Editorial Notes
References in Text

The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, referred to in subsec. (e)(1), (2)(C)(ii)(I), is Pub. L. 110–343, div. A, Oct. 3, 2008, 122 Stat. 3765. Section 101(a) of the Act enacted section 5211(a) of Title 12, Banks and Banking, and amended section 5315 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, and section 301 of Title 31, Money and Finance. Section 120 of the Act is classified to section 5230 of Title 12. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5201 of Title 12 and Tables.

Amendments

2008—Subsecs. (e), (f). Pub. L. 110–343 added subsec. (e) and redesignated former subsec. (e) as (f).

1996—Subsec. (b)(6)(D). Pub. L. 104–188 added subpar. (D).

1988—Subsec. (b)(5)(A). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1018(d)(6), substituted “section 1361(b) but without regard to paragraph (1)(C) thereof)” for “section 1361(b))” in cl. (i) and inserted at end “Stock described in section 1504(a)(4) shall not be taken into account under clause (ii)(I) if the payment does not adversely affect the shareholder’s redemption and liquidation rights.”

Subsec. (b)(5)(B). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1018(d)(7), inserted at end “The regulations prescribed under subsection (e) shall include regulations providing for the application of this subparagraph in the case of shareholders which are not individuals (including the treatment of nonvoting interests in an entity which is a shareholder) and where an entity holds a de minimis amount of stock in the corporation.”

Subsec. (d)(5). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1018(d)(8), substituted “officer of any member” for “officer or any member”.

1986—Subsec. (b)(2)(A). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1804(j)(6), inserted “For purposes of clause (ii), payments not treated as parachute payments under paragraph (4)(A), (5), or (6) shall not be taken into account.”

Subsec. (b)(2)(B). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1804(j)(7), amended subpar. (B) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (B) read as follows: “The term ‘parachute payment’ shall also include any payment in the nature of compensation to (or for the benefit of) a disqualified individual if such payment is pursuant to an agreement which violates any securities laws or regulations.”

Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1804(j)(2), substituted “Treatment of amounts which taxpayer establishes as reasonable compensation” for “Excess parachute payments reduced to extent taxpayer establishes reasonable compensation” in heading and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “In the case of any parachute payment described in paragraph (2)(A), the amount of any excess parachute payment shall be reduced by the portion of such payment which the taxpayer establishes by clear and convincing evidence is reasonable compensation for personal services actually rendered. For purposes of the preceding sentence, reasonable compensation shall be first offset against the base amount.”

Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1804(j)(1), added par. (5).

Subsec. (b)(6). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1804(j)(3), added par. (6).

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1804(j)(5), inserted provision defining “highly-compensated individual”.

Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1804(j)(8), substituted “performed personal services for the corporation” for “was an employee of the corporation”.

Subsec. (d)(5). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1804(j)(4), added par. (5).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment

Pub. L. 110–343, div. A, title III, § 302(c)(2), Oct. 3, 2008, 122 Stat. 3806, provided that: “The amendments made by subsection (b) [amending this section] shall apply to payments with respect to severances occurring during the period during which the authorities under section 101(a) of this Act [enacting section 5211(a) of Title 12, Banks and Banking, and amending section 5315 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, and section 301 of Title 31, Money and Finance] are in effect (determined under section 120 of this Act [12 U.S.C. 5230]).”

Effective Date of 1996 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 104–188 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1996, see section 1421(e) of Pub. L. 104–188, set out as a note under section 72 of this title.

Effective Date of 1988 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 100–647 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provision of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, Pub. L. 99–514, to which such amendment relates, see section 1019(a) of Pub. L. 100–647, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 99–514 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1984, Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, to which such amendment relates, see section 1881 of Pub. L. 99–514, set out as a note under section 48 of this title.

Effective Date of 1985 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 99–121 applicable to sales and exchanges after June 30, 1985, in taxable years ending after such date, see section 105(a)(1) of Pub. L. 99–121, set out as a note under section 1274 of this title.

Effective Date

Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title I, § 67(e), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 587, provided that:

“(1)
In general.—
The amendments made by this section [enacting this section and section 4999 of this title and amending sections 275 and 3121 of this title] shall apply to payments under agreements entered into or renewed after June 14, 1984, in taxable years ending after such date.
“(2)
Special rule for contract amendments.—
Any contract entered into before June 15, 1984, which is amended after June 14, 1984, in any significant relevant aspect shall be treated as a contract entered into after June 14, 1984.”

Plan Amendments Not Required Until January 1, 1998

For provisions directing that if any amendments made by subtitle D [§§ 1401–1465] of title I of Pub. L. 104–188 require an amendment to any plan or annuity contract, such amendment shall not be required to be made before the first day of the first plan year beginning on or after Jan. 1, 1998, see section 1465 of Pub. L. 104–188, set out as a note under section 401 of this title.

Plan Amendments Not Required Until January 1, 1989

For provisions directing that if any amendments made by subtitle A or subtitle C of title XI [§§ 1101–1147 and 1171–1177] or title XVIII [§§ 1800–1899A] of Pub. L. 99–514 require an amendment to any plan, such plan amendment shall not be required to be made before the first plan year beginning on or after Jan. 1, 1989, see section 1140 of Pub. L. 99–514, as amended, set out as a note under section 401 of this title.