IRS Releases Publication 542 (12/2016), Corporations

Future Developments

For the latest information about developments related to Pub. 542, such as legislation enacted after it was published, go to http://www.irs.gov/pub542. For changes that may affect the current tax year, see the Instructions for Form 1120 or the applicable instructions for the corporation's tax return.

What's New

Changes in due date for filing corporate returns. For tax years beginning after 2015, the due date for filing corporate returns generally is the 15th day of the 4th month after the end of the corporation's tax year. Special rules apply to corporations with tax years ending in June. See When to file, later.

Increase in penalty for failure to file. For returns required to be filed after December 31, 2015, the minimum penalty for failure to file a return that is over 60 days late has increased to the smaller of the tax due or $205. See Late filing of return, later.

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Introduction

This publication discusses the general tax laws that apply to ordinary domestic corporations. It explains the tax law in plain language so it will be easier to understand. However, the information given does not cover every situation and is not intended to replace the law or change its meaning.

Comments and suggestions. We welcome your comments about this publication and your suggestions for future editions.

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Ordering forms and publications. Visit irs.gov/formspubs to download forms and publications. Otherwise, you can go to irs.gov/orderforms to order current and prior-year forms and instructions. Your order should arrive within 10 business days.

Tax questions. If you have a tax question not answered by this publication, check IRS.gov and How To Get Tax Help at the end of this publication.

Additional forms. A list of other forms and statements that a corporation may need to file is included at the end of this publication. Also see the Instructions for Form 1120 or the applicable instructions for the corporation's tax return.

Useful Items

You may want to see:

Publication

The rules you must use to determine whether a business is taxed as a corporation changed for businesses formed after 1996.

Business formed before 1997. A business formed before 1997 and taxed as a corporation under the old rules will generally continue to be taxed as a corporation.

Business formed after 1996. The following businesses formed after 1996 are taxed as corporations.

S corporations. Some corporations may meet the qualifications for electing to be S corporations. For information on S corporations, see the Instructions for Form 1120S.

Personal service corporations. A corporation is a personal service corporation if it meets all of the following requirements.

Employee-owners. A person is an employee-owner of a personal service corporation if both of the following apply.

Closely held corporations. A corporation is closely held if all of the following apply.

Other rules. For the at-risk rules that apply to closely held corporations, see At-Risk Limits, later.

Property Exchanged for Stock

If you transfer property (or money and property) to a corporation in exchange for stock in that corporation (other than nonqualified preferred stock, described later), and immediately afterward you are in control of the corporation, the exchange is usually not taxable. This rule applies both to individuals and to groups who transfer property to a corporation. It also applies whether the corporation is being formed or is already operating. It does not apply in the following situations.

Control of a corporation. To be in control of a corporation, you or your group of transferors must own, immediately after the exchange, at least 80% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote and at least 80% of the outstanding shares of each class of nonvoting stock.

Example 1. You and Bill Jones buy property for $100,000. You both organize a corporation when the property has a fair market value of $300,000. You transfer the property to the corporation for all its authorized capital stock, which has a par value of $300,000. No gain is recognized by you, Bill, or the corporation.

Example 2. You and Bill transfer the property with a basis of $100,000 to a corporation in exchange for stock with a fair market value of $300,000. This represents only 75% of each class of stock of the corporation. The other 25% was already issued to someone else. You and Bill recognize a taxable gain of $200,000 on the transaction.

Services rendered. The term property does not include services rendered or to be rendered to the issuing corporation. The value of stock received for services is income to the recipient.

Example. You transfer property worth $35,000 and render services valued at $3,000 to a corporation in exchange for stock valued at $38,000. Right after the exchange, you own 85% of the outstanding stock. No gain is recognized on the exchange of property. However, you recognize ordinary income of $3,000 as payment for services you rendered to the corporation.

Property of relatively small value. The term property does not include property of a relatively small value when it is compared to the value of stock and securities already owned or to be received for services by the transferor if the main purpose of the transfer is to qualify for the nonrecognition of gain or loss by other transferors.

Property transferred will not be considered to be of relatively small value if its fair market value is at least 10% of the fair market value of the stock and securities already owned or to be received for services by the transferor.

Stock received in disproportion to property transferred. If a group of transferors exchange property for corporate stock, each transferor does not have to receive stock in proportion to his or her interest in the property transferred. If a disproportionate transfer takes place, it will be treated for tax purposes in accordance with its true nature. It may be treated as if the stock were first received in proportion and then some of it used to make gifts, pay compensation for services, or satisfy the transferor's obligations.

Money or other property received. If, in an otherwise nontaxable exchange of property for corporate stock, you also receive money or property other than stock, you may have to recognize gain. You must recognize gain only up to the amount of money plus the fair market value of the other property you receive. The rules for figuring the recognized gain in this situation generally follow those for a partially nontaxable exchange discussed in Pub. 544 under Like-Kind Exchanges. If the property you give up includes depreciable property, the recognized gain may have to be reported as ordinary income from depreciation. See chapter 3 of Pub. 544. No loss is recognized.

Nonqualified preferred stock. Nonqualified preferred stock is treated as property other than stock. Generally, it is preferred stock with any of the following features.

Liabilities. If the corporation assumes your liabilities, the exchange generally is not treated as if you received money or other property. There are two exceptions to this treatment.

Example. You transfer property to a corporation for stock. Immediately after the transfer, you control the corporation. You also receive $10,000 in the exchange. Your adjusted basis in the transferred property is $20,000. The stock you receive has a fair market value (FMV) of $16,000. The corporation also assumes a $5,000 mortgage on the property for which you are personally liable. Gain is realized as follows.

 FMV of stock received                            $16,000

Loss on exchange. If you have a loss from an exchange and own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the corporation's stock, you cannot deduct the loss. For more information, see Nondeductible Loss under Sales and Exchanges Between Related Persons in chapter 2 of Pub. 544.

Basis of stock or other property received. The basis of the stock you receive is generally the adjusted basis of the property you transfer. Increase this amount by any amount treated as a dividend, plus any gain recognized on the exchange. Decrease this amount by any cash you received, the fair market value of any other property you received, and any loss recognized on the exchange. Also decrease this amount by the amount of any liability the corporation or another party to the exchange assumed from you, unless payment of the liability gives rise to a deduction when paid.

Further decreases may be required when the corporation or another party to the exchange assumes from you a liability that gives rise to a deduction when paid, if the basis of the stock would otherwise be higher than its fair market value on the date of the exchange. This rule does not apply if the entity assuming the liability acquired either substantially all of the assets or the trade or business with which the liability is associated.

The basis of any other property you receive is its fair market value on the date of the trade.

Basis of property transferred. A corporation that receives property from you in exchange for its stock generally has the same basis you had in the property, increased by any gain you recognized on the exchange. However, the increase for the gain recognized may be limited. For more information, see section 362 of the Internal Revenue Code. Also see section 362(e)(2)(C) and the related regulations for information on elections to reduce basis.

Capital Contributions

This section explains the tax treatment of contributions from shareholders and nonshareholders.

Paid-in capital. Contributions to the capital of a corporation, whether or not by shareholders, are paid-in capital. These contributions are not taxable to the corporation.

Basis. The corporation's basis of property contributed to capital by a shareholder is the same as the basis the shareholder had in the property, increased by any gain the shareholder recognized on the exchange. However, the increase for the gain recognized may be limited. For more information, see Basis of property transferred above and section 362 of the Internal Revenue Code.

The basis of property contributed to capital by a person other than a shareholder is zero.

If a corporation receives a cash contribution from a person other than a shareholder, the corporation must reduce the basis of any property acquired with the contribution during the 12-month period beginning on the day it received the contribution by the amount of the contribution. If the amount contributed is more than the cost of the property acquired, then reduce, but not below zero, the basis of the other properties held by the corporation on the last day of the 12-month period in the following order.

There may be more than one piece of property in each category. Base the reduction of the basis of each property on the following ratio.

        Basis of each piece of property

Filing and Paying Income Taxes

The federal income tax is a pay-as-you-go tax. A corporation generally must make estimated tax payments as it earns or receives income during its tax year. After the end of the year, the corporation must file an income tax return. This section will help you determine when and how to pay and file corporate income taxes.

TIP: For certain corporations affected by Presidentially declared disasters such as hurricanes, the due dates for filing returns, paying taxes, and performing other time-sensitive acts may be extended. The IRS may also forgive the interest and penalties on any underpaid tax for the length of any extension. For more information, visit http://www.irs.gov/uac/tax-relief-in-disaster-situations.

Income Tax Return

This section will help you determine when and how to report a corporation's income tax.

Who must file. Unless exempt under section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code, all domestic corporations in existence for any part of a tax year (including corporations in bankruptcy) must file an income tax return whether or not they have taxable income.

Which form to file. A domestic corporation generally must file Form 1120, U.S. Corporation Income Tax Return, to report its income, gains, losses, deductions, credits, and to figure its income tax liability. Certain organizations and entities must file special returns. For more information, see Special Returns for Certain Organizations, in the Instructions for Form 1120.

Electronic filing. Corporations can generally electronically file (e-file) Form 1120 and certain related forms, schedules, and attachments. Certain corporations with total assets of $10 million or more, that file at least 250 returns a year must e-file Form 1120. However, in certain instances, these corporations can request a waiver. For more information regarding electronic filing, visit http://www.irs.gov/businesses/corporations/e-file-for-large-business-and-international-lb-i.

When to file. Generally, for tax years beginning after December 31, 2015, a corporation must file its income tax return by the 15th day of the 4th month after the end of its tax year. A new corporation filing a short-period return must generally file by the 15th day of the 4th month after the short period ends. A corporation that has dissolved must generally file by the 15th day of the 4th month after the date it dissolved.

However, a corporation with a fiscal tax year ending June 30 must file by the 15th day of the 3rd month after the end of its tax year. A corporation with a short tax year ending anytime in June will be treated as if the short period ended June 30 and must file by the 15th day of the 3rd month after the end of its tax year.

If the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the due date is extended to the next business day.

Extension of time to file. File Form 7004, Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File Certain Business Income Tax, Information and Other Returns, to request an extension of time to file a corporation's income tax return. The IRS will grant the extension if the corporation completes the form properly, files it, and pays any tax due by the original due date for the return.

Form 7004 does not extend the time for paying the tax due on the return. Interest, and possibly penalties, will be charged on any part of the final tax due not shown as a balance due on Form 7004. The interest is figured from the original due date of the return to the date of payment.

For more information, see the Instructions for Form 7004.

How to pay your taxes. A corporation must pay its tax due in full no later than the due date for filing its tax return (not including extensions).

Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS). Corporations generally must use EFTPS to make deposits of all tax liabilities (including social security, Medicare, withheld income, excise, and corporate income taxes). For more information on EFTPS and enrollment, visit http://www.eftps.gov.

Penalties

CAUTION: Generally, if the corporation receives a notice about interest and penalties after it files its return, send the IRS an explanation and we will determine if the corporation meets reasonable-cause criteria. Do not attach an explanation when the corporation's return is filed. See the instructions for your income tax return.

Late filing of return. A corporation that does not file its tax return by the due date, including extensions, may be penalized 5% of the unpaid tax for each month or part of a month the return is late, up to a maximum of 25% of the unpaid tax. If the corporation is charged a penalty for late payment of tax (discussed next) for the same period of time, the penalty for late filing is reduced by the amount of the penalty for late payment. The minimum penalty for a return that is over 60 days late is the smaller of the tax due or $205. The penalty will not be imposed if the corporation can show the failure to file on time was due to a reasonable cause.

Note. The minimum penalty amount may be adjusted for inflation. See the Instructions for Form 1120 (or the instructions for your applicable return) for the minimum penalty amount for the current tax year.

Late payment of tax. A corporation that does not pay the tax when due may be penalized half of 1% of the unpaid tax for each month or part of a month the tax is not paid, up to a maximum of 25% of the unpaid tax. The penalty will not be imposed if the corporation can show that the failure to pay on time was due to a reasonable cause.

Trust fund recovery penalty. If federal income, social security, and Medicare taxes that a corporation must withhold from employee wages are not withheld or are not deposited or paid to the United States Treasury, the trust fund recovery penalty may apply. The penalty is the full amount of the unpaid trust fund tax. This penalty may apply to you if these unpaid taxes cannot be immediately collected from the business.

The trust fund recovery penalty may be imposed on all persons who are determined by the IRS to be responsible for collecting, accounting for, and paying these taxes, and who acted willfully in not doing so.

A responsible person can be an officer or employee of a corporation, an accountant, or a volunteer director/trustee. A responsible person also may include one who signs checks for the corporation or otherwise has authority to cause the spending of business funds.

Willfully means voluntarily, consciously, and intentionally. A responsible person acts willfully if the person knows the required actions are not taking place or recklessly disregards obvious and known risks to the government's right to receive trust fund taxes.

For more information on withholding and paying these taxes, see Pub. 15 (Circular E), Employer's Tax Guide, and Pub. 51 (Circular A), Agricultural Employer's Tax Guide.

Other penalties. Other penalties can be imposed for negligence, substantial understatement of tax, reportable transaction understatements, and fraud. See sections 6662, 6662A, and 6663 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Estimated Tax

Generally, a corporation must make installment payments if it expects its estimated tax for the year to be $500 or more. If the corporation does not pay the installments when they are due, it could be subject to an underpayment penalty. This section will explain how to avoid this penalty.

When to pay estimated tax. Installment payments are due by the 15th day of the 4th, 6th, 9th, and 12th months of the corporation's tax year.

Example 1. Your corporation's tax year ends December 31. Installment payments are due on April 15, June 15, September 15, and December 15.

Example 2. Your corporation's tax year ends June 30. Installment payments are due on October 15, December 15, March 15, and June 15.

If any due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the installment is due on the next business day.

How to figure each required installment. Use Form 1120-W, Estimated Tax for Corporations, as a worksheet to figure each required installment of estimated tax. You will generally use one of the following two methods to figure each required installment. You should use the method that yields the smallest installment payments.

Note. In these discussions, "return" generally refers to the corporation's original return. However, an amended return is considered the original return if it is filed by the due date (including extensions) of the original return.

Method 1. Each required installment is 25% of the income tax the corporation will show on its return for the current year.

Method 2. Each required installment is 25% of the income tax shown on the corporation's return for the previous year.

To use Method 2:

See the Instructions for Form 1120-W, for the definition of a large corporation and other special rules for large corporations.

Other methods. If a corporation's income is expected to vary during the year because, for example, its business is seasonal, it may be able to lower the amount of one or more required installments by using one or both of the following methods.

Refiguring required installments. If after the corporation figures and deposits its estimated tax it finds that its tax liability for the year will be more or less than originally estimated, it may have to refigure its required installments to see if an underpayment penalty may apply. An immediate catchup payment should be made to reduce any penalty resulting from the underpayment of any earlier installments.

Underpayment penalty. If the corporation does not pay a required installment of estimated tax by its due date, it may be subject to a penalty. The penalty is figured separately for each installment due date. The corporation may owe a penalty for an earlier due date, even if it paid enough tax later to make up the underpayment. This is true even if the corporation is due a refund when its return is filed.

Form 2220. Use Form 2220, Underpayment of Estimated Tax by Corporations, to determine if a corporation is subject to the penalty for underpayment of estimated tax and to figure the amount of the penalty.

If the corporation is charged a penalty, the amount of the penalty depends on the following three factors.

Quick refund of overpayments. A corporation that has overpaid its estimated tax for the tax year may be able to apply for a quick refund. Use Form 4466, Corporation Application for Quick Refund of Overpayment of Estimated Tax, to apply for a quick refund of an overpayment of estimated tax. A corporation can apply for a quick refund if the overpayment is:

File Form 4466 after the end of the corporation's tax year, but before the corporation files its income tax return. Do not file Form 4466 before the end of the corporation's tax year. An extension of time to file the corporation's income tax return will not extend the time for filing Form 4466. The IRS will act on the form within 45 days from the date you file it.

U.S. Real Property Interest

If a domestic corporation acquires a U.S. real property interest from a foreign person or firm, the corporation may have to withhold tax on the amount it pays for the property. The amount paid includes cash, the fair market value of other property, and any assumed liability. If a domestic corporation distributes a U.S. real property interest to a foreign person or firm, it may have to withhold tax on the fair market value of the property. A corporation that fails to withhold may be liable for the tax and any penalties and interest that apply. For more information, see section 1445 of the Internal Revenue Code; Pub. 515, Withholding of Tax on Nonresident Aliens and Foreign Entities; Form 8288, U.S. Withholding Tax Return for Dispositions by Foreign Persons of U.S. Real Property Interests; and Form 8288-A, Statement of Withholding on Dispositions by Foreign Persons of U.S. Real Property Interests.

Accounting Methods

An accounting method is a set of rules used to determine when and how income and expenses are reported. Taxable income should be determined using the method of accounting regularly used in keeping the corporation's books and records. In all cases, the method used must clearly show taxable income.

Generally, permissible methods include:

If inventories are required, an accrual method generally must be used for sales and purchases of merchandise. However, qualifying taxpayers and eligible businesses of qualifying small business taxpayers are excepted from using the accrual method for eligible trades or businesses and may account for inventoriable items as materials and supplies that are not incidental.

Under the accrual method, an amount is includable in income when:

Nonaccrual experience method. Accrual method corporations are not required to maintain accruals for certain amounts from the performance of services that, on the basis of their experience, will not be collected, if:

Percentage of completion method. Long-term contracts (except for certain real property construction contracts) must generally be accounted for using the percentage of completion method described in section 460 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Mark-to-market accounting method. Generally, dealers in securities must use the mark-to-market accounting method described in section 475 of the Internal Revenue Code. Under this method, any security held by a dealer as inventory must be included in inventory at its fair market value. Any security not held as inventory at the close of the tax year is treated as sold at its fair market value on the last business day of the tax year. Any gain or loss must be taken into account in determining gross income. The gain or loss taken into account is treated as ordinary gain or loss.

Dealers in commodities and traders in securities and commodities can elect to use the mark-to-market accounting method.

Change in accounting method. A corporation can change its method of accounting used to report taxable income (for income as a whole or for the treatment of any material item). The corporation must file Form 3115, Application for Change in Accounting Method. For more information, see Form 3115 and Pub. 538.

Section 481(a) adjustment. The corporation may have to make an adjustment under section 481(a) of the Internal Revenue Code to prevent amounts of income or expense from being duplicated or omitted. The section 481(a) adjustment period is generally 1 year for a net negative adjustment and 4 years for a net positive adjustment. However, in some cases, a corporation can elect to modify the section 481(a) adjustment period. The corporation may have to complete the appropriate lines of Form 3115 to make an election. See the instructions for Form 3115 for more information and exceptions.

Accounting Periods

A corporation must figure its taxable income on the basis of a tax year. A tax year is the annual accounting period a corporation uses to keep its records and report its income and expenses. Generally, corporations can use either a calendar year or a fiscal year as its tax year. Unless special rules apply, a corporation generally adopts a tax year by filing its first federal income tax return using that tax year. For more information, see Pub. 538.

Personal service corporation. A personal service corporation must use a calendar year as its tax year unless:

Change of tax year. Generally, a corporation must get the consent of the IRS before changing its tax year by filing Form 1128, Application To Adopt, Change, or Retain a Tax Year. However, under certain conditions, a corporation can change its tax year without getting the consent. For more information, see Form 1128 and Pub. 538.

Recordkeeping

A corporation should keep its records for as long as they may be needed for the administration of any provision of the Internal Revenue Code. Usually records that support items of income, deductions, or credits on the return must be kept for 3 years from the date the return is due or filed, whichever is later. Keep records that verify the corporation's basis in property for as long as they are needed to figure the basis of the original or replacement property.

The corporation should keep copies of all filed returns. They help in preparing future and amended returns and in the calculation of earnings and profits.

Income, Deductions, and Special Provisions

Rules on income and deductions that apply to individuals also apply, for the most part, to corporations. However, the following special provisions apply only to corporations.

Costs of Going Into Business

When you go into business, treat all eligible costs you incur to get your business started as capital expenses. However, a corporation can elect to deduct a limited amount of start-up or organizational costs. Any costs not deducted can be amortized.

Start-up costs are costs for creating an active trade or business or investigating the creation or acquisition of an active trade or business. Organizational costs are the direct costs of creating the corporation.

For more information on deducting or amortizing start-up and organizational costs, see the instructions for your income tax return. Also see Pub. 535, chapter 7, Costs You Can Deduct or Capitalize, and chapter 8, Amortization.

Related Persons

A corporation that uses an accrual method of accounting cannot deduct business expenses and interest owed to a related person who uses the cash method of accounting until the corporation makes the payment and the corresponding amount is includible in the related person's gross income. Determine the relationship, for this rule, as of the end of the tax year for which the expense or interest would otherwise be deductible. If a deduction is denied, the rule will continue to apply even if the corporation's relationship with the person ends before the expense or interest is includible in the gross income of that person. These rules also deny the deduction of losses on the sale or exchange of property between related persons.

Related persons. For purposes of this rule, the following persons are related to a corporation.

Complete liquidations. The disallowance of losses from the sale or exchange of property between related persons does not apply to liquidating distributions.

More information. For more information about the related person rules, see Pub. 544.

Corporate Preference Items

A corporation must make special adjustments to certain items before it takes them into account in determining its taxable income. These items are known as corporate preference items and they include the following.

Dividends-Received Deduction

A corporation can deduct a percentage of certain dividends received during its tax year. This section discusses the general rules that apply. The deduction is figured on Form 1120, Schedule C, or the applicable schedule of your income tax return. For more information, see the Instructions for Form 1120, or the instructions for your applicable income tax return.

Dividends from domestic corporations. A corporation can deduct, within certain limits, 70% of the dividends received if the corporation receiving the dividend owns less than 20% of the corporation distributing the dividend. If the corporation owns 20% or more of the distributing corporation's stock, it can, subject to certain limits, deduct 80% of the dividends received.

Ownership. For these rules, ownership is based on the amount of voting power and value of the paying corporation's stock (other than certain preferred stock) that the receiving corporation owns.

Small business investment companies. Small business investment companies can deduct 100% of the dividends received from taxable domestic corporations.

Dividends from regulated investment companies. Regulated investment company dividends received are subject to certain limits. Capital gain dividends received from a regulated investment company do not qualify for the deduction. For more information, see section 854 of the Internal Revenue Code.

No deduction allowed for certain dividends. Corporations cannot take a deduction for dividends received from the following entities.

Limit on deduction for dividends. The total deduction for dividends received or accrued is generally limited (in the following order) to:

Example 1. A corporation loses $25,000 from operations. It receives $100,000 in dividends from a 20%-owned corporation. Its taxable income is $75,000 ($100,000 - $25,000) before the deduction for dividends received. If it claims the full dividends-received deduction of $80,000 ($100,000 × 80%) and combines it with an operations loss of $25,000, it will have an NOL of ($5,000). Therefore, the 80% of taxable income limit does not apply. The corporation can deduct the full $80,000.

Example 2. Assume the same facts as in Example 1, except that the corporation only loses $15,000 from operations. Its taxable income is $85,000 before the deduction for dividends received. After claiming the dividends-received deduction of $80,000 ($100,000 × 80%), its taxable income is $5,000. Because the corporation will not have an NOL after applying a full dividends-received deduction, its allowable dividends-received deduction is limited to 80% of its taxable income, or $68,000 ($85,000 × 80%).

Extraordinary Dividends

If a corporation receives an extraordinary dividend on stock held 2 years or less before the dividend announcement date, it generally must reduce its basis in the stock by the nontaxed part of the dividend. The nontaxed part is any dividends-received deduction allowable for the dividends.

Extraordinary dividend. An extraordinary dividend is any dividend on stock that equals or exceeds a certain percentage of the corporation's adjusted basis in the stock. The percentages are:

Disqualified preferred stock. Any dividend on disqualified preferred stock is treated as an extraordinary dividend regardless of the period of time the corporation held the stock.

Disqualified preferred stock is any stock preferred as to dividends if any of the following apply.

Below-Market Loans

If a corporation receives a below-market loan and uses the proceeds for its trade or business, it may be able to deduct the forgone interest.

A below-market loan is a loan on which no interest is charged or on which interest is charged at a rate below the applicable federal rate. A below-market loan generally is treated as an arm's-length transaction in which the borrower is considered as having received both the following:

Foregone interest. For any period, forgone interest is equal to:

Charitable Contributions

A corporation can claim a limited deduction for charitable contributions made in cash or other property. The contribution is deductible if made to, or for the use of, a qualified organization. For more information on qualified organizations, see Pub. 526, Charitable Contributions. Also see Exempt Organizations Select Check (EO Select Check) at http://www.irs.gov/charities, the online search tool for finding information on organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

Note. You cannot take a deduction if any of the net earnings of an organization receiving contributions benefit any private shareholder or individual.

Cash method corporation. A corporation using the cash method of accounting deducts contributions in the tax year paid.

Accrual method corporation. A corporation using an accrual method of accounting can choose to deduct unpaid contributions for the tax year the board of directors authorizes them if it pays them by the due date for filing the corporation's tax return (not including extensions). Make the choice by reporting the contribution on the corporation's return for the tax year. Attach a declaration stating that the board of directors adopted the resolution during the tax year. The declaration must include the date the resolution was adopted.

Limitations on deduction. A corporation cannot deduct charitable contributions that exceed 10% of its taxable income for the tax year. Figure taxable income for this purpose without the following.

Carryover of excess contributions. You can carry over, within certain limits, to each of the subsequent 5 years any charitable contributions made during the current year that exceed the 10% limit. You lose any excess not used within that period. For example, if a corporation has a carryover of excess contributions paid in 2016 and it does not use all the excess on its return for 2017, it can carry any excess over to 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021, if applicable. Any excess not used in 2021 is lost. Do not deduct a carryover of excess contributions in the carryover year until after you deduct contributions made in that year (subject to the 10% limit). You cannot deduct a carryover of excess contributions to the extent it increases a net operating loss carryover.

Cash contributions. A corporation must maintain a record of any contribution of cash, check, or other monetary contribution, regardless of the amount. The record can be a bank record, receipt, letter, or other written communication from the donee indicating the name of the organization, the date of the contribution, and the amount of the contribution. Keep the record of the contribution with the other corporate records. Do not attach the records to the corporation's return. For more information on cash contributions, see Pub. 526.

Gifts of $250 or more. Generally, no deduction is allowed for any contribution of $250 or more unless the corporation gets a written acknowledgement from the donee organization. The acknowledgement should show the amount of cash contributed, a description of the property contributed (but not its value), and either gives a description and a good faith estimate of the value of any goods or services provided in return for the contribution or states that no goods or services were provided in return for the contribution. The acknowledgement must be obtained by the due date (including extensions) of the return, or, if earlier, the date the return was filed. Keep the acknowledgement with other corporate records. Do not attach the acknowledgement to the return.

Contributions of property other than cash. If a corporation (other than a closely held or a personal service corporation) claims a deduction of more than $500 for contributions of property other than cash, a schedule describing the property and the method used to determine its fair market value must be attached to the corporation's return. In addition, the corporation should keep a record of:

A corporation must obtain a qualified appraisal for all deductions of property claimed in excess of $5,000. A qualified appraisal is not required for the donation of cash, publicly traded securities, inventory, and any qualified vehicles sold by a donee organization without any significant intervening use or material improvement. The appraisal should be maintained with other corporate records and only attached to the corporation's return when the deduction claimed exceeds $500,000 ($20,000 for donated art work).

See Form 8283 for more information.

Qualified conservation contributions. If a corporation makes a qualified conservation contribution, the corporation must provide information regarding the legal interest being donated, the fair market value of the underlying property before and after the donation, and a description of the conservation purpose for which the property will be used. For more information, see section 170(h) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Contributions of used vehicles. A corporation is allowed a deduction for the contribution of used motor vehicles, boats, and airplanes. The deduction is limited, and other special rules apply. For more information, see Pub. 526.

Reduction for contributions of certain property. For a charitable contribution of property, the corporation must reduce the contribution by the sum of:

Capital Losses

A corporation can deduct capital losses only up to the amount of its capital gains. In other words, if a corporation has an excess capital loss, it cannot deduct the loss in the current tax year. Instead, it carries the loss to other tax years and deducts it from any net capital gains that occur in those years.

A capital loss is carried to other years in the following order.

Example. A calendar year corporation has a net short-term capital gain of $3,000 and a net long-term capital loss of $9,000. The short-term gain offsets some of the long-term loss, leaving a net capital loss of $6,000. The corporation treats this $6,000 as a short-term loss when carried back or forward.

The corporation carries the $6,000 short-term loss back 3 years. In year 1, the corporation had a net short-term capital gain of $8,000 and a net long-term capital gain of $5,000. It subtracts the $6,000 short-term loss first from the net short-term gain. This results in a net capital gain for year 1 of $7,000. This consists of a net short-term capital gain of $2,000 ($8,000 - $6,000) and a net long-term capital gain of $5,000.

S corporation status. A corporation may not carry a capital loss from, or to, a year for which it is an S corporation.

Rules for carryover and carryback. When carrying a capital loss from one year to another, the following rules apply.

Form 1139. A corporation can get a refund faster by using Form 1139. It cannot file Form 1139 before filing the return for the corporation's capital loss year, but it must file Form 1139 no later than 1 year after the year it sustains the capital loss.

Form 1120X. If the corporation does not file Form 1139, it must file Form 1120X to apply for a refund. The corporation must file the Form 1120X within 3 years of the due date, including extensions, for filing the return for the year in which it sustains the capital loss.

Net Operating Losses

A corporation generally figures and deducts a net operating loss (NOL) the same way an individual, estate, or trust does. The same 2-year carryback and up to 20-year carryforward periods apply, and the same sequence applies when the corporation carries two or more NOLs to the same year. For more information on these general rules, see Pub. 536, Net Operating Losses (NOLs) for Individuals, Estates, and Trusts.

A corporation's NOL generally differs from individual, estate, and trust NOLs in the following ways.

Claiming the NOL Deduction

Generally, a corporation must carry an NOL back 2 years prior to the year the NOL is generated. If the NOL is not used in the prior years, the remaining NOL can be carried forward for up to 20 years after the tax year in which the NOL was generated. Special rules apply to certain losses including a specified liability loss, a farming loss, certain disaster losses, an eligible loss, or an excess interest loss. See the Instructions for Form 1139.

A corporation generally can elect to waive the entire carryback period for the NOL and instead carry the NOL forward to future tax years. Certain corporations can make the election for the loss year by checking the box on Form 1120, Schedule K, line 11, or the comparable line of the corporation's income tax return. Consolidated tax return filers must also attach a statement or the election will be invalid. Once made, the election is irrevocable. See the instructions for the corporation's income tax return.

NOL carryback. The following rules apply.

Carryback expected. If a corporation expects to have an NOL in its current year, it can automatically extend the time for paying all or part of its income tax for the immediately preceding year. It does this by filing Form 1138, Extension of Time for Payment of Taxes by a Corporation Expecting a Net Operating Loss Carryback. It must explain on the form why it expects the loss.

The payment of tax that may be postponed cannot exceed the expected overpayment from the carryback of the NOL.

Period of extension. The extension is in effect until the end of the month in which the return for the NOL year is due (including extensions).

If the corporation files Form 1139 before this date, the extension will continue until the date the IRS notifies the corporation that its Form 1139 is allowed or disallowed in whole or in part.

Figuring the NOL Carryover

If the NOL available for a carryback or carryforward year is greater than the taxable income for that year, the corporation must modify its taxable income to figure how much of the NOL it will use up in that year and how much it can carry over to the next tax year.

Its carryover is the excess of the available NOL over its modified taxable income for the carryback or carryforward year.

Modified taxable income. A corporation figures its modified taxable income the same way it figures its taxable income, with the following exceptions.

Modified taxable income is used only to figure how much of an NOL the corporation uses up in the carryback or carryforward year and how much it carries to the next year. It is not used to fill out the corporation's tax return or figure its tax.

Ownership change. A loss corporation (one with cumulative losses) that has an ownership change is limited on the taxable income it can offset by NOL carryforwards arising before the date of the ownership change. This limit applies to any year ending after the change of ownership.

See sections 381 through 384 and 269 of the Internal Revenue Code and the related regulations for more information about the limits on corporate NOL carryovers and corporate ownership changes.

At-Risk Limits

The at-risk rules limit your losses from most activities to your amount at risk in the activity. The at-risk limits apply to certain closely held corporations (other than S corporations).

The amount at risk generally equals:

To figure if more than 50% in value of the stock is owned by five or fewer individuals, apply the following rules.

Passive Activity Limits

The passive activity rules generally limit your losses from passive activities to your passive activity income. Generally, you are in a passive activity if you have a trade or business activity in which you do not materially participate during the tax year, or you have a rental activity.

The passive activity rules apply to personal service corporations and closely held corporations other than S corporations.

Corporations subject to the passive activity limitations must complete Form 8810, Corporate Passive Activity Loss and Credit Limitations. For more information on the passive activity limits, see the Instructions for Form 8810 and Pub. 925.

Figuring Tax

After you figure a corporation's taxable income, you figure its tax. This section discusses the tax rates, credits, recapture taxes, and alternative minimum tax.

Tax Rate Schedule

Most corporations figure their tax by using the following tax rate schedule. An exception to that rule applies to qualified personal service corporations. Other exceptions are discussed in the instructions for Form 1120, Schedule J. If the corporation is a member of a controlled group, the corporation must also complete Schedule O (Form 1120), Consent Plan and Apportionment Schedule for a Controlled Group.

                        Tax Rate Schedule

The tax laws give special treatment to some types of income and allow special deductions and credits for some types of expenses. These laws enable some corporations with substantial economic income to significantly reduce their regular tax. The corporate alternative minimum tax (AMT) targets these corporations and attempts to ensure that they pay at least a minimum amount of tax on their economic income. A corporation (other than a small corporation exempt from the AMT, as discussed below) owes AMT if its tentative minimum tax is more than its regular tax.

TIP: The tentative minimum tax of a small corporation is zero. This means that a small corporation will not owe AMT.

Small corporation exemption. A corporation is treated as a small corporation exempt from the AMT for its current tax year if that year is the corporation's first tax year in existence (regardless of its gross receipts for the year) or:

Credits

A corporation's tax liability is reduced by allowable credits. The following list includes some of the credits available to corporations.

Recapture Taxes

A corporation's tax liability is increased if it recaptures credits it has taken in prior years. The following list includes some credits a corporation may need to recapture.

Accumulated Earnings Tax

A corporation can accumulate its earnings for a possible expansion or other bona fide business reasons. However, if a corporation allows earnings to accumulate beyond the reasonable needs of the business, it may be subject to an accumulated earnings tax of 20%. If the accumulated earnings tax applies, interest applies to the tax from the date the corporate return was originally due, without extensions.

To determine if the corporation is subject to this tax, first treat an accumulation of $250,000 or less generally as within the reasonable needs of most businesses. Treat an accumulation of $150,000 or less as within the reasonable needs of a business whose principal function is performing services in the fields of accounting, actuarial science, architecture, consulting, engineering, health (including veterinary services), law, and the performing arts.

In determining if the corporation has accumulated earnings and profits beyond its reasonable needs, value the listed and readily marketable securities owned by the corporation and purchased with its earnings and profits at net liquidation value, not at cost.

Reasonable needs of the business include the following.

The fact that a corporation has an unreasonable accumulation of earnings is sufficient to establish liability for the accumulated earnings tax unless the corporation can show the earnings were not accumulated to allow its individual shareholders to avoid income tax.

Distributions to Shareholders

This section discusses corporate distributions of money, stock, or other property to a shareholder with respect to the shareholder's ownership of stock. However, this section does not discuss the special rules that apply to the following distributions. See the applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code.

Most distributions are in money, but they may also be in stock or other property. For this purpose, "property" generally does not include stock in the corporation or rights to acquire this stock. However, see Distributions of Stock or Stock Rights, later.

A corporation generally does not recognize a gain or loss on the distributions covered by the rules in this section. However, see Gain from property distributions below.

Amount distributed. The amount of a distribution is generally the amount of any money paid to the shareholder plus the fair market value (FMV) of any property transferred to the shareholder. However, this amount is reduced (but not below zero) by the following liabilities.

Gain from property distributions. A corporation will recognize a gain on the distribution of property to a shareholder if the FMV of the property is more than its adjusted basis. This is generally the same treatment the corporation would receive if the property were sold. However, for this purpose, the FMV of the property is the greater of the following amounts.

Distributions of Stock or Stock Rights

Distributions by a corporation of its own stock are commonly known as stock dividends. Stock rights (also known as "stock options") are distributions by a corporation of rights to acquire its stock. Distributions of stock dividends and stock rights are generally tax-free to shareholders. However, if any of the following apply to their distribution, stock and stock rights are treated as property, as discussed under Money or Property Distributions.

Constructive stock distributions. You must treat certain transactions that increase a shareholder's proportionate interest in the earnings and profits or assets of a corporation as if they were distributions of stock or stock rights. These constructive distributions are treated as property if they have the same result as a distribution described in (2), (3), (4), or (5) of the above discussion. Constructive distributions are described later.

This treatment applies to a change in your stock's conversion ratio or redemption price, a difference between your stock's redemption price and issue price, a redemption that is not treated as a sale or exchange of your stock, and any other transaction having a similar effect on a shareholder's interest in the corporation.

Expenses of issuing a stock dividend. You cannot deduct the expenses of issuing a stock dividend. These expenses include printing, postage, cost of advice sheets, fees paid to transfer agents, and fees for listing on stock exchanges. The corporation must capitalize these costs.

Constructive Distributions

The following sections discuss transactions that may be treated as distributions.

Below-market loans. If a corporation gives a shareholder a loan on which no interest is charged or on which interest is charged at a rate below the applicable federal rate, the interest not charged may be treated as a distribution to the shareholder. For more information, see Below-Market Loans, earlier.

Corporation cancels shareholder's debt. If a corporation cancels a shareholder's debt without repayment by the shareholder, the amount canceled is treated as a distribution to the shareholder.

Transfers of property to shareholders for less than FMV. A sale or exchange of property by a corporation to a shareholder may be treated as a distribution to the shareholder. For a shareholder who is not a corporation, if the FMV of the property on the date of the sale or exchange exceeds the price paid by the shareholder, the excess is treated as a distribution to the shareholder.

Unreasonable rents. If a corporation rents property from a shareholder and the rent is unreasonably more than the shareholder would charge to a stranger for use of the same property, the excessive part of the rent may be treated as a distribution to the shareholder. For more information, see Unreasonable rent, in chapter 3 of Pub. 535.

Unreasonable salaries. If a corporation pays an employee who is also a shareholder a salary that is unreasonably high considering the services actually performed by the shareholder-employee, the excessive part of the salary may be treated as a distribution to the shareholder-employee.

Reporting Dividends and Other Distributions

A corporate distribution to a shareholder is generally treated as a distribution of earnings and profits. Any part of a distribution from either current or accumulated earnings and profits is reported to the shareholder as a dividend. Any part of a distribution that is not from earnings and profits is applied against and reduces the adjusted basis of the stock in the hands of the shareholder. To the extent the balance is more than the adjusted basis of the stock, the shareholder has a gain (usually a capital gain) from the sale or exchange of property.

For information on shareholder reporting of corporate distributions, see Pub. 550, Investment Income and Expenses.

Form 1099-DIV. File Form 1099-DIV, Dividends and Distributions, with the IRS for each shareholder to whom the corporation has paid dividends and other distributions on stock of $10 or more during a calendar year. A corporation must generally send Forms 1099-DIV to the IRS with Form 1096, Annual Summary and Transmittal of U.S. Information Returns, by February 28 (March 31 if filing electronically) of the year following the year of the distribution. For more information, see the General Instructions for Certain Information Returns (Forms 1096, 1097, 1098, 1099, 3921, 3922, W-2G).

Generally, the corporation must furnish Forms 1099-DIV to shareholders by January 31 of the year following the close of the calendar year during which it made the distributions. However, the corporation may furnish the Form 1099-DIV to shareholders after November 30 of the year of the distributions if it has made its final distributions for the year. The corporation may furnish the Form 1099-DIV to shareholders anytime after April 30 of the year of the distributions if it gives the Form 1099-DIV with the final distributions for the calendar year.

If any regular due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, file by the next business day. A business day is any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.

Backup withholding. Dividends may be subject to backup withholding. For more information on backup withholding, see the General Instructions for Certain Information Returns.

Form 5452. File Form 5452, Corporate Report of Nondividend Distributions, if nondividend distributions were made to shareholders.

A calendar tax year corporation must file Form 5452 with its income tax return for the tax year in which the nondividend distributions were made. A fiscal tax year corporation must file Form 5452 with its income tax return due for the first fiscal year ending after the calendar year in which the nondividend distributions were made.

Current year earnings and profits. If a corporation's earnings and profits for the year (figured as of the close of the year without reduction for any distributions made during the year) are more than the total amount of distributions made during the year, all distributions made during the year are treated as distributions of current year earnings and profits. If the total amount of distributions is more than the earnings and profits for the year, see Accumulated earnings and profits below.

Example. You are the only shareholder of a corporation that uses the calendar year as its tax year. In January, you use the worksheet in the Form 5452 instructions to figure your corporation's current year earnings and profits for the previous year. During the year, the corporation made four $1,000 distributions to you. At the end of the year (before subtracting distributions made during the year), the corporation had $10,000 of current year earnings and profits.

Since the corporation's current year earnings and profits ($10,000) were more than the amount of the distributions it made during the year ($4,000), all of the distributions are treated as distributions of current year earnings and profits.

The corporation must issue a Form 1099-DIV to you by January 31 to report the $4,000 distributed to you during the previous year as dividends. The corporation must use Form 1096 to report this information to the IRS by February 28 (March 31 if filing electronically). If the regular due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, file by the next business day. The corporation does not deduct these dividends on its income tax return.

Accumulated earnings and profits. If a corporation's current year earnings and profits (figured as of the close of the year without reduction for any distributions made during the year) are less than the total distributions made during the year, part or all of each distribution is treated as a distribution of accumulated earnings and profits. Accumulated earnings and profits are earnings and profits the corporation accumulated before the current year.

If the total amount of distributions is less than current year earnings and profits, see Current year earnings and profits above.

Used with current year earnings and profits. If the corporation has current year earnings and profits, figure the use of accumulated and current earnings and profits as follows.

Since the corporation's current year earnings and profits ($10,000) were less than the distributions it made during the year ($16,000), part of each distribution is treated as a distribution of accumulated earnings and profits. Treat the distributions as follows.

The corporation must issue a Form 1099-DIV to you by January 31 to report the $16,000 distributed to you during the previous year as dividends. The corporation must use Form 1096 to report this information to the IRS by February 28 (March 31 if filing electronically). If the regular due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, file by the next business day. The corporation does not deduct these dividends on its income tax return.

Used without current year earnings and profits. If the corporation has no current year earnings and profits, figure the use of accumulated earnings and profits as follows.

Since the corporation had no current year earnings and profits, all of the distributions are treated as distributions of accumulated earnings and profits. Treat the distributions as follows.

TIP: For more information about figuring earnings and profits, see the Worksheet for Figuring Current Year Earnings and Profits in the Form 5452 instructions.

How To Get Tax Help

If you have questions about a tax issue, need help preparing your tax return, or want to download free publications, forms, or instructions, go to IRS.gov and find resources that can help you right away.

Getting answers to your tax law questions. On IRS.gov get answers to your tax questions anytime, anywhere.

Resolving tax-related identity theft issues.

Watching IRS videos. The IRS Video portal (IRSvideos.gov) contains video and audio presentations for individuals, small businesses, and tax professionals.

Getting tax information in other languages. For taxpayers whose native language isn't English, we have the following resources available. Taxpayers can find information on IRS.gov in the following languages.

The Taxpayer Advocate Service Is Here To Help You

What is the Taxpayer Advocate Service?

The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is an independent organization within the IRS that helps taxpayers and protects taxpayer rights. Our job is to ensure that every taxpayer is treated fairly and that you know and understand your rights under the Taxpayer Bill of Rights.

What Can the Taxpayer Advocate Service Do For You?

We can help you resolve problems that you can't resolve with the IRS. And our service is free. If you qualify for our assistance, you will be assigned to one advocate who will work with you throughout the process and will do everything possible to resolve your issue. TAS can help you if:

We have offices in every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Your local advocate's number is in your local directory and at taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov. You can also call us at 1-877-777-4778.

How Can You Learn About Your Taxpayer Rights?

The Taxpayer Bill of Rights describes 10 basic rights that all taxpayers have when dealing with the IRS. Our Tax Toolkit at taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov can help you understand what these rights mean to you and how they apply. These are your rights. Know them. Use them.

How Else Does the Taxpayer Advocate Service Help Taxpayers?

TAS works to resolve large-scale problems that affect many taxpayers. If you know of one of these broad issues, please report it to us at IRS.gov/sams.

Other Useful Forms for Corporations

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