Internal Revenue Code · 26 U.S.C.
§ 382. Limitation on net operating loss carryforwards and certain built-in losses following ownership change
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. § 382
At a glance
Read from the text, the source credit and the official notes. Not part of the law.
- Status
- In force
- Enacted
- August 31, 1964 by Pub. L. 88–554
- Last amended
- December 22, 2017 by Pub. L. 115–97
- Amendments
- 15 dated changes in the source credit
- Length
- 14 subsections · 5,646 words · about 25 min to read
- Defines
- 21 terms
- Cross-references
- cites 19; cited by 4 Code sections and 38 other regulations
- Regulations
- 14 issued under this section
The amount of the taxable income of any new loss corporation for any post-change year which may be offset by pre-change losses shall not exceed the section 382 limitation for such year.
If the section 382 limitation for any post-change year exceeds the taxable income of the new loss corporation for such year which was offset by pre-change losses, the section 382 limitation for the next post-change year shall be increased by the amount of such excess.
Subsection (a) shall not apply to the portion of the taxable income for such year which is allocable to the period in such year on or before the change date. Except as provided in subsection (h)(5) and in regulations, taxable income shall be allocated ratably to each day in the year.
Except as provided in paragraph (2), if the new loss corporation does not continue the business enterprise of the old loss corporation at all times during the 2-year period beginning on the change date, the section 382 limitation for any post-change year shall be zero.
The term “post-change year” means any taxable year ending after the change date.
The term “pre-change loss” shall include any carryover of disallowed interest described in section 163(j)(2) under rules similar to the rules of paragraph (1).
Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the value of the old loss corporation is the value of the stock of such corporation (including any stock described in section 1504(a)(4)) immediately before the ownership change.
If a redemption or other corporate contraction occurs in connection with an ownership change, the value under paragraph (1) shall be determined after taking such redemption or other corporate contraction into account.
Except as otherwise provided in regulations, in determining the value of any old loss corporation which is a foreign corporation, there shall be taken into account only items treated as connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States.
The long-term tax-exempt rate shall be the highest of the adjusted Federal long-term rates in effect for any month in the 3-calendar-month period ending with the calendar month in which the change date occurs.
To the extent provided in regulations, the term “equity structure shift” includes taxable reorganization-type transactions, public offerings, and similar transactions.
Except as provided in subparagraphs (B)(i) and (C), in determining whether an ownership change has occurred, all stock owned by shareholders of a corporation who are not 5-percent shareholders of such corporation shall be treated as stock owned by 1 5-percent shareholder of such corporation.
Subparagraph (A) shall be applied separately with respect to each group of shareholders (immediately before such equity structure shift) of each corporation which was a party to the reorganization involved in such equity structure shift.
Unless a different proportion is established, acquisitions of stock after such equity structure shift shall be treated as being made proportionately from all shareholders immediately before such acquisition.
Except as provided in regulations, rules similar to the rules of subparagraph (B) shall apply in determining whether there has been an owner shift involving a 5-percent shareholder and whether such shift (or subsequent transaction) results in an ownership change.
If the old loss corporation has a net unrealized built-in gain, the section 382 limitation for any recognition period taxable year shall be increased by the recognized built-in gains for such taxable year.
If the old loss corporation has a net unrealized built-in loss, the recognized built-in loss for any recognition period taxable year shall be subject to limitation under this section in the same manner as if such loss were a pre-change loss.
If a redemption or other corporate contraction occurs in connection with an ownership change, to the extent provided in regulations, determinations under clause (i) shall be made after taking such redemption or other corporate contraction into account.
Any item of income which is properly taken into account during the recognition period but which is attributable to periods before the change date shall be treated as a recognized built-in gain for the taxable year in which it is properly taken into account.
Any amount which is allowable as a deduction during the recognition period (determined without regard to any carryover) but which is attributable to periods before the change date shall be treated as a recognized built-in loss for the taxable year for which it is allowable as a deduction.
The amount of the net unrealized built-in gain or loss shall be properly adjusted for amounts which would be treated as recognized built-in gains or losses under this paragraph if such amounts were properly taken into account (or allowable as a deduction) during the recognition period.
The term “recognition period” means, with respect to any ownership change, the 5-year period beginning on the change date.
The term “recognition period taxable year” means any taxable year any portion of which is in the recognition period.
If 80 percent or more in value of the stock of a corporation is acquired in 1 transaction (or in a series of related transactions during any 12-month period), for purposes of determining the net unrealized built-in loss, the fair market value of the assets of such corporation shall not exceed the grossed up amount paid for such stock properly adjusted for indebtedness of the corporation and other relevant items.
The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this subsection where property held on the change date was acquired (or is subsequently transferred) in a transaction where gain or loss is not recognized (in whole or in part).
Except as otherwise provided in this section, the testing period is the 3-year period ending on the day of any owner shift involving a 5-percent shareholder or equity structure shift.
If there has been an ownership change under this section, the testing period for determining whether a 2nd ownership change has occurred shall not begin before the 1st day following the change date for such earlier ownership change.
The testing period shall not begin before the earlier of the 1st day of the 1st taxable year from which there is a carryforward of a loss or of an excess credit to the 1st post-change year or the taxable year in which the transaction being tested occurs. Except as provided in regulations, this paragraph shall not apply to any loss corporation which has a net unrealized built-in loss (determined after application of subsection (h)(3)(B)).
The term “loss corporation” means a corporation entitled to use a net operating loss carryover or having a net operating loss for the taxable year in which the ownership change occurs. Such term shall include any corporation entitled to use a carryforward of disallowed interest described in section 381(c)(20). Except to the extent provided in regulations, such term includes any corporation with a net unrealized built-in loss.
The term “new loss corporation” means a corporation which (after an ownership change) is a loss corporation. Nothing in this section shall be treated as implying that the same corporation may not be both the old loss corporation and the new loss corporation.
Taxable income shall be computed with the modifications set forth in section 172(d).
Except as provided in regulations and subsection (e), the term “stock” means stock other than stock described in section 1504(a)(4).
Determinations of the percentage of stock of any corporation held by any person shall be made on the basis of value.
The term “5-percent shareholder” means any person holding 5 percent or more of the stock of the corporation at any time during the testing period.
Any capital contribution received by an old loss corporation as part of a plan a principal purpose of which is to avoid or increase any limitation under this section shall not be taken into account for purposes of this section.
For purposes of subparagraph (A), any capital contribution made during the 2-year period ending on the change date shall, except as provided in regulations, be treated as part of a plan described in subparagraph (A).
Except as provided in regulations, any change in proportionate ownership which is attributable solely to fluctuations in the relative fair market values of different classes of stock shall not be taken into account.
The old loss corporation shall be treated as having substantial nonbusiness assets if at least ⅓ of the value of the total assets of such corporation consists of nonbusiness assets.
A regulated investment company to which part I of subchapter M applies, a real estate investment trust to which part II of subchapter M applies, or a REMIC to which part IV of subchapter M applies, shall not be treated as a new loss corporation having substantial nonbusiness assets.
For purposes of this paragraph, the term “nonbusiness assets” means assets held for investment.
For purposes of this paragraph, stock and securities in any subsidiary corporation shall be disregarded and the parent corporation shall be deemed to own its ratable share of the subsidiary’s assets. For purposes of the preceding sentence, a corporation shall be treated as a subsidiary if the parent owns 50 percent or more of the combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote, and 50 percent or more of the total value of shares of all classes of stock.
In applying section 108(e)(8) to any case to which subparagraph (A) applies, there shall not be taken into account any indebtedness for interest described in subparagraph (B).
If, during the 2-year period immediately following an ownership change to which this paragraph applies, an ownership change of the new loss corporation occurs, this paragraph shall not apply and the section 382 limitation with respect to the 2nd ownership change for any post-change year ending after the change date of the 2nd ownership change shall be zero.
For purposes of this paragraph, the term “title 11 or similar case” has the meaning given such term by section 368(a)(3)(A).
A new loss corporation may elect, subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary may prescribe, not to have the provisions of this paragraph apply.
If paragraph (5) does not apply to any reorganization described in subparagraph (G) of section 368(a)(1) or any exchange of debt for stock in a title 11 or similar case (as defined in section 368(a)(3)(A)), the value under subsection (e) shall reflect the increase (if any) in value of the old loss corporation resulting from any surrender or cancellation of creditors’ claims in the transaction.
The Secretary shall by regulation provide for the application of this section to the alternative tax net operating loss deduction under section 56(d).
Except as provided in regulations, any entity and any predecessor or successor entities of such entity shall be treated as 1 entity.
Paragraph (1) shall not apply in the case of any subsequent ownership change unless such ownership change is described in such paragraph.
Paragraph (1) shall not apply in the case of any ownership change if, immediately after such ownership change, any person (other than a voluntary employees’ beneficiary association under section 501(c)(9)) owns stock of the new loss corporation possessing 50 percent or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote, or of the total value of the stock of such corporation.
(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 129; Pub. L. 88–554, § 4(b)(3), Aug. 31, 1964, 78 Stat. 763; Pub. L. 94–455, title VIII, § 806(e), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1599; Pub. L. 96–589, § 2(d), Dec. 24, 1980, 94 Stat. 3396; Pub. L. 97–34, title II, § 242, Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 255; Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title I, § 62(b)(1), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 583; Pub. L. 99–514, title VI, § 621(a), (e)(1), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2254, 2266; Pub. L. 100–203, title X, § 10225(a), (b), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–413; Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1006(d)(1)(A)–(C), (2)–(10), (17)(A), (18)–(28)(A), (29), (t)(22)(A), title IV, § 4012(a)(3), (b)(1)(B), title V, § 5077(a), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3395–3400, 3426, 3656, 3657, 3683; Pub. L. 101–73, title XIV, § 1401(a)(2), Aug. 9, 1989, 103 Stat. 548; Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, §§ 7205(a), 7304(d)(1), 7811(c)(5)(A), 7815(h), 7841(d)(11), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2335, 2354, 2407, 2420, 2428; Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, § 13226(a)(2)(A), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 487; Pub. L. 104–188, title I, § 1621(b)(3), Aug. 20, 1996, 110 Stat. 1867; Pub. L. 108–357, title VIII, § 835(b)(2), Oct. 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 1593; Pub. L. 111–5, div. B, title I, § 1262(a), Feb. 17, 2009, 123 Stat. 343; Pub. L. 113–295, div. A, title II, § 221(a)(30)(D), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 4042; Pub. L. 115–97, title I, §§ 11051(b)(3)(F), 13301(b)(2), (3), Dec. 22, 2017, 131 Stat. 2090, 2121.)
Terms defined here
Where the text says “the term … means”. Select a term to jump to its definition.
- 5-percent shareholder § 382(k)(7)
- 50-percent shareholder § 382(g)(4)(D)(ii)
- adjusted Federal long-term rate § 382(f)(2)
- equity structure shift § 382(g)(3)(A)
- equity structure shift § 382(g)(3)(B)
- loss corporation § 382(k)(1)
- net unrealized built-in gain § 382(h)(3)(A)(i)
- net unrealized built-in loss § 382(h)(3)(A)(i)
- new loss corporation § 382(k)(3)
- nonbusiness assets § 382(l)(4)(C)
- old loss corporation § 382(k)(2)
- post-change year § 382(d)(2)
- pre-change loss § 382(d)(1)
- pre-change loss § 382(d)(3)
- recognition period § 382(h)(7)(A)
- recognition period taxable year § 382(h)(7)(B)
- recognized built-in gain § 382(h)(2)(A)
- recognized built-in loss § 382(h)(2)(B)
- stock § 382(k)(6)(A)
- title 11 or similar case § 382(l)(5)(F)
- value § 382(k)(5)
Regulations under this section
Treasury regulations (26 CFR) issued under § 382
- § 1.382-1 Table of contents.
- § 1.382-1T Table of contents (temporary).
- § 1.382-2 General rules for ownership change.
- § 1.382-2T Definition of ownership change under section 382, as amended by the Tax Reform Act of 1986 (temporary).
- § 1.382-3 Definitions and rules relating to a 5-percent shareholder.
- § 1.382-4 Constructive ownership of stock.
- § 1.382-5 Section 382 limitation.
- § 1.382-6 Allocation of income and loss to periods before and after the change date for purposes of section 382.
- § 1.382-7 Built-in gains and losses.
- § 1.382-8 Controlled groups.
- § 1.382-9 Special rules under section 382 for corporations under the jurisdiction of a court in a title 11 or similar case.
- § 1.382-10 Special rules for determining time and manner of acquisition of an interest in a loss corporation.
- § 1.382-11 Reporting requirements.
- § 1.382-12 Determination of adjusted Federal long-term rate.
Cross-references
Computed from the citations in the text of Title 26 and 26 CFR.
This section cites 19 other sections
- § 338 Certain stock purchases treated as asset acquisitions
- § 163(j)(2) Interest
- § 1504(a)(4) Definitions
- § 1274(d) Determination of issue price in the case of certain debt instruments issued for property
- § 368 Definitions relating to corporate reorganizations
- § 354(b)(1) Exchanges of stock and securities in certain reorganizations
- § 381(c)(20) Carryovers in certain corporate acquisitions
- § 172(d) Net operating loss deduction
- § 383 Special limitations on certain excess credits, etc.
- § 318 Constructive ownership of stock
- § 1014 Basis of property acquired from a decedent
- § 1015 Basis of property acquired by gifts and transfers in trust
- § 1041(b)(2) Transfers of property between spouses or incident to divorce
- § 121(d)(3)(C) Exclusion of gain from sale of principal residence
- § 108 Income from discharge of indebtedness
- § 56(d) Adjustments in computing alternative minimum taxable income
- § 1563(a) Definitions and special rules
- § 501(c)(9) Exemption from tax on corporations, certain trusts, etc.
- § 267(b) Losses, expenses, and interest with respect to transactions between related taxpayers
Cited by 4 Code sections
- § 172(g)(2) Net operating loss deduction
- § 318(b)(5) Constructive ownership of stock
- § 383(a)(1) Special limitations on certain excess credits, etc.
- § 384(c)(8) Limitation on use of preacquisition losses to offset built-in gains
Cited in 38 regulations not issued under it
- § 1.56(g)-1 Adjusted current earnings.
- § 1.163(j)-0 Table of contents.
- § 1.163(j)-1 Definitions.
- § 1.163(j)-3 Relationship of the section 163(j) limitation to other provisions affecting interest.
- § 1.163(j)-5 General rules governing disallowed business interest expense carryforwards for C corporations.
- § 1.163(j)-6 Application of the section 163(j) limitation to partnerships and subchapter S corporations.
- § 1.163(j)-11 Transition rules.
- § 1.172-4 Net operating loss carrybacks and net operating loss carryovers.
- § 1.269-3 Instances in which section 269(a) disallows a deduction, credit, or other allowance.
- § 1.269-6 Relationship of section 269 to section 382 before the Tax Reform Act of 1986.
- § 1.269-7 Relationship of section 269 to sections 382 and 383 after the Tax Reform Act of 1986.
- § 1.381(c)(1)-1 Net operating loss carryovers in certain corporate acquisitions.
- § 1.381(c)(20)-1 Carryforward of disallowed business interest.
- § 1.383-0 Effective date.
- § 1.383-1 Special limitations on certain capital losses and excess credits.
- § 1.597-2 Taxation of FFA.
- § 1.597-4 Bridge Banks and Agency Control.
- § 1.1374-1 General rules and definitions.
- § 1.1374-3 Net unrealized built-in gain.
- § 1.1374-5 Loss carryforwards.
- § 1.1502-13 Intercompany transactions.
- § 1.1502-15 SRLY limitation on built-in losses.
- § 1.1502-19 Excess loss accounts.
- § 1.1502-21 Net operating losses.
Show 14 more
- § 1.1502-22 Consolidated capital gain and loss.
- § 1.1502-36 Unified loss rule.
- § 1.1502-90 Table of contents.
- § 1.1502-91 Application of section 382 with respect to a consolidated group.
- § 1.1502-92 Ownership change of a loss group or a loss subgroup.
- § 1.1502-93 Consolidated section 382 limitation (or subgroup section 382 limitation).
- § 1.1502-94 Coordination with section 382 and the regulations thereunder when a corporation becomes a member of a consolidated group.
- § 1.1502-95 Rules on ceasing to be a member of a consolidated group (or loss subgroup).
- § 1.1502-96 Miscellaneous rules.
- § 1.1502-98 Coordination with sections 383 and 163(j).
- § 1.1502-99 Effective/applicability dates.
- § 1.1503(d)-4 Domestic use limitation and related operating rules.
- § 1.1503(d)-6 Exceptions to the domestic use limitation rule.
- § 301.9100-8 Time and manner of making certain elections under the Technical and Miscellaneous Revenue Act of 1988.
Amendment history
From the source credit and the official notes, newest first.
- Amended by Pub. L. 115–97Parts changed in 2017: (d)(3) (k)(1) (l)(3)(B)(iii)
- Amended by Pub. L. 113–295Parts changed in 2014: (l)(5)(F)
- Amended by Pub. L. 111–5Parts changed in 2009: (n)
- Amended by Pub. L. 108–357Parts changed in 2004: (l)(4)(B)(ii)
- Amended by Pub. L. 104–188Parts changed in 1996: (l)(4)(B)(ii)
- Amended by Pub. L. 103–66Parts changed in 1993: (l)(5)(C)
- Amended by Pub. L. 101–239Parts changed in 1989: (h)(3)(B)(i) (h)(6)(B) (h)(6)(C) (l)(3)(B)(i)(III) (l)(3)(C) (l)(3)(C)(ii) (l)(3)(D) (l)(5)(F)
- Amended by Pub. L. 101–73
- Amended by Pub. L. 100–647Parts changed in 1988: (e)(2) (e)(3) (g)(1)(A) (g)(1)(B) (g)(4)(C) (h)(1)(C) (h)(3)(A)(ii) (h)(3)(B)(ii) (h)(4) (h)(5)(A) (h)(6) (h)(9) (i)(3) (k)(1) (k)(2) (l)(3)(A)(iv) (l)(3)(C)(ii) (l)(4)(B)(ii) (l)(5)(A)(ii) (l)(5)(B) (l)(5)(C) (l)(5)(E) (l)(5)(F) (l)(5)(F)(i)(I) (l)(5)(F)(ii)(III) (l)(5)(F)(iii)(I) (l)(6) (l)(8) (m)(4) (m)(5)
- Amended by Pub. L. 100–203Parts changed in 1987: (g)(4)(D) (h)(2)(B)
- Amended by Pub. L. 99–514
- Amended by Pub. L. 98–369Parts changed in 1984: (b)(1)
- Amended by Pub. L. 97–34Parts changed in 1981: (b)(7)
- Amended by Pub. L. 96–589Parts changed in 1980: (b)(7)
- Amended by Pub. L. 94–455
- Enacted by Pub. L. 88–554Parts changed in 1964: (a)(3)
Where it sits in the Code
- Subtitle A Income Taxes
- Chapter 1 NORMAL TAXES AND SURTAXES
- Subchapter C Corporate Distributions and Adjustments
- Part V CARRYOVERS
Nearby sections
- § 381 Carryovers in certain corporate acquisitions
- § 382 Limitation on net operating loss carryforwards and certain built-in losses following ownership change
- § 383 Special limitations on certain excess credits, etc.
- § 384 Limitation on use of preacquisition losses to offset built-in gains
Official notes
The Law Revision Counsel's notes for this section (amendments, effective dates and related laws) are long, so they have their own page.