Us Code § 307 - Basis of stock and stock rights acquired in distributions
Full text of Us Code United States Code § 307 — Basis of stock and stock rights acquired in distributions, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 307. Basis of stock and stock rights acquired in distributions
(a) General rule
If a shareholder in a corporation receives its stock or rights to acquire its stock (referred to in this subsection as "new stock") in a distribution to which section 305(a) applies, then the basis of such new stock and of the stock with respect to which it is distributed (referred to in this section as "old stock"), respectively, shall, in the shareholder's hands, be determined by allocating between the old stock and the new stock the adjusted basis of the old stock. Such allocation shall be made under regulations prescribed by the Secretary.
(b) Exception for certain stock rights
(1) In general
If—
(A) a corporation distributes rights to acquire its stock to a shareholder in a distribution to which section 305(a) applies, and
(B) the fair market value of such rights at the time of the distribution is less than 15 percent of the fair market value of the old stock at such time,
then subsection (a) shall not apply and the basis of such rights shall be zero, unless the taxpayer elects under paragraph (2) of this subsection to determine the basis of the old stock and of the stock rights under the method of allocation provided in subsection (a).
(2) Election
The election referred to in paragraph (1) shall be made in the return filed within the time prescribed by law (including extensions thereof) for the taxable year in which such rights were received. Such election shall be made in such manner as the Secretary may by regulations prescribe, and shall be irrevocable when made.
(c) Cross reference
For basis of stock and stock rights distributed before June 22, 1954, see section 1052.
(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 93; Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, §1906(b)(13)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1834.)
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1976—Subsecs. (a), (b)(2). Pub. L. 94–455 struck out "or his delegate" after "Secretary".
Subpart B—Effects on Corporation
About This Section
26 U.S.C. § 307 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. § 307. 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.
How to Read This Statute
Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.
Using This Page
This page is intended for research and educational use. Lawyers, students, journalists, and compliance professionals can use it as a starting point, but should always verify the current text through an official government source before relying on it for legal advice, filings, or compliance decisions.