26 USC 701 - Partners, not partnership, subject to tax

Collapse to view only § 701. Partners, not partnership, subject to tax

§ 701. Partners, not partnership, subject to tax
§ 702. Income and credits of partner
§ 703. Partnership computations
§ 704. Partner’s distributive share
§ 705. Determination of basis of partner’s interest
§ 706. Taxable years of partner and partnership
§ 707. Transactions between partner and partnership
§ 708. Continuation of partnership
§ 709. Treatment of organization and syndication fees

§ 701. Partners, not partnership, subject to tax

A partnership as such shall not be subject to the income tax imposed by this chapter. Persons carrying on business as partners shall be liable for income tax only in their separate or individual capacities.

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 239.)

§ 702. Income and credits of partner

(a) General rule

In determining his income tax, each partner shall take into account separately his distributive share of the partnership’s—

(1) gains and losses from sales or exchanges of capital assets held for not more than 1 year,

(2) gains and losses from sales or exchanges of capital assets held for more than 1 year,

(3) gains and losses from sales or exchanges of property described in section 1231 (relating to certain property used in a trade or business and involuntary conversions),

(4) charitable contributions (as defined in section 170(c)),

(5) dividends with respect to which section 1(h)(11) or part VIII of subchapter B applies,

(6) taxes, described in section 901, paid or accrued to foreign countries and to possessions of the United States,

(7) other items of income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit, to the extent provided by regulations prescribed by the Secretary, and

(8) taxable income or loss, exclusive of items requiring separate computation under other paragraphs of this subsection.

(b) Character of items constituting distributive share

(d) Cross reference

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 239; Pub. L. 88–272, title II, § 201(d)(7), Feb. 26, 1964, 78 Stat. 32; Pub. L. 94–455, title XIV, § 1402(b)(1)(L), (2), title XIX, §§ 1901(b)(1)(I)(i), (ii), 1906(b)(13)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1732, 1791, 1834; Pub. L. 96–223, title IV, § 404(b)(5), Apr. 2, 1980, 94 Stat. 307; Pub. L. 97–34, title III, § 301(b)(5), (6)(C), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 270; Pub. L. 97–248, title IV, § 402(c)(1), Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 667; Pub. L. 97–448, title I, § 103(a)(4), Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2375; Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title X, § 1001(b)(9), (e), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1011, 1012; Pub. L. 99–514, title VI, § 612(b)(5), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2250; Pub. L. 108–27, title III, § 302(e)(8), May 28, 2003, 117 Stat. 764.)

§ 703. Partnership computations

(a) Income and deductionsThe taxable income of a partnership shall be computed in the same manner as in the case of an individual except that—

(1) the items described in section 702(a) shall be separately stated, and

(2) the following deductions shall not be allowed to the partnership:

(A) the deductions for personal exemptions provided in section 151,

(B) the deduction for taxes provided in section 164(a) with respect to taxes, described in section 901, paid or accrued to foreign countries and to possessions of the United States,

(D) the net operating loss deduction provided in section 172,

(E) the additional itemized deductions for individuals provided in part VII of subchapter B (sec. 211 and following), and

(F) the deduction for depletion under section 611 with respect to oil and gas wells.

(b) Elections of the partnershipAny election affecting the computation of taxable income derived from a partnership shall be made by the partnership, except that any election under—

(1) subsection (b)(5) or (c)(3) of section 108 (relating to income from discharge of indebtedness),

(2) section 617 (relating to deduction and recapture of certain mining exploration expenditures), or

(3) section 901 (relating to taxes of foreign countries and possessions of the United States),

shall be made by each partner separately.

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 240; Pub. L. 89–570, § 2(b), Sept. 12, 1966, 80 Stat. 764; Pub. L. 91–172, title V, § 504(c)(3), Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 633; Pub. L. 92–178, title III, § 304(c), Dec. 10, 1971, 85 Stat. 523; Pub. L. 94–12, title V, § 501(b)(3), Mar. 29, 1975, 89 Stat. 53; Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, § 1901(b)(21)(F), title XXI, § 2115(c)(2), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1798, 1909; Pub. L. 95–30, title I, § 101(d)(10), May 23, 1977, 91 Stat. 134; Pub. L. 96–589, § 2(e)(1), Dec. 24, 1980, 94 Stat. 3396; Pub. L. 99–514, title V, § 511(d)(2)(B), title VII, § 701(e)(4)(E), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2249, 2343; Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1008(i), Nov. 10, 1988,

§ 704. Partner’s distributive share

(a) Effect of partnership agreement

(b) Determination of distributive shareA partner’s distributive share of income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit (or item thereof) shall be determined in accordance with the partner’s interest in the partnership (determined by taking into account all facts and circumstances), if—

(1) the partnership agreement does not provide as to the partner’s distributive share of income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit (or item thereof), or

(2) the allocation to a partner under the agreement of income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit (or item thereof) does not have substantial economic effect.

(1) In generalUnder regulations prescribed by the Secretary—

(A) income, gain, loss, and deduction with respect to property contributed to the partnership by a partner shall be shared among the partners so as to take account of the variation between the basis of the property to the partnership and its fair market value at the time of contribution,

(B) if any property so contributed is distributed (directly or indirectly) by the partnership (other than to the contributing partner) within 7 years of being contributed—

(i) the contributing partner shall be treated as recognizing gain or loss (as the case may be) from the sale of such property in an amount equal to the gain or loss which would have been allocated to such partner under subparagraph (A) by reason of the variation described in subparagraph (A) if the property had been sold at its fair market value at the time of the distribution,

(ii) the character of such gain or loss shall be determined by reference to the character of the gain or loss which would have resulted if such property had been sold by the partnership to the distributee, and

(iii) appropriate adjustments shall be made to the adjusted basis of the contributing partner’s interest in the partnership and to the adjusted basis of the property distributed to reflect any gain or loss recognized under this subparagraph, and

(i) such built-in loss shall be taken into account only in determining the amount of items allocated to the contributing partner, and

(ii) except as provided in regulations, in determining the amount of items allocated to other partners, the basis of the contributed property in the hands of the partnership shall be treated as being equal to its fair market value at the time of contribution.

For purposes of subparagraph (C), the term “built-in loss” means the excess of the adjusted basis of the property (determined without regard to subparagraph (C)(ii)) over its fair market value at the time of contribution.

(2) Special rule for distributions where gain or loss would not be recognized outside partnershipsUnder regulations prescribed by the Secretary, if—

(A) property contributed by a partner (hereinafter referred to as the “contributing partner”) is distributed by the partnership to another partner, and

(B) other property of a like kind (within the meaning of section 1031) is distributed by the partnership to the contributing partner not later than the earlier of—

(i) the 180th day after the date of the distribution described in subparagraph (A), or

(ii) the due date (determined with regard to extensions) for the contributing partner’s return of the tax imposed by this chapter for the taxable year in which the distribution described in subparagraph (A) occurs,

then to the extent of the value of the property described in subparagraph (B), paragraph (1)(B) shall be applied as if the contributing partner had contributed to the partnership the property described in subparagraph (B).

(3) Other rules

(d) Limitation on allowance of losses

(1) In general

(2) Carryover

(3) Special rules

(A) In general

(B) Exception

(e) Partnership interests created by gift

(1) Distributive share of donee includible in gross income

(2) Purchase of interest by member of family

(f) Cross reference

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 240; Pub. L. 94–455, title II, § 213(c)(2), (3)(A), (d), (e), title XIX, § 1906(b)(13)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1548, 1834; Pub. L. 95–600, title II, § 201(b)(1), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2816; Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title I, § 71(a), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 589; Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, § 7642(a), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2379; Pub. L. 102–486, title XIX, § 1937(b)(1), Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3033; Pub. L. 105–34, title X, § 1063(a), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 947; Pub. L. 108–357, title VIII, § 833(a), Oct. 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 1589; Pub. L. 114–74, title XI, § 1102(b), Nov. 2, 2015, 129 Stat. 639; Pub. L. 115–97, title I, § 13503(a), Dec. 22, 2017, 131 Stat. 2141.)

§ 705. Determination of basis of partner’s interest

(a) General ruleThe adjusted basis of a partner’s interest in a partnership shall, except as provided in subsection (b), be the basis of such interest determined under section 722 (relating to contributions to a partnership) or section 742 (relating to transfers of partnership interests)—

(1) increased by the sum of his distributive share for the taxable year and prior taxable years of—

(A) taxable income of the partnership as determined under section 703(a),

(B) income of the partnership exempt from tax under this title, and

(2) decreased (but not below zero) by distributions by the partnership as provided in section 733 and by the sum of his distributive share for the taxable year and prior taxable years of—

(A) losses of the partnership, and

(B) expenditures of the partnership not deductible in computing its taxable income and not properly chargeable to capital account; and

(3) decreased (but not below zero) by the amount of the partner’s deduction for depletion for any partnership oil and gas property to the extent such deduction does not exceed the proportionate share of the adjusted basis of such property allocated to such partner under section 613A(c)(7)(D).

(b) Alternative rule

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 242; Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, § 1906(b)(13)(A), title XXI, § 2115(c)(3), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1834, 1909; Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title VII, § 722(e)(1), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 974.)

§ 706. Taxable years of partner and partnership

(a) Year in which partnership income is includible

(b) Taxable year

(1) Partnership’s taxable year

(A) Partnership treated as taxpayer

(B) Taxable year determined by reference to partners

Except as provided in subparagraph (C), a partnership shall not have a taxable year other than—

(i) the majority interest taxable year (as defined in paragraph (4)),

(ii) if there is no taxable year described in clause (i), the taxable year of all the principal partners of the partnership, or

(iii) if there is no taxable year described in clause (i) or (ii), the calendar year unless the Secretary by regulations prescribes another period.

(2) Partner’s taxable year

(3) Principal partner

(4) Majority interest taxable year; limitation on required changes

(A) Majority interest taxable year defined

For purposes of paragraph (1)(B)(i)—

(i) In general

(ii) Testing days

The testing days shall be—

(I) the 1st day of the partnership taxable year (determined without regard to clause (i)), or(II) the days during such representative period as the Secretary may prescribe.

(B) Further change not required for 3 years

(5) Application with other sections

(1) General rule

(2) Treatment of dispositions

(A) Disposition of entire interest

(B) Disposition of less than entire interest

(d) Determination of distributive share when partner’s interest changes

(1) In general

(2) Certain cash basis items prorated over period to which attributable

(A) In general

If during any taxable year of the partnership there is a change in any partner’s interest in the partnership, then (except to the extent provided in regulations) each partner’s distributive share of any allocable cash basis item shall be determined—

(i) by assigning the appropriate portion of such item to each day in the period to which it is attributable, and

(ii) by allocating the portion assigned to any such day among the partners in proportion to their interests in the partnership at the close of such day.

(B) Allocable cash basis item

For purposes of this paragraph, the term “allocable cash basis item” means any of the following items with respect to which the partnership uses the cash receipts and disbursements method of accounting:

(i) Interest.

(ii) Taxes.

(iii) Payments for services or for the use of property.

(iv) Any other item of a kind specified in regulations prescribed by the Secretary as being an item with respect to which the application of this paragraph is appropriate to avoid significant misstatements of the income of the partners.

If any portion of any allocable cash basis item is attributable to—

(i) any period before the beginning of the taxable year, such portion shall be assigned under subparagraph (A)(i) to the first day of the taxable year, or

(ii) any period after the close of the taxable year, such portion shall be assigned under subparagraph (A)(i) to the last day of the taxable year.

(D) Treatment of deductible items attributable to prior periods

(i) such portion shall be allocated among persons who are partners in the partnership during the period to which such portion is attributable in accordance with their varying interests in the partnership during such period, and

(ii) any amount allocated under clause (i) to a person who is not a partner in the partnership on such first day shall be capitalized by the partnership and treated in the manner provided for in section 755.

(3) Items attributable to interest in lower tier partnership prorated over entire taxable year

If—

(A) during any taxable year of the partnership there is a change in any partner’s interest in the partnership (hereinafter in this paragraph referred to as the “upper tier partnership”), and

(B) such partnership is a partner in another partnership (hereinafter in this paragraph referred to as the “lower tier partnership”),

then (except to the extent provided in regulations) each partner’s distributive share of any item of the upper tier partnership attributable to the lower tier partnership shall be determined by assigning the appropriate portion (determined by applying principles similar to the principles of subparagraphs (C) and (D) of paragraph (2)) of each such item to the appropriate days during which the upper tier partnership is a partner in the lower tier partnership and by allocating the portion assigned to any such day among the partners in proportion to their interests in the upper tier partnership at the close of such day.

(4) Taxable year determined without regard to subsection (c)(2)(A)

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 242; Pub. L. 94–455, title II, § 213(c)(1), title XIX, § 1906(b)(13)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1547, 1834; Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title I, § 72(a), (b), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 589, 591; Pub. L. 99–514, title VIII, § 806(a), title XVIII, § 1805(a), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2362, 2810; Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1008(e)(1)–(3), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3439, 3440; Pub. L. 105–34, title V, § 507(b)(2), title XII, § 1246(a), (b), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 857, 1030; Pub. L. 115–141, div. U, title IV, § 401(a)(139), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1191.)

§ 707. Transactions between partner and partnership

(a) Partner not acting in capacity as partner

(1) In general

(2) Treatment of payments to partners for property or services

Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary—

(A) Treatment of certain services and transfers of property

If—

(i) a partner performs services for a partnership or transfers property to a partnership,

(ii) there is a related direct or indirect allocation and distribution to such partner, and

(iii) the performance of such services (or such transfer) and the allocation and distribution, when viewed together, are properly characterized as a transaction occurring between the partnership and a partner acting other than in his capacity as a member of the partnership,

such allocation and distribution shall be treated as a transaction described in paragraph (1).

(B) Treatment of certain property transfers

If—

(i) there is a direct or indirect transfer of money or other property by a partner to a partnership,

(ii) there is a related direct or indirect transfer of money or other property by the partnership to such partner (or another partner), and

(iii) the transfers described in clauses (i) and (ii), when viewed together, are properly characterized as a sale or exchange of property,

such transfers shall be treated either as a transaction described in paragraph (1) or as a transaction between 2 or more partners acting other than in their capacity as members of the partnership.

(b) Certain sales or exchanges of property with respect to controlled partnerships

(1) Losses disallowed

No deduction shall be allowed in respect of losses from sales or exchanges of property (other than an interest in the partnership), directly or indirectly, between—

(A) a partnership and a person owning, directly or indirectly, more than 50 percent of the capital interest, or the profits interest, in such partnership, or

(B) two partnerships in which the same persons own, directly or indirectly, more than 50 percent of the capital interests or profits interests.

In the case of a subsequent sale or exchange by a transferee described in this paragraph, section 267(d) shall be applicable as if the loss were disallowed under section 267(a)(1). For purposes of section 267(a)(2), partnerships described in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph shall be treated as persons specified in section 267(b).

(2) Gains treated as ordinary income

In the case of a sale or exchange, directly or indirectly, of property, which in the hands of the transferee, is property other than a capital asset as defined in section 1221—

(A) between a partnership and a person owning, directly or indirectly, more than 50 percent of the capital interest, or profits interest, in such partnership, or

(B) between two partnerships in which the same persons own, directly or indirectly, more than 50 percent of the capital interests or profits interests,

any gain recognized shall be considered as ordinary income.

(3) Ownership of a capital or profits interest

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 243; Pub. L. 94–455, title II, § 213(b)(3), title XIX, § 1901(b)(3)(C), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1547, 1792; Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title I, § 73(a), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 591; Pub. L. 99–514, title VI, § 642(a)(2), title XVIII, §§ 1805(b), 1812(c)(3)(A), (B), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2284, 2810, 2834.)

§ 708. Continuation of partnership

(a) General rule

(b) Termination

(1) General rule

(2) Special rules

(A) Merger or consolidation

(B) Division of a partnership

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 244; Pub. L. 115–97, title I, § 13504(a), Dec. 22, 2017, 131 Stat. 2141.)

§ 709. Treatment of organization and syndication fees

(a) General rule

(b) Deduction of organization fees

(1) Allowance of deductionIf a partnership elects the application of this subsection (in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary) with respect to any organizational expenses—

(A) the partnership shall be allowed a deduction for the taxable year in which the partnership begins business in an amount equal to the lesser of—

(i) the amount of organizational expenses with respect to the partnership, or

(ii) $5,000, reduced (but not below zero) by the amount by which such organizational expenses exceed $50,000, and

(B) the remainder of such organizational expenses shall be allowed as a deduction ratably over the 180-month period beginning with the month in which the partnership begins business.

(2) Dispositions before close of amortization period

(3) Organizational expenses definedThe organizational expenses to which paragraph (1) applies, are expenditures which—

(A) are incident to the creation of the partnership;

(B) are chargeable to capital account; and

(C) are of a character which, if expended incident to the creation of a partnership having an ascertainable life, would be amortized over such life.

(Added Pub. L. 94–455, title II, § 213(b)(1), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1547; amended Pub. L. 108–357, title VIII, § 902(c), Oct. 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 1651; Pub. L. 109–135, title IV, § 403(ll), Dec. 21, 2005, 119 Stat. 2632.)