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Internal Revenue Code · 26 U.S.C.

§ 474. Simplified dollar-value LIFO method for certain small businesses

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. § 474

At a glance

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

Status
In force
Added
August 13, 1981 by Pub. L. 97–34
Last amended
October 22, 1986 by Pub. L. 99–514
Amendments
1 dated changes in the source credit
Length
4 subsections · 651 words · about 3 min to read
Defines
3 terms
Cross-references
cites 3; cited by 0 Code sections and 1 other regulation
(a) General rule

An eligible small business may elect to use the simplified dollar-value method of pricing inventories for purposes of the LIFO method.

(b) Simplified dollar-value method of pricing inventories For purposes of this section—
(1) In general The simplified dollar-value method of pricing inventories is a dollar-value method of pricing inventories under which—
(A) the taxpayer maintains a separate inventory pool for items in each major category in the applicable Government price index, and
(B) the adjustment for each such separate pool is based on the change from the preceding taxable year in the component of such index for the major category.
(2) Applicable Government price index The term “applicable Government price index” means—
(A) except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Producer Price Index published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, or
(B) in the case of a retailer using the retail method, the Consumer Price Index published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
(3) Major category The term “major category” means—
(A) in the case of the Producer Price Index, any of the 2-digit standard industrial classifications in the Producer Prices Data Report, or
(B) in the case of the Consumer Price Index, any of the general expenditure categories in the Consumer Price Index Detailed Report.
(c) Eligible small business

For purposes of this section, a taxpayer is an eligible small business for any taxable year if the average annual gross receipts of the taxpayer for the 3 preceding taxable years do not exceed $5,000,000. For purposes of the preceding sentence, rules similar to the rules of section 448(c)(3) shall apply.

(d) Special rules For purposes of this section—
(1) Controlled groups
(A) In general

In the case of a taxpayer which is a member of a controlled group, all persons which are component members of such group shall be treated as 1 taxpayer for purposes of determining the gross receipts of the taxpayer.

(B) Controlled group defined

For purposes of subparagraph (A), persons shall be treated as being component members of a controlled group if such persons would be treated as a single employer under section 52.

(2) Election
(A) In general

The election under this section may be made without the consent of the Secretary.

(B) Period to which election applies The election under this section shall apply—
(i) to the taxable year for which it is made, and
(ii) to all subsequent taxable years for which the taxpayer is an eligible small business,
unless the taxpayer secures the consent of the Secretary to the revocation of such election.
(3) LIFO method

The term “LIFO method” means the method provided by section 472(b).

(4) Transitional rules
(A) In general In the case of a year of change under this section—
(i) the inventory pools shall—
(I) in the case of the 1st taxable year to which such an election applies, be established in accordance with the major categories in the applicable Government price index, or
(II) in the case of the 1st taxable year after such election ceases to apply, be established in the manner provided by regulations under section 472;
(ii) the aggregate dollar amount of the taxpayer’s inventory as of the beginning of the year of change shall be the same as the aggregate dollar value as of the close of the taxable year preceding the year of change, and
(iii) the year of change shall be treated as a new base year in accordance with procedures provided by regulations under section 472.
(B) Year of change For purposes of this paragraph, the year of change under this section is—
(i) the 1st taxable year to which an election under this section applies, or
(ii) in the case of a cessation of such an election, the 1st taxable year after such election ceases to apply.

(Added Pub. L. 97–34, title II, § 237(a), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 252; amended Pub. L. 99–514, title VIII, § 802(a), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2348.)

Terms defined here

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Cross-references

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

This section cites 3 other sections

Cited in 1 regulation not issued under it

Amendment history

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

  1. Amended by Pub. L. 99–514
  2. Added by Pub. L. 97–34

Where it sits in the Code

  1. Subtitle A Income Taxes
  2. Chapter 1 NORMAL TAXES AND SURTAXES
  3. Subchapter E Accounting Periods and Methods of Accounting
  4. Part II METHODS OF ACCOUNTING
  5. Subpart D Inventories

Nearby sections

Official notes

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

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1986—Pub. L. 99–514 amended section generally, substituting provisions relating to election by eligible small business to use simplified dollar-value method of pricing inventories for purposes of LIFO method for provisions relating to election by eligible small business which uses dollar-value method of pricing inventories under method provided by section 472(b) of this title to use one inventory pool for any trade or business of such eligible small business.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Pub. L. 99–514, title VIII, § 802(c), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2350, provided that:

“(1) In general.— The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1986.
“(2) Treatment of taxpayers who made elections under existing section 474.— The amendments made by this section shall not apply to any taxpayer who made an election under section 474 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 22, 1986]) for any period during which such election is in effect. Notwithstanding any provision of such section 474 (as so in effect), an election under such section may be revoked without the consent of the Secretary.”

Effective Date

Pub. L. 97–34, title II, § 237(c), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 253, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [enacting this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1981.”