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Internal Revenue Code · 26 U.S.C.

§ 1040. Transfer of certain farm, etc., real property

In force Text current through Public Law 119-121 (October 9, 2026) release point 119-121

Official text, no changes From the Office of the Law Revision Counsel, release point 119-121 (current through Public Law 119-121 (October 9, 2026)). Compare it with the official text at uscode.house.gov (external site).

Cite as 26 U.S.C. § 1040

At a glance

Read from the text, the source credit and the official notes. Not part of the law.

Status
In force
Added
October 4, 1976 by Pub. L. 94–455
Last amended
December 17, 2010 by Pub. L. 111–312
Amendments
7 dated changes in the source credit
Length
3 subsections · 312 words · about 1 min to read
(a) General rule

If the executor of the estate of any decedent transfers to a qualified heir (within the meaning of section 2032A(e)(1)) any property with respect to which an election was made under section 2032A, then gain on such transfer shall be recognized to the estate only to the extent that, on the date of such transfer, the fair market value of such property exceeds the value of such property for purposes of chapter 11 (determined without regard to section 2032A).

(b) Similar rule for certain trusts

To the extent provided in regulations prescribed by the Secretary, a rule similar to the rule provided in subsection (a) shall apply where the trustee of a trust (any portion of which is included in the gross estate of the decedent) transfers property with respect to which an election was made under section 2032A.

(c) Basis of property acquired in transfer described in subsection (a) or (b)

The basis of property acquired in a transfer with respect to which gain realized is not recognized by reason of subsection (a) or (b) shall be the basis of such property immediately before the transfer increased by the amount of the gain recognized to the estate or trust on the transfer.

(Added Pub. L. 94–455, title XX, § 2005(b), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1877; amended Pub. L. 95–600, title VII, § 702(d)(3), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2929; Pub. L. 96–222, title I, § 105(a)(5)(A), Apr. 1, 1980, 94 Stat. 219; Pub. L. 96–223, title IV, § 401(c)(2)(A), Apr. 2, 1980, 94 Stat. 300; Pub. L. 97–34, title IV, § 421(j)(2)(B), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 312; Pub. L. 97–448, title I, § 104(b)(3)(A), (B), Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2381; Pub. L. 107–16, title V, § 542(d)(1), June 7, 2001, 115 Stat. 84; Pub. L. 111–312, title III, § 301(a), Dec. 17, 2010, 124 Stat. 3300.)

Cross-references

Computed from the citations in the text of Title 26 and 26 CFR.

This section cites 1 other section

Cited by 1 Code section

Amendment history

From the source credit and the official notes, newest first.

  1. Amended by Pub. L. 111–312
  2. Amended by Pub. L. 107–16
  3. Amended by Pub. L. 97–448Parts changed in 1983: (a) (c)
  4. Amended by Pub. L. 97–34Parts changed in 1981: (a) (b)
  5. Amended by Pub. L. 96–223
  6. Amended by Pub. L. 96–222
  7. Amended by Pub. L. 95–600Parts changed in 1978: (a)
  8. Added by Pub. L. 94–455

Where it sits in the Code

  1. Subtitle A Income Taxes
  2. Chapter 1 NORMAL TAXES AND SURTAXES
  3. Subchapter O Gain or Loss on Disposition of Property
  4. Part III COMMON NONTAXABLE EXCHANGES

Nearby sections

Official notes

Show the Law Revision Counsel's notes (amendments, effective dates)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2010—Pub. L. 111–312 amended section to read as if amendment by Pub. L. 107–16, § 542(d)(1), had never been enacted. See 2001 Amendment note below.

2001—Pub. L. 107–16, § 542(d)(1), amended section generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows:

“(a) General rule.—If the executor of the estate of any decedent transfers to a qualified heir (within the meaning of section 2032A(e)(1)) any property with respect to which an election was made under section 2032A, then gain on such transfer shall be recognized to the estate only to the extent that, on the date of such transfer, the fair market value of such property exceeds the value of such property for purposes of chapter 11 (determined without regard to section 2032A).

“(b) Similar rule for certain trusts.—To the extent provided in regulations prescribed by the Secretary, a rule similar to the rule provided in subsection (a) shall apply where the trustee of a trust (any portion of which is included in the gross estate of the decedent) transfers property with respect to which an election was made under section 2032A.

“(c) Basis of property acquired in transfer described in subsection (a) or (b).—The basis of property acquired in a transfer with respect to which gain realized is not recognized by reason of subsection (a) or (b) shall be the basis of such property immediately before the transfer increased by the amount of the gain recognized to the estate or trust on the transfer.”

1983—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 97–448, § 104(b)(3)(A), substituted “on the date of such transfer” for “on the date of such exchange”.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 97–448, § 104(b)(3)(B), substituted references to “transfer”, “a transfer”, and “the transfer” for references to “exchange”, “an exchange”, and “the exchange”, respectively, wherever appearing in heading and text.

1981—Pub. L. 97–34 substituted “Transfer of certain farm, etc., real property” for “Use of farm, etc., real property to satisfy pecuniary bequest” in section catchline.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 97–34 revised subsec. (a) generally, substituting “transfers to a qualified heir (within the meaning of section 2032A(e)(1)) any property” for “satisfies the right of a qualified heir (within the meaning of section 2032A(e)(1)) to receive a pecuniary bequest with property” and “such transfer” for “such exchange” before “shall be recognized”.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 97–34 substituted “shall apply where the trustee of a trust (any portion of which is included in the gross estate of the decedent) transfers property with respect to which an election was made under section 2032A” for “shall apply where—

“(1) by reason of the death of the decedent, a qualified heir has a right to receive from a trust a specific dollar amount which is the equivalent of a pecuniary bequest, and

“(2) the trustee of the trust satisfies such right with property with respect to which an election was made under section 2032A”.

1980—Pub. L. 96–223 substituted “Use of farm, etc., property to satisfy pecuniary bequest” for “Use of certain appreciated carryover basis property to satisfy pecuniary request” in section catchline, generally revised subsecs. (a) and (b) to reflect the repeal elsewhere in the Code of carryover basis provisions, and struck out subsec. (d) which had provided that, for purposes of this section, references to carryover basis property should be treated as including a reference to property the valuation of which is determined under section 2032A. Pub. L. 96–222 added subsec. (d).

1978—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 95–600 substituted “chapter 11 (determined without regard to section 2032A)” for “chapter 11”.

Effective Date of 2010 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 111–312 applicable to estates of decedents dying, and transfers made after Dec. 31, 2009, except as otherwise provided, see section 301(e) of Pub. L. 111–312, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2010 Amendment note under section 121 of this title.

Effective Date of 2001 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 107–16 applicable to estates of decedents dying after Dec. 31, 2009, see section 542(f)(1) of Pub. L. 107–16, set out as a note under section 121 of this title.

Effective Date of 1983 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 97–448 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if it had been included in the provision of the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981, Pub. L. 97–34, to which such amendment relates, see section 109 of Pub. L. 97–448, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.

Effective Date of 1981 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 97–34 applicable with respect to the estates of decedents dying after Dec. 31, 1976, upon compliance with certain conditions relating to timely election requirement, reinstatement of elections, and statute of limitations, see section 421(k)(5) of Pub. L. 97–34, set out as a note under section 2032A of this title.

Effective Date of 1980 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 96–223 applicable in respect of decedents dying after Dec. 31, 1976, see section 401(e) of Pub. L. 96–223, set out as a note under section 1023 of this title.

Pub. L. 96–222, title I, § 105(a)(5)(B), Apr. 1, 1980, 94 Stat. 219, as amended by Pub. L. 99–514, § 2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095, provided that: “Notwithstanding section 515 of the Revenue Act of 1978 [section 515 of Pub. L. 95–600 which deferred carryover basis rules until Dec. 31, 1979], section 1040 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] (as amended by subparagraph (A) [amending this section]) shall apply with respect to the estates of decedents dying after December 31, 1976.”

Effective Date of 1978 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 95–600 applicable to estates of decedents dying after Dec. 31, 1976, see section 702(d)(6) of Pub. L. 95–600, set out as a note under section 2032A of this title.

Effective Date

Section applicable in respect of decedents dying after Dec. 31, 1976, see section 2005(f)(1) of Pub. L. 94–455, set out as a note under section 1015 of this title.