26 USC 541 - Imposition of personal holding company tax

Collapse to view only § 541. Imposition of personal holding company tax

§ 541. Imposition of personal holding company tax
§ 542. Definition of personal holding company
§ 543. Personal holding company income
§ 544. Rules for determining stock ownership
§ 545. Undistributed personal holding company income
§ 546. Income not placed on annual basis
§ 547. Deduction for deficiency dividends

§ 541. Imposition of personal holding company tax

In addition to other taxes imposed by this chapter, there is hereby imposed for each taxable year on the undistributed personal holding company income (as defined in section 545) of every personal holding company (as defined in section 542) a personal holding company tax equal to 20 percent of the undistributed personal holding company income.

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 182; Pub. L. 88–272, title II, § 225(a), Feb. 26, 1964, 78 Stat. 79; Pub. L. 97–34, title I, § 101(d)(2), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 184; Pub. L. 99–514, title I, § 104(b)(8), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2105; Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, § 11802(f)(1), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–530; Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, §§ 13201(b)(2), 13202(b), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 459, 461; Pub. L. 107–16, title I, § 101(c)(5), June 7, 2001, 115 Stat. 43; Pub. L. 108–27, title III, § 302(e)(6), May 28, 2003, 117 Stat. 764; Pub. L. 112–240, title I, § 102(c)(1)(B), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 2319.)

§ 542. Definition of personal holding company

(a) General ruleFor purposes of this subtitle, the term “personal holding company” means any corporation (other than a corporation described in subsection (c)) if—

(1) Adjusted ordinary gross income requirement

(2) Stock ownership requirement

(b) Corporations filing consolidated returns

(1) General rule

(2) Ineligible affiliated groupParagraph (1) shall not apply to an affiliated group of corporations if—

(A) any member of the affiliated group of corporations (including the common parent corporation) derived 10 percent or more of its adjusted ordinary gross income for the taxable year from sources outside the affiliated group, and

(B) 80 percent or more of the amount described in subparagraph (A) consists of personal holding company income (as defined in section 543).

For purposes of this paragraph, section 543 shall be applied as if the amount described in subparagraph (A) were the adjusted ordinary gross income of the corporation.

(3) Excluded corporations

(4) Certain dividend income received by a common parentIn applying paragraph (2) (A) and (B), personal holding company income and adjusted ordinary gross income shall not include dividends received by a common parent corporation from another corporation if—

(A) the common parent corporation owns, directly or indirectly, more than 50 percent of the outstanding voting stock of such other corporation, and

(B) such other corporation is not a personal holding company for the taxable year in which the dividends are paid.

(5) Certain dividend income received from a nonincludible life insurance company

(1) a corporation exempt from tax under subchapter F (sec. 501 and following);

(2) a bank as defined in section 581, or a domestic building and loan association within the meaning of section 7701(a)(19);

(3) a life insurance company;

(4) a surety company;

(5) a foreign corporation;

(6) a lending or finance company if—

(A) 60 percent or more of its ordinary gross income (as defined in section 543(b)(1)) is derived directly from the active and regular conduct of a lending or finance business;

(B) the personal holding company income for the taxable year (computed without regard to income described in subsection (d)(3) and income derived directly from the active and regular conduct of a lending or finance business, and computed by including as personal holding company income the entire amount of the gross income from rents, royalties, produced film rents, and compensation for use of corporate property by shareholders) is not more than 20 percent of the ordinary gross income;

(C) the sum of the deductions which are directly allocable to the active and regular conduct of its lending or finance business equals or exceeds the sum of—

(i) 15 percent of so much of the ordinary gross income derived therefrom as does not exceed $500,000, plus

(ii) 5 percent of so much of the ordinary gross income derived therefrom as exceeds $500,000; and

(D) the loans to a person who is a shareholder in such company during the taxable year by or for whom 10 percent or more in value of its outstanding stock is owned directly or indirectly (including, in the case of an individual, stock owned by members of his family as defined in section 544(a)(2)), outstanding at any time during such year do not exceed $5,000 in principal amount;

(7) a small business investment company which is licensed by the Small Business Administration and operating under the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 661 and following) and which is actively engaged in the business of providing funds to small business concerns under that Act. This paragraph shall not apply if any shareholder of the small business investment company owns at any time during the taxable year directly or indirectly (including, in the case of an individual, ownership by the members of his family as defined in section 544(a)(2)) a 5 per centum or more proprietary interest in a small business concern to which funds are provided by the investment company or 5 per centum or more in value of the outstanding stock of such concern; and

(8) a corporation which is subject to the jurisdiction of the court in a title 11 or similar case (within the meaning of section 368(a)(3)(A)) unless a major purpose of instituting or continuing such case is the avoidance of the tax imposed by section 541.

(d) Special rules for applying subsection (c)(6)

(1) Lending or finance business defined

(A) In generalExcept as provided in subparagraph (B), for purposes of subsection (c)(6), the term “lending or finance business” means a business of—

(i) making loans,

(ii) purchasing or discounting accounts receivable, notes, or installment obligations,

(iii) rendering services or making facilities available in connection with activities described in clauses (i) and (ii) carried on by the corporation rendering services or making facilities available, or

(iv) rendering services or making facilities available to another corporation which is engaged in the lending or finance business (within the meaning of this paragraph), if such services or facilities are related to the lending or finance business (within such meaning) of such other corporation and such other corporation and the corporation rendering services or making facilities available are members of the same affiliated group (as defined in section 1504).

(B) ExceptionsFor purposes of subparagraph (A), the term “lending or finance business” does not include the business of—

(i) making loans, or purchasing or discounting accounts receivable, notes, or installment obligations, if (at the time of the loan, purchase, or discount) the remaining maturity exceeds 144 months; unless—(I) the loans, notes, or installment obligations are evidenced or secured by contracts of conditional sale, chattel mortgages, or chattel lease agreements arising out of the sale of goods or services in the course of the borrower’s or transferor’s trade or business, or(II) the loans, notes, or installment obligations are made or acquired by the taxpayer and meet the requirements of subparagraph (C), or

(ii) making loans evidenced by, or purchasing, certificates of indebtedness issued in a series, under a trust indenture, and in registered form or with interest coupons attached.

For purposes of clause (i), the remaining maturity shall be treated as including any period for which there may be a renewal or extension under the terms of an option exercisable by the borrower.

(C) Indefinite maturity credit transactionsFor purposes of subparagraph (B)(i), a loan, note, or installment obligation meets the requirements of this subparagraph if it is made under an agreement—

(i) under which the creditor agrees to make loans or advances (not in excess of an agreed upon maximum amount) from time to time to or for the account of the debtor upon request, and

(ii) under which the debtor may repay the loan or advance in full or in installments.

(2) Business deductionsFor purposes of subsection (c)(6)(C), the deductions which may be taken into account shall include only—

(A) deductions which are allowable only by reason of section 162 or section 404, except there shall not be included any such deduction in respect of compensation for personal services rendered by shareholders (including members of the shareholder’s family as described in section 544(a)(2)), and

(B) deductions allowable under section 167, and deductions allowable under section 164 for real property taxes, but in either case only to the extent that the property with respect to which such deductions are allowable is used directly in the active and regular conduct of the lending or finance business.

(3) Income received from certain affiliated corporations

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 182; ch. 871, § 3, Aug. 12, 1955, 69 Stat. 718; Pub. L. 86–376, § 3(a), Sept. 23, 1959, 73 Stat. 700; Pub. L. 87–768, § 1, Oct. 9, 1962, 76 Stat. 766; Pub. L. 88–272, title II, § 225(b), (c), (k)(1), Feb. 26, 1964, 78 Stat. 79, 93; Pub. L. 89–809, title I, § 104(h)(1), Nov. 13, 1966, 80 Stat. 1559; Pub. L. 91–172, title I, § 101(j)(16), Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 528; Pub. L. 93–480, § 3(a), Oct. 26, 1974, 88 Stat. 1454; Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, § 1901(a)(76), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1777; Pub. L. 96–589, § 5(a), Dec. 24, 1980, 94 Stat. 3405; Pub. L. 97–248, title II, § 293(a)–(c), Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 575; Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title II, § 211(b)(7), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 755; Pub. L. 99–514, title XII, § 1235(f)(2), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2575; Pub. L. 105–34, title XI, § 1122(d)(1), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 977; Pub. L. 108–357, title IV, § 413(b)(1), Oct. 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 1506; Pub. L. 115–141, div. U, title IV, § 401(a)(132), (133), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1190.)

§ 543. Personal holding company income

(a) General ruleFor purposes of this subtitle, the term “personal holding company income” means the portion of the adjusted ordinary gross income which consists of:

(1) Dividends, etc.Dividends, interest, royalties (other than mineral, oil, or gas royalties or copyright royalties), and annuities. This paragraph shall not apply to—

(A) interest constituting rent (as defined in subsection (b)(3)),

(B) interest on amounts set aside in a reserve fund under chapter 533 or 535 of title 46, United States Code,

(C) dividends received by a United States shareholder (as defined in section 951(b)) from a controlled foreign corporation (as defined in section 957(a)),

(D) active business computer software royalties (within the meaning of subsection (d)), and

(E) interest received by a broker or dealer (within the meaning of section 3(a)(4) or (5) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934) in connection with—

(i) any securities or money market instruments held as property described in section 1221(a)(1),

(ii) margin accounts, or

(iii) any financing for a customer secured by securities or money market instruments.

(2) RentsThe adjusted income from rents; except that such adjusted income shall not be included if—

(A) such adjusted income constitutes 50 percent or more of the adjusted ordinary gross income, and

(B) the sum of—

(i) the dividends paid during the taxable year (determined under section 562),

(ii) the dividends considered as paid on the last day of the taxable year under section 563(c) (as limited by the second sentence of section 563(b)), and

(iii) the consent dividends for the taxable year (determined under section 565),

equals or exceeds the amount, if any, by which the personal holding company income for the taxable year (computed without regard to this paragraph and paragraph (6), and computed by including as personal holding company income copyright royalties and the adjusted income from mineral, oil, and gas royalties) exceeds 10 percent of the ordinary gross income.

(3) Mineral, oil, and gas royaltiesThe adjusted income from mineral, oil, and gas royalties; except that such adjusted income shall not be included if—

(A) such adjusted income constitutes 50 percent or more of the adjusted ordinary gross income,

(B) the personal holding company income for the taxable year (computed without regard to this paragraph, and computed by including as personal holding company income copyright royalties and the adjusted income from rents) is not more than 10 percent of the ordinary gross income, and

(i) deductions for compensation for personal services rendered by the shareholders, and

(ii) deductions which are specifically allowable under sections other than section 162,

equals or exceeds 15 percent of the adjusted ordinary gross income.

(4) Copyright royaltiesCopyright royalties; except that copyright royalties shall not be included if—

(A) such royalties (exclusive of royalties received for the use of, or right to use, copyrights or interests in copyrights on works created in whole, or in part, by any shareholder) constitute 50 percent or more of the ordinary gross income,

(B) the personal holding company income for the taxable year computed—

(i) without regard to copyright royalties, other than royalties received for the use of, or right to use, copyrights or interests in copyrights in works created in whole, or in part, by any shareholder owning more than 10 percent of the total outstanding capital stock of the corporation,

(ii) without regard to dividends from any corporation in which the taxpayer owns at least 50 percent of all classes of stock entitled to vote and at least 50 percent of the total value of all classes of stock and which corporation meets the requirements of this subparagraph and subparagraphs (A) and (C), and

(iii) by including as personal holding company income the adjusted income from rents and the adjusted income from mineral, oil, and gas royalties,

is not more than 10 percent of the ordinary gross income, and

(C) the sum of the deductions which are properly allocable to such royalties and which are allowable under section 162, other than—

(i) deductions for compensation for personal services rendered by the shareholders,

(ii) deductions for royalties paid or accrued, and

(iii) deductions which are specifically allowable under sections other than section 162,

equals or exceeds 25 percent of the amount by which the ordinary gross income exceeds the sum of the royalties paid or accrued and the amounts allowable as deductions under section 167 (relating to depreciation) with respect to copyright royalties.

For purposes of this subsection, the term “copyright royalties” means compensation, however designated, for the use of, or the right to use, copyrights in works protected by copyright issued under title 17 of the United States Code and to which copyright protection is also extended by the laws of any country other than the United States of America by virtue of any international treaty, convention, or agreement, or interests in any such copyrighted works, and includes payments from any person for performing rights in any such copyrighted work and payments (other than produced film rents as defined in paragraph (5)(B)) received for the use of, or right to use, films. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “shareholder” shall include any person who owns stock within the meaning of section 544. This paragraph shall not apply to active business computer software royalties.

(5) Produced film rents

(A) Produced film rents; except that such rents shall not be included if such rents constitute 50 percent or more of the ordinary gross income.

(B) For purposes of this section, the term “produced film rents” means payments received with respect to an interest in a film for the use of, or right to use, such film, but only to the extent that such interest was acquired before substantial completion of production of such film. In the case of a producer who actively participates in the production of the film, such term includes an interest in the proceeds or profits from the film, but only to the extent such interest is attributable to such active participation.

(6) Use of corporate property by shareholder

(A) Amounts received as compensation (however designated and from whomever received) for the use of, or the right to use, tangible property of the corporation in any case where, at any time during the taxable year, 25 percent or more in value of the outstanding stock of the corporation is owned, directly or indirectly, by or for an individual entitled to the use of the property (whether such right is obtained directly from the corporation or by means of a sublease or other arrangement).

(B) Subparagraph (A) shall apply only to a corporation which has personal holding company income in excess of 10 percent of its ordinary gross income.

(i) without regard to subparagraph (A) or paragraph (2),

(ii) by excluding amounts received as compensation for the use of (or right to use) intangible property (other than mineral, oil, or gas royalties or copyright royalties) if a substantial part of the tangible property used in connection with such intangible property is owned by the corporation and all such tangible and intangible property is used in the active conduct of a trade or business by an individual or individuals described in subparagraph (A), and

(iii) by including copyright royalties and adjusted income from mineral, oil, and gas royalties.

(7) Personal service contracts

(A) Amounts received under a contract under which the corporation is to furnish personal services; if some person other than the corporation has the right to designate (by name or by description) the individual who is to perform the services, or if the individual who is to perform the services is designated (by name or by description) in the contract; and

(B) amounts received from the sale or other disposition of such a contract.

This paragraph shall apply with respect to amounts received for services under a particular contract only if at some time during the taxable year 25 percent or more in value of the outstanding stock of the corporation is owned, directly or indirectly, by or for the individual who has performed, is to perform, or may be designated (by name or by description) as the one to perform, such services.

(8) Estates and trusts

(b) DefinitionsFor purposes of this part—

(1) Ordinary gross incomeThe term “ordinary gross income” means the gross income determined by excluding—

(A) all gains from the sale or other disposition of capital assets, and

(B) all gains (other than those referred to in subparagraph (A)) from the sale or other disposition of property described in section 1231(b).

(2) Adjusted ordinary gross incomeThe term “adjusted ordinary gross income” means the ordinary gross income adjusted as follows:

(A) RentsFrom the gross income from rents (as defined in the second sentence of paragraph (3) of this subsection) subtract the amount allowable as deductions for—

(i) exhaustion, wear and tear, obsolescence, and amortization of property other than tangible personal property which is not customarily retained by any one lessee for more than three years,

(ii) property taxes,

(iii) interest, and

(iv) rent,

to the extent allocable, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, to such gross income from rents. The amount subtracted under this subparagraph shall not exceed such gross income from rents.

(B) Mineral royalties, etc.From the gross income from mineral, oil, and gas royalties described in paragraph (4), and from the gross income from working interests in an oil or gas well, subtract the amount allowable as deductions for—

(i) exhaustion, wear and tear, obsolescence, amortization, and depletion,

(ii) property and severance taxes,

interest, and

(iv) rent,

to the extent allocable, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, to such gross income from royalties or such gross income from working interests in oil or gas wells. The amount subtracted under this subparagraph with respect to royalties shall not exceed the gross income from such royalties, and the amount subtracted under this subparagraph with respect to working interests shall not exceed the gross income from such working interests.

(i) interest received on a direct obligation of the United States held for sale to customers in the ordinary course of trade or business by a regular dealer who is making a primary market in such obligations, and

(ii) interest on a condemnation award, a judgment, and a tax refund.

(D) Certain excluded rents

(3) Adjusted income from rentsThe term “adjusted income from rents” means the gross income from rents, reduced by the amount subtracted under paragraph (2)(A) of this subsection. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term “rents” means compensation, however designated, for the use of, or right to use, property, and the interest on debts owed to the corporation, to the extent such debts represent the price for which real property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of its trade or business was sold or exchanged by the corporation; but such term does not include—

(A) amounts constituting personal holding company income under subsection (a)(6),

(B) copyright royalties (as defined in subsection (a)(4)),

(D) compensation, however designated, for the use of, or the right to use, any tangible personal property manufactured or produced by the taxpayer, if during the taxable year the taxpayer is engaged in substantial manufacturing or production of tangible personal property of the same type, or

(E) active business computer software royalties (as defined in subsection (d)).

(4) Adjusted income from mineral, oil, and gas royalties

(d) Active business computer software royalties

(1) In generalFor purposes of this section, the term “active business computer software royalties” means any royalties—

(A) received by any corporation during the taxable year in connection with the licensing of computer software, and

(B) with respect to which the requirements of paragraphs (2), (3), (4), and (5) are met.

(2) Royalties must be received by corporation actively engaged in computer software businessThe requirements of this paragraph are met if the royalties described in paragraph (1)—

(A) are received by a corporation engaged in the active conduct of the trade or business of developing, manufacturing, or producing computer software, and

(B) are attributable to computer software which—

(i) is developed, manufactured, or produced by such corporation (or its predecessor) in connection with the trade or business described in subparagraph (A), or

(ii) is directly related to such trade or business.

(3) Royalties must constitute at least 50 percent of income

(4) Deductions under sections 162 and 174 relating to royalties must equal or exceed 25 percent of ordinary gross income

(A) In generalThe requirements of this paragraph are met if—

(i) the sum of the deductions allowable to the corporation under sections 162, 174, and 195 for the taxable year which are properly allocable to the trade or business described in paragraph (2) equals or exceeds 25 percent of the ordinary gross income of such corporation for such taxable year, or

(ii) the average of such deductions for the 5-taxable year period ending with such taxable year equals or exceeds 25 percent of the average ordinary gross income of such corporation for such period.

If a corporation has not been in existence during the 5-taxable year period described in clause (ii), then the period of existence of such corporation shall be substituted for such 5-taxable year period.

(B) Deductions allowable under section 162

(C) Limitation on allowable deductionsFor purposes of subparagraph (A), no deduction shall be taken into account with respect to compensation for personal services rendered by the 5 individual shareholders holding the largest percentage (by value) of the outstanding stock of the corporation. For purposes of the preceding sentence—

(i) individuals holding less than 5 percent (by value) of the stock of such corporation shall not be taken into account, and

(ii) stock deemed to be owned by a shareholder solely by attribution from a partner under section 544(a)(2) shall be disregarded.

(5) Dividends must equal or exceed excess of personal holding company income over 10 percent of ordinary gross income

(A) In generalThe requirements of this paragraph are met if the sum of—

(i) the dividends paid during the taxable year (determined under section 562),

(ii) the dividends considered as paid on the last day of the taxable year under section 563(c) (as limited by the second sentence of section 563(b)), and

(iii) the consent dividends for the taxable year (determined under section 565),

equals or exceeds the amount, if any, by which the personal holding company income for the taxable year exceeds 10 percent of the ordinary gross income of such corporation for such taxable year.

(B) Computation of personal holding company incomeFor purposes of this paragraph, personal holding company income shall be computed—

(i) without regard to amounts described in subsection (a)(1)(C),

(ii) without regard to interest income during any taxable year—(I) which is in the 5-taxable year period beginning with the later of the 1st taxable year of the corporation or the 1st taxable year in which the corporation conducted the trade or business described in paragraph (2)(A), and(II) during which the corporation meets the requirements of paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), and

(iii) by including adjusted income from rents and adjusted income from mineral, oil, and gas royalties (within the meaning of paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (a)).

(6) Special rules for affiliated group members

(A) In generalIn any case in which—

(i) the taxpayer receives royalties in connection with the licensing of computer software, and

(ii) another corporation which is a member of the same affiliated group as the taxpayer meets the requirements of paragraphs (2), (3), (4), and (5) with respect to such computer software,

the taxpayer shall be treated as having met such requirements.

(B) Affiliated group

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 186; Pub. L. 86–435, § 1(a), (b), Apr. 22, 1960, 74 Stat. 77; Pub. L. 87–403, § 3(c), Feb. 2, 1962, 76 Stat. 6; Pub. L. 88–272, title II, § 225(d), (k)(2), Feb. 26, 1964, 78 Stat. 81, 93; Pub. L. 88–484, § 3(a), Aug. 22, 1964, 78 Stat. 598; Pub. L. 89–809, title I, § 104(h)(2), title II, § 206(a), (b), Nov. 13, 1966, 80 Stat. 1559, 1578, 1579; Pub. L. 94–455, title II, § 211(a), title XIX, §§ 1901(b)(32)(D), 1906(b)(13)(A), title XXI, § 2106(a), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1544, 1800, 1834, 1902; Pub. L. 94–553, § 105(d), Oct. 19, 1976, 90 Stat. 2599; Pub. L. 97–248, title II, § 222(e)(6), Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 480; Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title VII, § 712(i)(3), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 948; Pub. L. 99–514, title VI, § 645(a)(1), (2), (4), title XVIII, § 1899A(18), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2289, 2291, 2959; Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1010(f)(5), title VI, § 6279(a), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3454, 3754; Pub. L. 104–188, title I, § 1704(t)(6), Aug. 20, 1996, 110 Stat. 1887; Pub. L. 105–206, title VI, § 6023(9), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 825; Pub. L. 106–170, title V, § 532(c)(2)(E), Dec. 17, 1999, 113 Stat. 1930; Pub. L. 108–357, title IV, § 413(c)(8), Oct. 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 1507; Pub. L. 109–304, § 17(e)(3), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1708; Pub. L. 113–295, div. B, title II, § 207(a), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 4072; Pub. L. 115–141, div. U, title IV, § 401(a)(134), (135), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1190.)

§ 544. Rules for determining stock ownership

(a) Constructive ownership

For purposes of determining whether a corporation is a personal holding company, insofar as such determination is based on stock ownership under section 542(a)(2), section 543(a)(7), section 543(a)(6), or section 543(a)(4)—

(1) Stock not owned by individual

(2) Family and partnership ownership

(3) Options

(4) Application of family-partnership and option rules

Paragraphs (2) and (3) shall be applied—

(A) for purposes of the stock ownership requirement provided in section 542(a)(2), if, but only if, the effect is to make the corporation a personal holding company;

(B) for purposes of section 543(a)(7) (relating to personal service contracts), of section 543(a)(6) (relating to use of property by shareholders), or of section 543(a)(4) (relating to copyright royalties), if, but only if, the effect is to make the amounts therein referred to includible under such paragraph as personal holding company income.

(5) Constructive ownership as actual ownership

(6) Option rule in lieu of family and partnership rule

(b) Convertible securities

Outstanding securities convertible into stock (whether or not convertible during the taxable year) shall be considered as outstanding stock—

(1) for purposes of the stock ownership requirement provided in section 542(a)(2), but only if the effect of the inclusion of all such securities is to make the corporation a personal holding company;

(2) for purposes of section 543(a)(7) (relating to personal service contracts), but only if the effect of the inclusion of all such securities is to make the amounts therein referred to includible under such paragraph as personal holding company income;

(3) for purposes of section 543(a)(6) (relating to the use of property by shareholders), but only if the effect of the inclusion of all such securities is to make the amounts therein referred to includible under such paragraph as personal holding company income; and

(4) for purposes of section 543(a)(4) (relating to copyright royalties), but only if the effect of the inclusion of all such securities is to make the amounts therein referred to includible under such paragraph as personal holding company income.

The requirement in paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4) that all convertible securities must be included if any are to be included shall be subject to the exception that, where some of the outstanding securities are convertible only after a later date than in the case of others, the class having the earlier conversion date may be included although the others are not included, but no convertible securities shall be included unless all outstanding securities having a prior conversion date are also included.

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 188; Pub. L. 86–435, § 1(c), (d), Apr. 22, 1960, 74 Stat. 78; Pub. L. 88–272, title II, § 225(k)(3), Feb. 26, 1964, 78 Stat. 93.)

§ 545. Undistributed personal holding company income

(a) Definition

(b) Adjustments to taxable income

For the purposes of subsection (a), the taxable income shall be adjusted as follows:

(1) Taxes

(2) Charitable contributions

(3) Special deductions disallowed

(4) Net operating loss

(5) Net capital gains

There shall be allowed as a deduction the net capital gain for the taxable year, minus the taxes imposed by this subtitle attributable to such net capital gain. The taxes attributable to such net capital gain shall be an amount equal to the difference between—

(A) the taxes imposed by this subtitle (except the tax imposed by this part) for such year, and

(B) such taxes computed for such year without including such excess in taxable income.

(6) Expenses and depreciation applicable to property of the taxpayer

The aggregate of the deductions allowed under section 162 (relating to trade or business expenses) and section 167 (relating to depreciation), which are allocable to the operation and maintenance of property owned or operated by the corporation, shall be allowed only in an amount equal to the rent or other compensation received for the use of, or the right to use, the property, unless it is established (under regulations prescribed by the Secretary) to the satisfaction of the Secretary—

(A) that the rent or other compensation received was the highest obtainable, or, if none was received, that none was obtainable;

(B) that the property was held in the course of a business carried on bona fide for profit; and

(C) either that there was reasonable expectation that the operation of the property would result in a profit, or that the property was necessary to the conduct of the business.

(7) Special rule for capital gains and losses of foreign corporations

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 189; Pub. L. 85–866, title I, § 32(a), (b), Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1631; Pub. L. 87–403, § 3(d), Feb. 2, 1962, 76 Stat. 7; Pub. L. 87–834, § 9(d)(2), Oct. 16, 1962, 76 Stat. 1001; Pub. L. 88–272, title II, §§ 207(b)(5), 209(c)(2), 225(i)(1), (2), Feb. 26, 1964, 78 Stat. 42, 46, 90; Pub. L. 89–719, title I, § 101(b)(2), Nov. 2, 1966, 80 Stat. 1132; Pub. L. 89–809, title I, § 104(h)(3), Nov. 13, 1966, 80 Stat. 1560; Pub. L. 91–172, title II, § 201(a)(2)(B), Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 558; Pub. L. 94–455, title X, § 1033(b)(4), title XIX, §§ 1901(a)(77), (b)(20)(B), (32)(E), (33)(D), 1906(b)(13)(A), 1951(b)(9)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1628, 1777, 1797, 1800, 1801, 1834, 1839; Pub. L. 97–448, title I, § 102(m)(2), Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2374; Pub. L. 99–514, title XII, § 1225(b), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2559; Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, § 11801(a)(24), (c)(10)(B), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–521, 1388–527; Pub. L. 109–280, title XII, § 1206(b)(2), Aug. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 1070; Pub. L. 113–295, div. A, title II, § 221(a)(64), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 4048; Pub. L. 115–97, title I, § 14301(c)(4), Dec. 22, 2017, 131 Stat. 2222.)

§ 546. Income not placed on annual basis

Section 443(b) (relating to computation of tax on change of annual accounting period) shall not apply in the computation of the personal holding company tax imposed by section 541.

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736,

§ 547. Deduction for deficiency dividends

(a) General rule

(b) Rules for application of section

(1) Allowance of deduction

(2) Credit or refund

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

(1) a decision by the Tax Court or a judgment, decree, or other order by any court of competent jurisdiction, which has become final;

(2) a closing agreement made under section 7121; or

(3) under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, an agreement signed by the Secretary and by, or on behalf of, the taxpayer relating to the liability of such taxpayer for personal holding company tax.

(d) Deficiency dividends

(1) Definition

(2) Effect on dividends paid deduction

(A) For taxable year in which paid

(B) For prior taxable year

(e) Claim required

(f) Suspension of statute of limitations and stay of collection

(1) Suspension of running of statute

(2) Stay of collection

In the case of any deficiency with respect to the tax imposed by section 541 established by a determination under this section—

(A) the collection of the deficiency and all interest, additional amounts, and assessable penalties shall, except in cases of jeopardy, be stayed until the expiration of 120 days after the date of the determination, and

(B) if claim for deficiency dividend deduction is filed under subsection (e), the collection of such part of the deficiency as is not reduced by the deduction for deficiency dividends provided in subsection (a) shall be stayed until the date the claim is disallowed (in whole or in part) and if disallowed in part collection shall be made only with respect to the part disallowed.

No distraint or proceeding in court shall be begun for the collection of an amount the collection of which is stayed under subparagraph (A) or (B) during the period for which the collection of such amount is stayed.

(g) Deduction denied in case of fraud, etc.

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 191; Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, §§ 1901(a)(78), 1906(b)(13)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1777, 1834.)