§170. Charitable, etc., contributions and gifts
(a) Allowance of deduction
(1) General rule
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.
(2) Corporations on accrual basis
In the case of a corporation reporting its taxable income on the accrual basis, if-
(A) the board of directors authorizes a charitable contribution during any taxable year, and
(B) payment of such contribution is made after the close of such taxable year and on or before the 15th day of the third 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.
(3) Future interests in tangible personal property
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.
(b) Percentage limitations
(1) Individuals
In the case of an individual, the deduction provided in subsection (a) shall be limited as provided in the succeeding subparagraphs.
(A) General rule
Any charitable contribution to-
(i) a church or a convention or association of churches,
(ii) an educational organization which normally maintains a regular faculty and curriculum and normally has a regularly enrolled body of pupils or students in attendance at the place where its educational activities are regularly carried on,
(iii) an organization the principal purpose or functions of which are the providing of medical or hospital care or medical education or medical research, if the organization is a hospital, or if the organization is a medical research organization directly engaged in the continuous active conduct of medical research in conjunction with a hospital, and during the calendar year in which the contribution is made such organization is committed to spend such contributions for such research before January 1 of the fifth calendar year which begins after the date such contribution is made,
(iv) an organization which normally receives a substantial part of its support (exclusive of income received in the exercise or performance by such organization of its charitable, educational, or other purpose or function constituting the basis for its exemption under section 501(a)) from the United States or any State or political subdivision thereof or from direct or indirect contributions from the general public, and which is organized and operated exclusively to receive, hold, invest, and administer property and to make expenditures to or for the benefit of a college or university which is an organization referred to in clause (ii) of this subparagraph and which is an agency or instrumentality of a State or political subdivision thereof, or which is owned or operated by a State or political subdivision thereof or by an agency or instrumentality of one or more States or political subdivisions,
(v) a governmental unit referred to in subsection (c)(1),
(vi) an organization referred to in subsection (c)(2) which normally receives a substantial part of its support (exclusive of income received in the exercise or performance by such organization of its charitable, educational, or other purpose or function constituting the basis for its exemption under section 501(a)) from a governmental unit referred to in subsection (c)(1) or from direct or indirect contributions from the general public,
(vii) a private foundation described in subparagraph (E), or
(viii) an organization described in section 509(a)(2) or (3),
shall be allowed to the extent that the aggregate of such contributions does not exceed 50 percent of the taxpayer's contribution base for the taxable year.
(B) Other contributions
Any charitable contribution other than a charitable contribution to which subparagraph (A) applies shall be allowed to the extent that the aggregate of such contributions does not exceed the lesser of-
(i) 30 percent of the taxpayer's contribution base for the taxable year, or
(ii) the excess of 50 percent of the taxpayer's contribution base for the taxable year over the amount of charitable contributions allowable under subparagraph (A) (determined without regard to subparagraph (C)).
If the aggregate of such contributions exceeds the limitation of the preceding sentence, such excess shall be treated (in a manner consistent with the rules of subsection (d)(1)) as a charitable contribution (to which subparagraph (A) does not apply) in each of the 5 succeeding taxable years in order of time.
(C) Special limitation with respect to contributions described in subparagraph (A) of certain capital gain property
(i) In the case of charitable contributions described in subparagraph (A) of capital gain property to which subsection (e)(1)(B) does not apply, the total amount of contributions of such property which may be taken into account under subsection (a) for any taxable year shall not exceed 30 percent of the taxpayer's contribution base for such year. For purposes of this subsection, contributions of capital gain property to which this subparagraph applies shall be taken into account after all other charitable contributions (other than charitable contributions to which subparagraph (D) applies).
(ii) If charitable contributions described in subparagraph (A) of capital gain property to which clause (i) applies exceeds 30 percent of the taxpayer's contribution base for any taxable year, such excess shall be treated, in a manner consistent with the rules of subsection (d)(1), as a charitable contribution of capital gain property to which clause (i) applies in each of the 5 succeeding taxable years in order of time.
(iii) At the election of the taxpayer (made at such time and in such manner as the Secretary prescribes by regulations), subsection (e)(1) shall apply to all contributions of capital gain property (to which subsection (e)(1)(B) does not otherwise apply) made by the taxpayer during the taxable year. If such an election is made, clauses (i) and (ii) shall not apply to contributions of capital gain property made during the taxable year, and, in applying subsection (d)(1) for such taxable year with respect to contributions of capital gain property made in any prior contribution year for which an election was not made under this clause, such contributions shall be reduced as if subsection (e)(1) had applied to such contributions in the year in which made.
(iv) For purposes of this paragraph, the term "capital gain property" means, with respect to any contribution, any capital asset the sale of which at its fair market value at the time of the contribution would have resulted in gain which would have been long-term capital gain. For purposes of the preceding sentence, any property which is property used in the trade or business (as defined in section 1231(b)) shall be treated as a capital asset.
(D) Special limitation with respect to contributions of capital gain property to organizations not described in subparagraph (A)
(i) In general
In the case of charitable contributions (other than charitable contributions to which subparagraph (A) applies) of capital gain property, the total amount of such contributions of such property taken into account under subsection (a) for any taxable year shall not exceed the lesser of-
(I) 20 percent of the taxpayer's contribution base for the taxable year, or
(II) the excess of 30 percent of the taxpayer's contribution base for the taxable year over the amount of the contributions of capital gain property to which subparagraph (C) applies.
For purposes of this subsection, contributions of capital gain property to which this subparagraph applies shall be taken into account after all other charitable contributions.
(ii) Carryover
If the aggregate amount of contributions described in clause (i) exceeds the limitation of clause (i), such excess shall be treated (in a manner consistent with the rules of subsection (d)(1)) as a charitable contribution of capital gain property to which clause (i) applies in each of the 5 succeeding taxable years in order of time.
(E) Certain private foundations
The private foundations referred to in subparagraph (A)(vii) and subsection (e)(1)(B) are-
(i) a private operating foundation (as defined in section 4942(j)(3)),
(ii) any other private foundation (as defined in section 509(a)) which, not later than the 15th day of the third month after the close of the foundation's taxable year in which contributions are received, makes qualifying distributions (as defined in section 4942(g), without regard to paragraph (3) thereof), which are treated, after the application of section 4942(g)(3), as distributions out of corpus (in accordance with section 4942(h)) in an amount equal to 100 percent of such contributions, and with respect to which the taxpayer obtains adequate records or other sufficient evidence from the foundation showing that the foundation made such qualifying distributions, and
(iii) a private foundation all of the contributions to which are pooled in a common fund and which would be described in section 509(a)(3) but for the right of any substantial contributor (hereafter in this clause called "donor") or his spouse to designate annually the recipients, from among organizations described in paragraph (1) of section 509(a), of the income attributable to the donor's contribution to the fund and to direct (by deed or by will) the payment, to an organization described in such paragraph (1), of the corpus in the common fund attributable to the donor's contribution; but this clause shall apply only if all of the income of the common fund is required to be (and is) distributed to one or more organizations described in such paragraph (1) not later than the 15th day of the third month after the close of the taxable year in which the income is realized by the fund and only if all of the corpus attributable to any donor's contribution to the fund is required to be (and is) distributed to one or more of such organizations not later than one year after his death or after the death of his surviving spouse if she has the right to designate the recipients of such corpus.
(F) Contribution base defined
For purposes of this section, the term "contribution base" means adjusted gross income (computed without regard to any net operating loss carryback to the taxable year under section 172).
(2) Corporations
In the case of a corporation, the total deductions under subsection (a) for any taxable year shall not exceed 10 percent of the taxpayer's taxable income computed without regard to-
(A) this section,
(B) part VIII (except section 248),
(C) any net operating loss carryback to the taxable year under section 172, and
(D) any capital loss carryback to the taxable year under section 1212(a)(1).
(c) Charitable contribution defined
For purposes of this section, the term "charitable contribution" means a contribution or gift to or for the use of-
(1) A State, a possession of the United States, or any political subdivision of any of the foregoing, or the United States or the District of Columbia, but only if the contribution or gift is made for exclusively public purposes.
(2) A corporation, trust, or community chest, fund, or foundation-
(A) created or organized in the United States or in any possession thereof, or under the law of the United States, any State, the District of Columbia, or any possession of the United States;
(B) organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purposes, or to foster national or international amateur sports competition (but only if no part of its activities involve the provision of athletic facilities or equipment), or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals;
(C) no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual; and
(D) which is not disqualified for tax exemption under section 501(c)(3) by reason of attempting to influence legislation, and which does not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office.
A contribution or gift by a corporation to a trust, chest, fund, or foundation shall be deductible by reason of this paragraph only if it is to be used within the United States or any of its possessions exclusively for purposes specified in subparagraph (B). Rules similar to the rules of section 501(j) shall apply for purposes of this paragraph.
(3) A post or organization of war veterans, or an auxiliary unit or society of, or trust or foundation for, any such post or organization-
(A) organized in the United States or any of its possessions, and
(B) no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual.
(4) In the case of a contribution or gift by an individual, a domestic fraternal society, order, or association, operating under the lodge system, but only if such contribution or gift is to be used exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purposes, or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals.
(5) A cemetery company owned and operated exclusively for the benefit of its members, or any corporation chartered solely for burial purposes as a cemetery corporation and not permitted by its charter to engage in any business not necessarily incident to that purpose, if such company or corporation is not operated for profit and no part of the net earnings of such company or corporation inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual.
For purposes of this section, the term "charitable contribution" also means an amount treated under subsection (g) as paid for the use of an organization described in paragraph (2), (3), or (4).
(d) Carryovers of excess contributions
(1) Individuals
(A) In general
In the case of an individual, if the amount of charitable contributions described in subsection (b)(1)(A) payment of which is made within a taxable year (hereinafter in this paragraph referred to as the "contribution year") exceeds 50 percent of the taxpayer's contribution base for such year, such excess shall be treated as a charitable contribution described in subsection (b)(1)(A) paid in each of the 5 succeeding taxable years in order of time, but, with respect to any such succeeding taxable year, only to the extent of the lesser of the two following amounts:
(i) the amount by which 50 percent of the taxpayer's contribution base for such succeeding taxable year exceeds the sum of the charitable contributions described in subsection (b)(1)(A) payment of which is made by the taxpayer within such succeeding taxable year (determined without regard to this subparagraph) and the charitable contributions described in subsection (b)(1)(A) payment of which was made in taxable years before the contribution year which are treated under this subparagraph as having been paid in such succeeding taxable year; or
(ii) in the case of the first succeeding taxable year, the amount of such excess, and in the case of the second, third, fourth, or fifth succeeding taxable year, the portion of such excess not treated under this subparagraph as a charitable contribution described in subsection (b)(1)(A) paid in any taxable year intervening between the contribution year and such succeeding taxable year.
(B) Special rule for net operating loss carryovers
In applying subparagraph (A), the excess determined under subparagraph (A) for the contribution year shall be reduced to the extent that such excess reduces taxable income (as computed for purposes of the second sentence of section 172(b)(2)) and increases the net operating loss deduction for a taxable year succeeding the contribution year.
(2) Corporations
(A) In general
Any contribution made by a corporation in a taxable year (hereinafter in this paragraph referred to as the "contribution year") in excess of the amount deductible for such year under subsection (b)(2) shall be deductible for each of the 5 succeeding taxable years in order of time, but only to the extent of the lesser of the two following amounts: (i) the excess of the maximum amount deductible for such succeeding taxable year under subsection (b)(2) over the sum of the contributions made in such year plus the aggregate of the excess contributions which were made in taxable years before the contribution year and which are deductible under this subparagraph for such succeeding taxable year; or (ii) in the case of the first succeeding taxable year, the amount of such excess contribution, and in the case of the second, third, fourth, or fifth succeeding taxable year, the portion of such excess contribution not deductible under this subparagraph for any taxable year intervening between the contribution year and such succeeding taxable year.
(B) Special rule for net operating loss carryovers
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the excess of-
(i) the contributions made by a corporation in a taxable year to which this section applies, over
(ii) the amount deductible in such year under the limitation in subsection (b)(2),
shall be reduced to the extent that such excess reduces taxable income (as computed for purposes of the second sentence of section 172(b)(2)) and increases a net operating loss carryover under section 172 to a succeeding taxable year.
(e) Certain contributions of ordinary income and capital gain property
(1) General rule
The amount of any charitable contribution of property otherwise taken into account under this section shall be reduced by the sum of-
(A) the amount of gain which would not have been long-term capital gain if the property contributed had been sold by the taxpayer at its fair market value (determined at the time of such contribution), and
(B) in the case of a charitable contribution-
(i) of tangible personal property, if the use by the donee is unrelated to the purpose or function constituting the basis for its exemption under section 501 (or, in the case of a governmental unit, to any purpose or function described in subsection (c)), or
(ii) to or for the use of a private foundation (as defined in section 509(a)), other than a private foundation described in subsection (b)(1)(E),
the amount of gain which would have been long-term capital gain if the property contributed had been sold by the taxpayer at its fair market value (determined at the time of such contribution).
For purposes of applying this paragraph (other than in the case of gain to which section 617(d)(1), 1245(a), 1250(a), 1252(a), or 1254(a) applies), property which is property used in the trade or business (as defined in section 1231(b)) shall be treated as a capital asset.
(2) Allocation of basis
For purposes of paragraph (1), in the case of a charitable contribution of less than the taxpayer's entire interest in the property contributed, the taxpayer's adjusted basis in such property shall be allocated between the interest contributed and any interest not contributed in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary.
(3) Special rule for certain contributions of inventory and other property
(A) Qualified contributions
For purposes of this paragraph, a qualified contribution shall mean a charitable contribution of property described in paragraph (1) or (2) of section 1221, by a corporation (other than a corporation which is an S corporation) to an organization which is described in section 501(c)(3) and is exempt under section 501(a) (other than a private foundation, as defined in section 509(a), which is not an operating foundation, as defined in section 4942(j)(3)), but only if-
(i) the use of the property by the donee is related to the purpose or function constituting the basis for its exemption under section 501 and the property is to be used by the donee solely for the care of the ill, the needy, or infants;
(ii) the property is not transferred by the donee in exchange for money, other property, or services;
(iii) the taxpayer receives from the donee a written statement representing that its use and disposition of the property will be in accordance with the provisions of clauses (i) and (ii); and
(iv) in the case where the property is subject to regulation under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, as amended, such property must fully satisfy the applicable requirements of such Act and regulations promulgated thereunder on the date of transfer and for one hundred and eighty days prior thereto.
(B) Amount of reduction
The reduction under paragraph (1)(A) for any qualified contribution (as defined in subparagraph (A)) shall be no greater than the sum of-
(i) one-half of the amount computed under paragraph (1)(A) (computed without regard to this paragraph), and
(ii) the amount (if any) by which the charitable contribution deduction under this section for any qualified contribution (computed by taking into account the amount determined in clause (i), but without regard to this clause) exceeds twice the basis of such property.
(C) This paragraph shall not apply to so much of the amount of the gain described in paragraph (1)(A) which would be long-term capital gain but for the application of sections 617, 1245, 1250, or 1252.
(4) Special rule for contributions of scientific property used for research
(A) Limit on reduction
In the case of a qualified research contribution, the reduction under paragraph (1)(A) shall be no greater than the amount determined under paragraph (3)(B).
(B) Qualified research contributions
For purposes of this paragraph, the term "qualified research contribution" means a charitable contribution by a corporation of tangible personal property described in paragraph (1) of section 1221, but only if-
(i) the contribution is to an organization described in subparagraph (A) or subparagraph (B) of section 41(e)(6),
(ii) the property is constructed by the taxpayer,
(iii) the contribution is made not later than 2 years after the date the construction of the property is substantially completed,
(iv) the original use of the property is by the donee,
(v) the property is scientific equipment or apparatus substantially all of the use of which by the donee is for research or experimentation (within the meaning of section 174), or for research training, in the United States in physical or biological sciences,
(vi) the property is not transferred by the donee in exchange for money, other property, or services, and
(vii) the taxpayer receives from the donee a written statement representing that its use and disposition of the property will be in accordance with the provisions of clauses (v) and (vi).
(C) Construction of property by taxpayer
For purposes of this paragraph, property shall be treated as constructed by the taxpayer only if the cost of the parts used in the construction of such property (other than parts manufactured by the taxpayer or a related person) do not exceed 50 percent of the taxpayer's basis in such property.
(D) Corporation
For purposes of this paragraph, the term "corporation" shall not include-
(i) an S corporation,
(ii) a personal holding company (as defined in section 542), and
(iii) a service organization (as defined in section 414(m)(3)).
(5) Special rule for contributions of stock for which market quotations are readily available
(A) In general
Subparagraph (B)(ii) of paragraph (1) shall not apply to any contribution of qualified appreciated stock.
(B) Qualified appreciated stock
Except as provided in subparagraph (C), for purposes of this paragraph, the term "qualified appreciated stock" means any stock of a corporation-
(i) for which (as of the date of the contribution) market quotations are readily available on an established securities market, and
(ii) which is capital gain property (as defined in subsection (b)(1)(C)(iv)).
(C) Donor may not contribute more than 10 percent of stock of corporation
(i) In general
In the case of any donor, the term "qualified appreciated stock" shall not include any stock of a corporation contributed by the donor in a contribution to which paragraph (1)(B)(ii) applies (determined without regard to this paragraph) to the extent that the amount of the stock so contributed (when increased by the aggregate amount of all prior such contributions by the donor of stock in such corporation) exceeds 10 percent (in value) of all of the outstanding stock of such corporation.
(ii) Special rule
For purposes of clause (i), an individual shall be treated as making all contributions made by any member of his family (as defined in section 267(c)(4)).
(D) Termination
This paragraph shall not apply to contributions made after December 31, 1994.
(f) Disallowance of deduction in certain cases and special rules
(1) In general
No deduction shall be allowed under this section for a contribution to or for the use of an organization or trust described in section 508(d) or 4948(c)(4) subject to the conditions specified in such sections.
(2) Contributions of property placed in trust
(A) Remainder interest
In the case of property transferred in trust, no deduction shall be allowed under this section for the value of a contribution of a remainder interest unless the trust is a charitable remainder annuity trust or a charitable remainder unitrust (described in section 664), or a pooled income fund (described in section 642(c)(5)).
(B) Income interests, etc.
No deduction shall be allowed under this section for the value of any interest in property (other than a remainder interest) transferred in trust unless the interest is in the form of a guaranteed annuity or the trust instrument specifies that the interest is a fixed percentage distributed yearly of the fair market value of the trust property (to be determined yearly) and the grantor is treated as the owner of such interest for purposes of applying section 671. If the donor ceases to be treated as the owner of such an interest for purposes of applying section 671, at the time the donor ceases to be so treated, the donor shall for purposes of this chapter be considered as having received an amount of income equal to the amount of any deduction he received under this section for the contribution reduced by the discounted value of all amounts of income earned by the trust and taxable to him before the time at which he ceases to be treated as the owner of the interest. Such amounts of income shall be discounted to the date of the contribution. The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this subparagraph.
(C) Denial of deduction in case of payments by certain trusts
In any case in which a deduction is allowed under this section for the value of an interest in property described in subparagraph (B), transferred in trust, no deduction shall be allowed under this section to the grantor or any other person for the amount of any contribution made by the trust with respect to such interest.
(D) Exception
This paragraph shall not apply in a case in which the value of all interests in property transferred in trust are deductible under subsection (a).
(3) Denial of deduction in case of certain contributions of partial interests in property
(A) In general
In the case of a contribution (not made by a transfer in trust) of an interest in property which consists of less than the taxpayer's entire interest in such property, a deduction shall be allowed under this section only to the extent that the value of the interest contributed would be allowable as a deduction under this section if such interest had been transferred in trust. For purposes of this subparagraph, a contribution by a taxpayer of the right to use property shall be treated as a contribution of less than the taxpayer's entire interest in such property.
(B) Exceptions
Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to-
(i) a contribution of a remainder interest in a personal residence or farm,
(ii) a contribution of an undivided portion of the taxpayer's entire interest in property, and
(iii) a qualified conservation contribution.
(4) Valuation of remainder interest in real property
For purposes of this section, in determining the value of a remainder interest in real property, depreciation (computed on the straight line method) and depletion of such property shall be taken into account, and such value shall be discounted at a rate of 6 percent per annum, except that the Secretary may prescribe a different rate.
(5) Reduction for certain interest
If, in connection with any charitable contribution, a liability is assumed by the recipient or by any other person, or if a charitable contribution is of property which is subject to a liability, then, to the extent necessary to avoid the duplication of amounts, the amount taken into account for purposes of this section as the amount of the charitable contribution-
(A) shall be reduced for interest (i) which has been paid (or is to be paid) by the taxpayer, (ii) which is attributable to the liability, and (iii) which is attributable to any period after the making of the contribution, and
(B) in the case of a bond, shall be further reduced for interest (i) which has been paid (or is to be paid) by the taxpayer on indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry such bond, and (ii) which is attributable to any period before the making of the contribution.
The reduction pursuant to subparagraph (B) shall not exceed the interest (including interest equivalent) on the bond which is attributable to any period before the making of the contribution and which is not (under the taxpayer's method of accounting) includible in the gross income of the taxpayer for any taxable year. For purposes of this paragraph, the term "bond" means any bond, debenture, note, or certificate or other evidence of indebtedness.
(6) Deductions for out-of-pocket expenditures
No deduction shall be allowed under this section for an out-of-pocket expenditure made by any person on behalf of an organization described in subsection (c) (other than an organization described in section 501(h)(5) (relating to churches, etc.)) if the expenditure is made for the purpose of influencing legislation (within the meaning of section 501(c)(3)).
(7) Reformations to comply with paragraph (2)
(A) In general
A deduction shall be allowed under subsection (a) in respect of any qualified reformation (within the meaning of section 2055(e)(3)(B)).
(B) Rules similar to section 2055(e)(3) to apply
For purposes of this paragraph, rules similar to the rules of section 2055(e)(3) shall apply.
(8) Substantiation requirement for certain contributions
(A) General rule
No deduction shall be allowed under subsection (a) for any contribution of $250 or more unless the taxpayer substantiates the contribution by a contemporaneous written acknowledgment of the contribution by the donee organization that meets the requirements of subparagraph (B).
(B) Content of acknowledgement
An acknowledgement meets the requirements of this subparagraph if it includes the following information:
(i) The amount of cash and a description (but not value) of any property other than cash contributed.
(ii) Whether the donee organization provided any goods or services in consideration, in whole or in part, for any property described in clause (i).
(iii) A description and good faith estimate of the value of any goods or services referred to in clause (ii) or, if such goods or services consist solely of intangible religious benefits, a statement to that effect.
For purposes of this subparagraph, the term "intangible religious benefit" means any intangible religious benefit which is provided by an organization organized exclusively for religious purposes and which generally is not sold in a commercial transaction outside the donative context.
(C) Contemporaneous
For purposes of subparagraph (A), an acknowledgment shall be considered to be contemporaneous if the taxpayer obtains the acknowledgment on or before the earlier of-
(i) the date on which the taxpayer files a return for the taxable year in which the contribution was made, or
(ii) the due date (including extensions) for filing such return.
(D) Substantiation not required for contributions reported by the donee organization
Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to a contribution if the donee organization files a return, on such form and in accordance with such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, which includes the information described in subparagraph (B) with respect to the contribution.
(E) Regulations
The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this paragraph, including regulations that may provide that some or all of the requirements of this paragraph do not apply in appropriate cases.
(9) Denial of deduction where contribution for lobbying activities
No deduction shall be allowed under this section for a contribution to an organization which conducts activities to which section 162(e)(1) applies on matters of direct financial interest to the donor's trade or business, if a principal purpose of the contribution was to avoid Federal income tax by securing a deduction for such activities under this section which would be disallowed by reason of section 162(e) if the donor had conducted such activities directly. No deduction shall be allowed under section 162(a) for any amount for which a deduction is disallowed under the preceding sentence.
(g) Amounts paid to maintain certain students as members of taxpayer's household
(1) In general
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, or a relative of the taxpayer) as a member of his household during the period that such individual is-
(A) 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
(B) 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.
(2) Limitations
(A) Amount
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.
(B) Compensation or reimbursement
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).
(3) Relative defined
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 paragraphs (1) through (8) of section 152(a).
(4) No other amount allowed as deduction
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.
(h) Qualified conservation contribution
(1) In general
For purposes of subsection (f)(3)(B)(iii), the term "qualified conservation contribution" means a contribution-
(A) of a qualified real property interest,
(B) to a qualified organization,
(C) exclusively for conservation purposes.
(2) Qualified real property interest
For purposes of this subsection, the term "qualified real property interest" means any of the following interests in real property:
(A) the entire interest of the donor other than a qualified mineral interest,
(B) a remainder interest, and
(C) a restriction (granted in perpetuity) on the use which may be made of the real property.
(3) Qualified organization
For purposes of paragraph (1), the term "qualified organization" means an organization which-
(A) is described in clause (v) or (vi) of subsection (b)(1)(A), or
(B) is described in section 501(c)(3) and-
(i) meets the requirements of section 509(a)(2), or
(ii) meets the requirements of section 509(a)(3) and is controlled by an organization described in subparagraph (A) or in clause (i) of this subparagraph.
(4) Conservation purpose defined
(A) In general
For purposes of this subsection, the term "conservation purpose" means-
(i) the preservation of land areas for outdoor recreation by, or the education of, the general public,
(ii) the protection of a relatively natural habitat of fish, wildlife, or plants, or similar ecosystem,
(iii) the preservation of open space (including farmland and forest land) where such preservation is-
(I) for the scenic enjoyment of the general public, or
(II) pursuant to a clearly delineated Federal, State, or local governmental conservation policy,
and will yield a significant public benefit, or
(iv) the preservation of an historically important land area or a certified historic structure.
(B) Certified historic structure
For purposes of subparagraph (A)(iv), the term "certified historic structure" means any building, structure, or land area which-
(i) is listed in the National Register, or
(ii) is located in a registered historic district (as defined in section 47(c)(3)(B)) and is certified by the Secretary of the Interior to the Secretary as being of historic significance to the district.
A building, structure, or land area satisfies the preceding sentence if it satisfies such sentence either at the time of the transfer or on the due date (including extensions) for filing the transferor's return under this chapter for the taxable year in which the transfer is made.
(5) Exclusively for conservation purposes
For purposes of this subsection-
(A) Conservation purpose must be protected
A contribution shall not be treated as exclusively for conservation purposes unless the conservation purpose is protected in perpetuity.
(B) No surface mining permitted
(i) In general
Except as provided in clause (ii), in the case of a contribution of any interest where there is a retention of a qualified mineral interest, subparagraph (A) shall not be treated as met if at any time there may be extraction or removal of minerals by any surface mining method.
(ii) Special rule
With respect to any contribution of property in which the ownership of the surface estate and mineral interests were separated before June 13, 1976, and remain so separated, subparagraph (A) shall be treated as met if the probability of surface mining occurring on such property is so remote as to be negligible.
(6) Qualified mineral interest
For purposes of this subsection, the term "qualified mineral interest" means-
(A) subsurface oil, gas, or other minerals, and
(B) the right to access to such minerals.
(i) Standard mileage rate for use of passenger automobile
For purposes of computing the deduction under this section for use of a passenger automobile the standard mileage rate shall be 12 cents per mile.
(j) Denial of deduction for certain travel expenses
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.
(k) Disallowance of deductions in certain cases
For disallowance of deductions for contributions to or for the use of communist controlled organizations, see section 11(a) 1 of the Internal Security Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. 790).
(l) Treatment of certain amounts paid to or for the benefit of institutions of higher education
(1) In general
For purposes of this section, 80 percent of any amount described in paragraph (2) shall be treated as a charitable contribution.
(2) Amount described
For purposes of paragraph (1), an amount is described in this paragraph if-
(A) the amount is paid by the taxpayer to or for the benefit of an educational organization-
(i) which is described in subsection (b)(1)(A)(ii), and
(ii) which is an institution of higher education (as defined in section 3304(f)), and
(B) such amount would be allowable as a deduction under this section but for the fact that the taxpayer receives (directly or indirectly) as a result of paying such amount the right to purchase tickets for seating at an athletic event in an athletic stadium of such institution.
If any portion of a payment is for the purchase of such tickets, such portion and the remaining portion (if any) of such payment shall be treated as separate amounts for purposes of this subsection.
(m) Other cross references
(1) For treatment of certain organizations providing child care, see section 501(k).
(2) For charitable contributions of estates and trusts, see section 642(c).
(3) For nondeductibility of contributions by common trust funds, see section 584.
(4) For charitable contributions of partners, see section 702.
(5) For charitable contributions of nonresident aliens, see section 873.
(6) 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 6973 of title 10, United States Code.
(7) 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.
(8) 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.
(9) For charitable contributions to or for the use of Indian tribal governments (or their subdivisions), see section 7871.
(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736,
References in Text
The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, as amended, referred to in subsec. (e)(3)(A)(iv), is act June 25, 1938, ch. 675,
Section 11(a) of the Internal Security Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. 790), referred to in subsec. (k), was repealed by
Section 25 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956, referred to in subsec. (m)(7), is classified to section 2697 of Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse.
Amendments
1993-Subsec. (f)(8).
Subsec. (f)(9).
1990-Subsec. (h)(4)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (i).
Subsecs. (j) to (n).
1988-Subsecs. (m), (n).
1987-Subsec. (c)(2)(D).
1986-Subsec. (b)(1)(C)(iv).
Subsec. (e)(1)(B).
Subsec. (e)(4)(B)(i).
Subsecs. (k) to (m).
1984-Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (b)(1)(A)(vii).
Subsec. (b)(1)(B).
Subsec. (b)(1)(B)(i).
Subsec. (b)(1)(C).
Subsec. (b)(1)(D) to (F).
Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (e)(1)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (e)(3)(C).
Subsec. (e)(5).
Subsec. (f)(7).
Subsec. (h)(5)(B).
Subsec. (j).
Subsec. (k).
Subsec. (l).
1983-Subsec. (h)(4)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (k)(8).
1982-Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (e)(3)(A).
Subsec. (e)(4)(D)(i).
Subsec. (k)(7).
1981-Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (e)(4).
Subsec. (i).
Subsecs. (j), (k).
1980-Subsec. (f)(3).
Subsecs. (h), (i).
Subsec. (i)(6).
Subsec. (j).
1978-Subsec. (e)(1)(B).
1977-Subsec. (f)(3)(B)(iii).
1976-Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(1)(A)(vii).
Subsec. (b)(1)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(1)(C).
Subsec. (b)(1)(D) to (F).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B).
Subsec. (c)(2)(D).
Subsec. (d)(1)(A).
Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (e)(1)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (e)(2).
Subsec. (e)(3).
Subsec. (f)(2).
Subsec. (f)(3).
Subsec. (f)(4).
Subsec. (f)(6).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (g)(1)(B).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (i).
Subsec. (j).
1969-Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (i).
Subsec. (j).
1966-Subsec. (e).
1964-Subsec. (b)(1)(A)(v), (vi), (2), (5).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g).
Subsecs. (h), (i).
1962-Subsec. (b)(1)(A)(iv).
Subsec. (b)(1)(B).
Subsecs. (e) to (g).
1960-Subsec. (c).
Subsecs. (d) to (f).
1958-Subsec. (b)(1)(C).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(4).
1956-Subsec. (b)(1)(A)(iii). Act Aug. 7, 1956, §1, provided for the allowance, as deductions, of contributions to medical research organizations.
Change of Name
International Communication Agency, and Director thereof, redesignated United States Information Agency, and Director thereof, by section 303 of
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Section 13172(b) of
Amendment by section 13222(b) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by section 11813(b)(10) of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Section 6001(b) of
"(1)
"(2)
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Section 10711(c) of
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Amendment by section 142(d) of
Amendment by section 231(f) of
Amendment by section 301(b)(2) of
Amendment by section 1831 of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by section 174(b)(5)(A) of
Section 301(d) of
"(1)
"(2)
Section 492(d) of
Amendment by section 1022(b) of
Section 1031(b) of
Section 1032(c) of
Section 1035(b) of
Effective Date of 1983 Amendments
For effective date of amendment by
Amendment by title I of
Effective Date of 1982 Amendments
Amendment by
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Section 121(d) of
Section 222(b) of
Section 263(b) of
Effective Date of 1980 Amendments
Section 6(d) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1978 Amendment
Section 402(c)(2) of
Section 403(d)(2) of
Effective Date of 1977 Amendment
Section 309(b)(1) of
Effective Date of 1976 Amendment
Section 1052(d) of
Amendment by section 1307 (d)(1)(B)(i), (c) of
Amendment by section 1313(b)(1) of
Amendment by section 1901(a)(28) of
Section 2124(e)(4) of
Section 2135(b) of
Effective Date of 1969 Amendment
Amendment by section 101(j)(2) of
Section 201(g) of
"(1)(A) Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C), the amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section and sections 545, 556, and 809 of this title] shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1969.
"(B) Subsections (e) and (f)(1) of section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] (as amended by subsection (a)) shall apply to contributions paid after December 31, 1969, except that, with respect to a letter or memorandum or similar property described in section 1221(3) of such Code (as amended by section 514 of this Act), such subsection (e) shall apply to contributions paid after July 25, 1969.
"(C) Paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) of section 170(f) of such Code (as amended by subsection (a)) shall apply to transfers in trust and contributions made after July 31, 1969.
"(D) For purposes of applying section 170(d) of such Code (as amended by subsection (a)) with respect to contributions paid in a taxable year beginning before January 1, 1970, subsection (b)(1)(D), subsection (e), and paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4) of subsection (f) of section 170 of such Code shall not apply.
"(2) The amendments made by subsection (b) [amending section 642 of this title] shall apply with respect to amounts paid, permanently set aside, or to be used for a charitable purpose in taxable years beginning after December 31, 1969, except that section 642(c)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as added by subsection (b)) shall apply to transfers in trust made after July 31, 1969.
"(3) The amendment made by subsection (c) [amending section 673 of this title] shall apply to transfers in trust made after April 22, 1969.
"(4)(A) Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C), the amendments made by paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (d) [amending sections 2055 and 2126 of this title] shall apply in the case of decedents dying after December 31, 1969.
"(B) Such amendments shall not apply in the case of property passing under the terms of a will executed on or before October 9, 1969-
"(i) if the decedent dies before October 9, 1972, without having republished the will after October 9, 1969, by codicil or otherwise,
"(ii) if the decedent at no time after October 9, 1969, had the right to change the portions of the will which pertain to the passing of the property to, or for the use of, an organization described in section 2055(a) [section 2055(a) of this title], or
"(iii) if the will is not republished by codicil or otherwise before October 9, 1972, and the decedent is on such date and at all times thereafter under a mental disability to republish the will by codicil or otherwise.
"(C) Such amendments shall not apply in the case of property transferred in trust on or before October 9, 1969-
"(i) if the decedent dies before October 9, 1972, without having amended after October 9, 1969, the instrument governing the disposition of the property,
"(ii) if the property transferred was an irrevocable interest to, or for the use of, an organization described in section 2055(a), or
"(iii) if the instrument governing the disposition of the property was not amended by the decedent before October 9, 1972, and the decedent is on such date and at all times thereafter under a mental disability to change the disposition of the property.
"(D) The amendment made by paragraph (3) of subsection (d) [amending section 2522 of this title] shall apply to gifts made after December 31, 1969, except that the amendments made to section 2522(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall apply to gifts made after July 31, 1969.
"(E) The amendments made by paragraph (4) of subsection (d) [amending sections 2055, 2106, and 2522 of this title] shall apply to gifts and transfers made after December 31, 1969.
"(5) The amendment made by subsection (e) [enacting section 664 of this title] shall apply to transfers in trust made after July 31, 1969.
"(6) The amendments made by subsection (f) [amending section 1011 of this title] shall apply with respect to sales made after December 19, 1969."
Section 201(h)(2) of
Effective Date of 1966 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1964 Amendment
Section 209(f) of
"(1) The amendments made by subsections (a), (b), and (c) [amending this section and sections 545 and 556 of this title], shall apply with respect to contributions which are paid in taxable years beginning after December 31, 1963.
"(2) The amendments made by subsection (d) [amending this section and section 381 of this title] shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1963, with respect to contributions which are paid (or treated as paid under section 170(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954]) in taxable years beginning after December 31, 1961.
"(3) The amendments made by subsection (e) [amending this section] shall apply to transfers of future interests made after December 31, 1963, in taxable years ending after such date, except that such amendments shall not apply to any transfer of a future interest made before July 1, 1964, where-
"(A) the sole intervening interest or right is a nontransferable life interest reserved by the donor, or
"(B) in the case of a joint gift by husband and wife, the sole intervening interest or right is a nontransferable life interest reserved by the donors which expires not later than the death of whichever of such donors dies later.
For purposes of the exception contained in the preceding sentence, a right to make a transfer of the reserved life interest to the donee of the future interest shall not be treated as making a life interest transferable."
Amendment by section 231(b)(1) of
Effective Date of 1962 Amendments
Section 2(c) of
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1960 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1958 Amendment
Section 10(b) of
Amendment by section 11 of
Section 12(b) of
Effective Date of 1956 Amendment
Section 2 of act Aug. 7, 1956, provided that: "The amendment made by this Act [amending this section] shall apply only with respect to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1955."
Savings Provision
For provisions that nothing in amendment by
Authority To Waive Appraisal Requirement for Certain Charitable Contributions of Property
Section 6281 of
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
Treatment of Certain Amounts Paid to or for the Benefit of Certain Institutions of Higher Education
Section 1608 of
Substantiation of Charitable Contributions of Property
Section 155(a) of
"(1)
"(A) to obtain a qualified appraisal for the property contributed,
"(B) to attach an appraisal summary to the return on which such deduction is first claimed for such contribution, and
"(C) to include on such return such additional information (including the cost basis and acquisition date of the contributed property) as the Secretary may prescribe in such regulations.
Such regulations shall require the taxpayer to retain any qualified appraisal.
"(2)
"(A) if such contribution is of property (other than publicly traded securities), and
"(B) if the claimed value of such property (plus the claimed value of all similar items of property donated to 1 or more donees) exceeds $5,000.
In the case of any property which is nonpublicly traded stock, subparagraph (B) shall be applied by substituting '$10,000' for '$5,000'.
"(3)
"(4)
"(A) a description of the property appraised,
"(B) the fair market value of such property on the date of contribution and the specific basis for the valuation,
"(C) a statement that such appraisal was prepared for income tax purposes,
"(D) the qualifications of the qualified appraiser,
"(E) the signature and TIN of such appaiser, [sic] and
"(F) such additional information as the Secretary prescribes in such regulations.
"(5)
"(A)
"(i) the taxpayer,
"(ii) a party to the transaction in which the taxpayer acquired the property,
"(iii) the donee,
"(iv) any person employed by any of the foregoing persons or related to any of the foregoing persons under section 267(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or
"(v) to the extent provided in such regulations, any person whose relationship to the taxpayer would cause a reasonable person to question the independence of such appraiser.
"(B)
"(6)
"(A)
"(B)
"(C)
"(D)
"(E)
Charitable Lead Trusts and Charitable Remainder Trusts in Case of Income and Gift Taxes
For includibility of provisions comparable to section 2055(e)(3) of this title in this section, see section 514(b) of
Deduction of Contributions to Certain Organizations for Judicial Reform
Section 29 of
"(1) to consider proposals for the reorganization of the judicial branch of the government of any State of the United States or political subdivision of such State, and
"(2) to provide information, make recommendations, and seek public support or opposition as to such proposals,
shall be treated as a charitable contribution if no part of the net earnings of such organization inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual. The provisions of the preceding sentence shall not apply to any organization which participates in, or intervenes in, any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office."
Cross References
Charitable and similar gifts deductible from amount of gift, see section 2522 of this title.
Charitable deduction for nonresident alien individual, see section 873 of this title.
Contributions and gifts excepted as business expense, see section 162 of this title.
Contributions by employer to employees' pension plan, see section 404 of this title.
Gifts and bequests accepted by Secretary of Commerce as gifts and bequests to United States, see section 1523 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade.
Taxable year deduction to be taken, see section 461 of this title.
Transfers to charitable uses deductible from gross estate, see section 2106 of this title.
Section Referred to in Other Sections
This section is referred to in sections 21, 41, 67, 74, 79, 101, 108, 117, 119, 125, 151, 152, 162, 163, 381, 401, 410, 467, 501, 507, 508, 509, 512, 513, 514, 535, 545, 556, 584, 642, 664, 674, 677, 702, 703, 805, 873, 882, 1011, 1255, 1257, 1398, 1441, 2055, 2056, 2503, 4041, 4221, 4253, 4911, 4940, 4941, 4942, 4944, 4945, 4947, 4948, 5214, 6033, 6050L, 6113, 6115, 6664, 7428, 7611, 7701, 7871 of this title; title 2 section 439a; title 12 section 3015; title 16 sections 410yy–8, 1246, 1285; title 20 sections 954, 956; title 22 sections 2876, 3307, 4341, 4603; title 29 sections 1002, 1052; title 42 sections 2996b, 10702.