Internal Revenue Code · 26 U.S.C.
§ 147. Other requirements applicable to certain private activity bonds
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. § 147
At a glance
Read from the text, the source credit and the official notes. Not part of the law.
- Status
- In force
- Added
- October 22, 1986 by Pub. L. 99–514
- Last amended
- December 22, 2017 by Pub. L. 115–97
- Amendments
- 9 dated changes in the source credit
- Length
- 8 subsections · 3,255 words · about 14 min to read
- Defines
- 7 terms
- Cross-references
- cites 10; cited by 9 Code sections and 11 other regulations
- Regulations
- 5 issued under this section
Except as provided in clause (ii), land shall not be taken into account under paragraph (1)(B).
If 25 percent or more of the net proceeds of any issue is to be used to finance land, such land shall be taken into account under paragraph (1)(B) and shall be treated as having an economic life of 30 years.
At the election of the issuer, a qualified 501(c)(3) bond shall be treated as meeting the requirements of paragraph (1) if such bond meets the requirements of subparagraph (B).
Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any bond issued as part of an issue 95 percent or more of the net proceeds of which are to be used to finance mortgage loans insured under FHA 242 or under a similar Federal Housing Administration program (as in effect on the date of the enactment of the Tax Reform Act of 1986) where the loan term approved by such Administration plus the maximum maturity of debentures which could be issued by such Administration in satisfaction of its obligations exceeds the term permitted under paragraph (1).
If the requirements of subparagraph (B) are met with respect to any land, paragraph (1) shall not apply to such land, and subsection (d) shall not apply to property to be used thereon for farming purposes, but only to the extent of expenditures (financed with the proceeds of the issue) not in excess of $450,000.
Any ownership or material participation, or financing received, by an individual’s spouse or minor child shall be treated as ownership and material participation, or financing received, by the individual.
For purposes of clause (i), farmland which was previously owned by the individual and was disposed of while such individual was insolvent shall be disregarded if section 108 applied to indebtedness with respect to such farmland.
For purposes of this paragraph, the term “farm” has the meaning given such term by section 6420(c)(2).
For purposes of this paragraph, the term “substantial farmland” means any parcel of land unless such parcel is smaller than 30 percent of the median size of a farm in the county in which such parcel is located.
Except as provided in subsection (h), a private activity bond shall not be a qualified bond if issued as part of an issue and any portion of the net proceeds of such issue is to be used for the acquisition of any property (or an interest therein) unless the 1st use of such property is pursuant to such acquisition.
Except as provided in this paragraph, the term “rehabilitation expenditures” means any amount properly chargeable to capital account which is incurred by the person acquiring the building for property (or additions or improvements to property) in connection with the rehabilitation of a building. In the case of an integrated operation contained in a building before its acquisition, such term includes rehabilitating existing equipment in such building or replacing it with equipment having substantially the same function. For purposes of this subparagraph, any amount incurred by a successor to the person acquiring the building or by the seller under a sales contract with such person shall be treated as incurred by such person.
The term “rehabilitation expenditures” does not include any expenditure described in section 47(c)(2)(B).
In the case of a project involving 2 or more buildings, this subsection shall be applied on a project basis.
A private activity bond shall not be a qualified bond if issued as part of an issue and any portion of the proceeds of such issue is to be used to provide any airplane, skybox or other private luxury box, health club facility, facility primarily used for gambling, or store the principal business of which is the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption off premises. The preceding sentence shall not apply to any fixed-wing aircraft equipped for, and exclusively dedicated to providing, acute care emergency medical services (within the meaning of section 4261(g)(2)).
A private activity bond shall not be a qualified bond unless such bond satisfies the requirements of paragraph (2).
No approval under subparagraph (A) shall be necessary with respect to any bond which is issued to refund (other than to advance refund) a bond approved under subparagraph (A) (or treated as approved under subparagraph (C)) unless the average maturity date of the issue of which the refunding bond is a part is later than the average maturity date of the bonds to be refunded by such issue. For purposes of the preceding sentence, average maturity shall be determined in accordance with subsection (b)(2)(A).
In the case of a qualified scholarship funding bond, any governmental unit which made a request described in section 150(d)(2)(B) with respect to the issuer of such bond shall be treated for purposes of paragraph (2) of this subsection as the governmental unit on behalf of which such bond was issued. Where more than one governmental unit within a State has made a request described in section 150(d)(2)(B), the State may also be treated for purposes of paragraph (2) of this subsection as the governmental unit on behalf of which such bond was issued.
In the case of a bond of a volunteer fire department which meets the requirements of section 150(e), the political subdivision described in section 150(e)(2)(B) with respect to such department shall be treated for purposes of paragraph (2) of this subsection as the governmental unit on behalf of which such bond was issued.
A private activity bond shall not be a qualified bond if the issuance costs financed by the issue (of which such bond is a part) exceed 2 percent of the proceeds of the issue.
In the case of an issue of qualified mortgage bonds or qualified veterans’ mortgage bonds, paragraph (1) shall be applied by substituting “3.5 percent” for “2 percent” if the proceeds of the issue do not exceed $20,000,000.
Subsection (c) shall not apply to any exempt facility bond issued as part of an issue described in section 142(a)(13) (relating to qualified public educational facilities).
(Added Pub. L. 99–514, title XIII, § 1301(b), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2635; amended Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1013(a)(11)–(13)(B), (29), (36), title VI, § 6180(b)(4), (5), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3539, 3543, 3544, 3728; Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, § 7816(s)(3), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2423; Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, § 11813(b)(8), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–552; Pub. L. 104–188, title I, § 1117(a), (b), Aug. 20, 1996, 110 Stat. 1764; Pub. L. 107–16, title IV, § 422(d), (e), June 7, 2001, 115 Stat. 66; Pub. L. 110–234, title XV, § 15341(a)–(d), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1517; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title XV, § 15341(a)–(d), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2279; Pub. L. 112–95, title XI, § 1105(a), Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 152; Pub. L. 115–97, title I, § 11002(d)(1)(P), Dec. 22, 2017, 131 Stat. 2060.)
Terms defined here
Where the text says “the term … means”. Select a term to jump to its definition.
Regulations under this section
Treasury regulations (26 CFR) issued under § 147
Cross-references
Computed from the citations in the text of Title 26 and 26 CFR.
This section cites 10 other sections
- § 267 Losses, expenses, and interest with respect to transactions between related taxpayers
- § 1563(a) Definitions and special rules
- § 108 Income from discharge of indebtedness
- § 6420(c)(2) Gasoline used on farms
- § 144(a) Qualified small issue bond; qualified student loan bond; qualified redevelopment bond
- § 1(f)(3) Tax imposed
- § 47(c)(2)(B) Rehabilitation credit
- § 4261(g)(2) Imposition of tax
- § 150(d)(2)(B) Definitions and special rules
- § 142(a)(13) Exempt facility bond
Cited by 9 Code sections
- § 42(m)(1)(A)(i) Low-income housing credit
- § 141(d)(5)(A) Private activity bond; qualified bond
- § 142(b)(1)(B)(ii) Exempt facility bond
- § 144(a)(12)(A)(ii)(III) Qualified small issue bond; qualified student loan bond; qualified redevelopment bond
- § 146(i)(4) Volume cap
- § 148(f)(4)(A)(ii) Arbitrage
- § 150(e)(3) Definitions and special rules
- § 265(b)(3)(D)(ii)(III) Expenses and interest relating to tax-exempt income
- § 1394(d) Tax-exempt enterprise zone facility bonds
Cited in 11 regulations not issued under it
- § 1.103-8 Interest on bonds to finance certain exempt facilities.
- § 1.141-1 Definitions and rules of general application.
- § 1.141-12 Remedial actions.
- § 1.142-4 Use of proceeds to provide a facility.
- § 1.142(a)(5)-1 Exempt facility bonds: Sewage facilities.
- § 1.148-1 Definitions and elections.
- § 1.148-9 Arbitrage rules for refunding issues.
- § 1.150-1 Definitions.
- § 1.1394-1 Enterprise zone facility bonds.
- § 301.9100-7T Time and manner of making certain elections under the Tax Reform Act of 1986.
- § 302.1-4 Computation of taxes.
Amendment history
From the source credit and the official notes, newest first.
- Amended by Pub. L. 115–97Parts changed in 2017: (c)(2)(H)(ii)
- Amended by Pub. L. 112–95Parts changed in 2012: (e)
- Amended by Pub. L. 110–246Parts changed in 2008: (c)(2)(A) (c)(2)(C)(i)(II) (c)(2)(E) (c)(2)(H)
- Amended by Pub. L. 110–234
- Amended by Pub. L. 107–16Parts changed in 2001: (h) (h)(3)
- Amended by Pub. L. 104–188Parts changed in 1996: (c)(2)(E)(i) (c)(2)(G)
- Amended by Pub. L. 101–508Parts changed in 1990: (d)(3)(B)
- Amended by Pub. L. 101–239Parts changed in 1989: (c)(3)
- Amended by Pub. L. 100–647Parts changed in 1988: (c)(3) (e) (f)(2)(D) (f)(2)(E)(i) (f)(3) (f)(4) (g)(1) (g)(2)
- Added by Pub. L. 99–514
Where it sits in the Code
- Subtitle A Income Taxes
- Chapter 1 NORMAL TAXES AND SURTAXES
- Subchapter B Computation of Taxable Income
- Part IV TAX EXEMPTION REQUIREMENTS FOR STATE AND LOCAL BONDS
- Subpart A Private Activity Bonds
Nearby sections
- § 143 Mortgage revenue bonds: qualified mortgage bond and qualified veterans’ mortgage bond
- § 144 Qualified small issue bond; qualified student loan bond; qualified redevelopment bond
- § 145 Qualified 501(c)(3) bond
- § 146 Volume cap
- § 147 Other requirements applicable to certain private activity bonds
Official notes
Show the Law Revision Counsel's notes (amendments, effective dates)
Inflation Adjusted Items for Certain Years
For inflation adjustment of certain items in this section, see Revenue Procedures listed in a table under section 1 of this title.
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The date of the enactment of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, referred to in subsec. (b)(5), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 99–514, which was approved Oct. 22, 1986.
Codification
Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 made identical amendments to this section. The amendments by Pub. L. 110–234 were repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246.
Amendments
2017—Subsec. (c)(2)(H)(ii). Pub. L. 115–97 substituted “for ‘calendar year 2016’ in subparagraph (A)(ii)” for “for ‘calendar year 1992’ in subparagraph (B)”.
2012—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 112–95 inserted at end: “The preceding sentence shall not apply to any fixed-wing aircraft equipped for, and exclusively dedicated to providing, acute care emergency medical services (within the meaning of section 4261(g)(2)).”
2008—Subsec. (c)(2)(A). Pub. L. 110–246, § 15341(a), substituted “$450,000” for “$250,000”.
Subsec. (c)(2)(C)(i)(II). Pub. L. 110–246, § 15341(d), substituted “the amount in effect under subparagraph (A)” for “$250,000”.
Subsec. (c)(2)(E). Pub. L. 110–246, § 15341(c), substituted “unless such parcel is smaller than 30 percent of the median size of a farm in the county in which such parcel is located.” for “unless—
“(i) such parcel is smaller than 30 percent of the median size of a farm in the county in which such parcel is located, and
“(ii) the fair market value of the land does not at any time while held by the individual exceed $125,000.”
Subsec. (c)(2)(H). Pub. L. 110–246, § 15341(b), added subpar. (H).
2001—Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 107–16, § 422(e), substituted “certain bonds” for “mortgage revenue bonds, qualified student loan bonds, and qualified 501(c)(3) bonds” in heading.
Subsec. (h)(3). Pub. L. 107–16, § 422(d), added par. (3).
1996—Subsec. (c)(2)(E)(i). Pub. L. 104–188, § 1117(b), substituted “30 percent” for “15 percent”.
Subsec. (c)(2)(G). Pub. L. 104–188, § 1117(a), added subpar. (G).
1990—Subsec. (d)(3)(B). Pub. L. 101–508 substituted “section 47(c)(2)(B)” for “section 48(g)(2)(B)”.
1989—Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 101–239 inserted a comma after “mass commuting facility” in introductory provisions and in subpar. (A).
1988—Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 100–647, § 6180(b)(4), inserted “high-speed intercity rail facility” after “mass commuting facility” in introductory text and in subpar. (A).
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1013(a)(11), struck out “treated as” after “shall not be”.
Subsec. (f)(2)(D). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1013(a)(29), substituted “the average maturity date of the issue of which the refunding bond is a part is later than the average maturity date of the bonds to be refunded by such issue. For purposes of the preceding sentence, average maturity shall be determined in accordance with subsection (b)(2)(A)” for “the maturity date of such bond is later than the maturity date of the bond to be refunded”.
Subsec. (f)(2)(E)(i). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1013(a)(36), inserted sentence at end relating to treatment of an individual appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of an elected official.
Subsec. (f)(3). Pub. L. 100–647, § 6180(b)(5), inserted “or high-speed intercity rail facilities” after “airports” in heading and after “airport” in subpars. (A) and (B) and in last sentence.
Subsec. (f)(4). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1013(a)(12), added par. (4).
Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1013(a)(13)(A), substituted “proceeds” for “aggregate face amount”.
Subsec. (g)(2). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1013(a)(13)(B), substituted “proceeds” for “aggregate authorized face amount” and “do” for “does”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2017 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 115–97 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 2017, see section 11002(e) of Pub. L. 115–97, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
Effective Date of 2012 Amendment
Pub. L. 112–95, title XI, § 1105(b), Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 152, provided that: “The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to obligations issued after the date of the enactment of this Act [Feb. 14, 2012].”
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment of this section and repeal of Pub. L. 110–234 by Pub. L. 110–246 effective May 22, 2008, the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110–234, except as otherwise provided, see section 4 of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as an Effective Date note under section 8701 of Title 7, Agriculture.
Pub. L. 110–234, title XV, § 15341(e), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1517, and Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title XV, § 15341(e), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2279, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to bonds issued after the date of the enactment of this Act [June 18, 2008].”
[Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 enacted identical provisions. Pub. L. 110–234 was repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as a note under section 8701 of Title 7, Agriculture.]
Effective Date of 2001 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 107–16 applicable to bonds issued after Dec. 31, 2001, see section 422(f) of Pub. L. 107–16, set out as a note under section 142 of this title.
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Pub. L. 104–188, title I, § 1117(c), Aug. 20, 1996, 110 Stat. 1764, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to bonds issued after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 20, 1996].”
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 101–508 applicable to property placed in service after Dec. 31, 1990, but not applicable to any transition property (as defined in section 49(e) of this title), any property with respect to which qualified progress expenditures were previously taken into account under section 46(d) of this title, and any property described in section 46(b)(2)(C) of this title, as such sections were in effect on Nov. 4, 1990, see section 11813(c) of Pub. L. 101–508, set out as a note under section 45K of this title.
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 101–239 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provision of the Technical and Miscellaneous Revenue Act of 1988, Pub. L. 100–647, to which such amendment relates, see section 7817 of Pub. L. 101–239, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1013(a)(13)(C), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3539, provided that: “The amendments made by this paragraph [amending this section] shall apply to bonds issued after June 30, 1987.”
Amendment by section 1013(a)(11), (12), (29), (36) of Pub. L. 100–647 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provision of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, Pub. L. 99–514, to which such amendment relates, see section 1019(a) of Pub. L. 100–647, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
Amendment by section 6180(b)(4), (5) of Pub. L. 100–647 applicable to bonds issued after Nov. 10, 1988, see section 6180(c) of Pub. L. 100–647, set out as a note under section 142 of this title.
Effective Date
Subsec. (f) applicable to bonds issued after Dec. 31, 1986, see section 1311(d) of Pub. L. 99–514, as amended, set out as an Effective Date; Transitional Rules note under section 141 of this title.
Savings Provision
For provisions that nothing in amendment by Pub. L. 101–508 be construed to affect treatment of certain transactions occurring, property acquired, or items of income, loss, deduction, or credit taken into account prior to Nov. 5, 1990, for purposes of determining liability for tax for periods ending after Nov. 5, 1990, see section 11821(b) of Pub. L. 101–508, set out as a note under section 45K of this title.