26 U.S.C. § 382
Limitation on net operating loss carryforwards and certain built-in losses following ownership change
The amount of the taxable income of any new loss corporation for any post-change year which may be offset by pre-change losses shall not exceed the section 382 limitation for such year.
If the section 382 limitation for any post-change year exceeds the taxable income of the new loss corporation for such year which was offset by pre-change losses, the section 382 limitation for the next post-change year shall be increased by the amount of such excess.
Subsection (a) shall not apply to the portion of the taxable income for such year which is allocable to the period in such year on or before the change date. Except as provided in subsection (h)(5) and in regulations, taxable income shall be allocated ratably to each day in the year.
Except as provided in paragraph (2), if the new loss corporation does not continue the business enterprise of the old loss corporation at all times during the 2-year period beginning on the change date, the section 382 limitation for any post-change year shall be zero.
The term “post-change year” means any taxable year ending after the change date.
The term “pre-change loss” shall include any carryover of disallowed interest described in section 163(j)(2) under rules similar to the rules of paragraph (1).
Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the value of the old loss corporation is the value of the stock of such corporation (including any stock described in section 1504(a)(4)) immediately before the ownership change.
If a redemption or other corporate contraction occurs in connection with an ownership change, the value under paragraph (1) shall be determined after taking such redemption or other corporate contraction into account.
Except as otherwise provided in regulations, in determining the value of any old loss corporation which is a foreign corporation, there shall be taken into account only items treated as connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States.
The long-term tax-exempt rate shall be the highest of the adjusted Federal long-term rates in effect for any month in the 3-calendar-month period ending with the calendar month in which the change date occurs.
To the extent provided in regulations, the term “equity structure shift” includes taxable reorganization-type transactions, public offerings, and similar transactions.
Except as provided in subparagraphs (B)(i) and (C), in determining whether an ownership change has occurred, all stock owned by shareholders of a corporation who are not 5-percent shareholders of such corporation shall be treated as stock owned by 1 5-percent shareholder of such corporation.
Subparagraph (A) shall be applied separately with respect to each group of shareholders (immediately before such equity structure shift) of each corporation which was a party to the reorganization involved in such equity structure shift.
Unless a different proportion is established, acquisitions of stock after such equity structure shift shall be treated as being made proportionately from all shareholders immediately before such acquisition.
Except as provided in regulations, rules similar to the rules of subparagraph (B) shall apply in determining whether there has been an owner shift involving a 5-percent shareholder and whether such shift (or subsequent transaction) results in an ownership change.
If the old loss corporation has a net unrealized built-in gain, the section 382 limitation for any recognition period taxable year shall be increased by the recognized built-in gains for such taxable year.
If the old loss corporation has a net unrealized built-in loss, the recognized built-in loss for any recognition period taxable year shall be subject to limitation under this section in the same manner as if such loss were a pre-change loss.
If a redemption or other corporate contraction occurs in connection with an ownership change, to the extent provided in regulations, determinations under clause (i) shall be made after taking such redemption or other corporate contraction into account.
Any item of income which is properly taken into account during the recognition period but which is attributable to periods before the change date shall be treated as a recognized built-in gain for the taxable year in which it is properly taken into account.
Any amount which is allowable as a deduction during the recognition period (determined without regard to any carryover) but which is attributable to periods before the change date shall be treated as a recognized built-in loss for the taxable year for which it is allowable as a deduction.
The amount of the net unrealized built-in gain or loss shall be properly adjusted for amounts which would be treated as recognized built-in gains or losses under this paragraph if such amounts were properly taken into account (or allowable as a deduction) during the recognition period.
The term “recognition period” means, with respect to any ownership change, the 5-year period beginning on the change date.
The term “recognition period taxable year” means any taxable year any portion of which is in the recognition period.
If 80 percent or more in value of the stock of a corporation is acquired in 1 transaction (or in a series of related transactions during any 12-month period), for purposes of determining the net unrealized built-in loss, the fair market value of the assets of such corporation shall not exceed the grossed up amount paid for such stock properly adjusted for indebtedness of the corporation and other relevant items.
The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this subsection where property held on the change date was acquired (or is subsequently transferred) in a transaction where gain or loss is not recognized (in whole or in part).
Except as otherwise provided in this section, the testing period is the 3-year period ending on the day of any owner shift involving a 5-percent shareholder or equity structure shift.
If there has been an ownership change under this section, the testing period for determining whether a 2nd ownership change has occurred shall not begin before the 1st day following the change date for such earlier ownership change.
The testing period shall not begin before the earlier of the 1st day of the 1st taxable year from which there is a carryforward of a loss or of an excess credit to the 1st post-change year or the taxable year in which the transaction being tested occurs. Except as provided in regulations, this paragraph shall not apply to any loss corporation which has a net unrealized built-in loss (determined after application of subsection (h)(3)(B)).
The term “loss corporation” means a corporation entitled to use a net operating loss carryover or having a net operating loss for the taxable year in which the ownership change occurs. Such term shall include any corporation entitled to use a carryforward of disallowed interest described in section 381(c)(20). Except to the extent provided in regulations, such term includes any corporation with a net unrealized built-in loss.
The term “new loss corporation” means a corporation which (after an ownership change) is a loss corporation. Nothing in this section shall be treated as implying that the same corporation may not be both the old loss corporation and the new loss corporation.
Taxable income shall be computed with the modifications set forth in section 172(d).
The term “value” means fair market value.
Except as provided in regulations and subsection (e), the term “stock” means stock other than stock described in section 1504(a)(4).
Determinations of the percentage of stock of any corporation held by any person shall be made on the basis of value.
The term “5-percent shareholder” means any person holding 5 percent or more of the stock of the corporation at any time during the testing period.
Any capital contribution received by an old loss corporation as part of a plan a principal purpose of which is to avoid or increase any limitation under this section shall not be taken into account for purposes of this section.
For purposes of subparagraph (A), any capital contribution made during the 2-year period ending on the change date shall, except as provided in regulations, be treated as part of a plan described in subparagraph (A).
Except as provided in regulations, any change in proportionate ownership which is attributable solely to fluctuations in the relative fair market values of different classes of stock shall not be taken into account.
The old loss corporation shall be treated as having substantial nonbusiness assets if at least ⅓ of the value of the total assets of such corporation consists of nonbusiness assets.
A regulated investment company to which part I of subchapter M applies, a real estate investment trust to which part II of subchapter M applies, or a REMIC to which part IV of subchapter M applies, shall not be treated as a new loss corporation having substantial nonbusiness assets.
For purposes of this paragraph, the term “nonbusiness assets” means assets held for investment.
For purposes of this paragraph, stock and securities in any subsidiary corporation shall be disregarded and the parent corporation shall be deemed to own its ratable share of the subsidiary’s assets. For purposes of the preceding sentence, a corporation shall be treated as a subsidiary if the parent owns 50 percent or more of the combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote, and 50 percent or more of the total value of shares of all classes of stock.
In applying section 108(e)(8) to any case to which subparagraph (A) applies, there shall not be taken into account any indebtedness for interest described in subparagraph (B).
If, during the 2-year period immediately following an ownership change to which this paragraph applies, an ownership change of the new loss corporation occurs, this paragraph shall not apply and the section 382 limitation with respect to the 2nd ownership change for any post-change year ending after the change date of the 2nd ownership change shall be zero.
For purposes of this paragraph, the term “title 11 or similar case” has the meaning given such term by section 368(a)(3)(A).
A new loss corporation may elect, subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary may prescribe, not to have the provisions of this paragraph apply.
If paragraph (5) does not apply to any reorganization described in subparagraph (G) of section 368(a)(1) or any exchange of debt for stock in a title 11 or similar case (as defined in section 368(a)(3)(A)), the value under subsection (e) shall reflect the increase (if any) in value of the old loss corporation resulting from any surrender or cancellation of creditors’ claims in the transaction.
The Secretary shall by regulation provide for the application of this section to the alternative tax net operating loss deduction under section 56(d).
Except as provided in regulations, any entity and any predecessor or successor entities of such entity shall be treated as 1 entity.
Paragraph (1) shall not apply in the case of any subsequent ownership change unless such ownership change is described in such paragraph.
Paragraph (1) shall not apply in the case of any ownership change if, immediately after such ownership change, any person (other than a voluntary employees’ beneficiary association under section 501(c)(9)) owns stock of the new loss corporation possessing 50 percent or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote, or of the total value of the stock of such corporation.
Related persons shall be treated as a single person for purposes of this paragraph.
The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, referred to in subsec. (n)(1)(A), is div. A of Pub. L. 110–343,
2017—Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 115–97, § 13301(b)(2), added par. (3).
Subsec. (k)(1). Pub. L. 115–97, § 13301(b)(3), inserted after first sentence “Such term shall include any corporation entitled to use a carryforward of disallowed interest described in section 381(c)(20).”
Subsec. (l)(3)(B)(iii). Pub. L. 115–97, § 11051(b)(3)(F), substituted “section 121(d)(3)(C)” for “section 71(b)(2)”.
2014—Subsec. (l)(5)(F) to (H). Pub. L. 113–295 redesignated subpars. (G) and (H) as (F) and (G), respectively, and struck out former subpar. (F) which related to a special rule for certain financial institutions for certain equity structure shifts and transactions occurring before
2009—Subsec. (n). Pub. L. 111–5 added subsec. (n).
2004—Subsec. (l)(4)(B)(ii). Pub. L. 108–357 substituted “or a REMIC to which part IV of subchapter M applies,” for “a REMIC to which part IV of subchapter M applies, or a FASIT to which part V of subchapter M applies,”.
1996—Subsec. (l)(4)(B)(ii). Pub. L. 104–188 substituted “a REMIC to which part IV of subchapter M applies, or a FASIT to which part V of subchapter M applies” for “or a REMIC to which part IV of subchapter M applies”.
1993—Subsec. (l)(5)(C). Pub. L. 103–66 amended heading and text of subpar. (C) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows:
“(i)
“(ii)
1989—Subsec. (h)(3)(B)(i). Pub. L. 101–239, § 7205(a), amended cl. (i) generally. Prior to amendment, cl. (i) read as follows: “If the amount of the net unrealized built-in gain or net unrealized built-in loss (determined without regard to this subparagraph) of any old loss corporation is not greater than 25 percent of the amount determined for purposes of subparagraph (A)(i)(I), the net unrealized built-in gain or net unrealized built-in loss shall be zero.”
Subsec. (h)(6)(B). Pub. L. 101–239, § 7811(c)(5)(A)(i), inserted “(determined without regard to any carryover)” after “during the recognition period”.
Subsec. (h)(6)(C). Pub. L. 101–239, § 7811(c)(5)(A)(ii), substituted “which would be treated as recognized built-in gains or losses under this paragraph if such amounts were properly taken into account (or allowable as a deduction) during the recognition period” for “treated as recognized built-in gains or losses under this paragraph”.
Subsec. (l)(3)(B)(i)(III). Pub. L. 101–239, § 7841(d)(11), substituted “incident to divorce),” for “incident to divorce,”.
Subsec. (l)(3)(C). Pub. L. 101–239, § 7304(d)(1), redesignated subpar. (D) as (C) and struck out former subpar. (C) which related to special rule for employee stock ownership plans.
Subsec. (l)(3)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 101–239, § 7815(h), substituted “For purposes of subclause (III),” for “for purposes of subclause (III),” in concluding provisions.
Subsec. (l)(3)(D). Pub. L. 101–239, § 7304(d)(1), redesignated subpar. (D) as (C).
Subsec. (l)(5)(F). Pub. L. 101–73 substituted “on or after
1988—Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(d)(1)(A), inserted “or other corporate contraction” after “redemption” in heading and in two places in text.
Subsec. (e)(3). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(d)(17)(A), added par. (3).
Subsec. (g)(1)(A). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(d)(21)(A), struck out “new” after “stock of the”.
Subsec. (g)(1)(B). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(d)(21)(B), struck out “old” after “stock of the”.
Subsec. (g)(4)(C). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(d)(2), inserted “rules similar to” after “provided in regulations,”.
Subsec. (h)(1)(C). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(d)(3)(A), substituted “Special rules for certain section 338 gains” for “Section 338 gain” in heading and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The section 382 limitation for any taxable year in which gain is recognized by reason of an election under section 338 shall be increased by the excess of—
“(i) the amount of such gain, over
“(ii) the portion of such gain taken into account in computing recognized built-in gains for such taxable year.”
Subsec. (h)(3)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(d)(28)(A), inserted “to the extent provided in regulations,” after “an ownership change,”.
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(d)(1)(B), inserted “or other corporate contractions” after “redemptions” in heading and “or other corporate contraction” after “redemption” in two places in text.
Subsec. (h)(3)(B)(ii). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(d)(26), inserted “except as provided in regulations,” after “under clause (i),”.
Subsec. (h)(4). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(d)(20), substituted “allowed as a carryforward” for “treated as a net operating loss” in heading and inserted “(or to the extent the amount so disallowed is attributable to capital losses, under rules similar to the rules for the carrying forward of net capital losses)” after “net operating losses” in subpar. (A).
Subsec. (h)(5)(A). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(d)(3)(B), substituted “recognized built-in gains to the extent such gains increased the section 382 limitation for the year (or recognized built-in losses to the extent such losses are treated as pre-change losses)” for “recognized built-in gains and losses”.
Subsec. (h)(6). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(d)(22), substituted “Treatment of certain built-in items” for “Secretary may treat certain deductions as built-in losses” in heading and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The Secretary may by regulation treat amounts which accrue on or before the change date but which are allowable as a deduction after such date as recognized built-in losses.”
Subsec. (h)(9). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(d)(23), substituted “was acquired (or is subsequently transferred)” for “is transferred”.
Subsec. (i)(3). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(d)(4), inserted “the earlier of” after “not begin before” and “or the taxable year in which the transaction being tested occurs” after “1st post-change year”.
Subsec. (k)(1). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(d)(5)(A), inserted “or having a net operating loss for the taxable year in which the ownership change occurs” after “operating loss carryover”.
Subsec. (k)(2). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(d)(5)(B), amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows: “The term ‘old loss corporation’ means any corporation with respect to which there is an ownership change—
“(A) which (before the ownership change) was a loss corporation, or
“(B) with respect to which there is a pre-change loss described in subsection (d)(1)(B).”
Subsec. (l)(3)(A)(iv), (v). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(d)(6), added cls. (iv) and (v) and struck out former cl. (iv) which read as follows: “except to the extent provided in regulations, paragraph (4) of section 318(a) shall apply to an option if such application results in an ownership change.”
Subsec. (l)(3)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 100–647, § 5077(a), added subcl. (III) and concluding provisions.
Subsec. (l)(4)(B)(ii). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(t)(22)(A), substituted “REMIC” for “real estate mortgage pool”.
Subsec. (l)(5)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(d)(25), substituted “stock of a controlling corporation” for “stock of controlling corporation”.
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(d)(7), substituted “after such ownership change and as a result of being shareholders or creditors immediately before such change” for “immediately after such ownership change”.
Subsec. (l)(5)(B). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(d)(27), substituted “the pre-change losses and excess credits (within the meaning of section 383(a)(2)) which may be carried to a post-change year shall be computed” for “the net operating loss deduction under section 172(a) for any post-change year shall be determined”.
Subsec. (l)(5)(C). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(d)(18), substituted “tax attributes” for “carryforwards” in heading and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “In any case to which subparagraph (A) applies, the pre-change losses and excess credits (within the meaning of section 383(a)(2)) which may be carried to a post-change year shall be computed as if 50 percent of the amount which, but for the application of section 108(e)(10)(B), would have been includible in gross income for any taxable year had been so included.”
Subsec. (l)(5)(E). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(d)(19), substituted “taken into account” for “of creditors taken into account” in heading and amended introductory provisions generally. Prior to amendment, introductory provisions read as follows: “For purposes of subparagraph (A)(ii), stock transferred to a creditor in satisfaction of indebtedness shall be taken into account only if such indebtedness—”.
Subsec. (l)(5)(F). Pub. L. 100–647, § 4012(a)(3), substituted “1989” for “1988” in last sentence.
Subsec. (l)(5)(F)(i)(I). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(d)(8)(A), inserted “ ‘1504(a)(2)(B)’ for ‘1504(a)(2)’ and” after “by substituting”.
Subsec. (l)(5)(F)(ii)(III). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(d)(8)(B), substituted “the amount of deposits in the new loss corporation immediately after the change” for “deposits described in subclause (II)”.
Subsec. (l)(5)(F)(iii)(I). Pub. L. 100–647, § 4012(b)(1)(B), inserted “(as modified by section 368(a)(3)(D)(iv))” after “section 368(a)(3)(D)(ii)”.
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(d)(29), which directed amendment of subcl. (I) by substituting “section 368(a)(3)(D)(ii)” for “section 368(a)(D)(ii)”, could not be executed because “section 368(a)(3)(D)(ii)” appeared and “section 368(a)(D)(ii)” did not appear.
Subsec. (l)(6). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(d)(9), substituted “shall reflect the increase (if any) in value of the old loss corporation resulting from any surrender or cancellation of creditors’ claims in the transaction” for “shall be the value of the new loss corporation immediately after the ownership change”.
Subsec. (l)(8). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(d)(10), added par. (8).
Subsec. (m)(4). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(d)(1)(C), redesignated par. (5) as (4) and struck out former par. (4) which read as follows: “providing for the treatment of corporate contractions as redemptions for purposes of subsections (e)(2) and (h)(3)(A), and”.
Subsec. (m)(5). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(d)(24), added par. (5).
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(d)(1)(C), redesignated former par. (5) as (4).
1987—Subsec. (g)(4)(D). Pub. L. 100–203, § 10225(a), added subpar. (D).
Subsec. (h)(2)(B). Pub. L. 100–203, § 10225(b), inserted at end “Such term includes any amount allowable as depreciation, amortization, or depletion for any period within the recognition period except to the extent the new loss corporation establishes that the amount so allowable is not attributable to the excess described in clause (ii).”
1986—Pub. L. 99–514, § 621(a), in amending section generally, in subsec. (a), substituted provisions setting forth general rule that amount of taxable income of any new loss corporation for any post-change year which may be offset by pre-change losses shall not exceed section 382 limitation for such year for provisions relating to change in ownership of corporation and change in its business, description of persons owning corporation, attribution of ownership, and definition of “purchase”, in subsec. (b), substituted provisions relating to section 382 limitation for provisions relating to change in ownership as result of reorganization, in subsec. (c), substituted provisions relating to disallowance of carryforwards if continuity of business requirements are not met for provisions defining stock as all shares except nonvoting stock which is limited and preferred as to dividends, and added subsecs. (d) to (m).
Pub. L. 99–514, § 621(e)(1), repealed amendment by Pub. L. 94–455, § 806(e). See 1976 Amendment note below.
1984—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 98–369, in section as amended by Pub. L. 94–455, substituted “subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (F) of section 368(a)(1) or subparagraph (D) or (G) of section 368(a)(1) (but only if the requirements of section 354(b)(1) are met)” for “section 368(a)(1)(A), (B), (C), (D) (but only if the requirements of section 354(b)(1) are met, or (F)”.
1981—Subsec. (b)(7). Pub. L. 97–34 designated existing provisions as subpar. (A) and added subpar. (B).
1980—Subsec. (b)(7). Pub. L. 96–589 added par. (7).
1976—Pub. L. 94–455, § 806(e), which amended section generally, substituting provisions relating to special limitations on net operating loss carryovers based on continuity of trade or business conducted, for provisions relating to special limitations on net operating loss carryovers based on continuity of ownership, was repealed by Pub. L. 99–514, § 621(e)(1). See Effective Date of 1986 and 1976 Amendment notes below.
1964—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 88–554 inserted reference to section 318(a)(3)(C) of this title.
Amendment by section 11051(b)(3)(F) of Pub. L. 115–97 applicable to any divorce or separation instrument (as defined in former section 71(b)(2) of this title as in effect before
Amendment by section 13301(b)(2), (3) of Pub. L. 115–97 applicable to taxable years beginning after
Amendment by Pub. L. 113–295 effective
Pub. L. 111–5, div. B, title I, § 1262(b),
Amendment by Pub. L. 108–357 effective
Amendment by Pub. L. 104–188 effective
Amendment by Pub. L. 103–66 applicable to stock transferred after
Amendment by section 7205(a) of Pub. L. 101–239 applicable, except as otherwise provided, to ownership changes and acquisitions after
Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, § 7304(d)(2),
Amendment by sections 7811(c)(5)(A) and 7815(h) of Pub. L. 101–239 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provision of the Technical and Miscellaneous Revenue Act of 1988, Pub. L. 100–647, to which such amendment relates, see section 7817 of Pub. L. 101–239, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
Pub. L. 101–73, title XIV, § 1401(c)(2),
Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1006(d)(1)(D),
Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1006(d)(17)(B),
Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1006(d)(28)(B),
Amendment by section 1006(d)(2)–(10), (18)–(27), (29), (t)(22)(A) of Pub. L. 100–647 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provision of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, Pub. L. 99–514, to which such amendment relates, see section 1019(a) of Pub. L. 100–647, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
Pub. L. 100–647, title IV, § 4012(b)(1)(C)(ii),
Pub. L. 100–647, title V, § 5077(b),
Pub. L. 100–203, title X, § 10225(c),
Pub. L. 99–514, title VI, § 621(f),
[Pub. L. 100–647, title VI, § 6277(c),
Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title I, § 62(b)(2),
Amendment by Pub. L. 97–34 applicable to any transfer made on or after
Pub. L. 96–589, § 2(d),
Amendment by Pub. L. 96–589 applicable to transactions which occur after
Pub. L. 94–455, title VIII, § 806(g)(2), (3),
Amendment by Pub. L. 88–554 effective
Pub. L. 95–600, title III, § 368,
Pub. L. 111–5, div. B, title I, § 1261,
Pub. L. 99–514, title VI, § 621(d),