Internal Revenue Code · 26 U.S.C.

§ 996. Rules for allocation in the case of distributions and losses

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. § 996

At a glance

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

Status: In force
Added: December 10, 1971 by Pub. L. 92–178
Last amended: October 22, 1986 by Pub. L. 99–514
Amendments: 4 dated changes in the source credit
Length: 7 subsections · 1,081 words · about 5 min to read
Cross-references: cites 4; cited by 3 Code sections and 5 other regulations
Regulations: 8 issued under this section

¶(a) Rules for actual distributions and certain deemed distributions

¶(1) In general Any actual distribution (other than a distribution described in paragraph (2) or to which section 995(c) applies) to a shareholder by a DISC (or former DISC) which is made out of earnings and profits shall be treated as made—

¶(A) first, out of previously taxed income, to the extent thereof,

¶(B) second, out of accumulated DISC income, to the extent thereof, and

¶(C) finally, out of other earnings and profits.

¶(2) Qualifying distributions Any actual distribution made pursuant to section 992(c) (relating to distributions to meet qualification requirements), and any deemed distribution pursuant to section 995(b)(1)(G) (relating to foreign investment attributable to producer’s loans), shall be treated as made—

¶(A) first, out of accumulated DISC income, to the extent thereof,

¶(B) second, out of the earnings and profits described in paragraph (1)(C), to the extent thereof, and

¶(C) finally, out of previously taxed income.

In the case of any amount of any actual distribution to a C corporation made pursuant to section 992(c) which is required to satisfy the condition of section 992(a)(1)(A), the preceding sentence shall apply to 16/17ths of such amount and paragraph (1) shall apply to the remaining 1/17th of such amount.

¶(3) Exclusion from gross income

Amounts distributed out of previously taxed income shall be excluded by the distributee from gross income except for gains described in subsection (e)(2), and shall reduce the amount of the previously taxed income.

¶(b) Ordering rules for losses If for any taxable year a DISC, or a former DISC, incurs a deficit in earnings and profits, such deficit shall be chargeable—

¶(1) first, to earnings and profits described in subsection (a)(1)(C), to the extent thereof,

¶(2) second, to accumulated DISC income, to the extent thereof, and

¶(3) finally, to previously taxed income, except that a deficit in earnings and profits shall not be applied against accumulated DISC income which has been determined is to be deemed distributed to the shareholders (pursuant to section 995(b)(2)(A)) as a result of a revocation of election or other disqualification.

¶(c) Priority of distributions

Any actual distribution made during a taxable year shall be treated as being made subsequent to any deemed distribution made during such year. Any actual distribution made pursuant to section 992(c) (relating to distributions to meet qualification requirements) shall be treated as being made before any other actual distributions during the taxable year.

¶(d) Subsequent effect of previous disposition of DISC stock

¶(1) Shareholder previously taxed income adjustment If—

¶(A) gain with respect to a share of stock of a DISC or former DISC is treated under section 995(c) as a dividend or as ordinary income, and

¶(B) any person subsequently receives an actual distribution made out of accumulated DISC income, or a deemed distribution made pursuant to section 995(b)(2), with respect to such share,

such person shall treat such distribution in the same manner as a distribution from previously taxed income to the extent that (i) the gain referred to in subparagraph (A), exceeds (ii) any other amounts with respect to such share which were treated under this paragraph as made from previously taxed income. In applying this paragraph with respect to a share of stock in a DISC or former DISC, gain on the acquisition of such share by the DISC or former DISC or gain on a transaction prior to such acquisition shall not be considered gain referred to in subparagraph (A).

¶(2) Corporate adjustment upon redemption

If section 995(c) applies to a redemption of stock in a DISC or former DISC, the accumulated DISC income shall be reduced by an amount equal to the gain described in section 995(c) with respect to such stock which is (or has been) treated as ordinary income, except to the extent distributions with respect to such stock have been treated under paragraph (1).

¶(e) Adjustment to basis

¶(1) Additions to basis

Amounts representing deemed distributions as provided in section 995(b) shall increase the basis of the stock with respect to which the distribution is made.

¶(2) Reductions of basis

The portion of an actual distribution made out of previously taxed income shall reduce the basis of the stock with respect to which it is made, and to the extent that it exceeds the adjusted basis of such stock, shall be treated as gain from the sale or exchange of property. In the case of stock includible in the gross estate of a decedent for which an election is made under section 2032 (relating to alternate valuation), this paragraph shall not apply to any distribution made after the date of the decedent’s death and before the alternate valuation date provided by section 2032.

¶(f) Definition of divisions of earnings and profits For purposes of this part:

¶(1) DISC income

The earnings and profits derived by a corporation during a taxable year in which such corporation is a DISC, before reduction for any distributions during the year, but reduced by amounts deemed distributed under section 995(b)(1), shall constitute the DISC income for such year. The earnings and profits of a DISC for a taxable year include any amounts includible in such DISC’s gross income pursuant to section 951(a) for such year. Accumulated DISC income shall be reduced by deemed distributions under section 995(b)(2).

¶(2) Previously taxed income

Earnings and profits deemed distributed under section 995(b) for a taxable year shall constitute previously taxed income for such year.

¶(3) Other earnings and profits

The earnings and profits for a taxable year which are described in neither paragraph (1) nor (2) shall constitute the other earnings and profits for such year.

¶(g) Effectively connected income

In the case of a shareholder who is a nonresident alien individual or a foreign corporation, trust, or estate, gains referred to in section 995(c) and all distributions out of accumulated DISC income including deemed distributions shall be treated as gains and distributions which are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business conducted through a permanent establishment of such shareholder within the United States and which are derived from sources within the United States.

(Added Pub. L. 92–178, title V, § 501 Dec. 10, 1971, 85 Stat. 547; amended Pub. L. 94–455, title XI, § 1101(e), title XIX, §§ 1901(b)(3)(I), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1659, 1793; Pub. L. 95–600, title VII, § 703(i)(3), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2940; Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title VIII, § 801(d)(10), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 997; Pub. L. 99–514, title XVIII, § 1876(k), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2900.)

Regulations under this section

Treasury regulations (26 CFR) issued under § 996

Cross-references

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

This section cites 4 other sections

Cited by 3 Code sections

Cited in 5 regulations not issued under it

Amendment history

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

October 22, 1986Amended by Pub. L. 99–514Parts changed in 1986: (a)(2)
July 18, 1984Amended by Pub. L. 98–369Parts changed in 1984: (g)
November 6, 1978Amended by Pub. L. 95–600Parts changed in 1978: (a)(2)
October 4, 1976Amended by Pub. L. 94–455Parts changed in 1976: (a)(2) (d)
December 10, 1971Added by Pub. L. 92–178

Where it sits in the Code

Nearby sections

§ 995 Taxation of DISC income to shareholders
§ 996 Rules for allocation in the case of distributions and losses
§ 997 Special subchapter C rules

Official notes

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

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1986—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 99–514 inserted last sentence and struck out former last sentence which read as follows: “In the case of any amount of any actual distribution made pursuant to section 992(c) which is required to satisfy the condition of section 992(a)(1)(A), the preceding sentence shall apply to one-half of such amount, and paragraph (1) shall apply to the remaining one-half of such amount.”

1984—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 98–369 inserted “and which are derived from sources within the United States”.

1978—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 95–600 substituted “section (b)(1)(G)” for “section (b)(1)(E)”.

1976—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1101(e), inserted at end “In the case of any amount of any actual distribution made pursuant to section 992(c) which is required to satisfy the condition of section 992(a)(1)(A), the preceding sentence shall apply to one-half of such amount, and paragraph (1) shall apply to the remaining one-half of such amount.”

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1901(b)(3)(I), substituted “ordinary income” for “gain from the sale or exchange of property which is not a capital asset” in par. (1)(A) after “dividend or as” and, in par. (2), after “treated as”.

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 99–514 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1984, Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, to which such amendment relates, see section 1881 of Pub. L. 99–514, set out as a note under section 48 of this title.

Effective Date of 1984 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 98–369 applicable to distributions on or after June 22, 1984, see section 805(a)(3) of Pub. L. 98–369, as amended, set out as a note under section 245 of this title.

Effective Date of 1978 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 95–600 effective on Oct. 4, 1976, see section 703(r) of Pub. L. 95–600, set out as a note under section 46 of this title.

Effective Date of 1976 Amendment

Amendment by section 1101(e) of Pub. L. 94–455 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1975, see section 1101(g)(1) of Pub. L. 94–455, set out as a note under section 905 of this title.

Amendment by section 1901(b)(3)(I) of Pub. L. 94–455 applicable with respect to 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.

Plan Amendments Not Required Until January 1, 1989

For provisions directing that if any amendments made by subtitle A or subtitle C of title XI [§§ 1101–1147 and 1171–1177] or title XVIII [§§ 1800–1899A] of Pub. L. 99–514 require an amendment to any plan, such plan amendment shall not be required to be made before the first plan year beginning on or after Jan. 1, 1989, see section 1140 of Pub. L. 99–514, as amended, set out as a note under section 401 of this title.