2019 US Code
Title 26 - Internal Revenue Code
Subtitle A - Income Taxes
Chapter 1 - Normal Taxes and Surtaxes
Subchapter B - Computation of Taxable Income
Part IX - Items Not Deductible
Sec. 271 - Debts owed by political parties, etc.

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Citation 26 U.S.C. § 271 (2019)
Section Name §271. Debts owed by political parties, etc.
Section Text (a) General rule

In the case of a taxpayer (other than a bank as defined in section 581) no deduction shall be allowed under section 166 (relating to bad debts) or under section 165(g) (relating to worthlessness of securities) by reason of the worthlessness of any debt owed by a political party.

(b) Definitions (1) Political party

For purposes of subsection (a), the term "political party" means—

(A) a political party;

(B) a national, State, or local committee of a political party; or

(C) a committee, association, or organization which accepts contributions or makes expenditures for the purpose of influencing or attempting to influence the election of presidential or vice-presidential electors or of any individual whose name is presented for election to any Federal, State, or local elective public office, whether or not such individual is elected.

(2) Contributions

For purposes of paragraph (1)(C), the term "contributions" includes a gift, subscription, loan, advance, or deposit, of money, or anything of value, and includes a contract, promise, or agreement to make a contribution, whether or not legally enforceable.

(3) Expenditures

For purposes of paragraph (1)(C), the term "expenditures" includes a payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit, or gift, of money, or anything of value, and includes a contract, promise, or agreement to make an expenditure, whether or not legally enforceable.

(c) Exception

In the case of a taxpayer who uses an accrual method of accounting, subsection (a) shall not apply to a debt which accrued as a receivable on a bona fide sale of goods or services in the ordinary course of the taxpayer's trade or business if—

(1) for the taxable year in which such receivable accrued, more than 30 percent of all receivables which accrued in the ordinary course of the trades and businesses of the taxpayer were due from political parties, and

(2) the taxpayer made substantial continuing efforts to collect on the debt.

Source Credit

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 82; Pub. L. 94–455, title XXI, §2104(a), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1901.)

Editorial Notes AMENDMENTS

1976—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 94–455 added subsec. (c).

EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1976 AMENDMENT

Pub. L. 94–455, title XXI, §2104(b), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1902, provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1975."

Publication Title United States Code, 2018 Edition, Supplement 1, Title 26 - INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
Category Bills and Statutes
Collection United States Code
SuDoc Class Number Y 1.2/5:
Contained Within Title 26 - INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
Subtitle A - Income Taxes
CHAPTER 1 - NORMAL TAXES AND SURTAXES
Subchapter B - Computation of Taxable Income
PART IX - ITEMS NOT DEDUCTIBLE
Sec. 271 - Debts owed by political parties, etc.
Contains section 271
Date 2019
Laws In Effect As Of Date January 24, 2020
Positive Law No
Disposition standard
Statutes at Large References 90 Stat. 1901, 1902
Public Law References Public Law 94-455
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