PART III—PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2017—
1990—
1989—
1988—
1986—
1984—
1969—
1966—
1956—Act Mar. 13, 1956, ch. 83, §4(b),
§841. Credit for foreign taxes
The taxes imposed by foreign countries or possessions of the United States shall be allowed as a credit against the tax of a domestic insurance company subject to the tax imposed by section 801 or 831, to the extent provided in the case of a domestic corporation in section 901 (relating to foreign tax credit). For purposes of the preceding sentence (and for purposes of applying section 906 with respect to a foreign corporation subject to tax under this subchapter), the term "taxable income" as used in section 904 means—
(1) in the case of the tax imposed by section 801, the life insurance company taxable income (as defined in section 801(b)), and
(2) in the case of the tax imposed by section 831, the taxable income (as defined in section 832(a)).
(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736,
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1986—
1984—
1966—
1962—
1959—
1956—Act Mar. 13, 1956, inserted references to section 811.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1966 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1962 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1959 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1956 Amendment
Amendment by act Mar. 13, 1956, applicable only to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1954, see section 6 of act Mar. 13, 1956, set out as a note under
§842. Foreign companies carrying on insurance business
(a) Taxation under this subchapter
If a foreign company carrying on an insurance business within the United States would qualify under part I or II of this subchapter for the taxable year if (without regard to income not effectively connected with the conduct of any trade or business within the United States) it were a domestic corporation, such company shall be taxable under such part on its income effectively connected with its conduct of any trade or business within the United States. With respect to the remainder of its income which is from sources within the United States, such a foreign company shall be taxable as provided in section 881.
(b) Minimum effectively connected net investment income
(1) In general
In the case of a foreign company taxable under part I or II of this subchapter for the taxable year, its net investment income for such year which is effectively connected with the conduct of an insurance business within the United States shall be not less than the product of—
(A) the required United States assets of such company, and
(B) the domestic investment yield applicable to such company for such year.
(2) Required U.S. assets
(A) In general
For purposes of paragraph (1), the required United States assets of any foreign company for any taxable year is an amount equal to the product of—
(i) the mean of such foreign company's total insurance liabilities on United States business, and
(ii) the domestic asset/liability percentage applicable to such foreign company for such year.
(B) Total insurance liabilities
For purposes of this paragraph—
(i) Companies taxable under part I
In the case of a company taxable under part I, the term "total insurance liabilities" means the sum of the total reserves (as defined in section 816(c)) plus (to the extent not included in total reserves) the items referred to in paragraphs (3), (4), (5), and (6) of section 807(c).
(ii) Companies taxable under part II
In the case of a company taxable under part II, the term "total insurance liabilities" means the sum of unearned premiums and unpaid losses.
(C) Domestic asset/liability percentage
The domestic asset/liability percentage applicable for purposes of subparagraph (A)(ii) to any foreign company for any taxable year is a percentage determined by the Secretary on the basis of a ratio—
(i) the numerator of which is the mean of the assets of domestic insurance companies taxable under the same part of this subchapter as such foreign company, and
(ii) the denominator of which is the mean of the total insurance liabilities of the same companies.
(3) Domestic investment yield
The domestic investment yield applicable for purposes of paragraph (1)(B) to any foreign company for any taxable year is the percentage determined by the Secretary on the basis of a ratio—
(A) the numerator of which is the net investment income of domestic insurance companies taxable under the same part of this subchapter as such foreign company, and
(B) the denominator of which is the mean of the assets of the same companies.
(4) Election to use worldwide yield
(A) In general
If the foreign company makes an election under this paragraph, such company's worldwide current investment yield shall be taken into account in lieu of the domestic investment yield for purposes of paragraph (1)(B).
(B) Worldwide current investment yield
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term "worldwide current investment yield" means the percentage obtained by dividing—
(i) the net investment income of the company from all sources, by
(ii) the mean of all assets of the company (whether or not held in the United States).
(C) Election
An election under this paragraph shall apply to the taxable year for which made and all subsequent taxable years unless revoked with the consent of the Secretary.
(5) Net investment income
For purposes of this subsection, the term "net investment income" means—
(A) gross investment income (within the meaning of section 834(b)), reduced by
(B) expenses allocable to such income.
(c) Special rules for purposes of subsection (b)
(1) Reduction in section 881 taxes
(A) In general
The tax under section 881 (determined without regard to this paragraph) shall be reduced (but not below zero) by an amount which bears the same ratio to such tax as—
(i) the amount of the increase in effectively connected income of the company resulting from subsection (b), bears to
(ii) the amount which would be subject to tax under section 881 if the amount taxable under such section were determined without regard to sections 103 and 894.
(B) Limitation on reduction
The reduction under subparagraph (A) shall not exceed the increase in taxes under part I or II (as the case may be) by reason of the increase in effectively connected income of the company resulting from subsection (b).
(2) Data used in determining domestic asset/liability percentages and domestic investment yields
Each domestic asset/liability percentage, and each domestic investment yield, for any taxable year shall be based on such representative data with respect to domestic insurance companies for the second preceding taxable year as the Secretary considers appropriate.
(d) Regulations
The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this section, including regulations—
(1) providing for the proper treatment of segregated asset accounts,
(2) providing for proper adjustments in succeeding taxable years where the company's actual net investment income for any taxable year which is effectively connected with the conduct of an insurance business within the United States exceeds the amount required under subsection (b)(1),
(3) providing for the proper treatment of investments in domestic subsidiaries, and
(4) which may provide that, in the case of companies taxable under part II of this subchapter, determinations under subsection (b) will be made separately for categories of such companies established in such regulations.
(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736,
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2017—Subsec. (c).
2004—Subsec. (c)(3), (4).
"(A) the required United States assets of the company (determined under subsection (b)(2)), over
"(B) the mean of the assets held in the United States during the taxable year."
1989—Subsec. (c)(4).
1988—Subsec. (b)(3)(B).
Subsec. (b)(4)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (d)(4).
1987—
1986—
1966—
1959—
1956—Act Mar. 13, 1956, inserted reference to section 811.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2017 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1966 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1959 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1956 Amendment
Amendment by act Mar. 13, 1956, applicable only to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1954, see section 6 of act Mar. 13, 1956, set out as a note under
Study of United States Reinsurance Industry
§843. Annual accounting period
For purposes of this subtitle, the annual accounting period for each insurance company subject to a tax imposed by this subchapter shall be the calendar year. Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, an insurance company which joins in the filing of a consolidated return (or is required to so file) may adopt the taxable year of the common parent corporation even though such year is not a calendar year.
(Added Mar. 13, 1956, ch. 83, §4(a),
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1976—
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 1976 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section applicable only to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1954, see Effective Date of 1956 Amendment note set out under
[§844. Repealed. Pub. L. 115–97, title I, §13511(b)(2)(A), Dec. 22, 2017, 131 Stat. 2142 ]
Section, added
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of Repeal
Repeal applicable to losses arising in taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 2017, see section 13511(c) of
§845. Certain reinsurance agreements
(a) Allocation in case of reinsurance agreement involving tax avoidance or evasion
In the case of 2 or more related persons (within the meaning of section 482) who are parties to a reinsurance agreement (or where one of the parties to a reinsurance agreement is, with respect to any contract covered by the agreement, in effect an agent of another party to such agreement or a conduit between related persons), the Secretary may—
(1) allocate between or among such persons income (whether investment income, premium, or otherwise), deductions, assets, reserves, credits, and other items related to such agreement,
(2) recharacterize any such items, or
(3) make any other adjustment,
if he determines that such allocation, recharacterization, or adjustment is necessary to reflect the proper amount, source, or character of the taxable income (or any item described in paragraph (1) relating to such taxable income) of each such person.
(b) Reinsurance contract having significant tax avoidance effect
If the Secretary determines that any reinsurance contract has a significant tax avoidance effect on any party to such contract, the Secretary may make proper adjustments with respect to such party to eliminate such tax avoidance effect (including treating such contract with respect to such party as terminated on December 31 of each year and reinstated on January 1 of the next year).
(Added
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2004—Subsec. (a).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Effective Date
"(1) Subsection (a) of section 845 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] (as added by this title) shall apply with respect to any risk reinsured on or after September 27, 1983.
"(2) Subsection (b) of section 845 of such Code (as so added) shall apply with respect to risks reinsured after December 31, 1984."
§846. Discounted unpaid losses defined
(a) Discounted losses determined
(1) Separately computed for each accident year
The amount of the discounted unpaid losses as of the end of any taxable year shall be the sum of the discounted unpaid losses (as of such time) separately computed under this section with respect to unpaid losses in each line of business attributable to each accident year.
(2) Method of discounting
The amount of the discounted unpaid losses as of the end of any taxable year attributable to any accident year shall be the present value of such losses (as of such time) determined by using—
(A) the amount of the undiscounted unpaid losses as of such time,
(B) the applicable interest rate, and
(C) the applicable loss payment pattern.
(3) Limitation on amount of discounted losses
In no event shall the amount of the discounted unpaid losses with respect to any line of business attributable to any accident year exceed the aggregate amount of unpaid losses with respect to such line of business for such accident year included on the annual statement filed by the taxpayer for the year ending with or within the taxable year.
(4) Determination of applicable factors
In determining the amount of the discounted unpaid losses attributable to any accident year—
(A) the applicable interest rate shall be the interest rate determined under subsection (c) for the calendar year with which such accident year ends, and
(B) the applicable loss payment pattern shall be the loss payment pattern determined under subsection (d) which is in effect for the calendar year with which such accident year ends.
(b) Determination of undiscounted unpaid losses
For purposes of this section—
(1) In general
Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the term "undiscounted unpaid losses" means the unpaid losses shown in the annual statement filed by the taxpayer for the year ending with or within the taxable year of the taxpayer.
(2) Adjustment if losses discounted on annual statement
If—
(A) the amount of unpaid losses shown in the annual statement is determined on a discounted basis, and
(B) the extent to which the losses were discounted can be determined on the basis of information disclosed on or with the annual statement,
the amount of the unpaid losses shall be determined without regard to any reduction attributable to such discounting.
(c) Rate of interest
(1) In general
For purposes of this section, the rate of interest determined under this subsection shall be the annual rate determined by the Secretary under paragraph (2).
(2) Determination of annual rate
The annual rate determined by the Secretary under this paragraph for any calendar year shall be a rate determined on the basis of the corporate bond yield curve (as defined in section 430(h)(2)(D)(i), determined by substituting "60-month period" for "24-month period" therein).
(d) Loss payment pattern
(1) In general
For each determination year, the Secretary shall determine a loss payment pattern for each line of business by reference to the historical loss payment pattern applicable to such line of business. Any loss payment pattern determined by the Secretary shall apply to the accident year ending with the determination year and to each of the 4 succeeding accident years.
(2) Method of determination
Determinations under paragraph (1) for any determination year shall be made by the Secretary—
(A) by using the aggregate experience reported on the annual statements of insurance companies,
(B) on the basis of the most recent published aggregate data from such annual statements relating to loss payment patterns available on the 1st day of the determination year,
(C) as if all losses paid or treated as paid during any year are paid in the middle of such year, and
(D) in accordance with the computational rules prescribed in paragraph (3).
(3) Computational rules
For purposes of this subsection—
(A) In general
Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, the loss payment pattern for any line of business shall be based on the assumption that all losses are paid—
(i) during the accident year and the 3 calendar years following the accident year, or
(ii) in the case of any line of business reported in the schedule or schedules of the annual statement relating to auto liability, other liability, medical malpractice, workers' compensation, and multiple peril lines, during the accident year and the 10 calendar years following the accident year.
(B) Treatment of certain losses
(i) 3-year loss payment pattern
In the case of any line of business not described in subparagraph (A)(ii), losses paid after the 1st year following the accident year shall be treated as paid equally in the 2nd and 3rd year following the accident year.
(ii) 10-year loss payment pattern
(I) In general
The period taken into account under subparagraph (A)(ii) shall be extended to the extent required under subclause (II).
(II) Computation of extension
The amount of losses which would have been treated as paid in the 10th year after the accident year shall be treated as paid in such 10th year and each subsequent year in an amount equal to the amount of the average of the losses treated as paid in the 7th, 8th, and 9th years after the accident year (or, if lesser, the portion of the unpaid losses not theretofore taken into account). To the extent such unpaid losses have not been treated as paid before the 24th year after the accident year, they shall be treated as paid in such 24th year.
(4) Determination year
For purposes of this section, the term "determination year" means calendar year 1987 and each 5th calendar year thereafter.
(e) Other definitions and special rules
For purposes of this section—
(1) Accident year
The term "accident year" means the calendar year in which the incident occurs which gives rise to the related unpaid loss.
(2) Unpaid loss adjustment expenses
The term "unpaid losses" includes any unpaid loss adjustment expenses shown on the annual statement.
(3) Annual statement
The term "annual statement" means the annual statement approved by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners which the taxpayer is required to file with insurance regulatory authorities of a State.
(4) Line of business
The term "line of business" means a category for the reporting of loss payment patterns determined on the basis of the annual statement for fire and casualty insurance companies for the calendar year ending with or within the taxable year, except that the multiple peril lines shall be treated as a single line of business.
(5) Multiple peril lines
The term "multiple peril lines" means the lines of business relating to farmowners multiple peril, homeowners multiple peril, commercial multiple peril, ocean marine, aircraft (all perils) and boiler and machinery.
(6) Special rule for certain accident and health insurance lines of business
Any determination under subsection (a) with respect to unpaid losses relating to accident and health insurance lines of businesses (other than credit disability insurance) shall be made—
(A) in the case of unpaid losses relating to disability income, by using the general rules prescribed under section 807(d) applicable to noncancellable accident and health insurance contracts and using a mortality or morbidity table reflecting the taxpayer's experience; except that the limitation of subsection (a)(3) shall apply, and
(B) in all other cases, by using an assumption (in lieu of a loss payment pattern) that unpaid losses are paid in the middle of the year following the accident year.
(f) Regulations
The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this section, including—
(1) regulations providing proper treatment of allocated reinsurance, and
(2) regulations providing appropriate adjustments in the application of this section to a taxpayer having a taxable year which is not the calendar year.
(Added
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2017—Subsec. (c)(2).
"(A)
"(B)
Subsec. (d)(3)(B) to (G).
Subsecs. (e), (f).
Subsec. (f)(6)(A).
"(i) the prevailing State assumed interest rate shall be the rate in effect for the year in which the loss occurred rather than the year in which the contract was issued, and
"(ii) the limitation of subsection (a)(3) shall apply in lieu of the limitation of the last sentence of section 807(d)(1), and".
Subsec. (g).
1990—Subsec. (g).
1988—Subsec. (f)(6)(B).
Subsec. (g)(3).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2017 Amendment
Amendment by section 13517(b)(3) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) the unpaid losses and the expenses unpaid (as defined in paragraphs (5)(B) and (6) of section 832(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) at the end of the preceding taxable year, and
"(B) the unpaid losses as defined in sections 807(c)(2) and 805(a)(1) of such Code at the end of the preceding taxable year,
shall be determined as if the amendments made by this section had applied to such unpaid losses and expenses unpaid in the preceding taxable year and by using the interest rate and loss payment patterns applicable to accident years ending with calendar year 1987. For subsequent taxable years, such amendments shall be applied with respect to such unpaid losses and expenses unpaid by using the interest rate and loss payment patterns applicable to accident years ending with calendar year 1987.
"(3)
"(A)
"(i) the amount determined to be the unpaid losses and expenses unpaid for the year preceding the 1st taxable year of an insurance company beginning after December 31, 1986, determined without regard to paragraph (2), and
"(ii) such amount determined with regard to paragraph (2),
shall not be taken into account for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
"(B)
"(C)
"(4)
"(A) an insurance company was not subject to tax under section 831(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 for its 1st taxable year beginning after December 31, 1986, by reason of being—
"(i) subject to tax under section 831(b) of such Code, or
"(ii) described in section 501(c) of such Code and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code, and
"(B) such company becomes subject to tax under such section 831(a) for any later taxable year,
paragraph (2) and subparagraphs (A) and (C) of paragraph (3) shall be applied by treating such later taxable year as its 1st taxable year beginning after December 31, 1986, and by treating the calendar year in which such later taxable year begins as 1987; and paragraph (3)(B) shall not apply."
Transitional Rule
"(1) the unpaid losses and the expenses unpaid (as defined in paragraphs (5)(B) and (6) of section 832(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) at the end of the preceding taxable year, and
"(2) the unpaid losses as defined in sections 807(c)(2) and 805(a)(1) of such Code at the end of the preceding taxable year,
shall be determined as if the amendments made by this section [amending this section] had applied to such unpaid losses and expenses unpaid in the preceding taxable year and by using the interest rate and loss payment patterns applicable to accident years ending with calendar year 2018, and any adjustment shall be taken into account ratably in such first taxable year and the 7 succeeding taxable years. For subsequent taxable years, such amendments shall be applied with respect to such unpaid losses and expenses unpaid by using the interest rate and loss payment patterns applicable to accident years ending with calendar year 2018."
[§847. Repealed. Pub. L. 115–97, title I, §13516(a), Dec. 22, 2017, 131 Stat. 2144 ]
Section, added
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of Repeal
§848. Capitalization of certain policy acquisition expenses
(a) General rule
In the case of an insurance company—
(1) specified policy acquisition expenses for any taxable year shall be capitalized, and
(2) such expenses shall be allowed as a deduction ratably over the 180-month period beginning with the first month in the second half of such taxable year.
(b) 5-year amortization for first $5,000,000 of specified policy acquisition expenses
(1) In general
Paragraph (2) of subsection (a) shall be applied with respect to so much of the specified policy acquisition expenses of an insurance company for any taxable year as does not exceed $5,000,000 by substituting "60-month" for "180-month".
(2) Phase-out
If the specified policy acquisition expenses of an insurance company exceed $10,000,000 for any taxable year, the $5,000,000 amount under paragraph (1) shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the amount of such excess.
(3) Special rule for members of controlled group
In the case of any controlled group—
(A) all insurance companies which are members of such group shall be treated as 1 company for purposes of this subsection, and
(B) the amount to which paragraph (1) applies shall be allocated among such companies in such manner as the Secretary may prescribe.
For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term "controlled group" means any controlled group of corporations as defined in section 1563(a); except that subsections (a)(4) and (b)(2)(D) of section 1563 shall not apply, and subsection (b)(2)(C) of section 1563 shall not apply to the extent it excludes a foreign corporation to which section 842 applies.
(4) Exception for acquisition expenses attributable to certain reinsurance contracts
Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any specified policy acquisition expenses for any taxable year which are attributable to premiums or other consideration under any reinsurance contract.
(c) Specified policy acquisition expenses
For purposes of this section—
(1) In general
The term "specified policy acquisition expenses" means, with respect to any taxable year, so much of the general deductions for such taxable year as does not exceed the sum of—
(A) 2.09 percent of the net premiums for such taxable year on specified insurance contracts which are annuity contracts,
(B) 2.45 percent of the net premiums for such taxable year on specified insurance contracts which are group life insurance contracts, and
(C) 9.2 percent of the net premiums for such taxable year on specified insurance contracts not described in subparagraph (A) or (B).
(2) General deductions
The term "general deductions" means the deductions provided in part VI of subchapter B (sec. 161 and following, relating to itemized deductions) and in part I of subchapter D (sec. 401 and following, relating to pension, profit sharing, stock bonus plans, etc.).
(d) Net premiums
For purposes of this section—
(1) In general
The term "net premiums" means, with respect to any category of specified insurance contracts set forth in subsection (c)(1), the excess (if any) of—
(A) the gross amount of premiums and other consideration on such contracts, over
(B) return premiums on such contracts and premiums and other consideration incurred for reinsurance of such contracts.
The rules of section 803(b) shall apply for purposes of the preceding sentence.
(2) Amounts determined on accrual basis
In the case of an insurance company subject to tax under part II of this subchapter, all computations entering into determinations of net premiums for any taxable year shall be made in the manner required under section 811(a) for life insurance companies.
(3) Treatment of certain policyholder dividends and similar amounts
Net premiums shall be determined without regard to section 808(e) and without regard to other similar amounts treated as paid to, and returned by, the policyholder.
(4) Special rules for reinsurance
(A) Premiums and other consideration incurred for reinsurance shall be taken into account under paragraph (1)(B) only to the extent such premiums and other consideration are includible in the gross income of an insurance company taxable under this subchapter or are subject to tax under this chapter by reason of subpart F of part III of subchapter N.
(B) The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to ensure that premiums and other consideration with respect to reinsurance are treated consistently by the ceding company and the reinsurer.
(e) Classification of contracts
For purposes of this section—
(1) Specified insurance contract
(A) In general
Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, the term "specified insurance contract" means any life insurance, annuity, or noncancellable accident and health insurance contract (or any combination thereof).
(B) Exceptions
The term "specified insurance contract" shall not include—
(i) any pension plan contract (as defined in section 818(a)),
(ii) any flight insurance or similar contract,
(iii) any qualified foreign contract (as defined in section 807(e)(3) without regard to paragraph (5) of this subsection),
(iv) any contract which is an Archer MSA (as defined in section 220(d)), and
(v) any contract which is a health savings account (as defined in section 223(d)).
(2) Group life insurance contract
The term "group life insurance contract" means any life insurance contract—
(A) which covers a group of individuals defined by reference to employment relationship, membership in an organization, or similar factor,
(B) the premiums for which are determined on a group basis, and
(C) the proceeds of which are payable to (or for the benefit of) persons other than the employer of the insured, an organization to which the insured belongs, or other similar person.
(3) Treatment of annuity contracts combined with noncancellable accident and health insurance
Any annuity contract combined with noncancellable accident and health insurance shall be treated as a noncancellable accident and health insurance contract and not as an annuity contract.
(4) Treatment of guaranteed renewable contracts
The rules of section 816(e) shall apply for purposes of this section.
(5) Treatment of reinsurance contract
A contract which reinsures another contract shall be treated in the same manner as the reinsured contract.
(6) Treatment of certain qualified long-term care insurance contract arrangements
An annuity or life insurance contract which includes a qualified long-term care insurance contract as a part of or a rider on such annuity or life insurance contract shall be treated as a specified insurance contract not described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (c)(1).
(f) Special rule where negative net premiums
(1) In general
If for any taxable year there is a negative capitalization amount with respect to any category of specified insurance contracts set forth in subsection (c)(1)—
(A) the amount otherwise required to be capitalized under this section for such taxable year with respect to any other category of specified insurance contracts shall be reduced (but not below zero) by such negative capitalization amount, and
(B) such negative capitalization amount (to the extent not taken into account under subparagraph (A))—
(i) shall reduce (but not below zero) the unamortized balance (as of the beginning of such taxable year) of the amounts previously capitalized under subsection (a) (beginning with the amount capitalized for the most recent taxable year), and
(ii) to the extent taken into account as such a reduction, shall be allowed as a deduction for such taxable year.
(2) Negative capitalization amount
For purposes of paragraph (1), the term "negative capitalization amount" means, with respect to any category of specified insurance contracts, the percentage (applicable under subsection (c)(1) to such category) of the amount (if any) by which—
(A) the amount determined under subparagraph (B) of subsection (d)(1) with respect to such category, exceeds
(B) the amount determined under subparagraph (A) of subsection (d)(1) with respect to such category.
(g) Treatment of certain ceding commissions
Nothing in any provision of law (other than this section or section 197) shall require the capitalization of any ceding commission incurred on or after September 30, 1990, under any contract which reinsures a specified insurance contract.
(h) Secretarial authority to adjust capitalization amounts
(1) In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary may provide that a type of insurance contract will be treated as a separate category for purposes of this section (and prescribe a percentage applicable to such category) if the Secretary determines that the deferral of acquisition expenses for such type of contract which would otherwise result under this section is substantially greater than the deferral of acquisition expenses which would have resulted if actual acquisition expenses (including indirect expenses) and the actual useful life for such type of contract had been used.
(2) Adjustment to other contracts
If the Secretary exercises his authority with respect to any type of contract under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall adjust the percentage which would otherwise have applied under subsection (c)(1) to the category which includes such type of contract so that the exercise of such authority does not result in a decrease in the amount of revenue received under this chapter by reason of this section for any fiscal year.
(Added
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2017—Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (c)(1)(A).
Subsec. (c)(1)(B).
Subsec. (c)(1)(C).
Subsec. (e)(1)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (i).
2014—Subsec. (j).
2006—Subsec. (e)(6).
2003—Subsec. (e)(1)(B)(v).
2000—Subsec. (e)(1)(B)(iv).
1996—Subsec. (e)(1)(B)(iv).
1993—Subsec. (g).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2017 Amendment
Amendment by section 12001(b)(8)(C) of
Amendment by section 13517(b)(4) of
"(1)
"(2)
Effective Date of 2014 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Amendment by