2017 US Code
Title 26 - Internal Revenue Code
Subtitle A - Income Taxes
Chapter 1 - Normal Taxes and Surtaxes
Subchapter C - Corporate Distributions and Adjustments
Part II - Corporate Liquidations
Subpart A - Effects on Recipients
Sec. 331 - Gain or loss to shareholders in corporate liquidations

Amounts received by a shareholder in a distribution in complete liquidation of a corporation shall be treated as in full payment in exchange for the stock.

Section 301 (relating to effects on shareholder of distributions of property) shall not apply to any distribution of property (other than a distribution referred to in paragraph (2)(B) of section 316(b)) in complete liquidation.

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 101; Pub. L. 88–272, title II, §225(f)(2), Feb. 26, 1964, 78 Stat. 88; Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, §1901(b)(28)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1799; Pub. L. 97–248, title II, §222(a), (e)(1)(B), Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 478, 480.)

1982—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 97–248, §222(a), substituted provisions that amounts received by a shareholder in a distribution in complete liquidation of a corporation shall be treated as in full payment in exchange for the stock for provisions that, in complete liquidations, amounts distributed shall be treated as in full payment in exchange for the stock, while amounts distributed in partial liquidation shall be treated as in part or full payment in exchange for the stock.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 97–248, §222(e)(1)(B), struck out "partial or" before "complete liquidation".

1976—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 94–455 substituted "reference" for "references" in heading and struck out cross reference relating to general rule for determination of the amount of gain or loss to the distributee and substituted "section 1001" for "section 1002".

1964—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 88–272 inserted "(other than a distribution referred to in paragraph (2)(B) of section 316(b))".

Amendment by Pub. L. 97–248 applicable to distributions after Aug. 31, 1982, with exceptions for certain partial liquidations, see section 222(f) of Pub. L. 97–248, set out as a note under section 302 of this title.

Amendment by 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.

Amendment by Pub. L. 88–272 applicable to distribution made in any taxable year of the distributing corporation beginning after Dec. 31, 1963, see section 225(l) of Pub. L. 88–272, set out as a note under section 316 of this title.

Pub. L. 88–272, title II, §225(h), Feb. 26, 1964, 78 Stat. 90, provided that in the case of corporations referred to in former subsec. (g)(3) of this section the amendments made by section 225 of Pub. L. 88–272 do not apply if there is a complete liquidation of such corporation and if the distribution of all the property under such liquidation occurs before Jan. 1, 1966, except for certain liquidations to which section 332 of this title applies.