Us Code § 541 - Imposition of personal holding company tax

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 541 — Imposition of personal holding company tax, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 541. Imposition of personal holding company tax

In addition to other taxes imposed by this chapter, there is hereby imposed for each taxable year on the undistributed personal holding company income (as defined in section 545) of every personal holding company (as defined in section 542) a personal holding company tax equal to 20 percent of the undistributed personal holding company income.

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 182; Pub. L. 88–272, title II, §225(a), Feb. 26, 1964, 78 Stat. 79; Pub. L. 97–34, title I, §101(d)(2), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 184; Pub. L. 99–514, title I, §104(b)(8), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2105; Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, §11802(f)(1), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–530; Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, §§13201(b)(2), 13202(b), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 459, 461; Pub. L. 107–16, title I, §101(c)(5), June 7, 2001, 115 Stat. 43; Pub. L. 108–27, title III, §302(e)(6), May 28, 2003, 117 Stat. 764; Pub. L. 112–240, title I, §102(c)(1)(B), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 2319.)


Editorial Notes

Amendments

2013—Pub. L. 112–240 substituted "20 percent" for "15 percent".

2003—Pub. L. 108–27 substituted "equal to 15 percent of the undistributed personal holding company income." for "equal to the product of the highest rate of tax under section 1(c) and the undistributed personal holding company income."

2001—Pub. L. 107–16 substituted "equal to the product of the highest rate of tax under section 1(c) and the undistributed personal holding company income." for "equal to 39.6 percent of the undistributed personal holding company income."

1993—Pub. L. 103–66, §13202(b), substituted "39.6 percent" for "36 percent".

Pub. L. 103–66, §13201(b)(2), substituted "36 percent" for "28 percent".

1990—Pub. L. 101–508 struck out "(38.5 percent in the case of taxable years beginning in 1987)" after "28 percent".

1986—Pub. L. 99–514 substituted "28 percent (38.5 percent in the case of taxable years beginning in 1987)" for "50 percent".

1981—Pub. L. 97–34 substituted "50 percent" for "70 percent".

1964—Pub. L. 88–272 reduced the tax from 75 percent of undistributed income not in excess of $2,000, and 85 percent when in excess of $2,000, to 70 percent.


Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2013 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 112–240 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 2012, see section 102(d)(1) of Pub. L. 112–240, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.

Effective Date of 2003 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 108–27 applicable, except as otherwise provided, to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 2002, see section 302(f) of Pub. L. 108–27, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2003 Amendment note under section 1 of this title.

Effective Date of 2001 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 107–16 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 2000, see section 101(d) of Pub. L. 107–16, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2001 Amendment note under section 1 of this title.

Effective Date of 1993 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 103–66 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1992, see sections 13201(c) and 13202(c) of Pub. L. 103–66, set out as notes under section 1 of this title.

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 99–514 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1986, see section 151(a) of Pub. L. 99–514, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.

Effective Date of 1981 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 97–34 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1981, see section 101(f)(1) of Pub. L. 97–34, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.

Effective Date of 1964 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 88–272 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1963, see section 225(l) of Pub. L. 88–272 set out as a note under section 316 of this title.

Savings Provision

For provisions that nothing in amendment by Pub. L. 101–508 be construed to affect treatment of certain transactions occurring, property acquired, or items of income, loss, deduction, or credit taken into account prior to Nov. 5, 1990, for purposes of determining liability for tax for periods ending after Nov. 5, 1990, see section 11821(b) of Pub. L. 101–508, set out as a note under section 45K of this title.

About This Section

26 U.S.C. § 541 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. § 541. 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 § 541

What does United States Code § 541 cover?

Section 541 ("Imposition of personal holding company 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 § 541?

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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 § 541 apply to my situation?

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Sources & Verification

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