26 USC 163 - Interest

United States Code

USC most recently checked for updates: Dec 02, 2024

§ 162. Trade or business expenses

§ 164. Taxes

U.S. Code
Notes

§ 163.

Interest

(a)

General rule

There shall be allowed as a deduction all interest paid or accrued within the taxable year on indebtedness.

(b)

Installment purchases where interest charge is not separately stated

(1)

General rule

If personal property or educational services are purchased under a contract—

(A)

which provides that payment of part or all of the purchase price is to be made in installments, and

(B)

in which carrying charges are separately stated but the interest charge cannot be ascertained,

then the payments made during the taxable year under the contract shall be treated for purposes of this section as if they included interest equal to 6 percent of the average unpaid balance under the contract during the taxable year. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the average unpaid balance is the sum of the unpaid balance outstanding on the first day of each month beginning during the taxable year, divided by 12. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “educational services” means any service (including lodging) which is purchased from an educational organization described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(ii) and which is provided for a student of such organization.

(2)

Limitation

In the case of any contract to which paragraph (1) applies, the amount treated as interest for any taxable year shall not exceed the aggregate carrying charges which are properly attributable to such taxable year.

(c)

Redeemable ground rents

For purposes of this subtitle, any annual or periodic rental under a redeemable ground rent (excluding amounts in redemption thereof) shall be treated as interest on an indebtedness secured by a mortgage.

(d)

Limitation on investment interest

(1)

In general

In the case of a taxpayer other than a corporation, the amount allowed as a deduction under this chapter for investment interest for any taxable year shall not exceed the net investment income of the taxpayer for the taxable year.

(2)

Carryforward of disallowed interest

The amount not allowed as a deduction for any taxable year by reason of paragraph (1) shall be treated as investment interest paid or accrued by the taxpayer in the succeeding taxable year.

(3)

Investment interest

For purposes of this subsection—

(A)

In general

The term “investment interest” means any interest allowable as a deduction under this chapter (determined without regard to paragraph (1)) which is paid or accrued on indebtedness properly allocable to property held for investment.

(B)

Exceptions

The term “investment interest” shall not include—

(i)

any qualified residence interest (as defined in subsection (h)(3)), or

(ii)

any interest which is taken into account under section 469 in computing income or loss from a passive activity of the taxpayer.

(C)

Personal property used in short sale

For purposes of this paragraph, the term “interest” includes any amount allowable as a deduction in connection with personal property used in a short sale.

(4)

Net investment income

For purposes of this subsection—

(A)

In general

The term “net investment income” means the excess of—

(i)

investment income, over

(ii)

investment expenses.

(B)

Investment income

The term “investment income” means the sum of—

(i)

gross income from property held for investment (other than any gain taken into account under clause (ii)(I)),

(ii)

the excess (if any) of—

(I)

the net gain attributable to the disposition of property held for investment, over

(II)

the net capital gain determined by only taking into account gains and losses from dispositions of property held for investment, plus

(iii)

so much of the net capital gain referred to in clause (ii)(II) (or, if lesser, the net gain referred to in clause (ii)(I)) as the taxpayer elects to take into account under this clause.

Such term shall include qualified dividend income (as defined in section 1(h)(11)(B)) only to the extent the taxpayer elects to treat such income as investment income for purposes of this subsection.

(C)

Investment expenses

The term “investment expenses” means the deductions allowed under this chapter (other than for interest) which are directly connected with the production of investment income.

(D)

Income and expenses from passive activities

Investment income and investment expenses shall not include any income or expenses taken into account under section 469 in computing income or loss from a passive activity.

(5)

Property held for investment

For purposes of this subsection—

(A)

In general

The term “property held for investment” shall include—

(i)

any property which produces income of a type described in section 469(e)(1), and

(ii)

any interest held by a taxpayer in an activity involving the conduct of a trade or business—

(I)

which is not a passive activity, and

(II)

with respect to which the taxpayer does not materially participate.

(B)

Investment expenses

In the case of property described in subparagraph (A)(i), expenses shall be allocated to such property in the same manner as under section 469.

(C)

Terms

For purposes of this paragraph, the terms “activity”, “passive activity”, and “materially participate” have the meanings given such terms by section 469.

(e)

Original issue discount

(1)

In general

The portion of the original issue discount with respect to any debt instrument which is allowable as a deduction to the issuer for any taxable year shall be equal to the aggregate daily portions of the original issue discount for days during such taxable year.

(2)

Definitions and special rules

For purposes of this subsection—

(A)

Debt instrument

The term “debt instrument” has the meaning given such term by section 1275(a)(1).

(B)

Daily portions

The daily portion of the original issue discount for any day shall be determined under section 1272(a) (without regard to paragraph (7) thereof and without regard to section 1273(a)(3)).

(C)

Short-term obligations

In the case of an obligor of a short-term obligation (as defined in section 1283(a)(1)(A)) who uses the cash receipts and disbursements method of accounting, the original issue discount (and any other interest payable) on such obligation shall be deductible only when paid.

(3)

Special rule for original issue discount on obligation held by related foreign person

(A)

In general

If any debt instrument having original issue discount is held by a related foreign person, any portion of such original issue discount shall not be allowable as a deduction to the issuer until paid. The preceding sentence shall not apply to the extent that the original issue discount is effectively connected with the conduct by such foreign related person of a trade or business within the United States unless such original issue discount is exempt from taxation (or is subject to a reduced rate of tax) pursuant to a treaty obligation of the United States.

(B)

Special rule for certain foreign entities

(i)

In general

In the case of any debt instrument having original issue discount which is held by a related foreign person which is a controlled foreign corporation (as defined in section 957) or a passive foreign investment company (as defined in section 1297), a deduction shall be allowable to the issuer with respect to such original issue discount for any taxable year before the taxable year in which paid only to the extent such original issue discount is includible (determined without regard to properly allocable deductions and qualified deficits under section 952(c)(1)(B)) during such prior taxable year in the gross income of a United States person who owns (within the meaning of section 958(a)) stock in such corporation.

(ii)

Secretarial authority

The Secretary may by regulation exempt transactions from the application of clause (i), including any transaction which is entered into by a payor in the ordinary course of a trade or business in which the payor is predominantly engaged.

(C)

Related foreign person

For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term “related foreign person” means any person—

(i)

who is not a United States person, and

(ii)

who is related (within the meaning of section 267(b)) to the issuer.

(4)

Exception

This subsection shall not apply to any debt instrument described in section 1272(a)(2)(D) (relating to loans between natural persons).

(5)

Special rules for original issue discount on certain high yield obligations

(A)

In general

In the case of an applicable high yield discount obligation issued by a corporation—

(i)

no deduction shall be allowed under this chapter for the disqualified portion of the original issue discount on such obligation, and

(ii)

the remainder of such original issue discount shall not be allowable as a deduction until paid.

For purposes of this paragraph, rules similar to the rules of subsection (i)(3)(B) shall apply in determining the amount of the original issue discount and when the original issue discount is paid.

(B)

Disqualified portion treated as stock distribution for purposes of dividend received deduction

(i)

In general

Solely for purposes of sections 243, 245, 246, and 246A, the dividend equivalent portion of any amount includible in gross income of a corporation under section 1272(a) in respect of an applicable high yield discount obligation shall be treated as a dividend received by such corporation from the corporation issuing such obligation.

(ii)

Dividend equivalent portion

For purposes of clause (i), the dividend equivalent portion of any amount includible in gross income under section 1272(a) in respect of an applicable high yield discount obligation is the portion of the amount so includible—

(I)

which is attributable to the disqualified portion of the original issue discount on such obligation, and

(II)

which would have been treated as a dividend if it had been a distribution made by the issuing corporation with respect to stock in such corporation.

(C)

Disqualified portion

(i)

In general

For purposes of this paragraph, the disqualified portion of the original issue discount on any applicable high yield discount obligation is the lesser of—

(I)

the amount of such original issue discount, or

(II)

(ii)

Definitions

For purposes of clause (i), the term “disqualified yield” means the excess of the yield to maturity on the obligation over the sum referred to in subsection (i)(1)(B) plus 1 percentage point, and the term “total return” is the amount which would have been the original issue discount on the obligation if interest described in the parenthetical in section 1273(a)(2) were included in the stated redemption price at maturity.

(D)

Exception for S corporations

This paragraph shall not apply to any obligation issued by any corporation for any period for which such corporation is an S corporation.

(E)

Effect on earnings and profits

This paragraph shall not apply for purposes of determining earnings and profits; except that, for purposes of determining the dividend equivalent portion of any amount includible in gross income under section 1272(a) in respect of an applicable high yield discount obligation, no reduction shall be made for any amount attributable to the disqualified portion of any original issue discount on such obligation.

(F)

Suspension of application of paragraph

(i)

Temporary suspension

This paragraph shall not apply to any applicable high yield discount obligation issued during the period beginning on September 1, 2008, and ending on December 31, 2009, in exchange (including an exchange resulting from a modification of the debt instrument) for an obligation which is not an applicable high yield discount obligation and the issuer (or obligor) of which is the same as the issuer (or obligor) of such applicable high yield discount obligation. The preceding sentence shall not apply to any obligation the interest on which is interest described in section 871(h)(4) (without regard to subparagraph (D) thereof) or to any obligation issued to a related person (within the meaning of section 108(e)(4)).

(ii)

Successive application

Any obligation to which clause (i) applies shall not be treated as an applicable high yield discount obligation for purposes of applying this subparagraph to any other obligation issued in exchange for such obligation.

(iii)

Secretarial authority to suspend application

The Secretary may apply this paragraph with respect to debt instruments issued in periods following the period described in clause (i) if the Secretary determines that such application is appropriate in light of distressed conditions in the debt capital markets.

(G)

Cross reference

For definition of applicable high yield discount obligation, see subsection (i).

(6)

Cross references

For provision relating to deduction of original issue discount on tax-exempt obligation, see section 1288.

For special rules in the case of the borrower under certain loans for personal use, see section 1275(b).

(f)

Denial of deduction for interest on certain obligations not in registered form

(1)

In general

Nothing in subsection (a) or in any other provision of law shall be construed to provide a deduction for interest on any registration-required obligation unless such obligation is in registered form.

(2)

Registration-required obligation

For purposes of this section—

(A)

In general

The term “registration-required obligation” means any obligation (including any obligation issued by a governmental entity) other than an obligation which—

(i)

is issued by a natural person,

(ii)

is not of a type offered to the public, or

(iii)

has a maturity (at issue) of not more than 1 year.

(B)

Authority to include other obligations

Clauses (ii) and (iii) of subparagraph (A) shall not apply to any obligation if—

(i)

such obligation is of a type which the Secretary has determined by regulations to be used frequently in avoiding Federal taxes, and

(ii)

such obligation is issued after the date on which the regulations referred to in clause (i) take effect.

(3)

Book entries permitted, etc.

For purposes of this subsection, rules similar to the rules of section 149(a)(3) shall apply, except that a dematerialized book entry system or other book entry system specified by the Secretary shall be treated as a book entry system described in such section.

(g)

Reduction of deduction where section 25 credit taken

The amount of the deduction under this section for interest paid or accrued during any taxable year on indebtedness with respect to which a mortgage credit certificate has been issued under section 25 shall be reduced by the amount of the credit allowable with respect to such interest under section 25 (determined without regard to section 26).

(h)

Disallowance of deduction for personal interest

(1)

In general

In the case of a taxpayer other than a corporation, no deduction shall be allowed under this chapter for personal interest paid or accrued during the taxable year.

(2)

Personal interest

For purposes of this subsection, the term “personal interest” means any interest allowable as a deduction under this chapter other than—

(A)

interest paid or accrued on indebtedness properly allocable to a trade or business (other than the trade or business of performing services as an employee),

(B)

any investment interest (within the meaning of subsection (d)),

(C)

any interest which is taken into account under section 469 in computing income or loss from a passive activity of the taxpayer,

(D)

any qualified residence interest (within the meaning of paragraph (3)),

(E)

any interest payable under section 6601 on any unpaid portion of the tax imposed by section 2001 for the period during which an extension of time for payment of such tax is in effect under section 6163, and

(F)

any interest allowable as a deduction under section 221 (relating to interest on educational loans).

(3)

Qualified residence interest

For purposes of this subsection—

(A)

In general

The term “qualified residence interest” means any interest which is paid or accrued during the taxable year on—

(i)

acquisition indebtedness with respect to any qualified residence of the taxpayer, or

(ii)

home equity indebtedness with respect to any qualified residence of the taxpayer.

For purposes of the preceding sentence, the determination of whether any property is a qualified residence of the taxpayer shall be made as of the time the interest is accrued.

(B)

Acquisition indebtedness

(i)

In general

The term “acquisition indebtedness” means any indebtedness which—

(I)

is incurred in acquiring, constructing, or substantially improving any qualified residence of the taxpayer, and

(II)

is secured by such residence.

Such term also includes any indebtedness secured by such residence resulting from the refinancing of indebtedness meeting the requirements of the preceding sentence (or this sentence); but only to the extent the amount of the indebtedness resulting from such refinancing does not exceed the amount of the refinanced indebtedness.

(ii)

$1,000,000 limitation

The aggregate amount treated as acquisition indebtedness for any period shall not exceed $1,000,000 ($500,000 in the case of a married individual filing a separate return).

(C)

Home equity indebtedness

(i)

In general

The term “home equity indebtedness” means any indebtedness (other than acquisition indebtedness) secured by a qualified residence to the extent the aggregate amount of such indebtedness does not exceed—

(I)

the fair market value of such qualified residence, reduced by

(II)

the amount of acquisition indebtedness with respect to such residence.

(ii)

Limitation

The aggregate amount treated as home equity indebtedness for any period shall not exceed $100,000 ($50,000 in the case of a separate return by a married individual).

(D)

Treatment of indebtedness incurred on or before October 13, 1987

(i)

In general

In the case of any pre-October 13, 1987, indebtedness—

(I)

such indebtedness shall be treated as acquisition indebtedness, and

(II)

the limitation of subparagraph (B)(ii) shall not apply.

(ii)

Reduction in $1,000,000 limitation

The limitation of subparagraph (B)(ii) shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the aggregate amount of outstanding pre-October 13, 1987, indebtedness.

(iii)

Pre-October 13, 1987, indebtedness

The term “pre-October 13, 1987, indebtedness” means—

(I)

any indebtedness which was incurred on or before October 13, 1987, and which was secured by a qualified residence on October 13, 1987, and at all times thereafter before the interest is paid or accrued, or

(II)

any indebtedness which is secured by the qualified residence and was incurred after October 13, 1987, to refinance indebtedness described in subclause (I) (or refinanced indebtedness meeting the requirements of this subclause) to the extent (immediately after the refinancing) the principal amount of the indebtedness resulting from the refinancing does not exceed the principal amount of the refinanced indebtedness (immediately before the refinancing).

(iv)

Limitation on period of refinancing

Subclause (II) of clause (iii) shall not apply to any indebtedness after—

(I)

the expiration of the term of the indebtedness described in clause (iii)(I), or

(II)

if the principal of the indebtedness described in clause (iii)(I) is not amortized over its term, the expiration of the term of the 1st refinancing of such indebtedness (or if earlier, the date which is 30 years after the date of such 1st refinancing).

(E)

Mortgage insurance premiums treated as interest

(i)

In general

Premiums paid or accrued for qualified mortgage insurance by a taxpayer during the taxable year in connection with acquisition indebtedness with respect to a qualified residence of the taxpayer shall be treated for purposes of this section as interest which is qualified residence interest.

(ii)

Phaseout

The amount otherwise treated as interest under clause (i) shall be reduced (but not below zero) by 10 percent of such amount for each $1,000 ($500 in the case of a married individual filing a separate return) (or fraction thereof) that the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income for the taxable year exceeds $100,000 ($50,000 in the case of a married individual filing a separate return).

(iii)

Limitation

Clause (i) shall not apply with respect to any mortgage insurance contracts issued before January 1, 2007.

(iv)

Termination

Clause (i) shall not apply to amounts—

(I)

paid or accrued after December 31, 2021, or

(II)

properly allocable to any period after such date.

(F)

Special rules for taxable years 2018 through 2025

(i)

In general

In the case of taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, and before January 1, 2026—

(I)

Disallowance of home equity indebtedness interest

Subparagraph (A)(ii) shall not apply.

(II)

Limitation on acquisition indebtedness

Subparagraph (B)(ii) shall be applied by substituting “$750,000 ($375,000” for “$1,000,000 ($500,000”.

(III)

Treatment of indebtedness incurred on or before December 15, 2017

Subclause (II) shall not apply to any indebtedness incurred on or before December 15, 2017, and, in applying such subclause to any indebtedness incurred after such date, the limitation under such subclause shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the amount of any indebtedness incurred on or before December 15, 2017, which is treated as acquisition indebtedness for purposes of this subsection for the taxable year.

(IV)

Binding contract exception

In the case of a taxpayer who enters into a written binding contract before December 15, 2017, to close on the purchase of a principal residence before January 1, 2018, and who purchases such residence before April 1, 2018, subclause (III) shall be applied by substituting “April 1, 2018” for “December 15, 2017”.

(ii)

Treatment of limitation in taxable years after December 31, 2025

In the case of taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, the limitation under subparagraph (B)(ii) shall be applied to the aggregate amount of indebtedness of the taxpayer described in subparagraph (B)(i) without regard to the taxable year in which the indebtedness was incurred.

(iii)

Treatment of refinancings of indebtedness

(I)

In general

In the case of any indebtedness which is incurred to refinance indebtedness, such refinanced indebtedness shall be treated for purposes of clause (i)(III) as incurred on the date that the original indebtedness was incurred to the extent the amount of the indebtedness resulting from such refinancing does not exceed the amount of the refinanced indebtedness.

(II)

Limitation on period of refinancing

Subclause (I) shall not apply to any indebtedness after the expiration of the term of the original indebtedness or, if the principal of such original indebtedness is not amortized over its term, the expiration of the term of the 1st refinancing of such indebtedness (or if earlier, the date which is 30 years after the date of such 1st refinancing).

(iv)

Coordination with exclusion of income from discharge of indebtedness

Section 108(h)(2) shall be applied without regard to this subparagraph.

(4)

Other definitions and special rules

For purposes of this subsection—

(A)

Qualified residence

(i)

In general

The term “qualified residence” means—

(I)

the principal residence (within the meaning of section 121) of the taxpayer, and

(II)

1 other residence of the taxpayer which is selected by the taxpayer for purposes of this subsection for the taxable year and which is used by the taxpayer as a residence (within the meaning of section 280A(d)(1)).

(ii)

Married individuals filing separate returns

If a married couple does not file a joint return for the taxable year—

(I)

such couple shall be treated as 1 taxpayer for purposes of clause (i), and

(II)

each individual shall be entitled to take into account 1 residence unless both individuals consent in writing to 1 individual taking into account the principal residence and 1 other residence.

(iii)

Residence not rented

For purposes of clause (i)(II), notwithstanding section 280A(d)(1), if the taxpayer does not rent a dwelling unit at any time during a taxable year, such unit may be treated as a residence for such taxable year.

(B)

Special rule for cooperative housing corporations

Any indebtedness secured by stock held by the taxpayer as a tenant-stockholder (as defined in section 216) in a cooperative housing corporation (as so defined) shall be treated as secured by the house or apartment which the taxpayer is entitled to occupy as such a tenant-stockholder. If stock described in the preceding sentence may not be used to secure indebtedness, indebtedness shall be treated as so secured if the taxpayer establishes to the satisfaction of the Secretary that such indebtedness was incurred to acquire such stock.

(C)

Unenforceable security interests

Indebtedness shall not fail to be treated as secured by any property solely because, under any applicable State or local homestead or other debtor protection law in effect on August 16, 1986, the security interest is ineffective or the enforceability of the security interest is restricted.

(D)

Special rules for estates and trusts

For purposes of determining whether any interest paid or accrued by an estate or trust is qualified residence interest, any residence held by such estate or trust shall be treated as a qualified residence of such estate or trust if such estate or trust establishes that such residence is a qualified residence of a beneficiary who has a present interest in such estate or trust or an interest in the residuary of such estate or trust.

(E)

Qualified mortgage insurance

The term “qualified mortgage insurance” means—

(i)

mortgage insurance provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Federal Housing Administration, or the Rural Housing Service, and

(ii)

private mortgage insurance (as defined by section 2 of the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998 (12 U.S.C. 4901), as in effect on the date of the enactment of this subparagraph).

(F)

Special rules for prepaid qualified mortgage insurance

Any amount paid by the taxpayer for qualified mortgage insurance that is properly allocable to any mortgage the payment of which extends to periods that are after the close of the taxable year in which such amount is paid shall be chargeable to capital account and shall be treated as paid in such periods to which so allocated. No deduction shall be allowed for the unamortized balance of such account if such mortgage is satisfied before the end of its term. The preceding sentences shall not apply to amounts paid for qualified mortgage insurance provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Rural Housing Service.

(i)

Applicable high yield discount obligation

(1)

In general

For purposes of this section, the term “applicable high yield discount obligation” means any debt instrument if—

(A)

the maturity date of such instrument is more than 5 years from the date of issue,

(B)

the yield to maturity on such instrument equals or exceeds the sum of—

(i)

the applicable Federal rate in effect under section 1274(d) for the calendar month in which the obligation is issued, plus

(ii)

5 percentage points, and

(C)

such instrument has significant original issue discount.

For purposes of subparagraph (B)(i), the Secretary may by regulation (i) permit a rate to be used with respect to any debt instrument which is higher than the applicable Federal rate if the taxpayer establishes to the satisfaction of the Secretary that such higher rate is based on the same principles as the applicable Federal rate and is appropriate for the term of the instrument, or (ii) permit, on a temporary basis, a rate to be used with respect to any debt instrument which is higher than the applicable Federal rate if the Secretary determines that such rate is appropriate in light of distressed conditions in the debt capital markets.

(2)

Significant original issue discount

For purposes of paragraph (1)(C), a debt instrument shall be treated as having significant original issue discount if—

(A)

the aggregate amount which would be includible in gross income with respect to such instrument for periods before the close of any accrual period (as defined in section 1272(a)(5)) ending after the date 5 years after the date of issue, exceeds—

(B)

the sum of—

(i)

the aggregate amount of interest to be paid under the instrument before the close of such accrual period, and

(ii)

the product of the issue price of such instrument (as defined in sections 1273(b) and 1274(a)) and its yield to maturity.

(3)

Special rules

For purposes of determining whether a debt instrument is an applicable high yield discount obligation—

(A)

any payment under the instrument shall be assumed to be made on the last day permitted under the instrument, and

(B)

any payment to be made in the form of another obligation of the issuer (or a related person within the meaning of section 453(f)(1)) shall be assumed to be made when such obligation is required to be paid in cash or in property other than such obligation.

Except for purposes of paragraph (1)(B), any reference to an obligation in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph shall be treated as including a reference to stock.

(4)

Debt instrument

For purposes of this subsection, the term “debt instrument” means any instrument which is a debt instrument as defined in section 1275(a).

(5)

Regulations

The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be appropriate to carry out the purposes of this subsection and subsection (e)(5), including—

(A)

regulations providing for modifications to the provisions of this subsection and subsection (e)(5) in the case of varying rates of interest, put or call options, indefinite maturities, contingent payments, assumptions of debt instruments, conversion rights, or other circumstances where such modifications are appropriate to carry out the purposes of this subsection and subsection (e)(5), and

(B)

regulations to prevent avoidance of the purposes of this subsection and subsection (e)(5) through the use of issuers other than C corporations, agreements to borrow amounts due under the debt instrument, or other arrangements.

(j)

Limitation on business interest

(1)

In general

The amount allowed as a deduction under this chapter for any taxable year for business interest shall not exceed the sum of—

(A)

the business interest income of such taxpayer for such taxable year,

(B)

30 percent of the adjusted taxable income of such taxpayer for such taxable year, plus

(C)

the floor plan financing interest of such taxpayer for such taxable year.

The amount determined under subparagraph (B) shall not be less than zero.

(2)

Carryforward of disallowed business interest

The amount of any business interest not allowed as a deduction for any taxable year by reason of paragraph (1) shall be treated as business interest paid or accrued in the succeeding taxable year.

(3)

Exemption for certain small businesses

In the case of any taxpayer (other than a tax shelter prohibited from using the cash receipts and disbursements method of accounting under section 448(a)(3)) which meets the gross receipts test of section 448(c) for any taxable year, paragraph (1) shall not apply to such taxpayer for such taxable year. In the case of any taxpayer which is not a corporation or a partnership, the gross receipts test of section 448(c) shall be applied in the same manner as if such taxpayer were a corporation or partnership.

(4)

Application to partnerships, etc.

(A)

In general

In the case of any partnership—

(i)

this subsection shall be applied at the partnership level and any deduction for business interest shall be taken into account in determining the non-separately stated taxable income or loss of the partnership, and

(ii)

the adjusted taxable income of each partner of such partnership—

(I)

shall be determined without regard to such partner’s distributive share of any items of income, gain, deduction, or loss of such partnership, and

(II)

shall be increased by such partner’s distributive share of such partnership’s excess taxable income.

For purposes of clause (ii)(II), a partner’s distributive share of partnership excess taxable income shall be determined in the same manner as the partner’s distributive share of nonseparately stated taxable income or loss of the partnership.

(B)

Special rules for carryforwards

(i)

In general

The amount of any business interest not allowed as a deduction to a partnership for any taxable year by reason of paragraph (1) for any taxable year—

(I)

shall not be treated under paragraph (2) as business interest paid or accrued by the partnership in the succeeding taxable year, and

(II)

shall, subject to clause (ii), be treated as excess business interest which is allocated to each partner in the same manner as the non-separately stated taxable income or loss of the partnership.

(ii)

Treatment of excess business interest allocated to partners

If a partner is allocated any excess business interest from a partnership under clause (i) for any taxable year—

(I)

such excess business interest shall be treated as business interest paid or accrued by the partner in the next succeeding taxable year in which the partner is allocated excess taxable income from such partnership, but only to the extent of such excess taxable income, and

(II)

any portion of such excess business interest remaining after the application of subclause (I) shall, subject to the limitations of subclause (I), be treated as business interest paid or accrued in succeeding taxable years.

For purposes of applying this paragraph, excess taxable income allocated to a partner from a partnership for any taxable year shall not be taken into account under paragraph (1)(A) with respect to any business interest other than excess business interest from the partnership until all such excess business interest for such taxable year and all preceding taxable years has been treated as paid or accrued under clause (ii).

(iii)

Basis adjustments

(I)

In general

The adjusted basis of a partner in a partnership interest shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the amount of excess business interest allocated to the partner under clause (i)(II).

(II)

Special rule for dispositions

If a partner disposes of a partnership interest, the adjusted basis of the partner in the partnership interest shall be increased immediately before the disposition by the amount of the excess (if any) of the amount of the basis reduction under subclause (I) over the portion of any excess business interest allocated to the partner under clause (i)(II) which has previously been treated under clause (ii) as business interest paid or accrued by the partner. The preceding sentence shall also apply to transfers of the partnership interest (including by reason of death) in a transaction in which gain is not recognized in whole or in part. No deduction shall be allowed to the transferor or transferee under this chapter for any excess business interest resulting in a basis increase under this subclause.

(C)

Excess taxable income

The term “excess taxable income” means, with respect to any partnership, the amount which bears the same ratio to the partnership’s adjusted taxable income as—

(i)

the excess (if any) of—

(I)

the amount determined for the partnership under paragraph (1)(B), over

(II)

the amount (if any) by which the business interest of the partnership, reduced by the floor plan financing interest, exceeds the business interest income of the partnership, bears to

(ii)

the amount determined for the partnership under paragraph (1)(B).

(D)

Application to S corporations

Rules similar to the rules of subparagraphs (A) and (C) shall apply with respect to any S corporation and its shareholders.

(5)

Business interest

For purposes of this subsection, the term “business interest” means any interest paid or accrued on indebtedness properly allocable to a trade or business. Such term shall not include investment interest (within the meaning of subsection (d)).

(6)

Business interest income

For purposes of this subsection, the term “business interest income” means the amount of interest includible in the gross income of the taxpayer for the taxable year which is properly allocable to a trade or business. Such term shall not include investment income (within the meaning of subsection (d)).

(7)

Trade or business

For purposes of this subsection—

(A)

In general

The term “trade or business” shall not include—

(i)

the trade or business of performing services as an employee,

(ii)

any electing real property trade or business,

(iii)

any electing farming business, or

(iv)

the trade or business of the furnishing or sale of—

(I)

electrical energy, water, or sewage disposal services,

(II)

gas or steam through a local distribution system, or

(III)

transportation of gas or steam by pipeline,

if the rates for such furnishing or sale, as the case may be, have been established or approved by a State or political subdivision thereof, by any agency or instrumentality of the United States, by a public service or public utility commission or other similar body of any State or political subdivision thereof, or by the governing or ratemaking body of an electric cooperative.

(B)

Electing real property trade or business

For purposes of this paragraph, the term “electing real property trade or business” means any trade or business which is described in section 469(c)(7)(C) and which makes an election under this subparagraph. Any such election shall be made at such time and in such manner as the Secretary shall prescribe, and, once made, shall be irrevocable.

(C)

Electing farming business

For purposes of this paragraph, the term “electing farming business” means—

(i)

a farming business (as defined in section 263A(e)(4)) which makes an election under this subparagraph, or

(ii)

any trade or business of a specified agricultural or horticultural cooperative (as defined in section 199A(g)(2)) 1

 See References in Text note below.

with respect to which the cooperative makes an election under this subparagraph.

Any such election shall be made at such time and in such manner as the Secretary shall prescribe, and, once made, shall be irrevocable.

(8)

Adjusted taxable income

For purposes of this subsection, the term “adjusted taxable income” means the taxable income of the taxpayer—

(A)

computed without regard to—

(i)

any item of income, gain, deduction, or loss which is not properly allocable to a trade or business,

(ii)

any business interest or business interest income,

(iii)

the amount of any net operating loss deduction under section 172,

(iv)

the amount of any deduction allowed under section 199A, and

(v)

in the case of taxable years beginning before January 1, 2022, any deduction allowable for depreciation, amortization, or depletion, and

(B)

computed with such other adjustments as provided by the Secretary.

(9)

Floor plan financing interest defined

For purposes of this subsection—

(A)

In general

The term “floor plan financing interest” means interest paid or accrued on floor plan financing indebtedness.

(B)

Floor plan financing indebtedness

The term “floor plan financing indebtedness” means indebtedness—

(i)

used to finance the acquisition of motor vehicles held for sale or lease, and

(ii)

secured by the inventory so acquired.

(C)

Motor vehicle

The term “motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle that is any of the following:

(i)

Any self-propelled vehicle designed for transporting persons or property on a public street, highway, or road.

(ii)

A boat.

(iii)

Farm machinery or equipment.

(10)

Special rule for taxable years beginning in 2019 and 2020

(A)

In general

(i)

In general

Except as provided in clause (ii) or (iii), in the case of any taxable year beginning in 2019 or 2020, paragraph (1)(B) shall be applied by substituting “50 percent” for “30 percent”.

(ii)

Special rule for partnerships

In the case of a partnership—

(I)

clause (i) shall not apply to any taxable year beginning in 2019, but

(II)

unless a partner elects not to have this subclause apply, in the case of any excess business interest of the partnership for any taxable year beginning in 2019 which is allocated to the partner under paragraph (4)(B)(i)(II)—

(aa)

50 percent of such excess business interest shall be treated as business interest which, notwithstanding paragraph (4)(B)(ii), is paid or accrued by the partner in the partner’s first taxable year beginning in 2020 and which is not subject to the limits of paragraph (1), and

(bb)

50 percent of such excess business interest shall be subject to the limitations of paragraph (4)(B)(ii) in the same manner as any other excess business interest so allocated.

(iii)

Election out

A taxpayer may elect, at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may prescribe, not to have clause (i) apply to any taxable year. Such an election, once made, may be revoked only with the consent of the Secretary. In the case of a partnership, any such election shall be made by the partnership and may be made only for taxable years beginning in 2020.

(B)

Election to use 2019 adjusted taxable income for taxable years beginning in 2020

(i)

In general

Subject to clause (ii), in the case of any taxable year beginning in 2020, the taxpayer may elect to apply this subsection by substituting the adjusted taxable income of the taxpayer for the last taxable year beginning in 2019 for the adjusted taxable income for such taxable year. In the case of a partnership, any such election shall be made by the partnership.

(ii)

Special rule for short taxable years

If an election is made under clause (i) for a taxable year which is a short taxable year, the adjusted taxable income for the taxpayer’s last taxable year beginning in 2019 which is substituted under clause (i) shall be equal to the amount which bears the same ratio to such adjusted taxable income determined without regard to this clause as the number of months in the short taxable year bears to 12 2

 So in original. Probably should be followed by a period.

(11)

Cross references

(A)

For requirement that an electing real property trade or business use the alternative depreciation system, see section 168(g)(1)(F).

(B)

For requirement that an electing farming business use the alternative depreciation system, see section 168(g)(1)(G).

(k)

Section 6166 interest

No deduction shall be allowed under this section for any interest payable under section 6601 on any unpaid portion of the tax imposed by section 2001 for the period during which an extension of time for payment of such tax is in effect under section 6166.

(l)

Disallowance of deduction on certain debt instruments of corporations

(1)

In general

No deduction shall be allowed under this chapter for any interest paid or accrued on a disqualified debt instrument.

(2)

Disqualified debt instrument

For purposes of this subsection, the term “disqualified debt instrument” means any indebtedness of a corporation which is payable in equity of the issuer or a related party or equity held by the issuer (or any related party) in any other person.

(3)

Special rules for amounts payable in equity

For purposes of paragraph (2), indebtedness shall be treated as payable in equity of the issuer or any other person only if—

(A)

a substantial amount of the principal or interest is required to be paid or converted, or at the option of the issuer or a related party is payable in, or convertible into, such equity,

(B)

a substantial amount of the principal or interest is required to be determined, or at the option of the issuer or a related party is determined, by reference to the value of such equity, or

(C)

the indebtedness is part of an arrangement which is reasonably expected to result in a transaction described in subparagraph (A) or (B).

For purposes of this paragraph, principal or interest shall be treated as required to be so paid, converted, or determined if it may be required at the option of the holder or a related party and there is a substantial certainty the option will be exercised.

(4)

Capitalization allowed with respect to equity of persons other than issuer and related parties

If the disqualified debt instrument of a corporation is payable in equity held by the issuer (or any related party) in any other person (other than a related party), the basis of such equity shall be increased by the amount not allowed as a deduction by reason of paragraph (1) with respect to the instrument.

(5)

Exception for certain instruments issued by dealers in securities

For purposes of this subsection, the term “disqualified debt instrument” does not include indebtedness issued by a dealer in securities (or a related party) which is payable in, or by reference to, equity (other than equity of the issuer or a related party) held by such dealer in its capacity as a dealer in securities. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “dealer in securities” has the meaning given such term by section 475.

(6)

Related party

For purposes of this subsection, a person is a related party with respect to another person if such person bears a relationship to such other person described in section 267(b) or 707(b).

(7)

Regulations

The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this subsection, including regulations preventing avoidance of this subsection through the use of an issuer other than a corporation.

(m)

Interest on unpaid taxes attributable to nondisclosed reportable transactions

No deduction shall be allowed under this chapter for any interest paid or accrued under section 6601 on any underpayment of tax which is attributable to the portion of any reportable transaction understatement (as defined in section 6662A(b)) with respect to which the requirement of section 6664(d)(2)(A) ¹ is not met.

(n)

Cross references

(1)

For disallowance of certain amounts paid in connection with insurance, endowment, or annuity contracts, see section 264.

(2)

For disallowance of deduction for interest relating to tax-exempt income, see section 265(a)(2).

(3)

For disallowance of deduction for carrying charges chargeable to capital account, see section 266.

(4)

For disallowance of interest with respect to transactions between related taxpayers, see section 267.

(5)

For treatment of redeemable ground rents and real property held subject to liabilities under redeemable ground rents, see section 1055.

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cite as: 26 USC 163