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Internal Revenue Code · 26 U.S.C.

§ 56. Adjustments in computing alternative minimum taxable income

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. § 56

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
July 4, 2025 by Pub. L. 119–21
Amendments
29 dated changes in the source credit
Length
5 subsections · 2,768 words · about 12 min to read
Defines
6 terms
Cross-references
cites 29; cited by 8 Code sections and 44 other regulations
Regulations
3 issued under this section
(a) Adjustments applicable to all taxpayers In determining the amount of the alternative minimum taxable income for any taxable year the following treatment shall apply (in lieu of the treatment applicable for purposes of computing the regular tax):
(1) Depreciation
(A) In general
(i) Property other than certain personal property

Except as provided in clause (ii), the depreciation deduction allowable under section 167 with respect to any tangible property placed in service after December 31, 1986, shall be determined under the alternative system of section 168(g). In the case of property placed in service after December 31, 1998, the preceding sentence shall not apply but clause (ii) shall continue to apply.

(ii) 150-percent declining balance method for certain property The method of depreciation used shall be—
(I) the 150 percent declining balance method,
(II) switching to the straight line method for the 1st taxable year for which using the straight line method with respect to the adjusted basis as of the beginning of the year will yield a higher allowance.
The preceding sentence shall not apply to any section 1250 property (as defined in section 1250(c)) (and the straight line method shall be used for such section 1250 property) or to any other property if the depreciation deduction determined under section 168 with respect to such other property for purposes of the regular tax is determined by using the straight line method.
(B) Exception for certain property

This paragraph shall not apply to property described in paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (4) of section 168(f), or in section 168(e)(3)(C)(iv).

(C) Coordination with transitional rules
(i) In general

This paragraph shall not apply to property placed in service after December 31, 1986, to which the amendments made by section 201 of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 do not apply by reason of section 203, 204, or 251(d) of such Act.

(ii) Treatment of certain property placed in service before 1987

This paragraph shall apply to any property to which the amendments made by section 201 of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 apply by reason of an election under section 203(a)(1)(B) of such Act without regard to the requirement of subparagraph (A) that the property be placed in service after December 31, 1986.

(D) Normalization rules

With respect to public utility property described in section 168(i)(10), the Secretary shall prescribe the requirements of a normalization method of accounting for this section.

(2) Mining exploration and development costs
(A) In general

With respect to each mine or other natural deposit (other than an oil, gas, or geothermal well) of the taxpayer, the amount allowable as a deduction under section 616(a) or 617(a) (determined without regard to section 291(b)) in computing the regular tax for costs paid or incurred after December 31, 1986, shall be capitalized and amortized ratably over the 10-year period beginning with the taxable year in which the expenditures were made.

(B) Loss allowed If a loss is sustained with respect to any property described in subparagraph (A), a deduction shall be allowed for the expenditures described in subparagraph (A) for the taxable year in which such loss is sustained in an amount equal to the lesser of—
(i) the amount allowable under section 165(a) for the expenditures if they had remained capitalized, or
(ii) the amount of such expenditures which have not previously been amortized under subparagraph (A).
(3) Treatment of certain long-term contracts

In the case of any long-term contract entered into by the taxpayer on or after March 1, 1986, the taxable income from such contract shall be determined under the percentage of completion method of accounting (as modified by section 460(b)). For purposes of the preceding sentence, in the case of a contract described in section 460(e)(1), the percentage of the contract completed shall be determined under section 460(b)(1) by using the simplified procedures for allocation of costs prescribed under section 460(b)(3). The first sentence of this paragraph shall not apply to any residential construction contract (as defined in section 460(e)(4)).

(4) Alternative tax net operating loss deduction

The alternative tax net operating loss deduction shall be allowed in lieu of the net operating loss deduction allowed under section 172.

(5) Pollution control facilities

In the case of any certified pollution control facility placed in service after December 31, 1986, the deduction allowable under section 169 (without regard to section 291) shall be determined under the alternative system of section 168(g). In the case of such a facility placed in service after December 31, 1998, such deduction shall be determined under section 168 using the straight line method.

(6) Adjusted basis

The adjusted basis of any property to which paragraph (1) or (5) applies (or with respect to which there are any expenditures to which paragraph (2) or subsection (b)(2) applies) shall be determined on the basis of the treatment prescribed in paragraph (1), (2), or (5), or subsection (b)(2), whichever applies.

(7) Section 87 not applicable

Section 87 (relating to alcohol fuel credit) shall not apply.

(b) Adjustments applicable to individuals In determining the amount of the alternative minimum taxable income of any taxpayer (other than a corporation), the following treatment shall apply (in lieu of the treatment applicable for purposes of computing the regular tax):
(1) Limitation on deductions
(A) In general No deduction shall be allowed—
(i) for any miscellaneous itemized deduction (as defined in section 67(b)), or
(ii) for any taxes described in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of section 164(a) or clause (ii) of section 164(b)(5)(A).
Clause (ii) shall not apply to any amount allowable in computing adjusted gross income.
(B) Interest In determining the amount allowable as a deduction for interest, subsections (d) and (h) of section 163 shall apply, except that—
(i) in lieu of the exception under section 163(h)(2)(D), the term “personal interest” shall not include any qualified housing interest (as defined in subsection (e)),
(ii) interest on any specified private activity bond (and any amount treated as interest on a specified private activity bond under section 57(a)(5)(B)), and any deduction referred to in section 57(a)(5)(A), shall be treated as includible in gross income (or as deductible) for purposes of applying section 163(d),
(iii) in lieu of the exception under section 163(d)(3)(B)(i), the term “investment interest” shall not include any qualified housing interest (as defined in subsection (e)), and
(iv) the adjustments of this section and sections 57 and 58 shall apply in determining net investment income under section 163(d).
(C) Treatment of certain recoveries

No recovery of any tax to which subparagraph (A)(ii) applied shall be included in gross income for purposes of determining alternative minimum taxable income.

(D) Standard deduction and deduction for personal exemptions not allowed

The standard deduction under section 63(c), the deduction for personal exemptions under section 151, and the deduction under section 642(b) shall not be allowed.

(E) Section 68 not applicable

Section 68 shall not apply.

(2) Circulation and research and experimental expenditures
(A) In general The amount allowable as a deduction under section 173, 174(a), or 174A(a) in computing the regular tax for amounts paid or incurred after December 31, 1986, shall be capitalized and—
(i) in the case of circulation expenditures described in section 173, shall be amortized ratably over the 3-year period beginning with the taxable year in which the expenditures were made, or
(ii) in the case of foreign research or experimental expenditures described in section 174(a) and domestic research or experimental expenditures in section 174A(a), shall be amortized ratably over the 10-year period beginning with the taxable year in which the expenditures were made.
(B) Loss allowed If a loss is sustained with respect to any property described in subparagraph (A), a deduction shall be allowed for the expenditures described in subparagraph (A) for the taxable year in which such loss is sustained in an amount equal to the lesser of—
(i) the amount allowable under section 165(a) for the expenditures if they had remained capitalized, or
(ii) the amount of such expenditures which have not previously been amortized under subparagraph (A).
(C) Exception for certain research and experimental expenditures

If the taxpayer materially participates (within the meaning of section 469(h)) in an activity, this paragraph shall not apply to any amount allowable as a deduction under section 174(a) or 174A(a) for expenditures paid or incurred in connection with such activity.

(3) Treatment of incentive stock options

Section 421 shall not apply to the transfer of stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an incentive stock option (as defined in section 422). Section 422(c)(2) shall apply in any case where the disposition and the inclusion for purposes of this part are within the same taxable year and such section shall not apply in any other case. The adjusted basis of any stock so acquired shall be determined on the basis of the treatment prescribed by this paragraph.

[(c) Repealed. Pub. L. 115–97, title I, § 12001(b)(8)(A), Dec. 22, 2017, 131 Stat. 2093]
(d) Alternative tax net operating loss deduction defined
(1) In general For purposes of subsection (a)(4), the term “alternative tax net operating loss deduction” means the net operating loss deduction allowable for the taxable year under section 172, except that—
(A) the amount of such deduction shall not exceed the sum of—
(i) the lesser of—
(I) the amount of such deduction attributable to net operating losses (other than the deduction described in clause (ii)(I)), or
(II) 90 percent of alternative minimum taxable income determined without regard to such deduction and the deduction under section 199,11 See References in Text note below. plus
(ii) the lesser of—
(I) the amount of such deduction attributable to an applicable net operating loss with respect to which an election is made under section 172(b)(1)(H) (as in effect before its repeal by the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014), or
(II) alternative minimum taxable income determined without regard to such deduction and the deduction under section 199 1 reduced by the amount determined under clause (i), and
(B) in determining the amount of such deduction—
(i) the net operating loss (within the meaning of section 172(c)) for any loss year shall be adjusted as provided in paragraph (2), and
(ii) appropriate adjustments in the application of section 172(b)(2) shall be made to take into account the limitation of subparagraph (A).
(2) Adjustments to net operating loss computation
(A) Post-1986 loss years In the case of a loss year beginning after December 31, 1986, the net operating loss for such year under section 172(c) shall—
(i) be determined with the adjustments provided in this section and section 58, and
(ii) be reduced by the items of tax preference determined under section 57 for such year.
An item of tax preference shall be taken into account under clause (ii) only to the extent such item increased the amount of the net operating loss for the taxable year under section 172(c).
(B) Pre-1987 years

In the case of loss years beginning before January 1, 1987, the amount of the net operating loss which may be carried over to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1986, for purposes of paragraph (2), shall be equal to the amount which may be carried from the loss year to the first taxable year of the taxpayer beginning after December 31, 1986.

(e) Qualified housing interest For purposes of this part—
(1) In general The term “qualified housing interest” means interest which is qualified residence interest (as defined in section 163(h)(3)) and is paid or accrued during the taxable year on indebtedness which is incurred in acquiring, constructing, or substantially improving any property which—
(A) is the principal residence (within the meaning of section 121) of the taxpayer at the time such interest accrues, or
(B) is a qualified dwelling which is a qualified residence (within the meaning of section 163(h)(5)).
Such term also includes interest on any indebtedness resulting from the refinancing of indebtedness meeting the requirements of the preceding sentence; but only to the extent that the amount of the indebtedness resulting from such refinancing does not exceed the amount of the refinanced indebtedness immediately before the refinancing.
(2) Qualified dwelling The term “qualified dwelling” means any—
(A) house,
(B) apartment,
(C) condominium, or
(D) mobile home not used on a transient basis (within the meaning of section 7701(a)(19)(C)(v)),
including all structures or other property appurtenant thereto.
(3) Special rule for indebtedness incurred before July 1, 1982 The term “qualified housing interest” includes interest which is qualified residence interest (as defined in section 163(h)(3)) and is paid or accrued on indebtedness which—
(A) was incurred by the taxpayer before July 1, 1982, and
(B) is secured by property which, at the time such indebtedness was incurred, was—
(i) the principal residence (within the meaning of section 121) of the taxpayer, or
(ii) a qualified dwelling used by the taxpayer (or any member of his family (within the meaning of section 267(c)(4))).

(Added Pub. L. 99–514, title VII, § 701(a), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2322; amended Pub. L. 100–203, title X, §§ 10202(d), 10243(a), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–392, 1330–423; Pub. L. 100–647, title I, §§ 1002(a)(12), 1007(b)(1)–(14)(A), (15)–(19), title II, §§ 2001(c)(3)(A), 2004(b)(2), (3), title V, § 5041(b)(4), title VI, §§ 6079(a)(1), 6303(a), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3355, 3428–3432, 3594, 3599, 3674, 3709, 3755; Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, §§ 7205(b), 7611(a)–(f)(4), 7612(c)(1), (d)(1), 7811(d)(3), 7815(e)(2), (4), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2335, 2371–2374, 2408, 2419; Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, §§ 11103(b), 11301(b), 11531(a), (b)(1), 11704(a)(1), 11801(a)(3), (c)(2)(A)–(C), (9)(G), 11812(b)(4), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–406, 1388–449, 1388–488, 1388–490, 1388–518, 1388–520, 1388–522, 1388–523, 1388–526, 1388–535; Pub. L. 102–486, title XIX, § 1915(a)(2), (b)(2), (c)(1), (2), Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3023, 3024; Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, §§ 13115(a), 13171(b), 13227(c), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 432, 454, 493; Pub. L. 104–188, title I, §§ 1601(b)(2)(B), (C), 1621(b)(2), 1702(c)(1), (e)(1)(A), (g)(4), (h)(12), 1704(t)(1), (48), Aug. 20, 1996, 110 Stat. 1832, 1833, 1867, 1869, 1870, 1873, 1874, 1887, 1889; Pub. L. 105–34, title III, § 312(d)(1), title IV, §§ 402, 403(a), title XII, § 1212(a), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 839, 844, 1000; Pub. L. 105–277, div. J, title IV, § 4006(c)(2), Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–912; Pub. L. 106–519, § 4(1), Nov. 15, 2000, 114 Stat. 2432; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(7) [title III, § 314(d)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–643; Pub. L. 107–147, title I, § 102(c)(1), title IV, § 417(5), Mar. 9, 2002, 116 Stat. 26, 56; Pub. L. 108–173, title XII, § 1202(b), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2480; Pub. L. 108–311, title IV, § 403(b)(4), Oct. 4, 2004, 118 Stat. 1187; Pub. L. 108–357, title I, §§ 101(b)(4), 102(b), title II, § 248(b)(1), title IV, § 422(b), title VIII, § 835(b)(1), Oct. 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 1423, 1428, 1457, 1519, 1593; Pub. L. 109–58, title XIII, § 1326(d), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 1017; Pub. L. 109–135, title IV, § 403(a)(14), (r)(2), Dec. 21, 2005, 119 Stat. 2619, 2628; Pub. L. 109–304, § 17(e)(1), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1707; Pub. L. 110–172, § 11(g)(1), (2), Dec. 29, 2007, 121 Stat. 2489, 2490; Pub. L. 110–289, div. C, title I, § 3022(a)(2), July 30, 2008, 122 Stat. 2894; Pub. L. 110–343, div. C, title VII, §§ 706(b)(3), 708(c), Oct. 3, 2008, 122 Stat. 3922, 3925; Pub. L. 111–5, div. B, title I, §§ 1008(d), 1503(b), Feb. 17, 2009, 123 Stat. 318, 354; Pub. L. 111–92, § 13(b), Nov. 6, 2009, 123 Stat. 2993; Pub. L. 111–148, title IX, § 9013(c), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 868; Pub. L. 113–295, div. A, title II, §§ 215(b), 221(a)(9), (25)(B), (30)(C), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 4034, 4038, 4040, 4042; Pub. L. 115–97, title I, §§ 11027(b), 12001(b)(7), (8)(A), Dec. 22, 2017, 131 Stat. 2077, 2093; Pub. L. 115–141, div. U, title IV, § 401(b)(7), (8), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1202; Pub. L. 116–94, div. Q, title I, § 103(b), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 3228; Pub. L. 119–21, title VII, §§ 70203(d)(1), 70302(b)(3), 70430(b), July 4, 2025, 139 Stat. 179, 192, 239.)

Terms defined here

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Regulations under this section

Treasury regulations (26 CFR) issued under § 56

Cross-references

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

This section cites 29 other sections

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Cited by 8 Code sections

Cited in 44 regulations not issued under it

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Amendment history

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

  1. Amended by Pub. L. 119–21Parts changed in 2025: (a)(3) (b)(2)(A) (b)(2)(A)(ii) (b)(2)(C) (e)(1)(B)
  2. Amended by Pub. L. 116–94Parts changed in 2019: (b)(1)(B)
  3. Amended by Pub. L. 115–141Parts changed in 2018: (b)(1)(E) (d)(1)(A)(ii)(I)
  4. Amended by Pub. L. 115–97Parts changed in 2017: (b)(1)(B) (b)(2)(C) (c) (g)
  5. Amended by Pub. L. 113–295Parts changed in 2014: (b)(1)(C)(ii) (d)(3) (g)(4)(C)(iv) (g)(4)(F)(ii)
  6. Amended by Pub. L. 111–148Parts changed in 2010: (b)(1)(B)
  7. Amended by Pub. L. 111–92Parts changed in 2009: (b)(1)(E) (d)(1)(A)(ii)(I) (g)(4)(B)(iv)
  8. Amended by Pub. L. 111–5
  9. Amended by Pub. L. 110–343Parts changed in 2008: (b)(1)(E) (d)(3) (g)(4)(B)(iii)
  10. Amended by Pub. L. 110–289
  11. Amended by Pub. L. 110–172Parts changed in 2007: (g)(4)(C)(ii)(I) (g)(4)(C)(iv)
  12. Amended by Pub. L. 109–304Parts changed in 2006: (c)(2)
  13. Amended by Pub. L. 109–135Parts changed in 2005: (a)(1)(B) (b)(1)(A)(ii) (d)(1)(A)(i)(II)
  14. Amended by Pub. L. 109–58
  15. Amended by Pub. L. 108–357Parts changed in 2004: (d)(1)(A)(i)(I) (d)(1)(A)(ii)(I) (g)(4)(B)(i) (g)(4)(C)(v) (g)(4)(C)(vi) (g)(6)
  16. Amended by Pub. L. 108–311
  17. Amended by Pub. L. 108–173Parts changed in 2003: (g)(4)(B)(i)
  18. Amended by Pub. L. 107–147Parts changed in 2002: (a)(1)(A)(ii) (d)(1)(A)
  19. Amended by Pub. L. 106–554Parts changed in 2000: (a)(1)(A)(ii) (g)(4)(B)(i)
  20. Amended by Pub. L. 106–519
  21. Amended by Pub. L. 105–277Parts changed in 1998: (a)(3)
  22. Amended by Pub. L. 105–34Parts changed in 1997: (a)(1)(A)(i) (a)(5) (a)(6) (e)(1)(A) (g)(4)(B)(i)
  23. Amended by Pub. L. 104–188Parts changed in 1996: (b)(3) (d)(1)(B)(ii) (g)(1) (g)(4)(C)(ii)(I) (g)(4)(C)(ii)(II) (g)(4)(C)(iii)(VI) (g)(4)(D)(iii) (g)(4)(H) (g)(6)
  24. Amended by Pub. L. 103–66Parts changed in 1993: (g)(4)(A)(i) (g)(4)(C)(ii)(I) (g)(4)(C)(iii)(IV) (g)(4)(J)
  25. Amended by Pub. L. 102–486Parts changed in 1992: (d)(1)(A) (g)(4)(D)(i) (g)(4)(F) (h)
  26. Amended by Pub. L. 101–508Parts changed in 1990: (a)(1)(D) (b)(1)(F) (b)(3) (c)(1) (d)(1)(A) (f) (g)(1) (g)(4)(C)(iii) (g)(4)(D)(ii) (g)(4)(F) (h)
  27. Amended by Pub. L. 101–239Parts changed in 1989: (a)(3) (b)(2)(D) (b)(3) (g)(4)(A)(i) (g)(4)(A)(iii) (g)(4)(A)(v) (g)(4)(B)(i) (g)(4)(B)(iii) (g)(4)(C)(ii) (g)(4)(C)(iv) (g)(4)(D) (g)(4)(D)(i)(IV) (g)(4)(G) (g)(4)(H) (g)(4)(H)(i) (g)(5)(A) (g)(5)(B) (g)(5)(C) (g)(5)(D)
  28. Amended by Pub. L. 100–647Parts changed in 1988: (a)(1)(A)(i) (a)(1)(C)(i) (a)(3) (a)(8) (b)(1) (b)(1)(C)(ii) (b)(1)(C)(iii) (b)(1)(C)(iv) (b)(1)(E) (b)(3) (c)(1) (c)(1)(B) (d)(2)(A) (e)(1) (e)(1)(A) (e)(1)(B) (e)(3) (f)(2)(B) (f)(2)(F) (f)(2)(I) (f)(3)(A)(iii) (f)(3)(B) (f)(3)(C) (g)(4)(A)(vi) (g)(4)(B)(iii) (g)(4)(C)(iii) (g)(4)(I)
  29. Amended by Pub. L. 100–203Parts changed in 1987: (a)(6) (f)(2)(H)
  30. Added by Pub. L. 99–514

Where it sits in the Code

  1. Subtitle A Income Taxes
  2. Chapter 1 NORMAL TAXES AND SURTAXES
  3. Subchapter A Determination of Tax Liability
  4. Part VI ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX

Nearby sections

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.