Us Code § 6096 - Designation by individuals

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 6096 — Designation by individuals, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 6096. Designation by individuals

(a) In general

Every individual (other than a nonresident alien) whose income tax liability for the taxable year is $3 or more may designate that $3 shall be paid over to the Presidential Election Campaign Fund in accordance with the provisions of section 9006(a). In the case of a joint return of husband and wife having an income tax liability of $6 or more, each spouse may designate that $3 shall be paid to the fund.

(b) Income tax liability

For purposes of subsection (a), the income tax liability of an individual for any taxable year is the amount of the tax imposed by chapter 1 on such individual for such taxable year (as shown on his return), reduced by the sum of the credits (as shown in his return) allowable under part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 (other than subpart C thereof).

(c) Manner and time of designation

A designation under subsection (a) may be made with respect to any taxable year—

(1) at the time of filing the return of the tax imposed by chapter 1 for such taxable year, or

(2) at any other time (after the time of filing the return of the tax imposed by chapter 1 for such taxable year) specified in regulations prescribed by the Secretary.


Such designation shall be made in such manner as the Secretary prescribes by regulations except that, if such designation is made at the time of filing the return of the tax imposed by chapter 1 for such taxable year, such designation shall be made either on the first page of the return or on the page bearing the taxpayer's signature.

(Added Pub. L. 89–809, title III, §302(a), Nov. 13, 1966, 80 Stat. 1587; amended Pub. L. 92–178, title VIII, §802(a), Dec. 10, 1971, 85 Stat. 573; Pub. L. 93–53, §6(a), July 1, 1973, 87 Stat. 138; Pub. L. 94–12, title II, §§203(b)(4), 208(d)(4), Mar. 29, 1975, 89 Stat. 30, 35; Pub. L. 94–455, title IV, §401(a)(2)(C), title V, §504(c)(2), title XIX, §1906(b)(13)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1555, 1565, 1834; Pub. L. 95–30, title II, §202(d)(6), May 23, 1977, 91 Stat. 151; Pub. L. 95–618, title I, §101(b)(4), Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3180; Pub. L. 96–223, title II, §§231(b)(2), 232(b)(3)(C), Apr. 2, 1980, 94 Stat. 272, 276; Pub. L. 97–34, title II, §221(c)(1), title III, §331(e)(1), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 247, 295; Pub. L. 97–414, §4(c)(2), Jan. 4, 1983, 96 Stat. 2056; Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title IV, §474(r)(31), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 845; Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, §13441(a), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 567.)


Editorial Notes

Amendments

1993—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–66 substituted "$6" for "$2" and "$3" for "$1" wherever appearing.

1984—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 98–369 substituted "allowable under part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 (other than subpart C thereof" for "allowable under sections 33, 37, 38, 40, 41, 42, 44, 44A, 44B, 44C, 44D, 44E, 44F, 44G, and 44H".

1983—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 97–414 inserted reference to section 44H.

1981—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 97–34, §331(e)(1), inserted reference to section 44G.

Pub. L. 97–34, §221(c)(1), inserted reference to section 44F.

1980—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 96–223, §§231(b)(2), 232(b)(3)(C), inserted reference to sections 44D and 44E.

1978—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 95–618 inserted reference to section 44C.

1977—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 95–30 inserted reference to section 44B.

1976—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 94–455, §§401(a)(2)(C), 504(c)(2), inserted reference to section 42 in subsec. (a) as in effect on day before date of enactment of Pub. L. 94–12 and reference to section 44A.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 94–455, §1906(b)(13)(A), struck out "or his delegate" after "Secretary".

1975—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 94–12 inserted reference to sections 42 and 44.

1973—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 93–53 struck out "for the account of the candidates of any specified political party for President and Vice President of the United States, or if no specific account is designated by such individual, for a general account for all candidates for election to the offices of President and Vice President of the United States," after "Fund" and substituted "section 9006(a)" for "section 9006(a)(1)".

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 93–53 struck out reference to sections 32(2) and 35, and inserted reference to sections 40 and 41.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 93–53 provided that if designation is made at the time of filing the return of the tax imposed by chapter 1 for the taxable year, the designation shall be made either on the first page of the return or on the page bearing the taxpayer's signature.

1971—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 92–178 substituted "$1 shall be paid over to the Presidential Election Campaign Fund for the account of the candidates of any specified political party for President and Vice President of the United States, or if no specific account is designated by such individual, for a general account for all candidates for election to the offices of President and Vice President of the United States, in accordance with the provisions of section 9006(a)(1)" for "$1 shall be paid into the Presidential Election Campaign Fund established by section 303 of the Presidential Election Campaign Fund Act of 1966" and provided, in the case of a joint return of husband and wife having an income tax liability of $2 or more, that each spouse may designate that $1 shall be paid to any such account in the fund.


Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1993 Amendment

Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, §13441(b), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 568, provided that: "The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] apply with respect to tax returns required to be filed after December 31, 1993."

Effective Date of 1984 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 98–369 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1983, and to carrybacks from such years, see section 475(a) of Pub. L. 98–369, set out as a note under section 21 of this title.

Effective Date of 1983 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 97–414 applicable to amounts paid or incurred after Dec. 31, 1982, in taxable years ending after such date, see section 4(d) of Pub. L. 97–414, set out as an Effective Date note under section 28 of this title.

Effective Date of 1981 Amendment

Amendment by section 221(c)(1) of Pub. L. 97–34 applicable to amounts paid or incurred after June 30, 1981, see section 221(d) of Pub. L. 97–34, as amended, set out as an Effective Date note under section 41 of this title.

Amendment by section 331(e)(1) of Pub. L. 97–34 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1981, see section 339 of Pub. L. 97–34, set out as a note under section 401 of this title.

Effective Date of 1980 Amendment

Amendment by section 231(b)(2) of Pub. L. 96–223, applicable to taxable years ending after Dec. 31, 1979, see section 231(c) of Pub. L. 96–223, set out as an Effective Date note under section 45K of this title.

Amendment by section 232(b)(3)(C) of Pub. L. 96–223 applicable to sales or uses after Sept. 30, 1980, in taxable years ending after that date, see section 232(h)(1) of Pub. L. 96–223, set out as an Effective Date note under section 40 of this title.

Effective Date of 1978 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 95–618 applicable to taxable years ending on or after Apr. 20, 1977, see section 101(c) of Pub. L. 95–618, set out as a note under section 1016 of this title.

Effective Date of 1977 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 95–30 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1976, and to credit carrybacks from such years, see section 202(e) of Pub. L. 95–30, set out as an Effective Date note under section 51 of this title.

Effective and Termination Dates of 1976 Amendment

Amendment by section 401(a)(2)(C) of Pub. L. 94–455 applicable to taxable years ending after Dec. 31, 1975, but ceasing to be applicable to taxable years ending after Dec. 31, 1978, see section 401(e) of Pub. L. 94–455, as amended, set out as an Effective Date of 1976 Amendment note under section 32 of this title.

Amendment by section 504(c)(2) of Pub. L. 94–455 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1975, see section 508 of Pub. L. 94–455, set out as an Effective Date of 1976 Amendment note under section 3 of this title.

Effective and Termination Dates of 1975 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 94–12 applicable to taxable years ending after Dec. 31, 1974, and to cease to apply to taxable years ending after Dec. 31, 1975, see section 209(a) of Pub. L. 94–12, set out as a note under section 3 of this title.

Effective Date of 1973 Amendment; Designation to the Presidential Election Campaign Fund

Pub. L. 93–53, §6(d), July 1, 1973, 87 Stat. 139, as amended by Pub. L. 99–514, §2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 9003, 9006, 9007, and 9012 of this title] shall apply with respect to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1972. Any designation made under section 6096 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] (as in effect for taxable years beginning before January 1, 1973) for the account of the candidates of any specified political party shall, for purposes of section 9006(a) of such Code (as amended by subsection (b)), be treated solely as a designation to the Presidential Election Campaign Fund."

Effective Date of Section and Effective Date of 1971 Amendment

Provisions of this section, together with amendment of subsec. (a) of this section by Pub. L. 92–178, applicable only to taxable years ending on or after Dec. 31, 1972, see section 802(b)(2) of Pub. L. 92–178, set out as a note under section 9001 of this title.

Effective Date

Pub. L. 89–809, title III, §302(c), Nov. 13, 1966, 80 Stat. 1588, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [enacting this section] shall apply with respect to income tax liability for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1966."

Short Title

Pub. L. 89–809, title III, §301, Nov. 13, 1966, 80 Stat. 1587, provided that: "This title [enacting this section and sections 971, 972, and 973 of former Title 31, Money and Finance] may be cited as the 'Presidential Election Campaign Fund Act of 1966'."

Adoption of Guidelines

Pub. L. 90–26, §5, June 13, 1967, 81 Stat. 58, as amended by Pub. L. 99–514, §2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095, provided that:

"(a) Funds which become available under the Presidential Election Campaign Fund Act of 1966 [this section and section 971 et seq. of former Title 31, Money and Finance] shall be appropriated and disbursed only after the adoption by law of guidelines governing their distribution. Section 6096 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] shall become applicable only after the adoption by law of such guidelines.

"(b) Guidelines adopted in accordance with this section shall state expressly that they are intended to comply with this section."

Subchapter B—Miscellaneous Provisions

Sec.
6101.
Period covered by returns or other documents.
6102.
Computations on returns or other documents.
6103.
Confidentiality and disclosure of returns and return information.
6104.
Publicity of information required from certain exempt organizations and certain trusts.
6105.
Confidentiality of information arising under treaty obligations.
6106.
Publicity of unemployment tax returns.1

        

6107.
Tax return preparer must furnish copy of return to taxpayer and must retain a copy or list.
6108.
Publication of statistics of income.2

        

6109.
Identifying numbers.
6110.
Public inspection of written determinations.
6111.
Disclosure of reportable transactions.
6112.
Material advisors of reportable transactions must keep lists of advisees, etc.
6113.
Disclosure of nondeductibility of contributions.
6114.
Treaty-based return positions.
6115.
Disclosure related to quid pro quo contributions.
6116.
Requirement for prisons located in United States to provide information for tax administration.
6117.
Cross reference.

        

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2011—Pub. L. 112–41, title V, §502(b), Oct. 21, 2011, 125 Stat. 460, added items 6116 and 6117 and struck out former item 6116 "Cross reference".

2007—Pub. L. 110–28, title VIII, §8246(a)(2)(C)(ii), May 25, 2007, 121 Stat. 201, substituted "Tax return preparer" for "Income tax return preparer" in item 6107.

2004—Pub. L. 108–357, title VIII, §815(b)(1), (4), Oct. 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 1582, 1583, substituted "Disclosure of reportable transactions" for "Registration of tax shelters" in item 6111 and "Material advisors of reportable transactions must keep lists of advisees, etc." for "Organizers and sellers of potentially abusive tax shelters must keep lists of investors" in item 6112.

2000—Pub. L. 106–554, §1(a)(7) [title III, §304(b)(2)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–634, added item 6105.

1993—Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, §13173(c)(1), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 456, added item 6115 and redesignated former item 6115 as 6116.

1988—Pub. L. 100–647, title I, §1012(aa)(5)(C)(i), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3533, added item 6114 and redesignated former item 6114 as 6115.

1987—Pub. L. 100–203, title X, §10701(c)(1), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–459, added item 6113 and redesignated former item 6113 as 6114.

1984—Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title I, §§141(c)(1), 142(c)(1), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 680, 682, added items 6111 and 6112 and redesignated former item 6111 as 6113.

1976—Pub. L. 94–455, title XII, §§1201(c), 1202(a)(2), 1203(i)(2), title XIX, §1906(b)(1), (2), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1667, 1685, 1694, 1833, substituted in item 6103 "Confidentiality and disclosure of returns and return information" for "Publicity of returns and disclosure of information as to persons filing income tax returns", struck out item 6105 "Compilation of relief from excess profits tax cases", added items 6107 and 6110, redesignated former item 6110 as 6111, and as so redesignated substituted "reference" for "references".

1968—Pub. L. 90–618, title II, §203(b), Oct. 22, 1968, 82 Stat. 1235, struck out item 6107 "List of special taxpayers for public inspection".

1966—Pub. L. 89–713, §4(b), Nov. 2, 1966, 80 Stat. 1109, substituted "disclosure of information as to persons filing income tax returns" for "lists of taxpayers" in item 6103.

1961—Pub. L. 87–397, §1(c)(1), Oct. 5, 1961, 75 Stat. 829, added item 6109 and redesignated former item 6109 as 6110.

1 Section repealed by Pub. L. 94–455 without corresponding amendment of subchapter analysis.

2 Section catchline amended by Pub. L. 94–455 without corresponding amendment of subchapter analysis.

About This Section

26 U.S.C. § 6096 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. § 6096. 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.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 6096

What does United States Code § 6096 cover?

Section 6096 ("Designation by individuals") 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 § 6096?

A common citation format is "United States Code § 6096" (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 § 6096 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.