26 U.S.C. § 1092
Straddles
Any loss with respect to 1 or more positions shall be taken into account for any taxable year only to the extent that the amount of such loss exceeds the unrecognized gain (if any) with respect to 1 or more positions which were offsetting positions with respect to 1 or more positions from which the loss arose.
Any loss which may not be taken into account under subparagraph (A) for any taxable year shall, subject to the limitations under subparagraph (A), be treated as sustained in the succeeding taxable year.
Except as otherwise provided by the Secretary, rules similar to the rules of clauses (ii) and (iii) of subparagraph (A) shall apply for purposes of this paragraph with respect to any position which is, or has been, a liability or obligation.
The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations or other guidance as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this paragraph. Such regulations or other guidance may specify the proper methods for clearly identifying a straddle as an identified straddle (and for identifying the positions comprising such straddle), the rules for the application of this section to a taxpayer which fails to comply with those identification requirements, the rules for the application of this section to a position which is or has been a liability or obligation, methods of loss allocation which satisfy the requirements of subparagraph (A)(iii), and the ordering rules in cases where a taxpayer disposes (or otherwise ceases to be the holder) of any part of any position which is part of an identified straddle.
For purposes of paragraph (2)(A)(ii), the unrecognized gain with respect to any offsetting position shall be the excess of the fair market value of the position at the time of the determination over the fair market value of the position at the time the taxpayer identified the position as a position in an identified straddle.
The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations with respect to gain or loss on positions which are a part of a straddle as may be appropriate to carry out the purposes of this section and section 263(g). To the extent consistent with such purposes, such regulations shall include rules applying the principles of subsections (a) and (d) of section 1091 and of subsections (b) and (d) of section 1233.
In no event shall more than 50 percent of the net gain from such account for any taxable year be treated as long-term capital gain.
In no event shall more than 40 percent of the net loss from such account for any taxable year be treated as short-term capital loss.
The regulations prescribed under paragraph (1) may treat as a mixed straddle positions not described in section 1256(d)(4).
The regulations prescribed under paragraph (1) shall include regulations relating to the timing and character of gains and losses in case of straddles where at least 1 position is ordinary and at least 1 position is capital.
The term “straddle” means offsetting positions with respect to personal property.
A taxpayer holds offsetting positions with respect to personal property if there is a substantial diminution of the taxpayer’s risk of loss from holding any position with respect to personal property by reason of his holding 1 or more other positions with respect to personal property (whether or not of the same kind).
In the case of any position which is not part of an identified straddle (within the meaning of subsection (a)(2)(B)), such position shall not be treated as offsetting with respect to any position which is part of an identified straddle.
Any presumption established pursuant to subparagraph (A) may be rebutted.
For purposes of subparagraph (B), the term “deep-in-the-money option” means an option having a strike price lower than the lowest qualified bench mark.
Except as otherwise provided in this subparagraph, for purposes of subparagraph (C), the term “lowest qualified bench mark” means the highest available strike price which is less than the applicable stock price.
For purposes of this paragraph, the term “strike price” means the price at which the option is exercisable.
The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this paragraph. Such regulations may include modifications to the provisions of this paragraph which are appropriate to take account of changes in the practices of option exchanges or to prevent the use of options for tax avoidance purposes.
The term “personal property” means any personal property of a type which is actively traded.
The term “position” means an interest (including a futures or forward contract or option) in personal property.
For purposes of determining whether subsection (e) applies to any transaction with respect to stock described in subparagraph (A)(ii), all includible corporations of an affiliated group (within the meaning of section 1504(a)) shall be treated as 1 taxpayer.
In determining whether 2 or more positions are offsetting, the taxpayer shall be treated as holding any position held by a related person.
If part or all of the gain or loss with respect to a position held by a partnership, trust, or other entity would properly be taken into account for purposes of this chapter by a taxpayer, then, except to the extent otherwise provided in regulations, such position shall be treated as held by the taxpayer.
In the case of a straddle at least 1 (but not all) of the positions of which are section 1256 contracts, the provisions of this section shall apply to any section 1256 contract and any other position making up such straddle.
For purposes of subsection (a)(2) (relating to identified straddles), subparagraph (A) and section 1256(a)(4) shall not apply to a straddle all of the offsetting positions of which consist of section 1256 contracts.
The term “section 1256 contract” has the meaning given such term by section 1256(b).
For purposes of paragraph (2), an obligor’s interest in a nonfunctional currency denominated debt obligation is treated as a position in the nonfunctional currency.
For purposes of paragraph (1), foreign currency for which there is an active interbank market is presumed to be actively traded.
This section shall not apply in the case of any hedging transaction (as defined in section 1256(e)).
Any loss with respect to such option shall be treated as long-term capital loss if, at the time such loss is realized, gain on the sale or exchange of such stock would be treated as long-term capital gain.
The holding period of such stock shall not include any period during which the taxpayer is the grantor of such option.
For provision requiring capitalization of certain interest and carrying charges where there is a straddle, see section 263(g).
2018—Subsec. (a)(2)(B). Pub. L. 115–141, § 401(a)(170), substituted “with respect to other” for “with respect other” in concluding provisions.
Subsec. (c)(4)(E). Pub. L. 115–141, § 401(a)(171), struck out “(other than subparagraph (B) thereof)” after “paragraphs (3)” in concluding provisions.
2007—Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(i). Pub. L. 110–172, § 7(d)(2)(B)(i), substituted “positions” for “identified positions”.
Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 110–172, § 7(d)(2)(B)(ii), (iii), substituted “any position” for “any identified position” and “the offsetting positions” for “the identified offsetting positions”.
Pub. L. 110–172, § 7(d)(1), struck out “and” at end.
Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(iii), (iv). Pub. L. 110–172, § 7(d)(1), added cl. (iii) and redesignated former cl. (iii) as (iv).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B). Pub. L. 110–172, § 7(d)(2)(A), inserted concluding provisions.
Subsec. (a)(2)(C), (D). Pub. L. 110–172, § 7(d)(3), (4), added subpar. (C), redesignated former subpar. (C) as (D), and inserted “the rules for the application of this section to a position which is or has been a liability or obligation, methods of loss allocation which satisfy the requirements of subparagraph (A)(iii),” before “and the ordering rules” in subpar. (D).
Subsec. (a)(3)(B). Pub. L. 110–172, § 7(d)(2)(C), substituted “offsetting position” for “identified offsetting position”.
2005—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 109–135 added subpar. (C) and struck out concluding provisions of subpar. (B) which read as follows: “The Secretary shall prescribe regulations which specify the proper methods for clearly identifying a straddle as an identified straddle (and the positions comprising such straddle), which specify the rules for the application of this section for a taxpayer which fails to properly identify the positions of an identified straddle, and which specify the ordering rules in cases where a taxpayer disposes of less than an entire position which is part of an identified straddle.”
2004—Subsec. (a)(2)(A). Pub. L. 108–357, § 888(a)(1), reenacted heading without change and amended text of subpar. (A) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “In the case of any straddle which is an identified straddle as of the close of any taxable year—
“(i) paragraph (1) shall not apply for such taxable year, and
“(ii) any loss with respect to such straddle shall be treated as sustained not earlier than the day on which all of the positions making up the straddle are disposed of.”
Subsec. (a)(2)(B). Pub. L. 108–357, § 888(a)(2)(B), inserted concluding provisions.
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(ii). Pub. L. 108–357, § 888(a)(2)(A), added cl. (ii) and struck out former cl. (ii) which read as follows: “all of the original positions of which (as identified by the taxpayer) are acquired on the same day and with respect to which—
“(I) all of such positions are disposed of on the same day during the taxable year, or
“(II) none of such positions has been disposed of as of the close of the taxable year, and”.
Subsec. (a)(3)(B), (C). Pub. L. 108–357, § 888(a)(3), added subpar. (B) and redesignated former subpar. (B) as (C).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B), (C). Pub. L. 108–357, § 888(a)(4), redesignated subpar. (C) as (B) and struck out heading and text of former subpar. (B). Text read as follows: “If 1 or more positions offset only a portion of 1 or more other positions, the Secretary shall by regulations prescribe the method for determining the portion of such other positions which is to be taken into account for purposes of this section.”
Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 108–357, § 888(c)(1), reenacted heading without change and amended text of par. (3) generally, substituting provisions directing that the term “personal property” includes stock only if it is of a certain type or of a certain type of corporation and setting forth rule for application of subsec. (e), for provisions directing that the term “personal property” includes any stock which is part of a straddle at least 1 of the offsetting positions of which is an option, a securities futures contract, or a position with respect to substantially similar or related property (other than stock), and of a certain type of corporation, and setting forth special rules relating to application of subsecs. (c), (d)(4), and (e).
Subsec. (d)(8). Pub. L. 108–357, § 888(b), added par. (8).
2000—Subsec. (d)(3)(B)(i)(II), (III). Pub. L. 106–554 added subcl. (II) and redesignated former subcl. (II) as (III).
1999—Subsec. (a)(3)(B)(ii)(II). Pub. L. 106–170 substituted “1221(a)” for “1221”.
1997—Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 105–34 substituted “The” for “Except for purposes of section 851(b)(3), the”.
1988—Subsec. (b)(2)(D). Pub. L. 100–647 added subpar. (D).
1986—Subsec. (c)(4)(E). Pub. L. 99–514, § 331(a), in cl. (i), inserted “or the stock is disposed of at a loss”, in cl. (ii), substituted “or gains on such options are” for “is”, and in cl. (iii), inserted “or option” and “or the disposition of such stock”.
Subsec. (d)(3)(A). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1808(c), inserted at end “The preceding sentence shall not apply to any interest in stock.”
Subsec. (d)(5), (6). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1899A(66), amended directory language of section 101(b)(2) of Pub. L. 98–369 to clarify general amendment by sections 101(d) and 102(e) of Pub. L. 98–369. See 1984 Amendment notes below.
Subsec. (d)(7). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1261(b), added par. (7).
1984—Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(i). Pub. L. 98–369, § 107(a), designated existing provisions as subcl. (I) and added subcl. (II).
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 98–369, § 103(a), amended subsec. (b) generally, substituting provisions dealing with regulations for provisions dealing with character of gain or loss and wash sales.
Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 98–369, § 101(a)(2), added par. (4).
Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 98–369, § 101(b)(1), struck out “(other than stock)” before “of a type”.
Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 98–369, § 101(a)(1), redesignated former subpar. (A) as entire par. (2), and struck out former subpar. (B) which provided that “position” includes any stock option which is a part of a straddle and which is an option to buy or sell stock which is actively traded, but does not include a stock option which (i) is traded on a domestic exchange or on a similar foreign exchange designated by the Secretary, and (ii) is of a type with respect to which the maximum period during which such option may be exercised is less than the minimum period for which a capital asset must be held for gain to be treated as long-term capital gain under section 1222(3).
Subsec. (d)(3), (4). Pub. L. 98–369, § 101(b)(2), as amended by Pub. L. 99–514, § 1899A(66), added par. (3) and redesignated former pars. (3) and (4) as (4) and (5), respectively.
Subsec. (d)(5). Pub. L. 98–369, § 101(d), amended par. (4) generally, substituting provisions relating to special rules for section 1256 contracts for provisions relating to special rules for regulated futures contracts.
Pub. L. 98–369, § 101(b)(2), as amended by Pub. L. 99–514, § 1899A(66), redesignated former par. (4) as (5). Former par. (5) redesignated (6).
Subsec. (d)(6). Pub. L. 98–369, § 102(e)(2), amended par. (5) generally, substituting references to section 1256 contracts for references to regulated futures contracts wherever appearing in heading and text.
Pub. L. 98–369, § 101(b)(2), as amended by Pub. L. 99–514, § 1899A(66), redesignated former par. (5) as (6).
Subsecs. (f), (g). Pub. L. 98–369, § 101(c), added subsec. (f) and redesignated former subsec. (f) as (g).
1983—Subsec. (a)(1)(A). Pub. L. 97–448, § 105(a)(1)(A), (2), substituted “unrecognized gain” for “unrealized gain” and “which were offsetting positions with respect to 1 or more positions from which the loss arose” for “which— (i) were acquired by the taxpayer before the disposition giving rise to such loss, (ii) were offsetting positions with respect to the 1 or more positions from which the loss arose, and (iii) were not part of an identified straddle as of the close of the taxable year”.
Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 97–448, § 105(a)(1)(B), substituted “Unrecognized gain” for “Unrealized gain” in heading.
Subsec. (a)(3)(A). Pub. L. 97–448, § 105(a)(1)(B), substituted “unrecognized gain” for “unrealized gain” as term defined, designated existing definition as cl. (i), and added cl. (ii).
Subsec. (a)(3)(B)(i)(I). Pub. L. 97–448, § 105(a)(1)(C), substituted “with respect to which, as of the close of the taxable year, there is unrecognized gain, and” for “which is held by such taxpayer as of the close of the taxable year and with respect to which there is unrealized gain, and”.
Subsec. (a)(3)(B)(i)(II). Pub. L. 97–448, § 105(a)(1)(C), substituted “unrecognized gain” for “unrealized gain”.
Subsec. (c)(2)(C). Pub. L. 97–448, § 105(a)(4), substituted “subsection (a)(2)(B)” for “subsection (a)(3)(B)”.
Subsec. (d)(4). Pub. L. 97–448, § 105(a)(3), substituted “a straddle at least 1 (but not all) of the positions of which are regulated futures contracts, the provisions of this section shall apply” for “a straddle— (A) at lease 1 (but not all) of the positions of which are regulated futures contracts, and (B) with respect to which the taxpayer has elected not to have the provisions of section 1256 apply, the provisions of this section shall apply”.
Pub. L. 110–172, § 7(e),
Amendment by Pub. L. 109–135 effective as if included in the provision of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, Pub. L. 108–357, to which such amendment relates, see section 403(nn) of Pub. L. 109–135, set out as a note under section 26 of this title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 108–357 applicable to positions established on or after
Amendment by Pub. L. 106–170 applicable to any instrument held, acquired, or entered into, any transaction entered into, and supplies held or acquired on or after
Amendment by Pub. L. 105–34 applicable to taxable years beginning after
Amendment by Pub. L. 100–647 applicable with respect to forward contracts, future contracts, options, and similar instruments entered into or acquired after
Pub. L. 99–514, title III, § 331(b),
Amendment by section 1261(b) of Pub. L. 99–514 applicable to taxable years beginning after
Amendment by section 1808(c) of Pub. L. 99–514 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1984, Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, to which such amendment relates, see section 1881 of Pub. L. 99–514, set out as a note under section 48 of this title.
Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title I, § 101(e),
Amendment by section 102(e)(2) of Pub. L. 98–369 applicable to positions established after
Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title I, § 103(b), (c),
Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title I, § 107(e),
Amendment by Pub. L. 97–448 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if it had been included in the provision of the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981, Pub. L. 97–34, to which such amendment relates, see section 109 of Pub. L. 97–448, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
Pub. L. 97–34, title V, § 508,
For 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 Pub. L. 99–514 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
Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title I, § 108,