26 USC 312 - Effect on earnings and profits

U.S Code last checked for updates: Jan 19, 2025

§ 312.

Effect on earnings and profits

(a)

General rule

Except as otherwise provided in this section, on the distribution of property by a corporation with respect to its stock, the earnings and profits of the corporation (to the extent thereof) shall be decreased by the sum of—

(1)

the amount of money,

(2)

the principal amount of the obligations of such corporation (or, in the case of obligations having original issue discount, the aggregate issue price of such obligations), and

(3)

the adjusted basis of the other property, so distributed.

(b)

Distributions of appreciated property

On the distribution by a corporation, with respect to its stock, of any property (other than an obligation of such corporation) the fair market value of which exceeds the adjusted basis thereof—

(1)

the earnings and profits of the corporation shall be increased by the amount of such excess, and

(2)

subsection (a)(3) shall be applied by substituting “fair market value” for “adjusted basis”.

For purposes of this subsection and subsection (a), the adjusted basis of any property is its adjusted basis as determined for purposes of computing earnings and profits.

(c)

Adjustments for liabilities

In making the adjustments to the earnings and profits of a corporation under subsection (a) or (b), proper adjustment shall be made for—

(1)

the amount of any liability to which the property distributed is subject, and

(2)

the amount of any liability of the corporation assumed by a shareholder in connection with the distribution.

(d)

Certain distributions of stock and securities

(1)

In general

The distribution to a distributee by or on behalf of a corporation of its stock or securities, of stock or securities in another corporation, or of property, in a distribution to which this title applies, shall not be considered a distribution of the earnings and profits of any corporation—

(A)

if no gain to such distributee from the receipt of such stock or securities, or property, was recognized under this title, or

(B)

if the distribution was not subject to tax in the hands of such distributee by reason of section 305(a).

(2)

Stock or securities

[(e)

Repealed. Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title I, § 61(a)(2)(B), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 581]

(f)

Effect on earnings and profits of gain or loss and of receipt of tax-free distributions

(1)

Effect on earnings and profits of gain or loss

The gain or loss realized from the sale or other disposition (after February 28, 1913) of property by a corporation—

(A)

for the purpose of the computation of the earnings and profits of the corporation, shall (except as provided in subparagraph (B)) be determined by using as the adjusted basis the adjusted basis (under the law applicable to the year in which the sale or other disposition was made) for determining gain, except that no regard shall be had to the value of the property as of March 1, 1913; but

(B)

for purposes of the computation of the earnings and profits of the corporation for any period beginning after February 28, 1913, shall be determined by using as the adjusted basis the adjusted basis (under the law applicable to the year in which the sale or other disposition was made) for determining gain.

Gain or loss so realized shall increase or decrease the earnings and profits to, but not beyond, the extent to which such a realized gain or loss was recognized in computing taxable income under the law applicable to the year in which such sale or disposition was made. Where, in determining the adjusted basis used in computing such realized gain or loss, the adjustment to the basis differs from the adjustment proper for the purpose of determining earnings and profits, then the latter adjustment shall be used in determining the increase or decrease above provided. For purposes of this subsection, a loss with respect to which a deduction is disallowed under section 1091 (relating to wash sales of stock or securities), or the corresponding provision of prior law, shall not be deemed to be recognized.

(2)

Effect on earnings and profits of receipt of tax-free distributions

Where a corporation receives (after February 28, 1913) a distribution from a second corporation which (under the law applicable to the year in which the distribution was made) was not a taxable dividend to the shareholders of the second corporation, the amount of such distribution shall not increase the earnings and profits of the first corporation in the following cases:

(A)

no such increase shall be made in respect of the part of such distribution which (under such law) is directly applied in reduction of the basis of the stock in respect of which the distribution was made; and

(B)

no such increase shall be made if (under such law) the distribution causes the basis of the stock in respect of which the distribution was made to be allocated between such stock and the property received (or such basis would, but for section 307(b), be so allocated).

(g)

Earnings and profits—increase in value accrued before March 1, 1913

(1)

If any increase or decrease in the earnings and profits for any period beginning after February 28, 1913, with respect to any matter would be different had the adjusted basis of the property involved been determined without regard to its March 1, 1913, value, then, except as provided in paragraph (2), an increase (properly reflecting such difference) shall be made in that part of the earnings and profits consisting of increase in value of property accrued before March 1, 1913.

(2)

If the application of subsection (f) to a sale or other disposition after February 28, 1913, results in a loss which is to be applied in decrease of earnings and profits for any period beginning after February 28, 1913, then, notwithstanding subsection (f) and in lieu of the rule provided in paragraph (1) of this subsection, the amount of such loss so to be applied shall be reduced by the amount, if any, by which the adjusted basis of the property used in determining the loss exceeds the adjusted basis computed without regard to the value of the property on March 1, 1913, and if such amount so applied in reduction of the decrease exceeds such loss, the excess over such loss shall increase that part of the earnings and profits consisting of increase in value of property accrued before March 1, 1913.

(h)

Allocation in certain corporate separations and reorganizations

(1)

Section 355

(2)

Section 368(a)(1)(C) or (D)

(i)

Distribution of proceeds of loan insured by the United States

If a corporation distributes property with respect to its stock and if, at the time of distribution—

(1)

there is outstanding a loan to such corporation which was made, guaranteed, or insured by the United States (or by any agency or instrumentality thereof), and

(2)

the amount of such loan so outstanding exceeds the adjusted basis of the property constituting security for such loan,

then the earnings and profits of the corporation shall be increased by the amount of such excess, and (immediately after the distribution) shall be decreased by the amount of such excess. For purposes of paragraph (2), the adjusted basis of the property at the time of distribution shall be determined without regard to any adjustment under section 1016(a)(2) (relating to adjustment for depreciation, etc.). For purposes of this subsection, a commitment to make, guarantee, or insure a loan shall be treated as the making, guaranteeing, or insuring of a loan.

[(j)

Repealed. Pub. L. 108–357, title IV, § 413(c)(4), Oct. 22, 2004,

(k)

Effect of depreciation on earnings and profits

(1)

General rule

(2)

Exception

(3)

Exception for tangible property

(A)

In general

(B)

Treatment of amounts deductible under section 179, 179B, 179C, 179D, or 179E

(i)

In general

(ii)

Special rule

(4)

Certain foreign corporations

(5)

Basis adjustment not taken into account

(l)

Discharge of indebtedness income

(1)

Does not increase earnings and profits if applied to reduce basis

(2)

Reduction of deficit in earnings and profits in certain cases

If—

(A)

the interest of any shareholder of a corporation is terminated or extinguished in a title 11 or similar case (within the meaning of section 368(a)(3)(A)), and

(B)

there is a deficit in the earnings and profits of the corporation,

then such deficit shall be reduced by an amount equal to the paid-in capital which is allocable to the interest of the shareholder which is so terminated or extinguished.

(m)

No adjustment for interest paid on certain registration-required obligations not in registered form

(n)

Adjustments to earnings and profits to more accurately reflect economic gain and loss

For purposes of computing the earnings and profits of a corporation, the following adjustments shall be made:

(1)

Construction period carrying charges

(A)

In general

In the case of any amount paid or incurred for construction period carrying charges—

(i)

no deduction shall be allowed with respect to such amount, and

(ii)

the basis of the property with respect to which such charges are allocable shall be increased by such amount.

(B)

Construction period carrying charges defined

For purposes of this paragraph, the term “construction period carrying charges” means all—

(i)

interest paid or accrued on indebtedness incurred or continued to acquire, construct, or carry property,

(ii)

property taxes, and

(iii)

similar carrying charges,

to the extent such interest, taxes, or charges are attributable to the construction period for such property and would be allowable as a deduction in determining taxable income under this chapter for the taxable year in which paid or incurred.

(C)

Construction period

(2)

Intangible drilling costs and mineral exploration and development costs

(A)

Intangible drilling costs

Any amount allowable as a deduction under section 263(c) in determining taxable income (other than costs incurred in connection with a nonproductive well)—

(i)

shall be capitalized, and

(ii)

shall be allowed as a deduction ratably over the 60-month period beginning with the month in which such amount was paid or incurred.

(B)

Mineral exploration and development costs

Any amount allowable as a deduction under section 616(a) or 617 in determining taxable income—

(i)

shall be capitalized, and

(ii)

shall be allowed as a deduction ratably over the 120-month period beginning with the later of—

(I)

the month in which production from the deposit begins, or

(II)

the month in which such amount was paid or incurred.

(3)

Certain amortization provisions not to apply

(4)

LIFO inventory adjustments

(A)

In general

(B)

LIFO recapture amount

For purposes of this paragraph, the term “LIFO recapture amount” means the amount (if any) by which—

(i)

the inventory amount of the inventory assets under the first-in, first-out method authorized by section 471, exceeds

(ii)

the inventory amount of such assets under the LIFO method.

(C)

Definitions

For purposes of this paragraph—

(i)

LIFO method

(ii)

Inventory assets

(iii)

Inventory amount

The inventory amount of assets under the first-in, first-out method authorized by section 471 shall be determined—

(I)

if the corporation uses the retail method of valuing inventories under section 472, by using such method, or

(II)

if subclause (I) does not apply, by using cost or market, whichever is lower.

(5)

Installment sales

(6)

Completed contract method of accounting

(7)

Redemptions

(8)

Special rule for certain foreign corporations

In the case of a foreign corporation described in subsection (k)(4)—

(A)

paragraphs (4) and (6) shall apply only in the case of taxable years beginning after December 31, 1985, and

(B)

paragraph (5) shall apply only in the case of taxable years beginning after December 31, 1987.

(o)

Definition of original issue discount and issue price for purposes of subsection (a)(2)

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 95; Pub. L. 87–403, § 3(a), Feb. 2, 1962, 76 Stat. 6; Pub. L. 87–834, §§ 13(f)(3), 14(b)(1), Oct. 16, 1962, 76 Stat. 1035, 1040; Pub. L. 88–272, title II, § 231(b)(3), Feb. 26, 1964, 78 Stat. 105; Pub. L. 88–484, § 1(b)(1), Aug. 22, 1964, 78 Stat. 597; Pub. L. 89–570, § 1(b)(3), Sept. 12, 1966, 80 Stat. 762; Pub. L. 91–172, title II, § 211(b)(3), title IV, § 442(a), title IX, § 905(b)(2), Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 570, 628, 714; Pub. L. 94–455, title II, § 205(c)(1)(D), title XIX, §§ 1901(a)(43), (b)(32)(B)(i), 1906(b)(13)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1535, 1771, 1800, 1834; Pub. L. 95–628, § 3(c), Nov. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 3627; Pub. L. 96–589, § 5(f), Dec. 24, 1980, 94 Stat. 3406; Pub. L. 97–34, title II, § 206(a), (b), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 224; Pub. L. 97–248, title II, §§ 205(a)(3), 222(e)(3), title III, § 310(b)(3), Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 429, 480, 597; Pub. L. 97–448, title III, § 306(a)(6)(B), Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2402; Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title I, §§ 61(a)–(c)(1), 63(b), 111(e)(5), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 579–581, 583, 633; Pub. L. 99–121, title I, § 103(b)(1)(C), Oct. 11, 1985, 99 Stat. 509; Pub. L. 99–514, title II, §§ 201(b), (d)(6), 241(b)(1), title VI, § 631(e)(1), title VIII, § 803(b)(3), title XVIII, §§ 1804(f)(1)(A)–(E), 1809(a)(2)(C)(ii), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2137, 2141, 2181, 2273, 2355, 2804, 2805, 2819; Pub. L. 100–647, title I, §§ 1002(a)(3), 1018(d)(4), (u)(4), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3353, 3578, 3590; Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, §§ 7611(f)(5)(A), 7811(m)(2), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2373, 2412; Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, §§ 11812(b)(5), 11813(b)(14), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–535, 1388–555; Pub. L. 105–34, title XVI, § 1604(a)(2), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 1097; Pub. L. 108–357, title III, § 338(b)(3), title IV, § 413(c)(4), (5), Oct. 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 1481, 1507; Pub. L. 109–58, title XIII, §§ 1323(b)(3), 1331(b)(5), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 1015, 1024; Pub. L. 109–432, div. A, title IV, § 404(b)(2), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 2956; Pub. L. 113–295, div. A, title II, § 221(a)(34)(F), (49), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 4042, 4045; Pub. L. 117–169, title I, § 13303(b), Aug. 16, 2022, 136 Stat. 1951.)

cite as: 26 USC 312