2011 US Code
Title 26 - Internal Revenue Code
Subtitle A - Income Taxes (§§ 1 - 1564)
Chapter 1 - NORMAL TAXES AND SURTAXES (§§ 1 - 1400U-3)
Subchapter B - Computation of Taxable Income (§§ 61 - 291)
Part VI - ITEMIZED DEDUCTIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS AND CORPORATIONS (§§ 161 - 199)
Section 164 - Taxes

Except as otherwise provided in this section, the following taxes shall be allowed as a deduction for the taxable year within which paid or accrued:

(1) State and local, and foreign, real property taxes.

(2) State and local personal property taxes.

(3) State and local, and foreign, income, war profits, and excess profits taxes.

(4) The GST tax imposed on income distributions.

(5) The environmental tax imposed by section 59A.

(6) Qualified motor vehicle taxes.

In addition, there shall be allowed as a deduction State and local, and foreign, taxes not described in the preceding sentence which are paid or accrued within the taxable year in carrying on a trade or business or an activity described in section 212 (relating to expenses for production of income). Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any tax (not described in the first sentence of this subsection) which is paid or accrued by the taxpayer in connection with an acquisition or disposition of property shall be treated as part of the cost of the acquired property or, in the case of a disposition, as a reduction in the amount realized on the disposition.

For purposes of this section—

The term “personal property tax” means an ad valorem tax which is imposed on an annual basis in respect of personal property.

A State or local tax includes only a tax imposed by a State, a possession of the United States, or a political subdivision of any of the foregoing, or by the District of Columbia.

A foreign tax includes only a tax imposed by the authority of a foreign country.

The GST tax imposed on income distributions is—

(i) the tax imposed by section 2601, and

(ii) any State tax described in section 2604,

but only to the extent such tax is imposed on a transfer which is included in the gross income of the distributee and to which section 666 does not apply.

Any tax referred to in subparagraph (A) imposed with respect to a transfer occurring during the taxable year of the distributee (or, in the case of a taxable termination, the trust) which is paid not later than the time prescribed by law (including extensions) for filing the return with respect to such transfer shall be treated as having been paid on the last day of the taxable year in which the transfer was made.

For purposes of subsection (a)—

At the election of the taxpayer for the taxable year, subsection (a) shall be applied—

(i) without regard to the reference to State and local income taxes, and

(ii) as if State and local general sales taxes were referred to in a paragraph thereof.

The term “general sales tax” means a tax imposed at one rate with respect to the sale at retail of a broad range of classes of items.

In the case of items of food, clothing, medical supplies, and motor vehicles—

(i) the fact that the tax does not apply with respect to some or all of such items shall not be taken into account in determining whether the tax applies with respect to a broad range of classes of items, and

(ii) the fact that the rate of tax applicable with respect to some or all of such items is lower than the general rate of tax shall not be taken into account in determining whether the tax is imposed at one rate.

Except in the case of a lower rate of tax applicable with respect to an item described in subparagraph (C), no deduction shall be allowed under this paragraph for any general sales tax imposed with respect to an item at a rate other than the general rate of tax.

A compensating use tax with respect to an item shall be treated as a general sales tax. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term “compensating use tax” means, with respect to any item, a tax which—

(i) is imposed on the use, storage, or consumption of such item, and

(ii) is complementary to a general sales tax, but only if a deduction is allowable under this paragraph with respect to items sold at retail in the taxing jurisdiction which are similar to such item.

In the case of motor vehicles, if the rate of tax exceeds the general rate, such excess shall be disregarded and the general rate shall be treated as the rate of tax.

If the amount of any general sales tax is separately stated, then, to the extent that the amount so stated is paid by the consumer (other than in connection with the consumer's trade or business) to the seller, such amount shall be treated as a tax imposed on, and paid by, such consumer.

At the election of the taxpayer for the taxable year, the amount of the deduction allowed under this paragraph for such year shall be—

(I) the amount determined under this paragraph (without regard to this subparagraph) with respect to motor vehicles, boats, and other items specified by the Secretary, and

(II) the amount determined under tables prescribed by the Secretary with respect to items to which subclause (I) does not apply.

The tables prescribed under clause (i)—

(I) shall reflect the provisions of this paragraph,

(II) shall be based on the average consumption by taxpayers on a State-by-State basis (as determined by the Secretary) of items to which clause (i)(I) does not apply, taking into account filing status, number of dependents, adjusted gross income, and rates of State and local general sales taxation, and

(III) need only be determined with respect to adjusted gross incomes up to the applicable amount (as determined under section 68(b)).

This paragraph shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2003, and before January 1, 2012.

For purposes of this section, the term “qualified motor vehicle taxes” means any State or local sales or excise tax imposed on the purchase of a qualified motor vehicle.

The amount of any State or local sales or excise tax imposed on the purchase of a qualified motor vehicle taken into account under subparagraph (A) shall not exceed the portion of such tax attributable to so much of the purchase price as does not exceed $49,500.

The amount otherwise taken into account under subparagraph (A) (after the application of subparagraph (B)) for any taxable year shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the amount which bears the same ratio to the amount which is so treated as—

(i) the excess (if any) of—

(I) the taxpayer's modified adjusted gross income for such taxable year, over

(II) $125,000 ($250,000 in the case of a joint return), bears to

(ii) $10,000.

For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term “modified adjusted gross income” means the adjusted gross income of the taxpayer for the taxable year (determined without regard to sections 911, 931, and 933).

For purposes of this paragraph—

The term “qualified motor vehicle” means—

(I) a passenger automobile or light truck which is treated as a motor vehicle for purposes of title II of the Clean Air Act, the gross vehicle weight rating of which is not more than 8,500 pounds, and the original use of which commences with the taxpayer,

(II) a motorcycle the gross vehicle weight rating of which is not more than 8,500 pounds and the original use of which commences with the taxpayer, and

(III) a motor home the original use of which commences with the taxpayer.

The terms “motorcycle” and “motor home” have the meanings given such terms under section 571.3 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of the enactment of this paragraph).

The last sentence of subsection (a) shall not apply to any qualified motor vehicle taxes.

This paragraph shall not apply in the case of a taxpayer who makes an election under paragraph (5) for the taxable year.

This paragraph shall not apply to purchases after December 31, 2009.

No deduction shall be allowed for the following taxes:

(1) Taxes assessed against local benefits of a kind tending to increase the value of the property assessed; but this paragraph shall not prevent the deduction of so much of such taxes as is properly allocable to maintenance or interest charges.

(2) Taxes on real property, to the extent that subsection (d) requires such taxes to be treated as imposed on another taxpayer.

For purposes of subsection (a), if real property is sold during any real property tax year, then—

(A) so much of the real property tax as is properly allocable to that part of such year which ends on the day before the date of the sale shall be treated as a tax imposed on the seller, and

(B) so much of such tax as is properly allocable to that part of such year which begins on the date of the sale shall be treated as a tax imposed on the purchaser.

(A) in the case of any sale of real property, if—

(i) a taxpayer may not, by reason of his method of accounting, deduct any amount for taxes unless paid, and

(ii) the other party to the sale is (under the law imposing the real property tax) liable for the real property tax for the real property tax year,

then for purposes of subsection (a) the taxpayer shall be treated as having paid, on the date of the sale, so much of such tax as, under paragraph (1) of this subsection, is treated as imposed on the taxpayer. For purposes of the preceding sentence, if neither party is liable for the tax, then the party holding the property at the time the tax becomes a lien on the property shall be considered liable for the real property tax for the real property tax year.

(B) In the case of any sale of real property, if the taxpayer's taxable income for the taxable year during which the sale occurs is computed under an accrual method of accounting, and if no election under section 461(c) (relating to the accrual of real property taxes) applies, then, for purposes of subsection (a), that portion of such tax which—

(i) is treated, under paragraph (1) of this subsection, as imposed on the taxpayer, and

(ii) may not, by reason of the taxpayer's method of accounting, be deducted by the taxpayer for any taxable year,

shall be treated as having accrued on the date of the sale.

Where a corporation pays a tax imposed on a shareholder on his interest as a shareholder, and where the shareholder does not reimburse the corporation, then—

(1) the deduction allowed by subsection (a) shall be allowed to the corporation; and

(2) no deduction shall be allowed the shareholder for such tax.

In the case of an individual, in addition to the taxes described in subsection (a), there shall be allowed as a deduction for the taxable year an amount equal to one-half of the taxes imposed by section 1401 for such taxable year.

For purposes of this chapter, the deduction allowed by paragraph (1) shall be treated as attributable to a trade or business carried on by the taxpayer which does not consist of the performance of services by the taxpayer as an employee.

(1) For provisions disallowing any deduction for certain taxes, see section 275.

(2) For treatment of taxes imposed by Indian tribal governments (or their subdivisions), see section 7871.

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 47; Pub. L. 85–866, title I, §6(a), Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1608; Pub. L. 88–272, title II, §207(a), (b)(1), (2), Feb. 26, 1964, 78 Stat. 40–42; Pub. L. 92–580, §4(a), Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1277; Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, §§1901(a)(25), 1951(b)(3)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1767, 1837; Pub. L. 95–600, title I, §111(a), (b), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2777; Pub. L. 96–223, title I, §101(b), Apr. 2, 1980, 94 Stat. 250; Pub. L. 97–473, title II, §202(b)(3), Jan. 14, 1983, 96 Stat. 2609; Pub. L. 98–21, title I, §124(c)(1), Apr. 20, 1983, 97 Stat. 90; Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title IV, §474(r)(29)(F), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 844; Pub. L. 99–499, title V, §516(b)(2)(A), Oct. 17, 1986, 100 Stat. 1771; Pub. L. 99–514, title I, §134, title XIV, §1432(a)(1), (2), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2116, 2729; Pub. L. 100–418, title I, §1941(b)(2)(A), Aug. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 1323; Pub. L. 100–647, title I, §1018(u)(11), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3590; Pub. L. 104–188, title I, §1704(t)(79), Aug. 20, 1996, 110 Stat. 1891; Pub. L. 108–357, title V, §501(a), Oct. 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 1520; Pub. L. 109–135, title IV, §403(r)(1), Dec. 21, 2005, 119 Stat. 2628; Pub. L. 109–432, div. A, title I, §103(a), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 2934; Pub. L. 110–343, div. C, title II, §201(a), Oct. 3, 2008, 122 Stat. 3864; Pub. L. 111–5, div. B, title I, §1008(a), (b), Feb. 17, 2009, 123 Stat. 317; Pub. L. 111–148, title IX, §9015(b)(2)(A), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 871; Pub. L. 111–312, title VII, §722(a), Dec. 17, 2010, 124 Stat. 3316.)

Pub. L. 111–148, title IX, §9015(b)(2)(A), (c), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 871, 872, provided that, applicable with respect to remuneration received, and taxable years beginning, after Dec. 31, 2012, subsection (f) of this section is amended by inserting “(other than the taxes imposed by section 1401(b)(2))” after “section 1401)”.

The Clean Air Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(6)(D)(i)(I), is act July 14, 1955, ch. 360, 69 Stat. 322. Title II of the Act, known as the National Emission Standards Act, is classified generally to subchapter II (§7521 et seq.) of chapter 85 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 7401 of Title 42 and Tables.

The date of the enactment of this paragraph, referred to in subsec. (b)(6)(D)(ii), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 111–5, which was approved Feb. 17, 2009.

2010—Subsec. (b)(5)(I). Pub. L. 111–312 substituted “January 1, 2012” for “January 1, 2010”.

2009—Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 111–5, §1008(a), added par. (6).

Subsec. (b)(6). Pub. L. 111–5, §1008(b), added par. (6).

2008—Subsec. (b)(5)(I). Pub. L. 110–343 substituted “January 1, 2010” for “January 1, 2008”.

2006—Subsec. (b)(5)(I). Pub. L. 109–432 substituted “2008” for “2006”.

2005—Subsec. (b)(5)(A). Pub. L. 109–135 reenacted heading without change and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows:

“(i) In general.—At the election of the taxpayer for the taxable year, subsection (a) shall be applied—

“(I) without regard to the reference to State and local income taxes, and

“(II) as if State and local general sales taxes were referred to in a paragraph thereof.”

2004—Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 108–357 added par. (5).

1996—Subsec. (a)(4), (5). Pub. L. 104–188 added pars. (4) and (5) and struck out former pars. (4) and (5) which read as follows:

“(4) The environmental tax imposed by section 59A.

“(5) The GST tax imposed on income distributions.”

1988—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 100–418 struck out par. (4) relating to windfall profit tax imposed by section 4986 and redesignated par. (5) relating to environmental tax as (4).

Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 100–647 substituted “The GST” for “the GST”.

Pub. L. 100–418 redesignated par. (5), relating to environmental tax, as (4).

1986—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 99–514, §134(a)(2), inserted “Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any tax (not described in the first sentence of this subsection) which is paid or accrued by the taxpayer in connection with an acquisition or disposition of property shall be treated as part of the cost of the acquired property or, in the case of a disposition, as a reduction in the amount realized on the disposition.”

Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 99–514, §134(a)(1), struck out par. (4) relating to “State and local general sales taxes” and redesignated as par. (4) former par. (5) relating to windfall profit tax.

Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 99–514, §1432(a)(1), added par. (5) relating to GST tax imposed on income distributions.

Pub. L. 99–499 added par. (5) relating to environmental tax.

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 99–514, §134(b)(1), (2), redesignated par. (3) as (2) and struck out former par. (2), general sales taxes provisions, subpars. (A) to (E) of which covered in general rule, special rules for food, etc., items taxed at different rates, compensating use taxes, and special rules for motor vehicles, respectively.

Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 99–514, §134(b)(2), redesignated par. (4) as (3). Former par. (3) redesignated (2).

Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 99–514, §1432(a)(2), added par. (4).

Pub. L. 99–514, §134(b)(2), redesignated par. (4) as (3).

Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 99–514, §134(b)(1), struck out par. (5), separately stated general sales taxes, which read as follows: “If the amount of any general sales tax is separately stated, then, to the extent that the amount so stated is paid by the consumer (otherwise than in connection with the consumer's trade or business) to his seller, such amount shall be treated as a tax imposed on, and paid by, such consumer.”

1984—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 98–369 redesignated pars. (2) and (3) as pars. (1) and (2), respectively. Former par. (1), which referred to section 1451 for provisions disallowing any deduction for the payment of the tax imposed by subchapter B of chapter 3 (relating to tax-free covenant bonds), was struck out.

1983—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 98–21 added subsec. (f). Former subsec. (f) redesignated (g).

Subsec. (f)(3). Pub. L. 97–473 added par. (3).

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 98–21 redesignated subsec. (f) as (g).

1980—Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 96–223 added par. (5).

1978—Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 95–600, §111(a), struck out par. (5) relating to a deduction for State and local taxes on the sale of gasoline, diesel fuel, and other motor fuels.

Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 95–600, §111(b), struck out in heading “and gasoline taxes” after “sales taxes”, and in text “or of any tax on the sale of gasoline, diesel fuel, or other motor fuel” after “sales tax”.

1976—Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 94–455, §1901(a)(25), redesignated subpar. (D) as (B), and struck out subpar. (B) which related to the taxable years that subsec. (d)(1) applied and subpar. (C) which related to the limitations on subsec. (d)(1) where real property tax was allowable as a deduction under the Internal Revenue Code of 1939.

Subsecs. (f), (g). Pub. L. 94–455, §1951(b)(3)(A), redesignated subsec. (g) as (f). Former subsec. (f), which related to payments for municipal services in atomic energy communities, was struck out.

1972—Subsec. (b)(2)(E). Pub. L. 92–580 added subpar. (E).

1964—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 88–272, §207(a), limited the subsection to State, local and foreign real property, income, war profits, excess profits, and unspecified taxes, on a business or activity described in section 212, and to State and local personal property, general sales, gasoline, diesel fuel and other motor fuel taxes.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 88–272, §207(a), added subsec. (b). Former subsec. (b), which denied the deduction for certain Federal income taxes, for Federal war profits and excess profits taxes, import duties, excise and stamp taxes, and estate, inheritance, legacy, succession and gift taxes, local assessments against benefits increasing property values, and certain taxes imposed by any foreign country or possession of the United States if the taxpayer chose to benefit by section 901 relating to foreign tax credit, and for taxes on real property to the extent that they are treated as imposed on another taxpayer, was struck out.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 88–272, §207(a), substituted provisions denying the deduction for taxes assessed against local benefits which increase property value, except for so much as is properly allocable to maintenance or interest charges, and for real property taxes to the extent they are treated as imposed on another taxpayer, for provisions relating to certain retail sales taxes and gasoline taxes, the extent to which they were deductible, and to definition of “state or local sales tax”.

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 88–272, §207(b)(1), inserted “State” before “real property taxes”.

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 88–272, §207(b)(2), designated existing provisions as par. (1), substituted “1451” for “1451(f)” and added par. (2).

1958—Subsecs. (f), (g). Pub. L. 85–866, §6(a), added subsec. (f) and redesignated former subsec. (f) as (g).

Pub. L. 111–312, title VII, §722(b), Dec. 17, 2010, 124 Stat. 3316, provided that: “The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2009.”

Pub. L. 111–148, title IX, §9015(c), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 872, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 1401, 1402, 3101, and 3102 of this title] shall apply with respect to remuneration received, and taxable years beginning, after December 31, 2012.”

Amendment by Pub. L. 111–5 applicable to purchases on or after Feb. 17, 2009, in taxable years ending after such date, see section 1008(e) of Pub. L. 111–5, set out as a note under section 56 of this title.

Pub. L. 110–343, div. C, title II, §201(b), Oct. 3, 2008, 122 Stat. 3864, provided that: “The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2007.”

Pub. L. 109–432, div. A, title I, §103(b), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 2934, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2005.”

Amendment by Pub. L. 109–135 effective as if included in the provision of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, Pub. L. 108–357, to which such amendment relates, see section 403(nn) of Pub. L. 109–135, set out as a note under section 26 of this title.

Pub. L. 108–357, title V, §501(b), Oct. 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 1521, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2003.”

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.

Section 1941(c) of Pub. L. 100–418 provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 193, 291, 6161, 6211, 6212, 6213, 6214, 6302, 6344, 6501, 6511, 6512, 6611, 6654, 6655, 6724, 6862, 7422, and 7512 of this title, and repealing sections 280D, 4986 to 4998, 6050C, 6076, 6232, 6429, 6430, and 7241 of this title] shall apply to crude oil removed from the premises on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 23, 1988].”

Amendment by section 134 of Pub. L. 99–514 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1986, see section 151(a) of Pub. L. 99–514, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.

Amendment by section 1432(a)(1), (2) of Pub. L. 99–514 applicable to generation-skipping transfers (within the meaning of section 2611 of this title) made after Oct. 22, 1986, except as otherwise provided, see section 1433 of Pub. L. 99–514, set out as an Effective Date note under section 2601 of this title.

Amendment by Pub. L. 99–499 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1986, see section 516(c) of Pub. L. 99–499, set out as a note under section 26 of this title.

Amendment by Pub. L. 98–369 not applicable with respect to obligations issued before Jan. 1, 1984, see section 475(b) of Pub. L. 98–369, set out as a note under section 33 of this title.

Amendment by Pub. L. 98–21 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1989, see section 124(d)(2) of Pub. L. 98–21, set out as a note under section 1401 of this title.

For effective date of amendment by Pub. L. 97–473, see section 204(1) of Pub. L. 97–473, set out as an Effective Date note under section 7871 of this title.

Amendment by Pub. L. 96–223 applicable to periods after Feb. 29, 1980, see section 101(i) of Pub. L. 96–223, set out as an Effective Date note under section 6161 of this title.

Section 111(c) of Pub. L. 95–600 provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1978.”

Amendment by Pub. L. 94–455 applicable with respect to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1976, see sections 1901(d) and 1951(d) of Pub. L. 94–455, set out as notes under sections 2 and 72 of this title, respectively.

Section 4(b) of Pub. L. 92–580 provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years ending on or after January 1, 1971.”

Section 207(c) of Pub. L. 88–272, as amended by Pub. L. 99–514, §2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095, provided that:

“(1) General rule.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [enacting section 275 of this title and amending this section and sections 535, 545, 556, 901, and 903 of this title] shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1963.

“(2) Special taxing districts.—Section 164(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] (as amended by subsection (a)) shall not prevent the deduction under section 164 of such Code (as so amended) of taxes levied by a special taxing district which is described in section 164(b)(5) of such Code (as in effect for a taxable year ending on December 31, 1963) and which was in existence on December 31, 1963, for the purpose of retiring indebtedness existing on such date.”

Section 6(b) of Pub. L. 85–866 provided that: “The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1957.”

Section 1951(b)(3)(B) of Pub. L. 94–455 provided that: “Notwithstanding subparagraph (A) [amending this section], any amount paid or accrued in a taxable year beginning after December 31, 1976, to the Atomic Energy Commission or its successors for municipal-type services shall be allowed as a deduction under section 164 if such amount would have been deductible by reason of section 164(f) (as in effect for a taxable year ending on December 31, 1976) and if the amount is paid or accrued with respect to real property in a community (within the meaning of section 21(b) of the Atomic Energy Community Act of 1955 (42 U.S.C. 2304(b))) in which the Commission on December 31, 1976, was rendering municipal-type services for which it received compensation from the owners of property within such community.”