Cases: Black & Decker Corp. v. United States, 436 F.3d 431 (4th Cir. 2006); Coltec Industries, Inc. v. United States, 454 F.3d 1340 (Fed. Cir. 2006); Stewart v. Commissioner, 714 F.2d 977 (9th Cir. 1983)
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(a) General rule No gain or loss shall be recognized if property is transferred to a corporation by one or more persons solely in exchange for stock in such corporation and immediately after the exchange such person or persons are in control (as defined in section 368(c)) of the corporation.
Other property or money: see § 351(b)
Amended 1966, 1976, 1980, 1989
- 1989 Pub. L. 101-239 Pub. L. 101–239, § 7203(a), struck out “or securities” after “stock”.
- 1980 Pub. L. 96-589 Pub. L. 96–589, § 5(e)(2), struck out provision that stock or securities issued for services shall not be considered as issued in return for property for purposes of this section.
- 1976 Pub. L. 94-455 Pub. L. 94–455, § 1901(a)(48)(A), struck out “(including, in the case of transfers made on or before June 30, 1967, an investment company)” after “property is transferred to a corporation”.
- 1966 Pub. L. 89-809 Pub. L. 89–809, § 203(a), inserted “(including, in the case of transfers made on or before June 30, 1967, an investment company)” after “if property is transferred to a corporation”.
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(b) Receipt of property If subsection (a) would apply to an exchange but for the fact that there is received, in addition to the stock permitted to be received under subsection (a), other property or money, then—
Amended 1989
- 1989 Pub. L. 101-239 Pub. L. 101–239, § 7203(b)(1), struck out “or securities” after “stock”.
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(1) gain (if any) to such recipient shall be recognized, but not in excess of—
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(A) the amount of money received, plus
(B) the fair market value of such other property received; and
(2) no loss to such recipient shall be recognized.
(c) Special rules where distribution to shareholders
Amended 1997, 1998
- 1998 Pub. L. 105-206 Pub. L. 105–206, § 6010(c)(3)(A), reenacted heading without change and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “In determining control for purposes of this section—
“(1) the fact that any corporate transferor distributes part or all of the stock in the corporation which it receives in the exchange to its shareholders shall not be taken into account, and
“(2) if the requirements of section 355 are met with respect to such distribution, the shareholders shall be treated as in control of such corporation immediately after the exchange if the shareholders own (immediately after the distribution) stock possessing—
“(A) more than 50 percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of such corporation entitled to vote, and
“(B) more than 50 percent of the total value of shares of all classes of stock of such corporation.”
- 1997 Pub. L. 105-34 Pub. L. 105–34, § 1012(c)(1), amended heading and text of subsec. (c) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “In determining control, for purposes of this section, the fact that any corporate transferor distributes part or all of the stock which it receives in the exchange to its shareholders shall not be taken into account.”
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(1) In general In determining control for purposes of this section, the fact that any corporate transferor distributes part or all of the stock in the corporation which it receives in the exchange to its shareholders shall not be taken into account.
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(2) Special rule for section 355 If the requirements of section 355 (or so much of section 356 as relates to section 355) are met with respect to a distribution described in paragraph (1), then, solely for purposes of determining the tax treatment of the transfers of property to the controlled corporation by the distributing corporation, the fact that the shareholders of the distributing corporation dispose of part or all of the distributed stock, or the fact that the corporation whose stock was distributed issues additional stock, shall not be taken into account in determining control for purposes of this section.
Amended 1998
- 1998 Pub. L. 105-277 Pub. L. 105–277 inserted “, or the fact that the corporation whose stock was distributed issues additional stock,” after “dispose of part or all of the distributed stock”.
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(d) Services, certain indebtedness, and accrued interest not treated as property For purposes of this section, stock issued for—
(1) services,
(2) indebtedness of the transferee corporation which is not evidenced by a security, or
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(3) interest on indebtedness of the transferee corporation which accrued on or after the beginning of the transferor’s holding period for the debt,
shall not be considered as issued in return for property.
Amended 1966, 1976, 1980, 1989
- 1989 Pub. L. 101-239 Pub. L. 101–239, § 7203(b)(1), struck out “or securities” after “stock”.
- 1980 Pub. L. 96-589 Pub. L. 96–589, § 5(e)(1), added subsec. (d). Former subsec. (d) redesignated (e)(1).
- 1976 Pub. L. 94-455 Pub. L. 94–455, § 1901(a)(48)(B), among other changes, substituted “Exception” for “Application of June 30, 1967, date” in heading and in text provision that this section does not apply to a transfer of property to an investment company for provisions relating to treatment of a transfer of property to an investment company as made on or before June 30, 1967.
- 1966 Pub. L. 89-809 Pub. L. 89–809, § 203(b), added subsec. (d) and redesignated former subsec. (d) as (e).
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(e) Exceptions This section shall not apply to—
Amended 1966, 1980
- 1980 Pub. L. 96-589 Pub. L. 96–589, § 5(e)(2), redesignated former subsec. (d) as par. (1) and added par. (2). Former subsec. (e) redesignated (f).
- 1966 Pub. L. 89-809 Pub. L. 89–809, § 203(b), added subsec. (d) and redesignated former subsec. (d) as (e).
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(1) Transfer of property to an investment company A transfer of property to an investment company. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the determination of whether a company is an investment company shall be made—
Amended 1997
- 1997 Pub. L. 105-34 Pub. L. 105–34, § 1002(a), inserted last two sentences.
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(A) by taking into account all stock and securities held by the company, and
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(B) by treating as stock and securities—
(i) money,
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(ii) stocks and other equity interests in a corporation, evidences of indebtedness, options, forward or futures contracts, notional principal contracts and derivatives,
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(iii) any foreign currency,
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(iv) any interest in a real estate investment trust, a common trust fund, a regulated investment company, a publicly-traded partnership (as defined in section 7704(b)) or any other equity interest (other than in a corporation) which pursuant to its terms or any other arrangement is readily convertible into, or exchangeable for, any asset described in any preceding clause, this clause or clause (v) or (viii),
(v) except to the extent provided in regulations prescribed by the Secretary, any interest in a precious metal, unless such metal is used or held in the active conduct of a trade or business after the contribution,
“Except to the extent provided in regulations” leaves this to Treasury. No regulation cites this provision (eCFR, Oct 19, 2026)
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(vi) except as otherwise provided in regulations prescribed by the Secretary, interests in any entity if substantially all of the assets of such entity consist (directly or indirectly) of any assets described in any preceding clause or clause (viii),
“Substantially” implies facts and circumstances. No regulation cites this provision (eCFR, Oct 19, 2026)
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(vii) to the extent provided in regulations prescribed by the Secretary, any interest in any entity not described in clause (vi), but only to the extent of the value of such interest that is attributable to assets listed in clauses (i) through (v) or clause (viii), or
“To the extent provided in regulations” leaves this to Treasury. No regulation cites this provision (eCFR, Oct 19, 2026)
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(viii) any other asset specified in regulations prescribed by the Secretary.
“Specified in regulations” leaves this to Treasury. No regulation cites this provision (eCFR, Oct 19, 2026)
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The Secretary may prescribe regulations that, under appropriate circumstances, treat any asset described in clauses (i) through (v) as not so listed.
(2) Title 11 or similar case A transfer of property of a debtor pursuant to a plan while the debtor is under the jurisdiction of a court in a title 11 or similar case (within the meaning of section 368(a)(3)(A)), to the extent that the stock received in the exchange is used to satisfy the indebtedness of such debtor.
Amended 1989, 1990
- 1990 Pub. L. 101-508 Pub. L. 101–508 substituted “is used” for “are used”.
- 1989 Pub. L. 101-239 Pub. L. 101–239, § 7203(b)(1), struck out “or securities” after “stock”.
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(f) Treatment of controlled corporation If—
(1) property is transferred to a corporation (hereinafter in this subsection referred to as the “controlled corporation”) in an exchange with respect to which gain or loss is not recognized (in whole or in part) to the transferor under this section, and
(2) such exchange is not in pursuance of a plan of reorganization,
section 311 shall apply to any transfer in such exchange by the controlled corporation in the same manner as if such transfer were a distribution to which subpart A of part I applies.
Amended 1980, 1982, 1988
- 1988 Pub. L. 100-647 Pub. L. 100–647 added subsec. (f) and redesignated former subsec. (f) as (g).
- 1982 Pub. L. 97-248 Pub. L. 97–248 added par. (5).
- 1980 Pub. L. 96-589 Pub. L. 96–589, § 5(e)(1), redesignated former subsec. (e) as (f).
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(g) Nonqualified preferred stock not treated as stock
Amended 1988, 1997
- 1997 Pub. L. 105-34 Pub. L. 105–34, § 1014(a), added subsec. (g) and redesignated former subsec. (g) as (h).
- 1988 Pub. L. 100-647 Pub. L. 100–647 added subsec. (f) and redesignated former subsec. (f) as (g).
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(1) In general In the case of a person who transfers property to a corporation and receives nonqualified preferred stock—
Amended 1998
- 1998 Pub. L. 105-206 Pub. L. 105–206, § 6010(e)(1), inserted “and” at end of subpar. (A), added subpar. (B), and struck out former subpars. (B) and (C) which read as follows:
- 1998 “(B) subsection (b) shall apply to such transferor, and
- 1998 “(C) such nonqualified preferred stock shall be treated as other property for purposes of applying subsection (b).”
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(A) subsection (a) shall not apply to such transferor, and
Amended 1998
- 1998 Pub. L. 105-206 Pub. L. 105–206, § 6010(e)(1), inserted “and” at end of subpar. (A), added subpar. (B), and struck out former subpars. (B) and (C) which read as follows:
- 1998 “(B) subsection (b) shall apply to such transferor, and
- 1998 “(C) such nonqualified preferred stock shall be treated as other property for purposes of applying subsection (b).”
(B) if (and only if) the transferor receives stock other than nonqualified preferred stock—
Amended 1998
- 1998 Pub. L. 105-206 Pub. L. 105–206, § 6010(e)(1), inserted “and” at end of subpar. (A), added subpar. (B), and struck out former subpars. (B) and (C) which read as follows:
- 1998 “(B) subsection (b) shall apply to such transferor, and
- 1998 “(C) such nonqualified preferred stock shall be treated as other property for purposes of applying subsection (b).”
(i) subsection (b) shall apply to such transferor; and
(ii) such nonqualified preferred stock shall be treated as other property for purposes of applying subsection (b).
(2) Nonqualified preferred stock For purposes of paragraph (1)—
Amended 1989
- 1989 Pub. L. 101-239 Pub. L. 101–239, § 7203(b)(2), substituted “stock or property” for “stock, securities, or property”.
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(A) In general The term “nonqualified preferred stock” means preferred stock if—
(i) the holder of such stock has the right to require the issuer or a related person to redeem or purchase the stock, needs § 351(g)(2)(B) unless § 351(g)(2)(C)(i)
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(ii) the issuer or a related person is required to redeem or purchase such stock, needs § 351(g)(2)(B) unless § 351(g)(2)(C)(i)
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(iii) the issuer or a related person has the right to redeem or purchase the stock and, as of the issue date, it is more likely than not that such right will be exercised, or needs § 351(g)(2)(B) unless § 351(g)(2)(C)(i)
“More likely than not” implies facts and circumstances. Cited by Reg. § 1.356-7(b)(1)(i), Reg. § 1.356-7(b)(2)(i), Reg. § 1.356-7(c)
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(iv) the dividend rate on such stock varies in whole or in part (directly or indirectly) with reference to interest rates, commodity prices, or other similar indices.
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(B) Limitations Clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of subparagraph (A) shall apply only if the right or obligation referred to therein may be exercised within the 20-year period beginning on the issue date of such stock and such right or obligation is not subject to a contingency which, as of the issue date, makes remote the likelihood of the redemption or purchase.
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(C) Exceptions for certain rights or obligations
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(i) In general A right or obligation shall not be treated as described in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) of subparagraph (A) if—
(I) it may be exercised only upon the death, disability, or mental incompetency of the holder, or unless § 351(g)(2)(C)(ii)
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(II) in the case of a right or obligation to redeem or purchase stock transferred in connection with the performance of services for the issuer or a related person (and which represents reasonable compensation), it may be exercised only upon the holder’s separation from service from the issuer or a related person.
“Reasonable” implies facts and circumstances. Cited by Reg. § 1.351-2(e), Reg. § 1.354-1(f), Reg. § 1.355-1(d), Reg. § 1.356-7(c), Reg. § 1.356-7(e)
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(ii) Exception Clause (i)(I) shall not apply if the stock relinquished in the exchange, or the stock acquired in the exchange is in—
(I) a corporation if any class of stock in such corporation or a related party is readily tradable on an established securities market or otherwise, or
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(II) any other corporation if such exchange is part of a transaction or series of transactions in which such corporation is to become a corporation described in subclause (I).
(3) Definitions For purposes of this subsection—
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(A) Preferred stock The term “preferred stock” means stock which is limited and preferred as to dividends and does not participate in corporate growth to any significant extent. Stock shall not be treated as participating in corporate growth to any significant extent unless there is a real and meaningful likelihood of the shareholder actually participating in the earnings and growth of the corporation. If there is not a real and meaningful likelihood that dividends beyond any limitation or preference will actually be paid, the possibility of such payments will be disregarded in determining whether stock is limited and preferred as to dividends.
Amended 2004, 2005
- 2005 Pub. L. 109-135 Pub. L. 109–135 inserted at end “If there is not a real and meaningful likelihood that dividends beyond any limitation or preference will actually be paid, the possibility of such payments will be disregarded in determining whether stock is limited and preferred as to dividends.”
- 2004 Pub. L. 108-357 Pub. L. 108–357 inserted at end “Stock shall not be treated as participating in corporate growth to any significant extent unless there is a real and meaningful likelihood of the shareholder actually participating in the earnings and growth of the corporation.”
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(B) Related person A person shall be treated as related to another person if they bear a relationship to such other person described in section 267(b) or 707(b).
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(4) Regulations The Secretary may prescribe such regulations as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this subsection and sections 354(a)(2)(C), 355(a)(3)(D), and 356(e). The Secretary may also prescribe regulations, consistent with the treatment under this subsection and such sections, for the treatment of nonqualified preferred stock under other provisions of this title.
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(h) Cross references
Amended 1997
- 1997 Pub. L. 105-34 Pub. L. 105–34, § 1014(a), added subsec. (g) and redesignated former subsec. (g) as (h).
(1) For special rule where another party to the exchange assumes a liability, see section 357.
Amended 1999, 2002
- 2002 Pub. L. 107-147 Pub. L. 107–147 inserted comma after “liability”.
- 1999 Pub. L. 106-36 Pub. L. 106–36 struck out “, or acquires property subject to a liability,” after “liability”.
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(2) For the basis of stock or property received in an exchange to which this section applies, see sections 358 and 362.
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(3) For special rule in the case of an exchange described in this section but which results in a gift, see section 2501 and following.
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(4) For special rule in the case of an exchange described in this section but which has the effect of the payment of compensation by the corporation or by a transferor, see section 61(a)(1).
(5) For coordination of this section with section 304, see section 304(b)(3).