Us Code § 269A - Personal service corporations formed or availed of to avoid or evade income tax

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 269A — Personal service corporations formed or availed of to avoid or evade income tax, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 269A. Personal service corporations formed or availed of to avoid or evade income tax

(a) General rule

If—

(1) substantially all of the services of a personal service corporation are performed for (or on behalf of) 1 other corporation, partnership, or other entity, and

(2) the principal purpose for forming, or availing of, such personal service corporation is the avoidance or evasion of Federal income tax by reducing the income of, or securing the benefit of any expense, deduction, credit, exclusion, or other allowance for, any employee-owner which would not otherwise be available,


then the Secretary may allocate all income, deductions, credits, exclusions, and other allowances between such personal service corporation and its employee-owners, if such allocation is necessary to prevent avoidance or evasion of Federal income tax or clearly to reflect the income of the personal service corporation or any of its employee-owners.

(b) Definitions

For purposes of this section—

(1) Personal service corporation

The term "personal service corporation" means a corporation the principal activity of which is the performance of personal services and such services are substantially performed by employee-owners.

(2) Employee-owner

The term "employee-owner" means any employee who owns, on any day during the taxable year, more than 10 percent of the outstanding stock of the personal service corporation. For purposes of the preceding sentence, section 318 shall apply, except that "5 percent" shall be substituted for "50 percent" in section 318(a)(2)(C).

(3) Related persons

All related persons (within the meaning of section 144(a)(3)) shall be treated as 1 entity.

(Added Pub. L. 97–248, title II, §250(a), Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 528; amended Pub. L. 99–514, title XIII, §1301(j)(4), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2657.)


Editorial Notes

Amendments

1986—Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 99–514 substituted "section 144(a)(3)" for "section 103(b)(6)(C)".


Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 99–514 applicable to bonds issued after Aug. 15, 1986, except as otherwise provided, see sections 1311 to 1318 of Pub. L. 99–514, set out as an Effective Date; Transitional Rules note under section 141 of this title.

Effective Date

Pub. L. 97–248, title II, §250(c), Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 529, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [enacting this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1982."

About This Section

26 U.S.C. § 269A is part of Title 26 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 26 U.S.C. § 269A. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

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Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 269A

What does United States Code § 269A cover?

Section 269A ("Personal service corporations formed or availed of to avoid or evade income tax") is part of the United States Code, the codified statutory law of Us Code. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Us Code § 269A?

A common citation format is "United States Code § 269A" (Us Code). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Us Code law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Us Code official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

How does Us Code § 269A apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Us Code can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Us Code.