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Title 26 — Internal Revenue Code

Part II · Chapter 1 — Normal Taxes and Surtaxes

§ 721. Nonrecognition of gain or loss on contribution

Statutory text

(a)

General rule

No gain or loss shall be recognized to a partnership or to any of its partners in the case of a contribution of property to the partnership in exchange for an interest in the partnership.

(b)

Special rule

Subsection (a) shall not apply to gain realized on a transfer of property to a partnership which would be treated as an investment company (within the meaning of section 351) if the partnership were incorporated.

(c)

Regulations relating to certain transfers to partnerships

The Secretary may provide by regulations that subsection (a) shall not apply to gain realized on the transfer of property to a partnership if such gain, when recognized, will be includible in the gross income of a person other than a United States person.

(d)

Transfers of intangibles

For regulatory authority to treat intangibles transferred to a partnership as sold, see section 367(d)(3).

Legislative history

Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.

  1. Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 245 · 68A Stat. 245

    Enacted · 26 U.S.C. § 721

    Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 245

    Source evidence

    Code source credit
    Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 245

  2. Pub. L. 94–455 title XXI § 2131(b) · 90 Stat. 1520

    1. Amended · 26 U.S.C. § 721

      Pub. L. 94–455 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a)

    2. Added · 26 U.S.C. § 721

      Pub. L. 94–455 added subsec. (a) heading “General rule”

    3. Added · 26 U.S.C. § 721

      Pub. L. 94–455 added subsec. (b)

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Pub. L. 94–455 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), added subsec. (a) heading “General rule”, and added subsec. (b).

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (b) Partnerships.— Section 721 (relating to non recognition of gain or loss on transfers to partnerships) is amended to read as follows: “SEC. 721. NONRECOGNITION OF GAIN OR LOSS ON CONTRIBUTION. “(a) General Rule.— No gain or loss shall be recognized to a partnership or to any of its partners in the case of a contribution of property to the partnership tn exchange for an interest in the partnership. “(b) Special Rule.— Subsection (a) shall not apply to gain realized on a transfer of property to a partnership which would be treated as an investment company (within the meaning of section 351) if the partnership were incorporated.”

    Effective date note
    Pub. L. 94–455, title XXI, § 2131(f)(3)–(5), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1924, 1925, provided that:

  3. Pub. L. 105–34 § 1131(b)(3) · 111 Stat. 788

    Added · 26 U.S.C. § 721(c)

    Pub. L. 105–34, § 1131(b)(3), added subsec. (c)

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 105–34, § 1131(b)(3), added subsec. (c).

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (3) Certain transfers to partnerships.— Section 721 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: “(c) Regulations Relating to Certain Transfers to Partnerships.— The Secretary may provide by regulations that subsection (a) shall not apply to gain realized on the transfer of property to a partnership if such gain, when recognized, will be includible in the gross income of a person other than a United States person.”.

  4. Pub. L. 105–34 § 1131(b)(5)(B) · 111 Stat. 788

    Added · 26 U.S.C. § 721(d)

    Pub. L. 105–34, § 1131(b)(5)(B), added subsec. (d)

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 105–34, § 1131(b)(5)(B), added subsec. (d).

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (B) Section 721 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: “(d) Transfers of Intangibles.— “For regulatory authority to treat intangibles transferred to a partnership as sold, see section 367(d)(3).”.

5 of 6 references resolved to an enrolled provision · 1 partial

Editorial Notes

Codification
Amendments1976–1997 · 2 rounds

1997

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 105–34, § 1131(b)(3), added subsec. (c).

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 105–34, § 1131(b)(5)(B), added subsec. (d).

1976

Pub. L. 94–455 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), added subsec. (a) heading “General rule”, and added subsec. (b).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1976 Amendment

Pub. L. 94–455, title XXI, § 2131(f)(3)–(5), , 90 Stat. 1924, 1925, provided that:

“(3)

Except as provided in paragraph (4), the amendments made by subsections (b) and (c) [amending this section and sections 722 and 723 of this title] shall apply to transfers made after , in taxable years ending after such date.

“(4)

The amendments made by subsections (b) and (c) shall not apply to transfers to a partnership made on or before the 90th day after the date of the enactment of this Act [] if—

“(A)

either—

“(i)

a ruling request with respect to such transfers was filed with the Internal Revenue Service before , or

“(ii)

a registration statement with respect to such transfers was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission before ,

“(B)

the securities transferred were deposited on or before the 60th day after the date of the enactment of this Act [], and

“(C)

either—

“(i)

the aggregate value (determined as of the close of the 60th day referred to in subparagraph (B), or, if earlier, the close of the deposit period) of the securities so transferred does not exceed $100,000,000, or

“(ii)

the securities transferred were all on deposit on , pursuant to a registration statement referred to in subparagraph (A)(ii).

“(5)

If no registration statement was required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to the transfer of securities to any partnership, then paragraph (4) shall be applied to such transfers—

“(A)

as if paragraph (4) did not contain subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof, and

“(B)

by substituting ‘$25,000,000’ for ‘$100,000,000’ in subparagraph (C)(i) thereof.”

Credits

1954–1997 · 3 acts
  1. 1954Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 245
  2. 1976Pub. L. 94–455, title XXI, § 2131(b), , 90 Stat. 1924
  3. 1997Pub. L. 105–34, title XI, § 1131(b)(3), (5)(B), , 111 Stat. 979, 980.
Show as published

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 245; Pub. L. 94–455, title XXI, § 2131(b), , 90 Stat. 1924; Pub. L. 105–34, title XI, § 1131(b)(3), (5)(B), , 111 Stat. 979, 980.)

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