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§ 162. Trade or business expenses

Release date: 2005-08-31

(a) In general There shall be allowed as a deduction all the ordinary and necessary expenses paid or incurred during the taxable year in carrying on any trade or business, including— (1) a reasonable allowance for salaries or other compensation for personal services actually rendered; (2) traveling expenses (including amounts expended for meals and lodging other than amounts which are lavish or extravagant under the circumstances) while away from home in the pursuit of a trade or business; and (3) rentals or other payments required to be made as a condition to the continued use or possession, for purposes of the trade or business, of property to which the taxpayer has not taken or is not taking title or in which he has no equity. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the place of residence of a Member of Congress (including any Delegate and Resident Commissioner) within the State, congressional district, or possession which he represents in Congress shall be considered his home, but amounts expended by such Members within each taxable year for living expenses shall not be deductible for income tax purposes in excess of $3,000. For purposes of paragraph (2), the taxpayer shall not be treated as being temporarily away from home during any period of employment if such period exceeds 1 year. The preceding sentence shall not apply to any Federal employee during any period for which such employee is certified by the Attorney General (or the designee thereof) as traveling on behalf of the United States in temporary duty status to investigate or prosecute, or provide support services for the investigation or prosecution of, a Federal crime. (b) Charitable contributions and gifts excepted No deduction shall be allowed under subsection (a) for any contribution or gift which would be allowable as a deduction under section were it not for the percentage limitations, the dollar limitations, or the requirements as to the time of payment, set forth in such section. (c) Illegal bribes, kickbacks, and other payments (1) Illegal payments to government officials or employees No deduction shall be allowed under subsection (a) for any payment made, directly or indirectly, to an official or employee of any government, or of any agency or instrumentality of any government, if the payment constitutes an illegal bribe or kickback or, if the payment is to an official or employee of a foreign government, the payment is unlawful under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977. The burden of proof in respect of the issue, for the purposes of this paragraph, as to whether a payment constitutes an illegal bribe or kickback (or is unlawful under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977) shall be upon the Secretary to the same extent as he bears the burden of proof under section (concerning the burden of proof when the issue relates to fraud). (2) Other illegal payments No deduction shall be allowed under subsection (a) for any payment (other than a payment described in paragraph (1)) made, directly or indirectly, to any person, if the payment constitutes an illegal bribe, illegal kickback, or other illegal payment under any law of the United States, or under any law of a State (but only if such State law is generally enforced), which subjects the payor to a criminal penalty or the loss of license or privilege to engage in a trade or business. For purposes of this paragraph, a kickback includes a payment in consideration of the referral of a client, patient, or customer. The burden of proof in respect of the issue, for purposes of this paragraph, as to whether a payment constitutes an illegal bribe, illegal kickback, or other illegal payment shall be upon the Secretary to the same extent as he bears the burden of proof under section (concerning the burden of proof when the issue relates to fraud). (3) Kickbacks, rebates, and bribes under medicare and medicaid No deduction shall be allowed under subsection (a) for any kickback, rebate, or bribe made by any provider of services, supplier, physician, or other person who furnishes items or services for which payment is or may be made under the Social Security Act, or in whole or in part out of Federal funds under a State plan approved under such Act, if such kickback, rebate, or bribe is made in connection with the furnishing of such items or services or the making or receipt of such payments. For purposes of this paragraph, a kickback includes a payment in consideration of the referral of a client, patient, or customer. (d) Capital contributions to Federal National Mortgage Association For purposes of this subtitle, whenever the amount of capital contributions evidenced by a share of stock issued pursuant to section 303(c) of the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act ( U.S.C., sec. ) exceeds the fair market value of the stock as of the issue date of such stock, the initial holder of the stock shall treat the excess as ordinary and necessary expenses paid or incurred during the taxable year in carrying on a trade or business. (e) Denial of deduction for certain lobbying and political expenditures (1) In general No deduction shall be allowed under subsection (a) for any amount paid or incurred in connection with— (A) influencing legislation, (B) participation in, or intervention in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office, (C) any attempt to influence the general public, or segments thereof, with respect to elections, legislative matters, or referendums, or (D) any direct communication with a covered executive branch official in an attempt to influence the official actions or positions of such official. (2) Exception for local legislation In the case of any legislation of any local council or similar governing body— (A) paragraph (1)(A) shall not apply, and (B) the deduction allowed by subsection (a) shall include all ordinary and necessary expenses (including, but not limited to, traveling expenses described in subsection (a)(2) and the cost of preparing testimony) paid or incurred during the taxable year in carrying on any trade or business— (i) in direct connection with appearances before, submission of statements to, or sending communications to the committees, or individual members, of such council or body with respect to legislation or proposed legislation of direct interest to the taxpayer, or (ii) in direct connection with communication of information between the taxpayer and an organization of which the taxpayer is a member with respect to any such legislation or proposed legislation which is of direct interest to the taxpayer and to such organization, and that portion of the dues so paid or incurred with respect to any organization of which the taxpayer is a member which is attributable to the expenses of the activities described in clauses (i) and (ii) carried on by such organization. (3) Application to dues of tax-exempt organizations No deduction shall be allowed under subsection (a) for the portion of dues or other similar amounts paid by the taxpayer to an organization which is exempt from tax under this subtitle which the organization notifies the taxpayer under section is allocable to expenditures to which paragraph (1) applies. (4) Influencing legislation For purposes of this subsection— (A) In general The term “influencing legislation” means any attempt to influence any legislation through communication with any member or employee of a legislative body, or with any government official or employee who may participate in the formulation of legislation. (B) Legislation The term “legislation” has the meaning given such term by section . (5) Other special rules (A) Exception for certain taxpayers In the case of any taxpayer engaged in the trade or business of conducting activities described in paragraph (1), paragraph (1) shall not apply to expenditures of the taxpayer in conducting such activities directly on behalf of another person (but shall apply to payments by such other person to the taxpayer for conducting such activities). (B) De minimis exception (i) In general Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any in-house expenditures for any taxable year if such expenditures do not exceed $2,000. In determining whether a taxpayer exceeds the $2,000 limit under this clause, there shall not be taken into account overhead costs otherwise allocable to activities described in paragraphs (1)(A) and (D). (ii) In-house expenditures For purposes of clause (i), the term “in-house expenditures” means expenditures described in paragraphs (1)(A) and (D) other than— (I) payments by the taxpayer to a person engaged in the trade or business of conducting activities described in paragraph (1) for the conduct of such activities on behalf of the taxpayer, or (II) dues or other similar amounts paid or incurred by the taxpayer which are allocable to activities described in paragraph (1). (C) Expenses incurred in connection with lobbying and political activities Any amount paid or incurred for research for, or preparation, planning, or coordination of, any activity described in paragraph (1) shall be treated as paid or incurred in connection with such activity. (6) Covered executive branch official For purposes of this subsection, the term “covered executive branch official” means— (A) the President, (B) the Vice President, (C) any officer or employee of the White House Office of the Executive Office of the President, and the 2 most senior level officers of each of the other agencies in such Executive Office, and (D) (i) any individual serving in a position in level I of the Executive Schedule under section of title , United States Code, (ii) any other individual designated by the President as having Cabinet level status, and (iii) any immediate deputy of an individual described in clause (i) or (ii). (7) Special rule for Indian tribal governments For purposes of this subsection, an Indian tribal government shall be treated in the same manner as a local council or similar governing body. (8) Cross reference For reporting requirements and alternative taxes related to this subsection, see section . (f) Fines and penalties No deduction shall be allowed under subsection (a) for any fine or similar penalty paid to a government for the violation of any law. (g) Treble damage payments under the antitrust laws If in a criminal proceeding a taxpayer is convicted of a violation of the antitrust laws, or his plea of guilty or nolo contendere to an indictment or information charging such a violation is entered or accepted in such a proceeding, no deduction shall be allowed under subsection (a) for two-thirds of any amount paid or incurred— (1) on any judgment for damages entered against the taxpayer under section 4 of the Act entitled “An Act to supplement existing laws against unlawful restraints and monopolies, and for other purposes”, approved October 15, 1914 (commonly known as the Clayton Act), on account of such violation or any related violation of the antitrust laws which occurred prior to the date of the final judgment of such conviction, or (2) in settlement of any action brought under such section on account of such violation or related violation. The preceding sentence shall not apply with respect to any conviction or plea before January 1, 1970, or to any conviction or plea on or after such date in a new trial following an appeal of a conviction before such date. (h) State legislators’ travel expenses away from home (1) In general For purposes of subsection (a), in the case of any individual who is a State legislator at any time during the taxable year and who makes an election under this subsection for the taxable year— (A) the place of residence of such individual within the legislative district which he represented shall be considered his home, (B) he shall be deemed to have expended for living expenses (in connection with his trade or business as a legislator) an amount equal to the sum of the amounts determined by multiplying each legislative day of such individual during the taxable year by the greater of— (i) the amount generally allowable with respect to such day to employees of the State of which he is a legislator for per diem while away from home, to the extent such amount does not exceed 110 percent of the amount described in clause (ii) with respect to such day, or (ii) the amount generally allowable with respect to such day to employees of the executive branch of the Federal Government for per diem while away from home but serving in the United States, and (C) he shall be deemed to be away from home in the pursuit of a trade or business on each legislative day. (2) Legislative days For purposes of paragraph (1), a legislative day during any taxable year for any individual shall be any day during such year on which— (A) the legislature was in session (including any day in which the legislature was not in session for a period of 4 consecutive days or less), or (B) the legislature was not in session but the physical presence of the individual was formally recorded at a meeting of a committee of such legislature. (3) Election An election under this subsection for any taxable year shall be made at such time and in such manner as the Secretary shall by regulations prescribe. (4) Section not to apply to legislators who reside near capitol For taxable years beginning after December 31, 1980, this subsection shall not apply to any legislator whose place of residence within the legislative district which he represents is 50 or fewer miles from the capitol building of the State. [(i) Repealed. Pub. L. 101–239, title VI, § 6202(b)(3)(A), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2233] (j) Certain foreign advertising expenses (1) In general No deduction shall be allowed under subsection (a) for any expenses of an advertisement carried by a foreign broadcast undertaking and directed primarily to a market in the United States. This paragraph shall apply only to foreign broadcast undertakings located in a country which denies a similar deduction for the cost of advertising directed primarily to a market in the foreign country when placed with a United States broadcast undertaking. (2) Broadcast undertaking For purposes of paragraph (1), the term “broadcast undertaking” includes (but is not limited to) radio and television stations. (k) Stock reacquisition expenses (1) In general Except as provided in paragraph (2), no deduction otherwise allowable shall be allowed under this chapter for any amount paid or incurred by a corporation in connection with the reacquisition of its stock or of the stock of any related person (as defined in section ). (2) Exceptions Paragraph (1) shall not apply to— (A) Certain specific deductions Any— (i) deduction allowable under section (relating to interest), (ii) deduction for amounts which are properly allocable to indebtedness and amortized over the term of such indebtedness, or (iii) deduction for dividends paid (within the meaning of section ). (B) Stock of certain regulated investment companies Any amount paid or incurred in connection with the redemption of any stock in a regulated investment company which issues only stock which is redeemable upon the demand of the shareholder. (l) Special rules for health insurance costs of self-employed individuals (1) Allowance of deduction (A) In general In the case of an individual who is an employee within the meaning of section , there shall be allowed as a deduction under this section an amount equal to the applicable percentage of the amount paid during the taxable year for insurance which constitutes medical care for the taxpayer, his spouse, and dependents. (B) Applicable percentage For purposes of subparagraph (A), the applicable percentage shall be determined under the following table:

 
For taxable years beginning in calendar year— The applicable percentage is—
1999 through 2001 60  
2002 70  
2003 and thereafter 100.

(2) Limitations (A) Dollar amount No deduction shall be allowed under paragraph (1) to the extent that the amount of such deduction exceeds the taxpayer’s earned income (within the meaning of section ) derived by the taxpayer from the trade or business with respect to which the plan providing the medical care coverage is established. (B) Other coverage Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any taxpayer for any calendar month for which the taxpayer is eligible to participate in any subsidized health plan maintained by any employer of the taxpayer or of the spouse of the taxpayer. The preceding sentence shall be applied separately with respect to— (i) plans which include coverage for qualified long-term care services (as defined in section ) or are qualified long-term care insurance contracts (as defined in section ), and (ii) plans which do not include such coverage and are not such contracts. (C) Long-term care premiums In the case of a qualified long-term care insurance contract (as defined in section ), only eligible long-term care premiums (as defined in section ) shall be taken into account under paragraph (1). (3) Coordination with medical deduction Any amount paid by a taxpayer for insurance to which paragraph (1) applies shall not be taken into account in computing the amount allowable to the taxpayer as a deduction under section . (4) Deduction not allowed for self-employment tax purposes The deduction allowable by reason of this subsection shall not be taken into account in determining an individual’s net earnings from self-employment (within the meaning of section ) for purposes of chapter 2. (5) Treatment of certain S corporation shareholders This subsection shall apply in the case of any individual treated as a partner under section , except that— (A) for purposes of this subsection, such individual’s wages (as defined in section ) from the S corporation shall be treated as such individual’s earned income (within the meaning of section ), and (B) there shall be such adjustments in the application of this subsection as the Secretary may by regulations prescribe. (m) Certain excessive employee remuneration (1) In general In the case of any publicly held corporation, no deduction shall be allowed under this chapter for applicable employee remuneration with respect to any covered employee to the extent that the amount of such remuneration for the taxable year with respect to such employee exceeds $1,000,000. (2) Publicly held corporation For purposes of this subsection, the term “publicly held corporation” means any corporation issuing any class of common equity securities required to be registered under section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. (3) Covered employee For purposes of this subsection, the term “covered employee” means any employee of the taxpayer if— (A) as of the close of the taxable year, such employee is the chief executive officer of the taxpayer or is an individual acting in such a capacity, or (B) the total compensation of such employee for the taxable year is required to be reported to shareholders under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by reason of such employee being among the 4 highest compensated officers for the taxable year (other than the chief executive officer). (4) Applicable employee remuneration For purposes of this subsection— (A) In general Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, the term “applicable employee remuneration” means, with respect to any covered employee for any taxable year, the aggregate amount allowable as a deduction under this chapter for such taxable year (determined without regard to this subsection) for remuneration for services performed by such employee (whether or not during the taxable year). (B) Exception for remuneration payable on commission basis The term “applicable employee remuneration” shall not include any remuneration payable on a commission basis solely on account of income generated directly by the individual performance of the individual to whom such remuneration is payable. (C) Other performance-based compensation The term “applicable employee remuneration” shall not include any remuneration payable solely on account of the attainment of one or more performance goals, but only if— (i) the performance goals are determined by a compensation committee of the board of directors of the taxpayer which is comprised solely of 2 or more outside directors, (ii) the material terms under which the remuneration is to be paid, including the performance goals, are disclosed to shareholders and approved by a majority of the vote in a separate shareholder vote before the payment of such remuneration, and (iii) before any payment of such remuneration, the compensation committee referred to in clause (i) certifies that the performance goals and any other material terms were in fact satisfied. (D) Exception for existing binding contracts The term “applicable employee remuneration” shall not include any remuneration payable under a written binding contract which was in effect on February 17, 1993, and which was not modified thereafter in any material respect before such remuneration is paid. (E) Remuneration For purposes of this paragraph, the term “remuneration” includes any remuneration (including benefits) in any medium other than cash, but shall not include— (i) any payment referred to in so much of section as precedes subparagraph (E) thereof, and (ii) any benefit provided to or on behalf of an employee if at the time such benefit is provided it is reasonable to believe that the employee will be able to exclude such benefit from gross income under this chapter. For purposes of clause (i), section shall be applied without regard to section . (F) Coordination with disallowed golden parachute payments The dollar limitation contained in paragraph (1) shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the amount (if any) which would have been included in the applicable employee remuneration of the covered employee for the taxable year but for being disallowed under section . (n) Special rule for certain group health plans (1) In general No deduction shall be allowed under this chapter to an employer for any amount paid or incurred in connection with a group health plan if the plan does not reimburse for inpatient hospital care services provided in the State of New York— (A) except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C), at the same rate as licensed commercial insurers are required to reimburse hospitals for such services when such reimbursement is not through such a plan, (B) in the case of any reimbursement through a health maintenance organization, at the same rate as health maintenance organizations are required to reimburse hospitals for such services for individuals not covered by such a plan (determined without regard to any government-supported individuals exempt from such rate), or (C) in the case of any reimbursement through any corporation organized under Article 43 of the New York State Insurance Law, at the same rate as any such corporation is required to reimburse hospitals for such services for individuals not covered by such a plan. (2) State law exception Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any group health plan which is not required under the laws of the State of New York (determined without regard to this subsection or other provisions of Federal law) to reimburse at the rates provided in paragraph (1). (3) Group health plan For purposes of this subsection, the term “group health plan” means a plan of, or contributed to by, an employer or employee organization (including a self-insured plan) to provide health care (directly or otherwise) to any employee, any former employee, the employer, or any other individual associated or formerly associated with the employer in a business relationship, or any member of their family. (o) Treatment of certain reimbursed expenses of rural mail carriers (1) General rule In the case of any employee of the United States Postal Service who performs services involving the collection and delivery of mail on a rural route and who receives qualified reimbursements for the expenses incurred by such employee for the use of a vehicle in performing such services— (A) the amount allowable as a deduction under this chapter for the use of a vehicle in performing such services shall be equal to the amount of such qualified reimbursements; and (B) such qualified reimbursements shall be treated as paid under a reimbursement or other expense allowance arrangement for purposes of section (and section shall not apply to such qualified reimbursements). (2) Definition of qualified reimbursements For purposes of this subsection, the term “qualified reimbursements” means the amounts paid by the United States Postal Service to employees as an equipment maintenance allowance under the 1991 collective bargaining agreement between the United States Postal Service and the National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association. Amounts paid as an equipment maintenance allowance by such Postal Service under later collective bargaining agreements that supersede the 1991 agreement shall be considered qualified reimbursements if such amounts do not exceed the amounts that would have been paid under the 1991 agreement, adjusted for changes in the Consumer Price Index (as defined in section ) since 1991. (p) Treatment of expenses of members of reserve component of Armed Forces of the United States For purposes of subsection (a)(2), in the case of an individual who performs services as a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States at any time during the taxable year, such individual shall be deemed to be away from home in the pursuit of a trade or business for any period during which such individual is away from home in connection with such service. (q) Cross reference (1) For special rule relating to expenses in connection with subdividing real property for sale, see section . (2) For special rule relating to the treatment of payments by a transferee of a franchise, trademark, or trade name, see section . (3) For special rules relating to— (A) funded welfare benefit plans, see section , and (B) deferred compensation and other deferred benefits, see section .

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