General rule
Limitations
Rules applicable to subsection (b)(3)
Determination of status
In general
A corporation which meets the requirements of subsections (b)(3) and (c) at the close of any quarter shall not lose its status as a regulated investment company because of a discrepancy during a subsequent quarter between the value of its various investments and such requirements unless such discrepancy exists immediately after the acquisition of any security or other property and is wholly or partly the result of such acquisition. A corporation which does not meet such requirements at the close of any quarter by reason of a discrepancy existing immediately after the acquisition of any security or other property which is wholly or partly the result of such acquisition during such quarter shall not lose its status for such quarter as a regulated investment company if such discrepancy is eliminated within 30 days after the close of such quarter and in such cases it shall be considered to have met such requirements at the close of such quarter for purposes of applying the preceding sentence.
Special rules regarding failure to satisfy requirements
In general
Rule for certain de minimis failures
Tax
Tax imposed
Period
For purposes of clause (i)(II), the period described in this clause is the period beginning on the first date that the failure to satisfy the requirements of subsection (b)(3) occurs as a result of the ownership of such assets and ending on the earlier of the date on which the corporation disposes of such assets or the end of the first quarter when there is no longer a failure to satisfy such subsection.
Administrative provisions
For purposes of subtitle F, a tax imposed by this subparagraph shall be treated as an excise tax with respect to which the deficiency procedures of such subtitle apply.
Investment companies furnishing capital to development corporations
General rule
If the Securities and Exchange Commission determines, in accordance with regulations issued by it, and certifies to the Secretary not earlier than 60 days prior to the close of the taxable year of a management company or a business development company described in subsection (a)(1), that such investment company is principally engaged in the furnishing of capital to other corporations which are principally engaged in the development or exploitation of inventions, technological improvements, new processes, or products not previously generally available, such investment company may, in the computation of 50 percent of the value of its assets under subparagraph (A) of subsection (b)(3) for any quarter of such taxable year, include the value of any securities of an issuer, whether or not the investment company owns more than 10 percent of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, the basis of which, when added to the basis of the investment company for securities of such issuer previously acquired, did not exceed 5 percent of the value of the total assets of the investment company at the time of the subsequent acquisition of securities. The preceding sentence shall not apply to the securities of an issuer if the investment company has continuously held any security of such issuer (or of any predecessor company of such issuer as determined under regulations prescribed by the Secretary) for 10 or more years preceding such quarter of such taxable year.
Limitation
The provisions of this subsection shall not apply at the close of any quarter of a taxable year to an investment company if at the close of such quarter more than 25 percent of the value of its total assets is represented by securities of issuers with respect to each of which the investment company holds more than 10 percent of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer and in respect of each of which or any predecessor thereof the investment company has continuously held any security for 10 or more years preceding such quarter unless the value of its total assets so represented is reduced to 25 percent or less within 30 days after the close of such quarter.
Determination of status
For purposes of this subsection, unless the Securities and Exchange Commission determines otherwise, a corporation shall be considered to be principally engaged in the development or exploitation of inventions, technological improvements, new processes, or products not previously generally available, for at least 10 years after the date of the first acquisition of any security in such corporation or any predecessor thereof by such investment company if at the date of such acquisition the corporation or its predecessor was principally so engaged, and an investment company shall be considered at any date to be furnishing capital to any company whose securities it holds if within 10 years prior to such date it has acquired any of such securities, or any securities surrendered in exchange therefor, from such other company or predecessor thereof. For purposes of the certification under this subsection, the Securities and Exchange Commission shall have authority to issue such rules, regulations and orders, and to conduct such investigations and hearings, either public or private, as it may deem appropriate.
Definitions
The terms used in this subsection shall have the same meaning as in subsections (b)(3) and (c) of this section.
Certain unit investment trusts
Special rule for series funds
In general
In the case of a regulated investment company (within the meaning of subsection (a)) having more than one fund, each fund of such regulated investment company shall be treated as a separate corporation for purposes of this title (except with respect to the definitional requirement of subsection (a)).
Fund defined
For purposes of paragraph (1) the term “fund” means a segregated portfolio of assets, the beneficial interests in which are owned by the holders of a class or series of stock of the regulated investment company that is preferred over all other classes or series in respect of such portfolio of assets.
Qualified publicly traded partnership
For purposes of this section, the term “qualified publicly traded partnership” means a publicly traded partnership described in section 7704(b) other than a partnership which would satisfy the gross income requirements of section 7704(c)(2) if qualifying income included only income described in subsection (b)(2)(A).
Failure to satisfy gross income test
Disclosure requirement
Imposition of tax on failures
Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 73668A Stat. 268Pub. L. 85–866, title I, § 3872 Stat. 1638Pub. L. 91–172, title IX, § 908(a)83 Stat. 717Pub. L. 94–12, title VI, § 602(a)(2)89 Stat. 58Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX90 Stat. 1783Pub. L. 95–345, § 2(a)(3)92 Stat. 481Pub. L. 95–600, title VII, § 701(s)(1)92 Stat. 2911Pub. L. 97–424, title V, § 547(b)(1)96 Stat. 2199Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title X, § 1071(a)(1)98 Stat. 1049Pub. L. 99–514, title VI100 Stat. 2297Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1006(m)o102 Stat. 3415Pub. L. 105–34, title XII, § 1271(a)111 Stat. 1036Pub. L. 108–357, title III, § 331(a)118 Stat. 1476Pub. L. 111–325, title II, § 201(a)124 Stat. 3539Pub. L. 113–295, div. A, title II, § 205(e)128 Stat. 4027Pub. L. 115–97, title I, § 14212(b)(1)(B)131 Stat. 2217(, ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , §§ 1901(a)(109), 1906(b)(13)(A), , , 1834; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , §§ 652(a), (b), 653(a)–(c), 654(a), title XII, § 1235(f)(3), , , 2298, 2575; , (n)(1), (2)(A), (B), (4), (5), (), , , 3416; –(b)(7), , , 1037; –(d), (f), , ; , (b), , , 3540; , , ; , , .)
Editorial Notes
References in Text
act Aug. 22, 1940, ch. 68654 Stat. 789section 80a–2(a)(36) of Title 15section 80a–51 of Title 15The Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1), (b)(2)(A), (c)(6), and (f)(1), is title I of , , which is classified generally to subchapter I (§ 80a–1 et seq.) of chapter 2D of Title 15, Commerce and Trade. Section 2(a)(36) of the Act is classified to . For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see and Tables.
Amendments
Pub. L. 115–972017—Subsec. (b). substituted “section 951(a)(1)(A)” for “section 951(a)(1)(A)(i)” in concluding provisions.
Pub. L. 113–2952014—Subsec. (d)(2)(A). inserted “of this paragraph” after “subparagraph (B)(i)” in introductory provisions.
Pub. L. 111–325, § 201(a)2010—Subsec. (d). , designated existing provisions as par. (1), inserted heading, and added par. (2).
Pub. L. 111–325, § 201(b)Subsec. (i). , added subsec. (i).
Pub. L. 108–357, § 331(b)2004—Subsec. (b). , inserted “(other than a qualified publicly traded partnership as defined in subsection (h))” after “derived from a partnership” in concluding provisions.
Pub. L. 108–357, § 331(a)Subsec. (b)(2). , amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows: “at least 90 percent of its gross income is derived from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans (as defined in section 512(a)(5)), and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities (as defined in section 2(a)(36) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) or foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures, or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities, or currencies; and”.
Pub. L. 108–357, § 331(f)Subsec. (b)(3)(B). , amended subpar. (B) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (B) read as follows: “not more than 25 percent of the value of its total assets is invested in the securities (other than Government securities or the securities of other regulated investment companies) of any one issuer, or of two or more issuers which the taxpayer controls and which are determined, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, to be engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses or related trades or businesses.”
Pub. L. 108–357, § 331(c)Subsec. (c)(5), (6). , added par. (5) and redesignated former par. (5) as (6).
Pub. L. 108–357, § 331(d)Subsec. (h). , added subsec. (h).
Pub. L. 105–34, § 1271(b)(1)1997—Subsec. (b). , in concluding provisions, substituted “paragraph (2), amounts excludable” for “paragraphs (2) and (3), amounts excludable” and struck out “In the case of the taxable year in which a regulated investment company is completely liquidated, there shall not be taken into account under paragraph (3) any gain from the sale, exchange, or distribution of any property after the adoption of the plan of complete liquidation.” at end.
Pub. L. 105–34, § 1271(a)Subsec. (b)(2). , inserted “and” at end.
Pub. L. 105–34, § 1271(a)Subsec. (b)(3), (4). , redesignated par. (4) as (3) and struck out former par. (3) which read as follows: “less than 30 percent of its gross income is derived from the sale or disposition of any of the following which was held for less than 3 months:
“(A) stock or securities (as defined in section 2(a)(36) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended),
“(B) options, futures, or forward contracts (other than options, futures, or forward contracts on foreign currencies), or
“(C) foreign currencies (or options, futures, or forward contracts on foreign currencies) but only if such currencies (or options, futures, or forward contracts) are not directly related to the company’s principal business of investing in stock or securities (or options and futures with respect to stocks or securities), and”.
Pub. L. 105–34, § 1271(b)(2)Subsec. (c). , substituted “subsection (b)(3)” for “subsection (b)(4)” in heading and introductory provisions.
Pub. L. 105–34, § 1271(b)(3)Subsec. (d). , substituted “subsections (b)(3)” for “subsections (b)(4)”.
Pub. L. 105–34, § 1271(b)(4)Subsec. (e)(1). , substituted “subsection (b)(3)” for “subsection (b)(4)”.
Pub. L. 105–34, § 1271(b)(5)Subsec. (e)(4). , substituted “subsections (b)(3)” for “subsections (b)(4)”.
Pub. L. 105–34, § 1271(b)(6)Subsec. (g). , redesignated subsec. (h) as (g) and struck out former subsec. (g) which provided for treatment of certain hedging transactions.
Pub. L. 105–34, § 1271(b)(7)Subsec. (g)(3). , struck out par. (3) which provided special rule for abnormal redemptions.
Pub. L. 105–34, § 1271(b)(6)Subsec. (h). , redesignated subsec. (h) as (g).
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(m)(1)15 U.S.C. 80a–11988—Subsec. (a)(1). , amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) read as follows: “which, at all times during the taxable year, is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended ( to 80b–2), as a management company, business development company, or unit investment trust, or”.
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(n)(1)Subsec. (b). , (5), inserted at end “Income derived from a partnership or trust shall be treated as described in paragraph (2) only to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership or trust (as the case may be) which would be described in paragraph (2) if realized by the regulated investment company in the same manner as realized by the partnership or trust. In the case of the taxable year in which a regulated investment company is completely liquidated, there shall not be taken into account under paragraph (3) any gain from the sale, exchange, or distribution of any property after the adoption of the plan of complete liquidation.”
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(n)(2)(B), substituted “which are not directly related” for “which are not ancillary” in last sentence.
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(n)(2)(A)Subsec. (b)(3). , amended par. (3) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (3) read as follows: “less than 30 percent of its gross income is derived from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities held for less than 3 months; and”.
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(m)(2)Subsec. (e)(1). , substituted “a management company or a business development company described in subsection (a)(1)” for “a registered management company or registered business development company”.
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(n)(4)Subsec. (g)(2)(A)(i). , substituted “contractual obligation” for “contractual option”.
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006oSubsec. (h). ()(1), redesignated subsec. (q) as (h).
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006oSubsec. (h)(3). ()(2), added par. (3).
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006oSubsec. (q). ()(1), redesignated subsec. (q) as (h).
Pub. L. 99–514, § 652(a)1986—Subsec. (a)(1). , substituted “as a management company, business development company, or unit investment trust” for “either as a management company or as a unit investment trust”.
Pub. L. 99–514, § 1235(f)(3)Subsec. (b). , inserted “or 1293(a)” and “or 1293(c) (as the case may be)”, in concluding provision.
Pub. L. 99–514, § 653(c), inserted before last sentence “For purposes of paragraph (2), the Secretary may by regulation exclude from qualifying income foreign currency gains which are not ancillary to the company’s principal business of investing in stock or securities (or options and futures with respect to stock or securities).”
Pub. L. 99–514, § 653(b)Subsec. (b)(2). , inserted “(as defined in section 2(a)(36) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) or foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures, or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities, or currencies”.
Pub. L. 99–514, § 652(b)Subsec. (e)(1). , substituted “registered management company or registered business development company” for “registered management company”.
Pub. L. 99–514, § 653(a)Subsec. (g). , added subsec. (g).
Pub. L. 99–514, § 654(a)Subsec. (q). , added subsec. (q).
Pub. L. 98–3691984—Subsec. (a). struck out “(other than a personal holding company as defined in section 542)” after “any domestic corporation” in introductory provisions.
Pub. L. 97–4241983—Subsec. (b). substituted “section 103(a)” for “section 103(a)(1)” after “gross income under”.
Pub. L. 95–6001978—Subsec. (b). required that for purposes of pars. (2) and (3), amounts excludable from gross income under section 103(a)(1) shall be treated as included in gross income.
Pub. L. 95–345Subsec. (b)(2). inserted provision relating to payments with respect to securities loans.
Pub. L. 94–455, § 1901(a)(109)(A)54 Stat. 78915 U.S.C. 80a–11976—Subsec. (a)(1). , struck out “;” before “ to 80b–2)”.
Pub. L. 94–455, § 1901(a)(109)(B)Subsec. (b)(1), (4)(B). , struck out “which began after ” after “previous taxable year” in par. (1), and “or his delegate” after “Secretary” in par. (4)(B).
Pub. L. 94–455, § 1906(b)(13)(A)Subsecs. (c), (d). , struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary” wherever appearing.
Pub. L. 94–121975—Subsec. (b). inserted provisions directing that, for purposes of par. (2), there shall be treated as dividends amounts included in gross income under section 951(a)(1)(A)(i) for the taxable year to the extent that, under section 959(a)(1), there is a distribution out of earnings and profits of the taxable year which are attributable to the amounts so included.
Pub. L. 91–1721969—Subsec. (f). added subsec. (f).
Pub. L. 85–866, § 38(a)1958—Subsec. (e)(1). , substituted “not earlier than 60 days” for “not less than 60 days” in first sentence.
Pub. L. 85–866, § 38(b)Subsec. (e)(2). , substituted “issuer” for “issues”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2017 Amendment
Pub. L. 115–97, title I, § 14212(c)131 Stat. 2217
Effective Date of 2014 Amendment
Pub. L. 113–295Pub. L. 111–325section 852(b)(8) of this titlesection 205(f) of Pub. L. 113–295section 852 of this titleAmendment by effective as if included in the provision of the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, , to which such amendment relates, with savings provision in certain cases of an election by a regulated investment company under , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Pub. L. 111–325, title II, § 201(d)124 Stat. 3541
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Pub. L. 108–357section 331(h) of Pub. L. 108–357section 469 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years beginning after , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Pub. L. 105–34section 1271(c) of Pub. L. 105–34section 817 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years beginning after , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1006(n)(2)(C)102 Stat. 3415
oPub. L. 100–647Pub. L. 99–514section 1019(a) of Pub. L. 100–647section 1 of this titleAmendment by section 1006(m), (n)(1), (2)(A), (4), (5), () of 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 VI, § 652(c)100 Stat. 2297
Pub. L. 99–514, title VI, § 653(d)100 Stat. 2298
Pub. L. 99–514, title VI, § 654(b)100 Stat. 2298
In general .—
Treatment of certain existing series funds .—
section 1235(f)(3) of Pub. L. 99–514section 1235(h) of Pub. L. 99–514section 1291 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years of foreign corporations beginning after , see , set out as an Effective Date note under .
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Pub. L. 98–369section 1071(a)(5) of Pub. L. 98–369section 852 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years beginning after , with certain exceptions, see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1978 Amendment
Pub. L. 95–600, title VII, § 701(s)(3)92 Stat. 2911
Pub. L. 95–345section 512(a)(5) of this titlesection 1058 of this titlesection 2(e) of Pub. L. 95–345section 509 of this titleAmendment by applicable with respect to amounts received after , as payments with respect to securities loans (as defined in ), and transfers of securities, under agreements described in , occurring after such date, see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1976 Amendment
section 1901(a)(109) 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 .
Effective Date of 1975 Amendment
Pub. L. 94–12section 951(b) of this titlesection 602(f) of Pub. L. 94–12section 954 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years of foreign corporations beginning after , and to taxable years of United States shareholders (within the meaning of ) within which or with which such taxable years of such foreign corporations end, see , set out as an Effective Date note under .
Effective Date of 1969 Amendment
Pub. L. 91–172, title IX, § 908(b)83 Stat. 718
Effective Date of 1958 Amendment
Pub. L. 85–866section 1(c)(1) of Pub. L. 85–866section 165 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years beginning after , and ending after , see , set out as a note under .