26 U.S.C. § 170
Section 170 · Charitable, etc., contributions and gifts
Current version, with additions and removals from the July 31, 2015 version.
There shall be allowed as a deduction any charitable contribution (as defined in subsection (c)) payment of which is made within the taxable year. A charitable contribution shall be allowable as a deduction only if verified under regulations prescribed by the Secretary.
In the case of a corporation reporting its taxable income on the accrual basis, if—
the board of directors authorizes a charitable contribution during any taxable year, and
payment of such contribution is made after the close of such taxable year and on or before the 15th day of the fourth month following the close of such taxable year,
then the taxpayer may elect to treat such contribution as paid during such taxable year. The election may be made only at the time of the filing of the return for such taxable year, and shall be signified in such manner as the Secretary shall by regulations prescribe.
For purposes of this section, payment of a charitable contribution which consists of a future interest in tangible personal property shall be treated as made only when all intervening interests in, and rights to the actual possession or enjoyment of, the property have expired or are held by persons other than the taxpayer or those standing in a relationship to the taxpayer described in section 267(b) or 707(b). For purposes of the preceding sentence, a fixture which is intended to be severed from the real property shall be treated as tangible personal property.
There shall be allowed as a deduction any charitable contribution (as defined in subsection (c)) payment of which is made within the taxable year. A charitable contribution shall be allowable as a deduction only if verified under regulations prescribed by the Secretary.
In the case of a corporation reporting its taxable income on the accrual basis, if—
the board of directors authorizes a charitable contribution during any taxable year, and
payment of such contribution is made after the close of such taxable year and on or before the 15th day of the fourth month following the close of such taxable year,
then the taxpayer may elect to treat such contribution as paid during such taxable year. The election may be made only at the time of the filing of the return for such taxable year, and shall be signified in such manner as the Secretary shall by regulations prescribe.
For purposes of this section, payment of a charitable contribution which consists of a future interest in tangible personal property shall be treated as made only when all intervening interests in, and rights to the actual possession or enjoyment of, the property have expired or are held by persons other than the taxpayer or those standing in a relationship to the taxpayer described in section 267(b) or 707(b). For purposes of the preceding sentence, a fixture which is intended to be severed from the real property shall be treated as tangible personal property.
Subject to the limitations provided by paragraph (2), amounts paid by the taxpayer to maintain an individual (other than a dependent, as defined in section 152 (determined without regard to subsections (b)(1), (b)(2), and (d)(1)(B) thereof), or a relative of the taxpayer) as a member of his household during the period that such individual is—
a member of the taxpayer’s household under a written agreement between the taxpayer and an organization described in paragraph (2), (3), or (4) of subsection (c) to implement a program of the organization to provide educational opportunities for pupils or students in private homes, and
a full-time pupil or student in the twelfth or any lower grade at an educational organization described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(ii) located in the United States,
shall be treated as amounts paid for the use of the organization.
Paragraph (1) shall apply to amounts paid within the taxable year only to the extent that such amounts do not exceed $50 multiplied by the number of full calendar months during the taxable year which fall within the period described in paragraph (1). For purposes of the preceding sentence, if 15 or more days of a calendar month fall within such period such month shall be considered as a full calendar month.
Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any amount paid by the taxpayer within the taxable year if the taxpayer receives any money or other property as compensation or reimbursement for maintaining the individual in his household during the period described in paragraph (1).
For purposes of paragraph (1), the term “relative of the taxpayer” means an individual who, with respect to the taxpayer, bears any of the relationships described in subparagraphs (A) through (G) of section 152(d)(2).
No deduction shall be allowed under subsection (a) for any amount paid by a taxpayer to maintain an individual as a member of his household under a program described in paragraph (1)(A) except as provided in this subsection.
Subject to the limitations provided by paragraph (2), amounts paid by the taxpayer to maintain an individual (other than a dependent, as defined in section 152 (determined without regard to subsections (b)(1), (b)(2), and (d)(1)(B) thereof), or a relative of the taxpayer) as a member of his household during the period that such individual is—
a member of the taxpayer’s household under a written agreement between the taxpayer and an organization described in paragraph (2), (3), or (4) of subsection (c) to implement a program of the organization to provide educational opportunities for pupils or students in private homes, and
a full-time pupil or student in the twelfth or any lower grade at an educational organization described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(ii) located in the United States,
shall be treated as amounts paid for the use of the organization.
Paragraph (1) shall apply to amounts paid within the taxable year only to the extent that such amounts do not exceed $50 multiplied by the number of full calendar months during the taxable year which fall within the period described in paragraph (1). For purposes of the preceding sentence, if 15 or more days of a calendar month fall within such period such month shall be considered as a full calendar month.
Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any amount paid by the taxpayer within the taxable year if the taxpayer receives any money or other property as compensation or reimbursement for maintaining the individual in his household during the period described in paragraph (1).
For purposes of paragraph (1), the term “relative of the taxpayer” means an individual who, with respect to the taxpayer, bears any of the relationships described in subparagraphs (A) through (G) of section 152(d)(2).
No deduction shall be allowed under subsection (a) for any amount paid by a taxpayer to maintain an individual as a member of his household under a program described in paragraph (1)(A) except as provided in this subsection.
For purposes of computing the deduction under this section for use of a passenger automobile, the standard mileage rate shall be 14 cents per mile.
For purposes of computing the deduction under this section for use of a passenger automobile, the standard mileage rate shall be 14 cents per mile.
No deduction shall be allowed under this section for traveling expenses (including amounts expended for meals and lodging) while away from home, whether paid directly or by reimbursement, unless there is no significant element of personal pleasure, recreation, or vacation in such travel.
No deduction shall be allowed under this section for traveling expenses (including amounts expended for meals and lodging) while away from home, whether paid directly or by reimbursement, unless there is no significant element of personal pleasure, recreation, or vacation in such travel.
In the case of a taxpayer who makes a qualified intellectual property contribution, the deduction allowed under subsection (a) for each taxable year of the taxpayer ending on or after the date of such contribution shall be increased (subject to the limitations under subsection (b)) by the applicable percentage of qualified donee income with respect to such contribution which is properly allocable to such year under this subsection.
With respect to any qualified intellectual property contribution, the deduction allowed under subsection (a) shall be increased under paragraph (1) only to the extent that the aggregate amount of such increases with respect to such contribution exceed the amount allowed as a deduction under subsection (a) with respect to such contribution determined without regard to this subsection.
For purposes of this subsection, the term “qualified donee income” means any net income received by or accrued to the donee which is properly allocable to the qualified intellectual property.
For purposes of this subsection, qualified donee income shall be treated as properly allocable to a taxable year of the donor if such income is received by or accrued to the donee for the taxable year of the donee which ends within or with such taxable year of the donor.
Income shall not be treated as properly allocable to qualified intellectual property for purposes of this subsection if such income is received by or accrued to the donee after the 10-year period beginning on the date of the contribution of such property.
Income shall not be treated as properly allocable to qualified intellectual property for purposes of this subsection if such income is received by or accrued to the donee after the expiration of the legal life of such property.
Taxable Year of Donor Ending on or After Date of Contribution: | Applicable Percentage: |
|---|---|
1st | 100 |
2nd | 100 |
3rd | 90 |
4th | 80 |
5th | 70 |
6th | 60 |
7th | 50 |
8th | 40 |
9th | 30 |
10th | 20 |
11th | 10 |
12th | 10. |
For purposes of this subsection, the term “qualified intellectual property contribution” means any charitable contribution of qualified intellectual property—
the amount of which taken into account under this section is reduced by reason of subsection (e)(1), and
with respect to which the donor informs the donee at the time of such contribution that the donor intends to treat such contribution as a qualified intellectual property contribution for purposes of this subsection and section 6050L.
For purposes of this subsection, the term “qualified intellectual property” means property described in subsection (e)(1)(B)(iii) (other than property contributed to or for the use of an organization described in subsection (e)(1)(B)(ii)).
Any increase under this subsection of the deduction provided under subsection (a) shall be treated for purposes of subsection (b) as a deduction which is attributable to a charitable contribution to the donee to which such increase relates.
The net income taken into account under paragraph (3) shall not exceed the amount of such income reported under section 6050L(b)(1).
Except as may be provided under subparagraph (D)(i), this subsection shall not apply with respect to any qualified intellectual property contribution for any taxable year of the donor after the 12th taxable year of the donor which ends on or after the date of such contribution.
The Secretary may issue regulations or other guidance to carry out the purposes of this subsection, including regulations or guidance—
modifying the application of this subsection in the case of a donor or donee with a short taxable year, and
providing for the determination of an amount to be treated as net income of the donee which is properly allocable to qualified intellectual property in the case of a donee who uses such property to further a purpose or function constituting the basis of the donee’s exemption under section 501 (or, in the case of a governmental unit, any purpose described in section 170(c)) and does not possess a right to receive any payment from a third party with respect to such property.
In the case of a taxpayer who makes a qualified intellectual property contribution, the deduction allowed under subsection (a) for each taxable year of the taxpayer ending on or after the date of such contribution shall be increased (subject to the limitations under subsection (b)) by the applicable percentage of qualified donee income with respect to such contribution which is properly allocable to such year under this subsection.
With respect to any qualified intellectual property contribution, the deduction allowed under subsection (a) shall be increased under paragraph (1) only to the extent that the aggregate amount of such increases with respect to such contribution exceed the amount allowed as a deduction under subsection (a) with respect to such contribution determined without regard to this subsection.
For purposes of this subsection, the term “qualified donee income” means any net income received by or accrued to the donee which is properly allocable to the qualified intellectual property.
For purposes of this subsection, qualified donee income shall be treated as properly allocable to a taxable year of the donor if such income is received by or accrued to the donee for the taxable year of the donee which ends within or with such taxable year of the donor.
Income shall not be treated as properly allocable to qualified intellectual property for purposes of this subsection if such income is received by or accrued to the donee after the 10-year period beginning on the date of the contribution of such property.
Income shall not be treated as properly allocable to qualified intellectual property for purposes of this subsection if such income is received by or accrued to the donee after the expiration of the legal life of such property.
Taxable Year of Donor Ending on or After Date of Contribution: | Applicable Percentage: |
|---|---|
1st | 100 |
2nd | 100 |
3rd | 90 |
4th | 80 |
5th | 70 |
6th | 60 |
7th | 50 |
8th | 40 |
9th | 30 |
10th | 20 |
11th | 10 |
12th | 10. |
For purposes of this subsection, the term “qualified intellectual property contribution” means any charitable contribution of qualified intellectual property—
the amount of which taken into account under this section is reduced by reason of subsection (e)(1), and
with respect to which the donor informs the donee at the time of such contribution that the donor intends to treat such contribution as a qualified intellectual property contribution for purposes of this subsection and section 6050L.
For purposes of this subsection, the term “qualified intellectual property” means property described in subsection (e)(1)(B)(iii) (other than property contributed to or for the use of an organization described in subsection (e)(1)(B)(ii)).
Any increase under this subsection of the deduction provided under subsection (a) shall be treated for purposes of subsection (b) as a deduction which is attributable to a charitable contribution to the donee to which such increase relates.
The net income taken into account under paragraph (3) shall not exceed the amount of such income reported under section 6050L(b)(1).
Except as may be provided under subparagraph (D)(i), this subsection shall not apply with respect to any qualified intellectual property contribution for any taxable year of the donor after the 12th taxable year of the donor which ends on or after the date of such contribution.
The Secretary may issue regulations or other guidance to carry out the purposes of this subsection, including regulations or guidance—
modifying the application of this subsection in the case of a donor or donee with a short taxable year, and
providing for the determination of an amount to be treated as net income of the donee which is properly allocable to qualified intellectual property in the case of a donee who uses such property to further a purpose or function constituting the basis of the donee’s exemption under section 501 (or, in the case of a governmental unit, any purpose described in section 170(c)) and does not possess a right to receive any payment from a third party with respect to such property.
No deduction shall be allowed for a contribution of an undivided portion of a taxpayer’s entire interest in tangible personal property unless all interests in the property are held immediately before such contribution by—
the taxpayer, or
the taxpayer and the donee.
The Secretary may, by regulation, provide for exceptions to subparagraph (A) in cases where all persons who hold an interest in the property make proportional contributions of an undivided portion of the entire interest held by such persons.
In the case of any additional contribution, the fair market value of such contribution shall be determined by using the lesser of—
the fair market value of the property at the time of the initial fractional contribution, or
the fair market value of the property at the time of the additional contribution.
The Secretary shall provide for the recapture of the amount of any deduction allowed under this section (plus interest) with respect to any contribution of an undivided portion of a taxpayer’s entire interest in tangible personal property—
in any case in which the donor does not contribute all of the remaining interests in such property to the donee (or, if such donee is no longer in existence, to any person described in section 170(c)) on or before the earlier of—
the date that is 10 years after the date of the initial fractional contribution, or
the date of the death of the donor, and
in any case in which the donee has not, during the period beginning on the date of the initial fractional contribution and ending on the date described in clause (i)—
had substantial physical possession of the property, and
used the property in a use which is related to a purpose or function constituting the basis for the organizations’ exemption under section 501.
The tax imposed under this chapter for any taxable year for which there is a recapture under subparagraph (A) shall be increased by 10 percent of the amount so recaptured.
For purposes of this subsection—
The term “additional contribution” means any charitable contribution by the taxpayer of any interest in property with respect to which the taxpayer has previously made an initial fractional contribution.
The term “initial fractional contribution” means, with respect to any taxpayer, the first charitable contribution of an undivided portion of the taxpayer’s entire interest in any tangible personal property.
No deduction shall be allowed for a contribution of an undivided portion of a taxpayer’s entire interest in tangible personal property unless all interests in the property are held immediately before such contribution by—
the taxpayer, or
the taxpayer and the donee.
The Secretary may, by regulation, provide for exceptions to subparagraph (A) in cases where all persons who hold an interest in the property make proportional contributions of an undivided portion of the entire interest held by such persons.
In the case of any additional contribution, the fair market value of such contribution shall be determined by using the lesser of—
the fair market value of the property at the time of the initial fractional contribution, or
the fair market value of the property at the time of the additional contribution.
The Secretary shall provide for the recapture of the amount of any deduction allowed under this section (plus interest) with respect to any contribution of an undivided portion of a taxpayer’s entire interest in tangible personal property—
in any case in which the donor does not contribute all of the remaining interests in such property to the donee (or, if such donee is no longer in existence, to any person described in section 170(c)) on or before the earlier of—
the date that is 10 years after the date of the initial fractional contribution, or
the date of the death of the donor, and
in any case in which the donee has not, during the period beginning on the date of the initial fractional contribution and ending on the date described in clause (i)—
had substantial physical possession of the property, and
used the property in a use which is related to a purpose or function constituting the basis for the organizations’ exemption under section 501.
The tax imposed under this chapter for any taxable year for which there is a recapture under subparagraph (A) shall be increased by 10 percent of the amount so recaptured.
For purposes of this subsection—
The term “additional contribution” means any charitable contribution by the taxpayer of any interest in property with respect to which the taxpayer has previously made an initial fractional contribution.
The term “initial fractional contribution” means, with respect to any taxpayer, the first charitable contribution of an undivided portion of the taxpayer’s entire interest in any tangible personal property.
For treatment of certain organizations providing child care, see section 501(k).
For charitable contributions of estates and trusts, see section 642(c).
For nondeductibility of contributions by common trust funds, see section 584.
For charitable contributions of partners, see section 702.
For charitable contributions of nonresident aliens, see section 873.
For treatment of gifts for benefit of or use in connection with the Naval Academy as gifts to or for use of the United States, see section 8473 of title 10, United States Code.
For treatment of gifts accepted by the Secretary of State, the Director of the International Communication Agency, or the Director of the United States International Development Cooperation Agency, as gifts to or for the use of the United States, see section 25 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956.
For treatment of gifts of money accepted by the Attorney General for credit to the “Commissary Funds Federal Prisons” as gifts to or for the use of the United States, see section 4043 of title 18, United States Code.
For charitable contributions to or for the use of Indian tribal governments (or their subdivisions), see section 7871.
1 So in original. Probably should be followed by “, and”.
2 See References in Text note below.