26 USC 68 - Overall limitation on itemized deductions

Collapse to view only § 68. Overall limitation on itemized deductions

§ 61. Gross income defined
§ 62. Adjusted gross income defined
§ 63. Taxable income defined
§ 64. Ordinary income defined
§ 65. Ordinary loss defined
§ 66. Treatment of community income
§ 67. 2-percent floor on miscellaneous itemized deductions
§ 68. Overall limitation on itemized deductions

§ 61. Gross income defined

(a) General definition

Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, gross income means all income from whatever source derived, including (but not limited to) the following items:

(1) Compensation for services, including fees, commissions, fringe benefits, and similar items;

(2) Gross income derived from business;

(3) Gains derived from dealings in property;

(4) Interest;

(5) Rents;

(6) Royalties;

(7) Dividends;

(8) Annuities;

(9) Income from life insurance and endowment contracts;

(10) Pensions;

(11) Income from discharge of indebtedness;

(12) Distributive share of partnership gross income;

(13) Income in respect of a decedent; and

(14) Income from an interest in an estate or trust.

(b) Cross references

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 17; Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title V, § 531(c), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 884; Pub. L. 115–97, title I, § 11051(b)(1)(A), Dec. 22, 2017, 131 Stat. 2089.)

§ 62. Adjusted gross income defined

(a) General ruleFor purposes of this subtitle, the term “adjusted gross income” means, in the case of an individual, gross income minus the following deductions:

(1) Trade and business deductions

(2) Certain trade and business deductions of employees

(A) Reimbursed expenses of employees

(B) Certain expenses of performing artists

(D) Certain expenses of elementary and secondary school teachersThe deductions allowed by section 162 which consist of expenses, not in excess of $250, paid or incurred by an eligible educator—

(i) by reason of the participation of the educator in professional development courses related to the curriculum in which the educator provides instruction or to the students for which the educator provides instruction, and

(ii) in connection with books, supplies (other than nonathletic supplies for courses of instruction in health or physical education), computer equipment (including related software and services) and other equipment, and supplementary materials used by the eligible educator in the classroom.

(E) Certain expenses of members of reserve components of the Armed Forces of the United States

(3) Losses from sale or exchange of property

(4) Deductions attributable to rents and royalties

(5) Certain deductions of life tenants and income beneficiaries of property

(6) Pension, profit-sharing, and annuity plans of self-employed individuals

(7) Retirement savings

[(8) Repealed. Pub. L. 104–188, title I, § 1401(b)(4), Aug. 20, 1996, 110 Stat. 1788]

(9) Penalties forfeited because of premature withdrawal of funds from time savings accounts or deposits

[(10) Repealed. Pub. L. 115–97, title I, § 11051(b)(2)(A), Dec. 22, 2017, 131 Stat. 2089]

(11) Reforestation expenses

(12) Certain required repayments of supplemental unemployment compensation benefits

(13) Jury duty pay remitted to employer

[(14) Repealed. Pub. L. 113–295, div. A, title II, § 221(a)(34)(C), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 4042]

(15) Moving expenses

(16) Archer MSAs

(17) Interest on education loans

[(18) Repealed. Pub. L. 116–260, div. EE, title I, § 104(b)(2)(A), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 3041]

(19) Health savings accounts

(20) Costs involving discrimination suits, etc.

(21) Attorneys’ fees relating to awards to whistleblowers

(A) In generalAny deduction allowable under this chapter for attorney fees and court costs paid by, or on behalf of, the taxpayer in connection with any award under—

(i) section 7623(b), or

(ii) in the case of taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, any action brought under—(I) section 21F of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78u–6),(II) a State false claims act, including a State false claims act with qui tam provisions, or(III) section 23 of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 26).

(B) May not exceed award

Nothing in this section shall permit the same item to be deducted more than once. Any deduction allowed by section 199A shall not be treated as a deduction described in any of the preceding paragraphs of this subsection.

(b) Qualified performing artist

(1) In generalFor purposes of subsection (a)(2)(B), the term “qualified performing artist” means, with respect to any taxable year, any individual if—

(A) such individual performed services in the performing arts as an employee during the taxable year for at least 2 employers,

(B) the aggregate amount allowable as a deduction under section 162 in connection with the performance of such services exceeds 10 percent of such individual’s gross income attributable to the performance of such services, and

(C) the adjusted gross income of such individual for the taxable year (determined without regard to subsection (a)(2)(B)) does not exceed $16,000.

(2) Nominal employer not taken into account

(3) Special rules for married couples

(A) In general

(B) Application of paragraph (1)In the case of a joint return—

(i) paragraph (1) (other than subparagraph (C) thereof) shall be applied separately with respect to each spouse, but

(ii) paragraph (1)(C) shall be applied with respect to their combined adjusted gross income.

(D) Joint return

(c) Certain arrangements not treated as reimbursement arrangementsFor purposes of subsection (a)(2)(A), an arrangement shall in no event be treated as a reimbursement or other expense allowance arrangement if—

(1) such arrangement does not require the employee to substantiate the expenses covered by the arrangement to the person providing the reimbursement, or

(2) such arrangement provides the employee the right to retain any amount in excess of the substantiated expenses covered under the arrangement.

The substantiation requirements of the preceding sentence shall not apply to any expense to the extent that substantiation is not required under section 274(d) for such expense by reason of the regulations prescribed under the 2nd sentence thereof.

(d) Definition; special rules

(1) Eligible educator

(A) In general

(B) School

(2) Coordination with exclusions

(3) Inflation adjustmentIn the case of any taxable year beginning after 2015, the $250 amount in subsection (a)(2)(D) shall be increased by an amount equal to—

(A) such dollar amount, multiplied by

(B) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, determined by substituting “calendar year 2014” for “calendar year 2016” in subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof.

Any increase determined under the preceding sentence shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $50.

(e) Unlawful discrimination definedFor purposes of subsection (a)(20), the term “unlawful discrimination” means an act that is unlawful under any of the following:

(1) Section 302 of the Civil Rights Act of 1991 (42 U.S.C. 2000e–16b).

(2) Section 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, or 208 of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1311, 1312, 1313, 1314, 1315, 1316, or 1317).1

1 See References in Text note below.

(3) The National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 151 et seq.).

(4) The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 201 et seq.).

(5) Section 4 or 15 of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (29 U.S.C. 623 or 633a).

(6) Section 501 or 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 791 or 794).

(7) Section 510 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1140).

(8) Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.).

(9) The Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988 (29 U.S.C. 2001 et seq.).

(10) The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (29 U.S.C. 2102 et seq.).

(11) Section 105 of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (29 U.S.C. 2615).

(12) Chapter 43 of title 38, United States Code (relating to employment and reemployment rights of members of the uniformed services).

(13) Section 1977, 1979, or 1980 of the Revised Statutes (42 U.S.C. 1981, 1983, or 1985).

(14) Section 703, 704, or 717 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e–2, 2000e–3, or 2000e–16).

(15) Section 804, 805, 806, 808, or 818 of the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3604, 3605, 3606, 3608, or 3617).

(16) Section 102, 202, 302, or 503 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12112, 12132, 12182, or 12203).

(17) Any provision of Federal law (popularly known as whistleblower protection provisions) prohibiting the discharge of an employee, the discrimination against an employee, or any other form of retaliation or reprisal against an employee for asserting rights or taking other actions permitted under Federal law.

(18) Any provision of Federal, State, or local law, or common law claims permitted under Federal, State, or local law—

(i) providing for the enforcement of civil rights, or

(ii) regulating any aspect of the employment relationship, including claims for wages, compensation, or benefits, or prohibiting the discharge of an employee, the discrimination against an employee, or any other form of retaliation or reprisal against an employee for asserting rights or taking other actions permitted by law.

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 17; Pub. L. 87–792, § 7(b), Oct. 10, 1962, 76 Stat. 828; Pub. L. 88–272, title II, § 213(b), Feb. 26, 1964, 78 Stat. 52; Pub. L. 91–172, title V, § 531(b), Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 655; Pub. L. 93–406, title II, §§ 2002(a)(2), 2005(c)(9), Sept. 2, 1974, 88 Stat. 959, 992; Pub. L. 93–483, § 6(a), Oct. 26, 1974, 88 Stat. 1458; Pub. L. 94–455, title V, § 502(a), title XV, § 1501(b)(1), title XIX, § 1901(a)(8), (9), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1559, 1735, 1765; Pub. L. 95–615, § 203(b), Nov. 8, 1978, 92 Stat. 3106; Pub. L. 96–451, title III, § 301(b), Oct. 14, 1980, 94 Stat. 1990; Pub. L. 96–608, § 3(a), Dec. 28, 1980, 94 Stat. 3551; Pub. L. 97–34, title I, §§ 103(b), 112(b)(2), title III, § 311(h)(1), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 187, 195, 282; Pub. L. 97–354, § 5(a)(17), Oct. 19, 1982, 96 Stat. 1693; Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title IV, § 491(d)(2), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 849; Pub. L. 99–514, title I, §§ 131(b)(1), 132(b), (c), title III, § 301(b)(1), title XVIII, § 1875(c)(3), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2113, 2115, 2116, 2217, 2894; Pub. L. 100–485, title VII, § 702(a), Oct. 13, 1988, 102 Stat. 2426; Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1001(b)(3)(A), title VI, § 6007(b), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3349, 3687; Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, § 11802(e)(1), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–530; Pub. L. 102–318, title V, § 521(b)(2), July 3, 1992, 106 Stat. 310; Pub. L. 102–486, title XIX, § 1913(a)(2), Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3019; Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, § 13213(c)(1), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 474; Pub. L. 104–188, title I, § 1401(b)(4), Aug. 20, 1996, 110 Stat. 1788; Pub. L. 104–191, title III, § 301(b), Aug. 21, 1996, 110 Stat. 2048; Pub. L. 105–34, title II, § 202(b), title IX, § 975(a), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 808, 898; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(7) [title II, § 202(b)(1)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–629; Pub. L. 107–16, title IV, § 431(b), June 7, 2001, 115 Stat. 68; Pub. L. 107–147, title IV, § 406(a), (b), Mar. 9, 2002, 116 Stat. 43; Pub. L. 108–121, title I, § 109(b), Nov. 11, 2003, 117 Stat. 1341; Pub. L. 108–173, title XII, § 1201(b), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2476; Pub. L. 108–311, title III, § 307(a), Oct. 4, 2004, 118 Stat. 1179; Pub. L. 108–357, title VII, § 703(a), (b), Oct. 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 1546, 1547; Pub. L. 109–135, title IV, § 412(q), Dec. 21, 2005, 119 Stat. 2638; Pub. L. 109–432, div. A, title I, § 108(a), title IV, § 406(a)(3), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 2939, 2959; Pub. L. 110–343, div. C, title II, § 203(a), Oct. 3, 2008, 122 Stat. 3864; Pub. L. 111–312, title VII, § 721(a), Dec. 17, 2010, 124 Stat. 3316; Pub. L. 112–240, title II, § 201(a), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 2323; Pub. L. 113–295, div. A, title I, § 101(a), title II, § 221(a)(34)(C), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 4012, 4042; Pub. L. 114–113, div. Q, title I, § 104(a)–(c), Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 3045; Pub. L. 115–97, title I, §§ 11002(d)(1)(J), 11011(b)(1), 11051(b)(2)(A), Dec. 22, 2017, 131 Stat. 2060, 2070, 2089; Pub. L. 115–123, div. D, title II, § 41107(a), Feb. 9, 2018, 132 Stat. 158; Pub. L. 115–141, div. T, § 101(a)(2)(B), div. U, title IV, § 401(a)(31), (32), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1155, 1185, 1186; Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title XI, § 1122(d)(2)(B), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1609; Pub. L. 116–136, div. A, title II, § 2204(a), (b), Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 345; Pub. L. 116–260, div. EE, title I, § 104(b)(2)(A), title II, § 212(c), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 3041, 3068.)

§ 63. Taxable income defined

(a) In general

(b) Individuals who do not itemize their deductionsIn the case of an individual who does not elect to itemize his deductions for the taxable year, for purposes of this subtitle, the term “taxable income” means adjusted gross income, minus—

(1) the standard deduction,

(2) the deduction for personal exemptions provided in section 151,

(3) any deduction provided in section 199A, and

(4) the deduction provided in section 170(p).

(1) In generalExcept as otherwise provided in this subsection, the term “standard deduction” means the sum of—

(A) the basic standard deduction, and

(B) the additional standard deduction.

(2) Basic standard deductionFor purposes of paragraph (1), the basic standard deduction is—

(A) 200 percent of the dollar amount in effect under subparagraph (C) for the taxable year in the case of—

(i) a joint return, or

(ii) a surviving spouse (as defined in section 2(a)),

(B) $4,400 in the case of a head of household (as defined in section 2(b)), or

(3) Additional standard deduction for aged and blind

(4) Adjustments for inflationIn the case of any taxable year beginning in a calendar year after 1988, each dollar amount contained in paragraph (2)(B), (2)(C), or (5) or subsection (f) shall be increased by an amount equal to—

(A) such dollar amount, multiplied by

(B) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, by substituting for “calendar year 2016” in subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof—

(i) “calendar year 1987” in the case of the dollar amounts contained in paragraph (2)(B), (2)(C), or (5)(A) or subsection (f), and

(ii) “calendar year 1997” in the case of the dollar amount contained in paragraph (5)(B).

(5) Limitation on basic standard deduction in the case of certain dependentsIn the case of an individual with respect to whom a deduction under section 151 is allowable to another taxpayer for a taxable year beginning in the calendar year in which the individual’s taxable year begins, the basic standard deduction applicable to such individual for such individual’s taxable year shall not exceed the greater of—

(A) $500, or

(B) the sum of $250 and such individual’s earned income.

(6) Certain individuals, etc., not eligible for standard deductionIn the case of—

(A) a married individual filing a separate return where either spouse itemizes deductions,

(B) a nonresident alien individual,

(C) an individual making a return under section 443(a)(1) for a period of less than 12 months on account of a change in his annual accounting period, or

(D) an estate or trust, common trust fund, or partnership,

the standard deduction shall be zero.

(7) Special rules for taxable years 2018 through 2025In the case of a taxable year beginning after December 31, 2017, and before January 1, 2026—

(A) Increase in standard deductionParagraph (2) shall be applied—

(i) by substituting “$18,000” for “$4,400” in subparagraph (B), and

(ii) by substituting “$12,000” for “$3,000” in subparagraph (C).

(B) Adjustment for inflation

(i) In general

(ii) Adjustment of increased amountsIn the case of a taxable year beginning after 2018, the $18,000 and $12,000 amounts in subparagraph (A) shall each be increased by an amount equal to—(I) such dollar amount, multiplied by(II) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, determined by substituting “2017” for “2016” in subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof.

If any increase under this clause is not a multiple of $50, such increase shall be rounded to the next lowest multiple of $50.

(d) Itemized deductionsFor purposes of this subtitle, the term “itemized deductions” means the deductions allowable under this chapter other than—

(1) the deductions allowable in arriving at adjusted gross income, and

(2) any deduction referred to in any paragraph of subsection (b).

(e) Election to itemize

(1) In general

(2) Time and manner of election

(3) Change of electionUnder regulations prescribed by the Secretary, a change of election with respect to itemized deductions for any taxable year may be made after the filing of the return for such year. If the spouse of the taxpayer filed a separate return for any taxable year corresponding to the taxable year of the taxpayer, the change shall not be allowed unless, in accordance with such regulations—

(A) the spouse makes a change of election with respect to itemized deductions, for the taxable year covered in such separate return, consistent with the change of treatment sought by the taxpayer, and

(B) the taxpayer and his spouse consent in writing to the assessment (within such period as may be agreed on with the Secretary) of any deficiency, to the extent attributable to such change of election, even though at the time of the filing of such consent the assessment of such deficiency would otherwise be prevented by the operation of any law or rule of law.

This paragraph shall not apply if the tax liability of the taxpayer’s spouse for the taxable year corresponding to the taxable year of the taxpayer has been compromised under section 7122.

(f) Aged or blind additional amounts

(1) Additional amounts for the agedThe taxpayer shall be entitled to an additional amount of $600—

(A) for himself if he has attained age 65 before the close of his taxable year, and

(B) for the spouse of the taxpayer if the spouse has attained age 65 before the close of the taxable year and an additional exemption is allowable to the taxpayer for such spouse under section 151(b).

(2) Additional amount for blindThe taxpayer shall be entitled to an additional amount of $600—

(A) for himself if he is blind at the close of the taxable year, and

(B) for the spouse of the taxpayer if the spouse is blind as of the close of the taxable year and an additional exemption is allowable to the taxpayer for such spouse under section 151(b).

For purposes of subparagraph (B), if the spouse dies during the taxable year the determination of whether such spouse is blind shall be made as of the time of such death.

(3) Higher amount for certain unmarried individuals

(4) Blindness defined

(g) Marital status

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 18; Pub. L. 95–30, title I, § 102(a), May 23, 1977, 91 Stat. 135; Pub. L. 95–600, title I, § 101(b), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2769; Pub. L. 97–34, title I, §§ 104(b), 111(b)(4), 121(b), (c)(2), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 189, 194, 196, 197; Pub. L. 99–514, title I, § 102(a), title XII, § 1272(d)(6), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2099, 2594; Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1001(b)(1), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3349; Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, §§ 11101(d)(1)(D), 11801(a)(4), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–405, 1388–520; Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, § 13201(b)(3)(D), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 459; Pub. L. 105–34, title XII, § 1201(a), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 993; Pub. L. 107–16, title III, § 301(a), (b), (c)(2), June 7, 2001, 115 Stat. 53, 54; Pub. L. 107–147, title IV, § 411(e), Mar. 9, 2002, 116 Stat. 46; Pub. L. 108–27, title I, § 103(a), May 28, 2003, 117 Stat. 754; Pub. L. 108–311, title I, § 101(b), Oct. 4, 2004, 118 Stat. 1167; Pub. L. 110–289, div. C, title I, § 3012(a), (b), July 30, 2008, 122 Stat. 2891, 2892; Pub. L. 110–343, div. C, title II, § 204(a), title VII, § 706(b)(1), (2), Oct. 3, 2008, 122 Stat. 3865, 3922; Pub. L. 111–5, div. B, title I, § 1008(c), Feb. 17, 2009, 123 Stat. 318; Pub. L. 113–295, div. A, title II, § 221(a)(13), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 4039; Pub. L. 115–97, title I, §§ 11002(d)(1)(K), 11011(b)(2), (3), 11021(a), Dec. 22, 2017, 131 Stat. 2060, 2070, 2072; Pub. L. 115–141, div. T, § 101(a)(2)(A), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1155; Pub. L. 116–260, div. EE, title II, § 212(b), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 3067.)

§ 64. Ordinary income defined

For purposes of this subtitle, the term “ordinary income” includes any gain from the sale or exchange of property which is neither a capital asset nor property described in section 1231(b). Any gain from the sale or exchange of property which is treated or considered, under other provisions of this subtitle, as “ordinary income” shall be treated as gain from the sale or exchange of property which is neither a capital asset nor property described in section 1231(b).

(Added Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, § 1901(a)(10), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1765.)

§ 65. Ordinary loss defined

For purposes of this subtitle, the term “ordinary loss” includes any loss from the sale or exchange of property which is not a capital asset. Any loss from the sale or exchange of property which is treated or considered, under other provisions of this subtitle, as “ordinary loss” shall be treated as loss from the sale or exchange of property which is not a capital asset.

(Added Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, § 1901(a)(11), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1765.)

§ 66. Treatment of community income

(a) Treatment of community income where spouses live apartIf—

(1) 2 individuals are married to each other at any time during a calendar year;

(2) such individuals—

(A) live apart at all times during the calendar year, and

(B) do not file a joint return under section 6013 with each other for a taxable year beginning or ending in the calendar year;

(3) one or both of such individuals have earned income for the calendar year which is community income; and

(4) no portion of such earned income is transferred (directly or indirectly) between such individuals before the close of the calendar year,

then, for purposes of this title, any community income of such individuals for the calendar year shall be treated in accordance with the rules provided by section 879(a).

(b) Secretary may disregard community property laws where spouse not notified of community income

(1) an individual does not file a joint return for any taxable year,

(2) such individual does not include in gross income for such taxable year an item of community income properly includible therein which, in accordance with the rules contained in section 879(a), would be treated as the income of the other spouse,

(3) the individual establishes that he or she did not know of, and had no reason to know of, such item of community income, and

(4) taking into account all facts and circumstances, it is inequitable to include such item of community income in such individual’s gross income,

then, for purposes of this title, such item of community income shall be included in the gross income of the other spouse (and not in the gross income of the individual). Under procedures prescribed by the Secretary, if, taking into account all the facts and circumstances, it is inequitable to hold the individual liable for any unpaid tax or any deficiency (or any portion of either) attributable to any item for which relief is not available under the preceding sentence, the Secretary may relieve such individual of such liability.

(d) DefinitionsFor purposes of this section—

(1) Earned income

(2) Community income

(3) Community property laws

(Added Pub. L. 96–605, title I, § 101(a), Dec. 28, 1980, 94 Stat. 3521; amended Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title IV, § 424(b)(1)–(2)(B), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 802, 803; Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, § 7841(d)(8), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2428; Pub. L. 105–206, title III, § 3201(b), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 739.)

§ 67. 2-percent floor on miscellaneous itemized deductions

(a) General rule

(b) Miscellaneous itemized deductions

For purposes of this section, the term “miscellaneous itemized deductions” means the itemized deductions other than—

(1) the deduction under section 163 (relating to interest),

(2) the deduction under section 164 (relating to taxes),

(3) the deduction under section 165(a) for casualty or theft losses described in paragraph (2) or (3) of section 165(c) or for losses described in section 165(d),

(4) the deductions under section 170 (relating to charitable, etc., contributions and gifts) and section 642(c) (relating to deduction for amounts paid or permanently set aside for a charitable purpose),

(5) the deduction under section 213 (relating to medical, dental, etc., expenses),

(6) any deduction allowable for impairment-related work expenses,

(7) the deduction under section 691(c) (relating to deduction for estate tax in case of income in respect of the decedent),

(8) any deduction allowable in connection with personal property used in a short sale,

(9) the deduction under section 1341 (relating to computation of tax where taxpayer restores substantial amount held under claim of right),

(10) the deduction under section 72(b)(3) (relating to deduction where annuity payments cease before investment recovered),

(11) the deduction under section 171 (relating to deduction for amortizable bond premium), and

(12) the deduction under section 216 (relating to deductions in connection with cooperative housing corporations).

(1) In general

(2) Treatment of publicly offered regulated investment companies

(A) In general

(B) Publicly offered regulated investment companies

For purposes of this subsection—

(i) In general

The term “publicly offered regulated investment company” means a regulated investment company the shares of which are—

(I) continuously offered pursuant to a public offering (within the meaning of section 4 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (15 U.S.C. 77a to 77aa)),(II) regularly traded on an established securities market, or(III) held by or for no fewer than 500 persons at all times during the taxable year.

(ii) Secretary may reduce 500 person requirement

(3) Treatment of certain other entities

Paragraph (1) shall not apply—

(A) with respect to cooperatives and real estate investment trusts, and

(B) except as provided in regulations, with respect to estates and trusts.

(d) Impairment-related work expenses

For purposes of this section, the term “impairment-related work expenses” means expenses—

(1) of a handicapped individual (as defined in section 190(b)(3)) for attendant care services at the individual’s place of employment and other expenses in connection with such place of employment which are necessary for such individual to be able to work, and

(2) with respect to which a deduction is allowable under section 162 (determined without regard to this section).

(e) Determination of adjusted gross income in case of estates and trusts

For purposes of this section, the adjusted gross income of an estate or trust shall be computed in the same manner as in the case of an individual, except that—

(1) the deductions for costs which are paid or incurred in connection with the administration of the estate or trust and which would not have been incurred if the property were not held in such trust or estate, and

(2) the deductions allowable under sections 642(b), 651, and 661,

shall be treated as allowable in arriving at adjusted gross income. Under regulations, appropriate adjustments shall be made in the application of part I of subchapter J of this chapter to take into account the provisions of this section.

(f) Coordination with other limitation

(g) Suspension for taxable years 2018 through 2025

(Added Pub. L. 99–514, title I, § 132(a), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2113; amended Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1001(f), title IV, § 4011(a), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3351, 3655; Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, § 7814(f), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2414; Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, § 13213(c)(2), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 474; Pub. L. 105–277, div. J, title IV, § 4004(b)(1), Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–910; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(7) [title III, § 319(2)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–646; Pub. L. 115–97, title I, § 11045(a), Dec. 22, 2017, 131 Stat. 2088.)

§ 68. Overall limitation on itemized deductions

(a) General rule

In the case of an individual whose adjusted gross income exceeds the applicable amount, the amount of the itemized deductions otherwise allowable for the taxable year shall be reduced by the lesser of—

(1) 3 percent of the excess of adjusted gross income over the applicable amount, or

(2) 80 percent of the amount of the itemized deductions otherwise allowable for such taxable year.

(b) Applicable amount

(1) In general

For purposes of this section, the term “applicable amount” means—

(A) $300,000 in the case of a joint return or a surviving spouse (as defined in section 2(a)),

(B) $275,000 in the case of a head of household (as defined in section 2(b)),

(D) ½ the amount applicable under subparagraph (A) (after adjustment, if any, under paragraph (2)) in the case of a married individual filing a separate return.

For purposes of this paragraph, marital status shall be determined under section 7703.

(2) Inflation adjustment

In the case of any taxable year beginning in calendar years after 2013, each of the dollar amounts under subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of paragraph (1) shall be increased by an amount equal to—

(A) such dollar amount, multiplied by

(B) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, except that section 1(f)(3)(A)(ii) shall be applied by substituting “2012” for “2016”.

If any amount after adjustment under the preceding sentence is not a multiple of $50, such amount shall be rounded to the next lowest multiple of $50.

For purposes of this section, the term “itemized deductions” does not include—

(1) the deduction under section 213 (relating to medical, etc. expenses),

(2) any deduction for investment interest (as defined in section 163(d)), and

(3) the deduction under section 165(a) for casualty or theft losses described in paragraph (2) or (3) of section 165(c) or for losses described in section 165(d).

(d) Coordination with other limitations

(e) Exception for estates and trusts

(f) Section not to apply

(Added Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, § 11103(a), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–406; amended Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, §§ 13201(b)(3)(E), 13204, Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 459, 462; Pub. L. 105–277, div. J, title IV, § 4004(b)(2), Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–911; Pub. L. 107–16, title I, § 103(a), June 7, 2001, 115 Stat. 44; Pub. L. 112–240, title I, § 101(b)(2)(A), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 2316; Pub. L. 115–97, title I, §§ 11002(d)(2), 11046(a), Dec. 22, 2017, 131 Stat. 2061, 2088; Pub. L. 115–141, div. U, title IV, § 401(a)(33), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1186.)