Us Code § 645 - Certain revocable trusts treated as part of estate

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 645 — Certain revocable trusts treated as part of estate, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 645. Certain revocable trusts treated as part of estate

(a) General rule

For purposes of this subtitle, if both the executor (if any) of an estate and the trustee of a qualified revocable trust elect the treatment provided in this section, such trust shall be treated and taxed as part of such estate (and not as a separate trust) for all taxable years of the estate ending after the date of the decedent's death and before the applicable date.

(b) Definitions

For purposes of subsection (a)—

(1) Qualified revocable trust

The term "qualified revocable trust" means any trust (or portion thereof) which was treated under section 676 as owned by the decedent of the estate referred to in subsection (a) by reason of a power in the grantor (determined without regard to section 672(e)).

(2) Applicable date

The term "applicable date" means—

(A) if no return of tax imposed by chapter 11 is required to be filed, the date which is 2 years after the date of the decedent's death, and

(B) if such a return is required to be filed, the date which is 6 months after the date of the final determination of the liability for tax imposed by chapter 11.

(c) Election

The election under subsection (a) shall be made not later than the time prescribed for filing the return of tax imposed by this chapter for the first taxable year of the estate (determined with regard to extensions) and, once made, shall be irrevocable.

(Added Pub. L. 105–34, title XIII, §1305(a), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 1040, §646; renumbered §645, Pub. L. 105–206, title VI, §6013(a)(1), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 819.)


Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 645 was renumbered section 644 of this title.

Amendments

1998—Pub. L. 105–206 renumbered section 646 of this title as this section.


Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Pub. L. 105–34, title XIII, §1305(d), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 1041, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [enacting this section and amending section 2652 of this title] shall apply with respect to estates of decedents dying after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 5, 1997]."

About This Section

26 U.S.C. § 645 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. § 645. 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 § 645

What does United States Code § 645 cover?

Section 645 ("Certain revocable trusts treated as part of estate") 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 § 645?

A common citation format is "United States Code § 645" (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 § 645 apply to my situation?

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Sources & Verification

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