Internal Revenue Code · 26 U.S.C.
§ 2603. Liability for tax
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. § 2603
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
- October 22, 1986 by Pub. L. 99–514
- Amendments
- 1 dated changes in the source credit
- Length
- 3 subsections · 175 words · about 1 min to read
- Cross-references
- cites 2; cited by 1 Code section and 1 other regulation
In the case of a taxable distribution, the tax imposed by section 2601 shall be paid by the transferee.
In the case of a taxable termination or a direct skip from a trust, the tax shall be paid by the trustee.
In the case of a direct skip (other than a direct skip from a trust), the tax shall be paid by the transferor.
Unless otherwise directed pursuant to the governing instrument by specific reference to the tax imposed by this chapter, the tax imposed by this chapter on a generation-skipping transfer shall be charged to the property constituting such transfer.
For provisions making estate and gift tax provisions with respect to transferee liability, liens, and related matters applicable to the tax imposed by section 2601, see section 2661.
(Added Pub. L. 94–455, title XX, § 2006(a), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1881; amended Pub. L. 99–514, title XIV, § 1431(a), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2718.)
Cross-references
Computed from the citations in the text of Title 26 and 26 CFR.
This section cites 2 other sections
Cited by 1 Code section
Cited in 1 regulation not issued under it
Amendment history
From the source credit and the official notes, newest first.
- Amended by Pub. L. 99–514
- Added by Pub. L. 94–455
Where it sits in the Code
- Subtitle B Estate and Gift Taxes
- Chapter 13 TAX ON GENERATION-SKIPPING TRANSFERS
- Subchapter A Tax Imposed
Nearby sections
- § 2601 Tax imposed
- § 2602 Amount of tax
- § 2603 Liability for tax
- § 2604 Repealed
Official notes
Show the Law Revision Counsel's notes (amendments, effective dates)
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1986—Pub. L. 99–514 amended section generally, substituting tax liability provisions consisting of language placing liability, under different circumstances, on the transferee, the trustee, or the transferor, the source of the tax, and a cross reference to section 2661 for former provisions which covered the question of liability for tax with language covering the trustee and the distributee, the limitation on personal liability of the trustee who relied on certain information furnished by the Secretary, the limitation on personal liability of distributee, and the lien on property transferred until the tax was paid in full or became unenforceable by reason of lapse of time.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Section applicable to generation-skipping transfers (within the meaning of section 2611 of this title) made after Oct. 22, 1986, except as otherwise provided, see section 1433 of Pub. L. 99–514, set out as a note under section 2601 of this title.