “section 831(a)”.
Pub. L. 87–834, § 8(e)(5)Subsec. (b)(1)(D). , added subpar. (D).
Pub. L. 87–834, § 8(e)(2)section 831(a) of this titleSubsec. (b)(4). , inserted provisions defining unearned premiums of mutual fire or flood insurance companies, and which require premiums paid by the subscriber of a mutual flood insurance company to be treated, for purposes of computing the taxable income of such subscriber, in the same manner as premiums paid by a policyholder to a mutual fire insurance company referred to in par. (3) of .
Pub. L. 87–834, § 8(e)(4)Subsec. (c)(11). , substituted “section 831(a)(3)(A)” for “section 831(a)”, and inserted definition of “dividends and similar distributions”.
1956—Subsec. (b)(4). Act , § 3(b)(1), substituted “section 801(b)” for “section 806”.
Subsec. (c). Act , § 3(b)(2), (3), substituted “the items described in section 822(b) (other than paragraph (1)(D) thereof) and net premiums received. In the application of section 1212” for “interest, dividends, rents, and net premiums received. In the application of section 1211” in par. (5), and authorized the deduction for depletion in par. (8).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2017 Amendment
section 13001(b)(2)(I) of Pub. L. 115–97section 13001(c)(1) of Pub. L. 115–97section 11 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years beginning after , see , set out as a note under .
Pub. L. 115–97, title I, § 13515(b)131 Stat. 2144
Effective Date of 2014 Amendment
Pub. L. 113–295section 247 of this titlePub. L. 113–295section 221(a)(41)(K) of Pub. L. 113–295section 172 of this titleAmendment by section (a)(41)(G) of not applicable to preferred stock issued before (determined in the same manner as under as in effect before its repeal by ), see , set out as a note under .
section 221(a) of Pub. L. 113–295Pub. L. 113–295section 221(b) of Pub. L. 113–295section 1 of this titleExcept as otherwise provided in , amendment by effective , subject to a savings provision, see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Pub. L. 105–34section 1084(d) of Pub. L. 105–34section 101 of this titleAmendment by applicable to contracts issued after , in taxable years ending after such date, with special provisions relating to changes in contracts to be treated as new contracts, see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
section 1702(h)(3) of Pub. L. 104–188Pub. L. 101–508, title XIsection 1702(i) of Pub. L. 104–188section 38 of this titleAmendment by effective, except as otherwise expressly provided, as if included in the provision of the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1990, , to which such amendment relates, see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, § 11303(c)104 Stat. 1388–450
In general .—
Amendments treated as change in method of accounting .—
Coordination with section 832(b)(4)(C).—
Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, § 11305(c)104 Stat. 1388–451
In general .—
Amendments treated as change in method of accounting.—
In general .—
Adjustments .—
Treatment of companies which took into account salvage recoverable .—
Special rule for overestimates .—
Effect on earnings and profits .—
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Pub. L. 100–647Pub. L. 99–514section 1019(a) of Pub. L. 100–647section 1 of this titleAmendment by effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provision of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, , to which such amendment relates, see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Pub. L. 99–514, title X, § 1021(c)100 Stat. 2397
In general .—
Special transitional rule for title insurance companies .—
In general .—
Fresh start .—
Effect on earnings and profits .—
Pub. L. 99–514, title X, § 1022(b)100 Stat. 2399
section 1023(a) of Pub. L. 99–514section 1023(e) of Pub. L. 99–514section 846 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years beginning after , except as otherwise provided, see , set out as an Effective Date note under .
Pub. L. 99–514section 1024(e) of Pub. L. 99–514section 831 of this titleAmendment by section 1024(c)(1)–(6) of applicable to taxable years beginning after , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Pub. L. 98–369section 215 of Pub. L. 98–369section 801 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years beginning after , see , set out as an Effective Date note under .
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Pub. L. 97–248section 234(e) of Pub. L. 97–248section 6655 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years beginning after , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1976 Amendment
Pub. L. 94–455section 1901(d) of Pub. L. 94–455section 2 of this titleAmendment by section 1901(a)(108), (b)(1)(T), (U) of effective for taxable years beginning after , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Pub. L. 90–240, § 5(e)81 Stat. 778Pub. L. 99–514, § 2100 Stat. 2095
Effective Date of 1966 Amendment
Pub. L. 89–809section 104(n) of Pub. L. 89–809section 11 of this titleAmendment by applicable with respect to taxable years beginning after , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1964 Amendment
Pub. L. 88–272, title II, § 228(d)78 Stat. 99
Effective Date of 1962 Amendment
Pub. L. 87–834section 8(h) of Pub. L. 87–834section 501 of this titleAmendment by applicable with respect to taxable years beginning after , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1956 Amendment
section 316 of this titleAmendment by act , applicable only to taxable years beginning after , see section 6 of act , set out as a note under .
Section 11305(c)(3) of Pub. L. 101–508Deduction From Earnings and Profits of Insurance Companies to Which Applies
Pub. L. 104–188, title I, § 1702(c)(4)110 Stat. 1869
Acquisition Date of Certain Stocks or Obligations for Purposes of Subsection (b)(5)(C)(i)
Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1010(d)(3)102 Stat. 3453
Study of Treatment of Property and Casualty Insurance Companies
Pub. L. 99–514, title X, § 1025100 Stat. 2409Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, § 11831(b)104 Stat. 1388–559, , , directed Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate to conduct a study of the treatment of policyholder dividends by mutual property and casualty insurance companies, the treatment of property and casualty insurance companies under the minimum tax, and the operation and effect of, and revenue raised by, the amendments made by this subtitle, and not later than (due date extended to , by , , ), such Secretary to submit to Committee on Ways and Means of House of Representatives, Committee on Finance of Senate, and Joint Committee on Taxation, the results of such study, together with such recommendations as he determined to be appropriate.
Physicians’ and Surgeons’ Mutual Protection and Interindemnity Arrangements or Associations
Pub. L. 99–514, title X, § 1031100 Stat. 2409Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1010(g)102 Stat. 3455
Certain Physicians’ and Surgeons’ Mutual Protection and Interindemnity Arrangements or Associations.—
Treatment of arrangements or associations.—
Capital contributions .—
Return of contributions.—
In general .—
Source of returns .—
Deduction for members of eligible arrangements or associations.—
Payment as trade or business expenses .—
Refunds of initial payments .—
Eligible arrangements or associations .—
Effective Date .—
Treatment as Unearned Premiums of Additions to Reserves Required by State Law or Regulations for Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Losses
Pub. L. 90–240, § 5(g)81 Stat. 779Pub. L. 99–514, § 2100 Stat. 2095