26 USC 1017 - Discharge of indebtedness

U.S Code last checked for updates: Oct 22, 2026

§ 1017.

Discharge of indebtedness

(a)

General rule

If—

(1)

an amount is excluded from gross income under subsection (a) of section 108 (relating to discharge of indebtedness), and

(2)

under subsection (b)(2)(E), (b)(5), or (c)(1) of section 108, any portion of such amount is to be applied to reduce basis,

then such portion shall be applied in reduction of the basis of any property held by the taxpayer at the beginning of the taxable year following the taxable year in which the discharge occurs.

(b)

Amount and properties determined under regulations

(1)

In general

(2)

Limitation in title 11 case or insolvency

In the case of a discharge to which subparagraph (A) or (B) of section 108(a)(1) applies, the reduction in basis under subsection (a) of this section shall not exceed the excess of—

(A)

the aggregate of the bases of the property held by the taxpayer immediately after the discharge, over

(B)

the aggregate of the liabilities of the taxpayer immediately after the discharge.

The preceding sentence shall not apply to any reduction in basis by reason of an election under section 108(b)(5).

(3)

(A)

In general

(B)

Depreciable property

(C)

Special rule for partnership interests

(D)

Special rule in case of affiliated group

For purposes of this section, if—

(i)

a corporation holds stock in another corporation (hereinafter in this subparagraph referred to as the “subsidiary”), and

(ii)

such corporations are members of the same affiliated group which file a consolidated return under section 1501 for the taxable year in which the discharge occurs,

then such stock shall be treated as depreciable property to the extent that such subsidiary consents to a corresponding reduction in the basis of its depreciable property.

(E)

Election to treat certain inventory as depreciable property

(i)

In general

(ii)

Election

(F)

Special rules for qualified real property business indebtedness

In the case of any amount which under section 108(c)(1) is to be applied to reduce basis—

(i)

depreciable property shall only include depreciable real property for purposes of subparagraphs (A) and (C),

(ii)

subparagraph (E) shall not apply, and

(iii)

in the case of property taken into account under section 108(c)(2)(B), the reduction with respect to such property shall be made as of the time immediately before disposition if earlier than the time under subsection (a).

(4)

Special rules for qualified farm indebtedness

(A)

In general

Any amount which under subsection (b)(2)(E) of section 108 is to be applied to reduce basis and which is attributable to an amount excluded under subsection (a)(1)(C) of section 108—

(i)

shall be applied only to reduce the basis of qualified property held by the taxpayer, and

(ii)

shall be applied to reduce the basis of qualified property in the following order:

(I)

First the basis of qualified property which is depreciable property.

(II)

Second the basis of qualified property which is land used or held for use in the trade or business of farming.

(III)

Then the basis of other qualified property.

(B)

Qualified property

(C)

Certain rules made applicable

(c)

Special rules

(1)

Reduction not to be made in exempt property

(2)

Reductions in basis not treated as dispositions

(d)

Recapture of reductions

(1)

In general

For purposes of sections 1245 and 1250—

(A)

any property the basis of which is reduced under this section and which is neither section 1245 property nor section 1250 property shall be treated as section 1245 property, and

(B)

any reduction under this section shall be treated as a deduction allowed for depreciation.

(2)

Special rule for section 1250

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 301; Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, §§ 1906(b)(13)(A), 1951(c)(1), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1834, 1840; Pub. L. 96–589, § 2(b), Dec. 24, 1980, 94 Stat. 3394; Pub. L. 99–514, title IV, § 405(b), title VIII, § 822(b)(4), (5), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2224, 2373; Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1004(a)(5), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3386; Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, § 11704(a)(12), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–518; Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, § 13150(c)(6)–(8), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 448; Pub. L. 104–188, title I, § 1703(n)(5), Aug. 20, 1996, 110 Stat. 1877; Pub. L. 105–206, title VI, § 6023(11), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 825; Pub. L. 106–170, title V, § 532(c)(2)(S), Dec. 17, 1999, 113 Stat. 1931.)

cite as: 26 USC 1017