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Internal Revenue Code · 26 U.S.C.

§ 504. Status after organization ceases to qualify for exemption under section 501(c)(3) because of substantial lobbying or because of political activities

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. § 504

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 22, 1987 by Pub. L. 100–203
Amendments
1 dated changes in the source credit
Length
3 subsections · 242 words · about 1 min to read
Cross-references
cites 1; cited by 0 Code sections and 4 other regulations
Regulations
2 issued under this section
(a) General rule An organization which—
(1) was exempt (or was determined by the Secretary to be exempt) from taxation under section 501(a) by reason of being an organization described in section 501(c)(3), and
(2) is not an organization described in section 501(c)(3)—
(A) by reason of carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting, to influence legislation, or
(B) by reason of participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office,
shall not at any time thereafter be treated as an organization described in section 501(c)(4).
(b) Regulations to prevent avoidance

The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary or appropriate to prevent the avoidance of subsection (a), including regulations relating to a direct or indirect transfer of all or part of the assets of an organization to an organization controlled (directly or indirectly) by the same person or persons who control the transferor organization.

(c) Churches, etc.

Subsection (a) shall not apply to any organization which is a disqualified organization within the meaning of section 501(h)(5) (relating to churches, etc.) for the taxable year immediately preceding the first taxable year for which such organization is described in paragraph (2) of subsection (a).

(Added Pub. L. 94–455, title XIII, § 1307(a)(2), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1721; amended Pub. L. 100–203, title X, § 10711(b)(1), (2)(A), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–464.)

Regulations under this section

Treasury regulations (26 CFR) issued under § 504

Cross-references

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

This section cites 1 other section

Cited in 4 regulations not issued under it

Amendment history

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

  1. Amended by Pub. L. 100–203Parts changed in 1987: (a)(2)
  2. 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 F Exempt Organizations
  4. Part I GENERAL RULE

Nearby sections

Official notes

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

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 504, acts Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 168; Oct. 22, 1968, Pub. L. 90–630, § 6(a), 82 Stat. 1330, related to denial of exemption, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 91–172, title I, § 101(j)(15), Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 527. For effective date of repeal, see section 101(k)(2)(B) of Pub. L. 91–172, set out as an Effective Date note under section 4940 of this title.

Amendments

1987—Pub. L. 100–203, § 10711(b)(2)(A), substituted “substantial lobbying or because of political activities” for “substantial lobbying” in section catchline.

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 100–203, § 10711(b)(1), amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows: “is not an organization described in section 501(c)(3) by reason of carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting, to influence legislation,”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1987 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 100–203 applicable with respect to activities after Dec. 22, 1987, see section 10711(c) of Pub. L. 100–203, set out as a note under section 170 of this title.

Construction of Amendment

Pub. L. 94–455, title XIII, § 1307(a)(3), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1722, provided that: “It is the intent of Congress that enactment of this section [amending section 501 and enacting section 504 of this title] is not to be regarded in any way as an approval or disapproval of the decision of the Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit in Christian Echoes National Ministry, Inc. versus United States, 470 F.2d 849 (1972), or of the reasoning in any of the opinions leading to that decision.”