Internal Revenue Code · 26 U.S.C.
§ 863. Special rules for determining source
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. § 863
At a glance
Read from the text, the source credit and the official notes. Not part of the law.
- Status
- In force
- Enacted
- October 4, 1976 by Pub. L. 94–455
- Last amended
- December 22, 2017 by Pub. L. 115–97
- Amendments
- 6 dated changes in the source credit
- Length
- 5 subsections · 1,168 words · about 5 min to read
- Defines
- 5 terms
- Cross-references
- cites 4; cited by 5 Code sections and 11 other regulations
- Regulations
- 13 issued under this section
Items of gross income, expenses, losses, and deductions, other than those specified in sections 861(a) and 862(a), shall be allocated or apportioned to sources within or without the United States, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary. Where items of gross income are separately allocated to sources within the United States, there shall be deducted (for the purpose of computing the taxable income therefrom) the expenses, losses, and other deductions properly apportioned or allocated thereto and a ratable part of other expenses, losses, or other deductions which cannot definitely be allocated to some item or class of gross income. The remainder, if any, shall be included in full as taxable income from sources within the United States.
All transportation income attributable to transportation which begins and ends in the United States shall be treated as derived from sources within the United States.
In the case of any United States person, 50 percent of any international communications income shall be sourced in the United States and 50 percent of such income shall be sourced outside the United States.
Except as provided in regulations or clause (ii), in the case of any person other than a United States person, any international communications income shall be sourced outside the United States.
In the case of any person (other than a United States person) who maintains an office or other fixed place of business in the United States, any international communications income attributable to such office or other fixed place of business shall be sourced in the United States.
For purposes of this section, the term “international communications income” includes all income derived from the transmission of communications or data from the United States to any foreign country (or possession of the United States) or from any foreign country (or possession of the United States) to the United States.
(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 277; Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, §§ 1901(b)(26)(C), (D), 1906(b)(13)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1798, 1799, 1834; Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title I, § 124(a), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 646; Pub. L. 99–514, title XII, §§ 1211(b)(1)(A), 1212(a), (e), 1213(a), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2536, 2539, 2540; Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1012(e)(3)(A), (f), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3500; Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, § 7811(i)(2), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2409; Pub. L. 105–34, title XI, § 1174(a)(2), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 989; Pub. L. 115–97, title I, § 14303(a), Dec. 22, 2017, 131 Stat. 2225.)
Terms defined here
Where the text says “the term … means”. Select a term to jump to its definition.
Regulations under this section
Treasury regulations (26 CFR) issued under § 863
- § 1.863-0 Table of contents.
- § 1.863-0A Table of contents.
- § 1.863-1 Allocation of gross income under section 863(a).
- § 1.863-2 Allocation and apportionment of taxable income.
- § 1.863-3 Allocation and apportionment of income from certain sales of inventory.
- § 1.863-3A Income from the sale of personal property derived partly from within and partly from without the United States.
- § 1.863-3AT Income from the sale of personal property derived partly from within and partly from without the United States (temporary regulations).
- § 1.863-4 Certain transportation services.
- § 1.863-6 Income from sources within a foreign country.
- § 1.863-7 Allocation of income attributable to certain notional principal contracts under section 863(a).
- § 1.863-8 Source of income derived from space and ocean activity under section 863(d).
- § 1.863-9 Source of income derived from communications activity under section 863(a), (d), and (e).
- § 1.863-10 Source of income from a qualified fails charge.
Cross-references
Computed from the citations in the text of Title 26 and 26 CFR.
This section cites 4 other sections
- § 861(a) Income from sources within the United States
- § 862(a) Income from sources without the United States
- § 865(i)(1) Source rules for personal property sales
- § 638 Continental shelf areas
Cited by 5 Code sections
- § 818(f)(1) Other definitions and special rules
- § 864(g)(1) Definitions and special rules
- § 865(b)(2) Source rules for personal property sales
- § 887(b)(1) Imposition of tax on gross transportation income of nonresident aliens and foreign corporations
- § 904(b)(6)(A)(iii) Limitation on credit
Cited in 11 regulations not issued under it
- § 1.58-7 Tax preferences attributable to foreign sources; preferences other than capital gains and stock options.
- § 1.861-1 Income from sources within the United States.
- § 1.861-7 Sale of personal property.
- § 1.861-8 Computation of taxable income from sources within the United States and from other sources and activities.
- § 1.873-1 Deductions allowed nonresident alien individuals.
- § 1.883-1 Exclusion of income from the international operation of ships or aircraft.
- § 1.904-4 Separate application of section 904 with respect to certain categories of income.
- § 1.936-6 Intangible property income when an election out is made: Cost sharing and profit split options; covered intangibles.
- § 1.936-10 Qualified investments.
- § 1.937-2 Income from sources within a possession.
- § 1.1502-13 Intercompany transactions.
Amendment history
From the source credit and the official notes, newest first.
- Amended by Pub. L. 115–97Parts changed in 2017: (b)
- Amended by Pub. L. 105–34Parts changed in 1997: (c)(2)(B)
- Amended by Pub. L. 101–239Parts changed in 1989: (b)(2)
- Amended by Pub. L. 100–647Parts changed in 1988: (e)(2)
- Amended by Pub. L. 99–514Parts changed in 1986: (b)(1) (b)(2) (c)(2) (d)
- Amended by Pub. L. 98–369Parts changed in 1984: (c)
- Enacted by Pub. L. 94–455Parts changed in 1976: (a) (b)
Where it sits in the Code
- Subtitle A Income Taxes
- Chapter 1 NORMAL TAXES AND SURTAXES
- Subchapter N Tax Based on Income From Sources Within or Without the United States
- Part I SOURCE RULES AND OTHER GENERAL RULES RELATING TO FOREIGN INCOME
Nearby sections
Official notes
Show the Law Revision Counsel's notes (amendments, effective dates)
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2017—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 115–97 inserted at end of concluding provisions “Gains, profits, and income from the sale or exchange of inventory property described in paragraph (2) shall be allocated and apportioned between sources within and without the United States solely on the basis of the production activities with respect to the property.”
1997—Subsec. (c)(2)(B). Pub. L. 105–34 inserted concluding provisions “In the case of transportation income derived from, or in connection with, a vessel, this subparagraph shall only apply if the taxpayer is a citizen or resident alien.”
1989—Subsec. (b)(2), (3). Pub. L. 101–239 substituted “865(i)(1)” for “865(h)(1)”.
1988—Pub. L. 100–647, § 1012(e)(3)(A), substituted “Special rules for determining source” for “Item not specified in section 861 or 862” in section catchline.
Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1012(f), substituted “foreign country (or possession of the United States)” for “foreign country” in two places.
1986—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1212(e), substituted “services” for “transportation or other services”.
Subsec. (b)(2), (3). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1211(b)(1)(A), substituted “inventory property (within the meaning of section 865(h)(1))” for “personal property”.
Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1212(a), amended par. (2) generally, in subpar. (A) substituting provisions relating to other transportation having United States connections for provisions relating to transportation between United States and any possession, and in subpar. (B) substituting provisions relating to special rule for personal service income for provisions relating to special rule for certain lessors of aircraft.
Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1213(a), added subsecs. (d) and (e).
1984—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 98–369 added subsec. (c).
1976—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1906(b)(13)(A), struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary”.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 94–455, §§ 1901(b)(26)(C), (D), 1906(b)(13)(A), struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary” in introductory provisions, and inserted “or exchange” after “sale” in pars. (2) and (3), and “or exchanged” after “sold” in par. (2) wherever appearing.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2017 Amendment
Pub. L. 115–97, title I, § 14303(b), Dec. 22, 2017, 131 Stat. 2225, provided that: “The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017.”
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 105–34 applicable to remuneration for services performed in taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1997, see section 1174(c) of Pub. L. 105–34, set out as a note under section 7701 of this title.
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 101–239 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provision of the Technical and Miscellaneous Revenue Act of 1988, Pub. L. 100–647, to which such amendment relates, see section 7817 of Pub. L. 101–239, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 100–647 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provision of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, Pub. L. 99–514, to which such amendment relates, see section 1019(a) of Pub. L. 100–647, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Amendment by section 1211(b)(1)(A) of Pub. L. 99–514 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1986, except as otherwise provided, see section 1211(c) of Pub. L. 99–514, set out as an Effective Date note under section 865 of this title.
Pub. L. 99–514, title XII, § 1212(f), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2539, provided that:
“(1) In general.— Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [enacting section 887 of this title and amending this section and sections 861, 872, and 883 of this title] shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1986.“(2) Special rule for certain leased property.— The amendments made by subsections (a) and (d) [amending this section and section 861 of this title] shall not apply to any income attributable to property held by the taxpayer on January 1, 1986, if such property was first leased by the taxpayer before January 1, 1986, in a lease to which section 863(c)(2)(B) or 861(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 [now 1986] (as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 22, 1986]) applied.“(3) Special rule for certain ships leased by the united states navy.—“(A) In general.— In the case of any property described in subparagraph (B), paragraph (2) shall be applied by substituting ‘1987’ for ‘1986’ each place it appears.“(B) Property to which paragraph applies.— Property described in this subparagraph consists of 4 ships which are to be leased by the United States Navy and which are the subject of Internal Revenue Service rulings bearing the following dates and which involved the following amount of financing, respectively:
“March 5, 1986
$176,844,000
February 5, 1986
64,567,000
April 22, 1986
64,598,000
May 22, 1986
175,300,000.”
Pub. L. 99–514, title XII, § 1213(b), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2541, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1986.”
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title I, § 124(b), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 647, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to transportation beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act [July 18, 1984] in taxable years ending after such date.”
Effective Date of 1976 Amendment
Amendment by section 1901(b)(26)(C), (D) of Pub. L. 94–455 effective for taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1976, see section 1901(d) of Pub. L. 94–455, set out as a note under section 2 of this title.
Applicability of Certain Amendments by Pub. L. 99–514 in Relation to Treaty Obligations of United States
For nonapplication of amendments by sections 1211(b)(1)(A) and 1212(a) of Pub. L. 99–514 to the extent application of such amendments would be contrary to any treaty obligation of the United States in effect on Oct. 22, 1986, with provision that for such purposes any amendment by title I of Pub. L. 100–647 be treated as if it had been included in the provision of Pub. L. 99–514 to which such amendment relates, see section 1012(aa)(3), (4) of Pub. L. 100–647, set out as a note under section 861 of this title.
Qualified Research and Experimental Expenditures; Allocation and Appointment; Definitions; Special Rules; Effective Dates
For allocation and apportionment of qualified research and experimental expenditures for purposes of sections 861 to 863 of this title, see section 4009 of Pub. L. 100–647, set out as a note under section 861 of this title.
1-Year Modification in Regulations Providing for Allocation of Research and Experimental Expenditures
For rule governing allocation under subsec. (b) of this section of amounts allowable as a deduction for qualified research and experimental expenditures during taxable years beginning after Aug. 1, 1986, and on or before Aug. 1, 1987, see section 1216 of Pub. L. 99–514, set out as a note under section 861 of this title.
Allocation Under Section 861 of Research and Experimental Expenditures
For purposes of subsec. (b) of this section, all amounts allowable as a deduction for qualified research and experimental expenditures are to be allocated to income from sources within the United States and deducted from such income in determining the amount of taxable income from sources within the United States for taxable years beginning after Aug. 13, 1983, and on or before Aug. 1, 1986, see section 126 of Pub. L. 98–369, set out as a note under section 861 of this title.