26 U.S.C. § 53 (INTERNAL REVENUE CODE)
§ 53. Credit for prior year minimum tax liability
(a) Allowance of credit
There shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter for any taxable year an amount equal to the minimum tax credit for such taxable year.
(b) Minimum tax credit
For purposes of subsection (a), the minimum tax credit for any taxable year is the excess (if any) of—
(1) the adjusted net minimum tax imposed for all prior taxable years beginning after 1986, over
(2) the amount allowable as a credit under subsection (a) for such prior taxable years.
(c) Limitation
The credit allowable under subsection (a) for any taxable year shall not exceed the excess (if any) of—
(1) the regular tax liability of the taxpayer for such taxable year reduced by the sum of the credits allowable under subparts A, B, D, E, and F of this part, over
(2) the tentative minimum tax for the taxable year.
(d) Definitions
For purposes of this section—
(1) Net minimum tax
(A) In general
The term “net minimum tax” means the tax imposed by section 55.
(B) Credit not allowed for exclusion preferences
(i) Adjusted net minimum tax
The adjusted net minimum tax for any taxable year is—
(I) the amount of the net minimum tax for such taxable year, reduced by
(II) the amount which would be the net minimum tax for such taxable year if the only adjustments and items of tax preference taken into account were those specified in clause (ii).
(ii) Specified items
The following are specified in this clause—
(I) the adjustments provided for in subsection (b)(1) of section 56, and
(II) the items of tax preference described in paragraphs (1), (5), and (7) of section 57(a).
(iii) Credit allowable for exclusion preferences of corporations
In the case of a corporation—
(I) the preceding provisions of this subparagraph shall not apply, and
(II) the adjusted net minimum tax for any taxable year is the amount of the net minimum tax for such year.
(2) Tentative minimum tax
The term “tentative minimum tax” has the meaning given to such term by section 55(b), except that in the case of a corporation, the tentative minimum tax shall be treated as zero.
(3) AMT term references
In the case of a corporation, any references in this subsection to section 55, 56, or 57 shall be treated as a reference to such section as in effect before the amendments made by Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.1
(e) Portion of credit treated as refundable
(1) In general
In the case of any taxable year of a corporation beginning in 2018 or 2019, the limitation under subsection (c) shall be increased by the AMT refundable credit amount for such year.
(2) AMT refundable credit amount
For purposes of paragraph (1), the AMT refundable credit amount is an amount equal to 50 percent (100 percent in the case of a taxable year beginning in 2019) of the excess (if any) of—
(A) the minimum tax credit determined under subsection (b) for the taxable year, over
(B) the minimum tax credit allowed under subsection (a) for such year (before the application of this subsection for such year).
(3) Credit refundable
For purposes of this title (other than this section), the credit allowed by reason of this subsection shall be treated as a credit allowed under subpart C (and not this subpart).
(4) Short taxable years
In the case of any taxable year of less than 365 days, the AMT refundable credit amount determined under paragraph (2) with respect to such taxable year shall be the amount which bears the same ratio to such amount determined without regard to this paragraph as the number of days in such taxable year bears to 365.
(5) Special rule
In the case of a corporation making an election under this paragraph—
(A) paragraph (1) shall not apply, and
(B) subsection (c) shall not apply to the first taxable year of such corporation beginning in 2018.
(Added Pub. L. 99–514, title VII, § 701(b), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2339; amended Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1007(g)(4), title VI, § 6304(a), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3435, 3756; Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, §§ 7612(a)(1), (2), (b)(1), 7811(d)(2), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2373, 2374, 2408; Pub. L. 102–486, title XIX, § 1913(b)(2)(C), Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3020; Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, §§ 13113(b)(2), 13171(c), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 429, 455; Pub. L. 104–188, title I, §§ 1205(d)(5), 1704(j)(1), Aug. 20, 1996, 110 Stat. 1776, 1881; Pub. L. 108–357, title IV, § 421(a)(2), Oct. 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 1514; Pub. L. 109–58, title XIII, § 1322(a)(3)(G), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 1012; Pub. L. 109–432, div. A, title IV, § 402(a), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 2953; Pub. L. 110–172, § 2(a), Dec. 29, 2007, 121 Stat. 2473; Pub. L. 110–343, div. C, title I, § 103(a), (b), Oct. 3, 2008, 122 Stat. 3863; Pub. L. 111–5, div. B, title I, § 1142(b)(4), Feb. 17, 2009, 123 Stat. 331; Pub. L. 113–295, div. A, title II, § 221(a)(8)(A)(i), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 4038; Pub. L. 115–97, title I, §§ 12001(b)(2), 12002(a), (b), Dec. 22, 2017, 131 Stat. 2092, 2094; Pub. L. 116–136, div. A, title II, § 2305(a), (b), Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 357.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: References in Text
text: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, referred to in subsec. (d)(3), probably means title I of Pub. L. 115–97, Dec. 22, 2017, 131 Stat. 2054. Prior versions of the bill that was enacted into law as Pub. L. 115–97 included such Short Title, but it was not enacted as part of title I of Pub. L. 115–97. For complete classification of title I of Pub. L. 115–97 to the Code, see Tables.
heading: Prior Provisions
text: A prior section 53, added Pub. L. 95–30, title II, § 202(b), May 23, 1977, 91 Stat. 146; amended Pub. L. 95–600, title III, § 321(c)(2), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2835; Pub. L. 97–34, title II, § 207(c)(2), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 225; Pub. L. 97–248, title II, § 201(d)(8)(A), formerly § 201(c)(8)(A), and § 265(b)(2)(A)(iii), Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 420, 547, renumbered § 201(d)(8)(A), Pub. L. 97–448, title III, § 306(a)(1)(A)(i), Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2400; 97–354, § 5(a)(12), Oct. 19, 1982, 96 Stat. 1693; 97–448, title I, § 102(d)(3), Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2370; Pub. L. 98–21, title I, § 122(c)(1), Apr. 20, 1983, 97 Stat. 87; Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title VII, § 713(c)(1)(C), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 957, placed limitations on the amount of credit allowed by former section 44B for employment of certain new employees, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title IV, § 474(p)(8), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 838, applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1983, and to carrybacks from such years.
heading: Amendments
text: 2020—Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 116–136, § 2305(a)(1), substituted “2018 or 2019” for “2018, 2019, 2020, or 2021”.
Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 116–136, § 2305(a)(2), substituted “2019” for “2021” in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (e)(5). Pub. L. 116–136, § 2305(b)(1), added par. (5).
2017—Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 115–97, § 12001(b)(2), inserted “, except that in the case of a corporation, the tentative minimum tax shall be treated as zero” before period at end.
Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 115–97, § 12002(b), added par. (3).
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 115–97, § 12002(a), added subsec. (e).
2014—Subsecs. (e), (f). Pub. L. 113–295 struck out subsecs. (e) and (f) which related to special rule for individuals with long-term unused credits and treatment of certain underpayments, interest, and penalties attributable to the treatment of incentive stock options, respectively.
2009—Subsec. (d)(1)(B)(iii). Pub. L. 111–5, § 1142(b)(4)(A), redesignated cl. (iv) as (iii) and struck out former cl. (iii). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The adjusted net minimum tax for the taxable year shall be increased by the amount of the credit not allowed under section 30 solely by reason of the application of section 30(b)(3)(B).”
Subsec. (d)(1)(B)(iii)(II). Pub. L. 111–5, § 1142(b)(4)(B), struck out “increased in the manner provided in clause (iii)” before period.
Subsec. (d)(1)(B)(iv). Pub. L. 111–5, § 1142(b)(4)(A), redesignated cl. (iv) as (iii).
2008—Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 110–343, § 103(a), reenacted heading without change and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) defined “AMT refundable credit amount” and provided for phaseout of AMT refundable credit amount based on adjusted gross income.
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 110–343, § 103(b), added subsec. (f).
2007—Subsec. (e)(2)(A). Pub. L. 110–172 reenacted heading without change and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The term ‘AMT refundable credit amount’ means, with respect to any taxable year, the amount equal to the greater of—
“(i) the lesser of—
“(I) $5,000, or
“(II) the amount of long-term unused minimum tax credit for such taxable year, or
“(ii) 20 percent of the amount of such credit.”
2006—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 109–432 added subsec. (e).
2005—Subsec. (d)(1)(B)(iii). Pub. L. 109–58 struck out “under section 29 (relating to credit for producing fuel from a nonconventional source) solely by reason of the application of section 29(b)(6)(B), or not allowed” before “under section 30”.
2004—Subsec. (d)(1)(B)(i)(II). Pub. L. 108–357 struck out “and if section 59(a)(2) did not apply” before period at end.
1996—Subsec. (d)(1)(B)(iii). Pub. L. 104–188, § 1205(d)(5)(A), which directed that cl. (iii) be amended by striking out “or not allowed under section 28 solely by reason of the application of section 28(d)(2)(B),” was executed by striking out “not allowed under section 28 solely by reason of the application of section 28(d)(2)(B),” after “29(b)(6)(B),”, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
Subsec. (d)(1)(B)(iv)(II). Pub. L. 104–188, § 1704(j)(1), amended subcl. (II) generally. Prior to amendment, subcl. (II) read as follows: “the adjusted net minimum tax for any taxable year is the amount of the net minimum tax for such year increased by the amount of any credit not allowed under section 29 solely by reason of the application of section 29(b)(5)(B) or not allowed under section 28 solely by reason of the application of section 28(d)(2)(B).”
Pub. L. 104–188, § 1205(d)(5)(B), which directed that subcl. (II) be amended by striking out “or not allowed under section 28 solely by reason of the application of section 28(d)(2)(B)”, could not be executed because the phrase sought to be struck out did not appear in text subsequent to the general amendment of subcl. (II) by Pub. L. 104–188, § 1704(j)(1), see above, which, pursuant to section 1701 of Pub. L. 104–188, set out as a note under section 1 of this title, is treated as having been enacted before section 1205(d)(5)(B) of Pub. L. 104–188.
1993—Subsec. (d)(1)(B)(ii)(II). Pub. L. 103–66, § 13171(c), substituted “(5), and (7)” for “(5), (6), and (8)”.
Pub. L. 103–66, § 13113(b)(2), substituted “(6), and (8)” for “and (6)”.
1992—Subsec. (d)(1)(B)(iii). Pub. L. 102–486, § 1913(b)(2)(C)(i), substituted “section 29(b)(6)(B),” for “section 29(b)(5)(B) or”.
Pub. L. 102–486, § 1913(b)(2)(C)(ii), inserted before period at end “, or not allowed under section 30 solely by reason of the application of section 30(b)(3)(B)”.
1989—Subsec. (d)(1)(B)(i)(II). Pub. L. 101–239, § 7811(d)(2), inserted before period at end “and if section 59(a)(2) did not apply”.
Subsec. (d)(1)(B)(ii). Pub. L. 101–239, § 7612(a)(2), substituted “subsection (b)(1)” for “subsections (b)(1) and (c)(3)” in subcl. (I) and struck out at end “In the case of taxable years beginning after 1989, the adjustments provided in section 56(g) shall be treated as specified in this clause to the extent attributable to items which are excluded from gross income for any taxable year for purposes of the regular tax, or are not deductible for any taxable year under the adjusted current earnings method of section 56(g).”
Subsec. (d)(1)(B)(iii). Pub. L. 101–239, § 7612(b)(1), which directed amendment of cl. (iii) by inserting “or not allowed under section 28 solely by reason of the application of section 28(d)(2)(B)” after “section 29(d)(5)(B)”, was executed by making the insertion after “section 29(b)(5)(B)”, as the probable intent of Congress.
Subsec. (d)(1)(B)(iv). Pub. L. 101–239, § 7612(b)(1), which directed amendment of cl. (iv) by inserting “or not allowed under section 28 solely by reason of the application of section 28(d)(2)(B)” after “section 29(d)(5)(B)”, was executed by making the insertion after “section 29(b)(5)(B)” in subcl. (II), as the probable intent of Congress.
Pub. L. 101–239, § 7612(a)(1), added cl. (iv).
1988—Subsec. (d)(1)(B)(ii). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1007(g)(4), substituted “current earnings” for “earnings and profits” in last sentence.
Subsec. (d)(1)(B)(iii). Pub. L. 100–647, § 6304(a), added cl. (iii).
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Effective Date of 2020 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 116–136, div. A, title II, § 2305(c), Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 357, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017.”
heading: Effective Date of 2017 Amendment
text: Amendment by section 12001(b)(2) of Pub. L. 115–97 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 2017, see section 12001(c) of Pub. L. 115–97, set out as a note under section 11 of this title.
Pub. L. 115–97, title I, § 12002(d), Dec. 22, 2017, 131 Stat. 2095, provided that:
“(1) In general.—
The amendments made by this section [amending this section and section 1374 of this title] shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017.
“(2) Conforming amendment.—
The amendment made by subsection (c) [amending section 1374 of this title] shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2021.”
heading: Effective Date of 2014 Amendment
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 113–295 effective Dec. 19, 2014, subject to a savings provision, see section 221(b) of Pub. L. 113–295, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
heading: Effective Date of 2009 Amendment
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 111–5 applicable to vehicles acquired after Feb. 17, 2009, see section 1142(c) of Pub. L. 111–5, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2009 Amendment note under section 24 of this title.
heading: Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 110–343, div. C, title I, § 103(c), Oct. 3, 2008, 122 Stat. 3864, provided that:
“(1) In general.—
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2007.
“(2) Abatement.—
Section 53(f)(1), as added by subsection (b), shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 3, 2008].”
heading: Effective Date of 2007 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 110–172, § 2(b), Dec. 29, 2007, 121 Stat. 2474, provided that: “The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall take effect as if included in the provision of the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 [Pub. L. 109–432] to which it relates.”
heading: Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 109–432, div. A, title IV, § 402(c), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 2954, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section, section 6211 of this title, and section 1324 of Title 31, Money and Finance] shall apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 20, 2006].”
heading: Effective Date of 2005 Amendment
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 109–58 applicable to credits determined under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 for taxable years ending after Dec. 31, 2005, see section 1322(c)(1) of Pub. L. 109–58, set out as a note under section 45K of this title.
heading: Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 108–357, title IV, § 421(b), Oct. 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 1514, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section and section 59 of this title] shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2004.”
heading: Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
text: Amendment by section 1205(d)(5) of Pub. L. 104–188 applicable to amounts paid or incurred in taxable years ending after June 30, 1996, see section 1205(e) of Pub. L. 104–188, set out as a note under section 45K of this title.
Pub. L. 104–188, title I, § 1704(j)(1), Aug. 20, 1996, 110 Stat. 1881, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective with respect to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1990.
heading: Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, § 13113(e), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 430, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [enacting section 1202 of this title and amending this section and sections 57, 172, 642, 643, 691, 871, and 6652 of this title] shall apply to stock issued after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 10, 1993].”
Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, § 13171(d), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 455, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 56 and 57 of this title] shall apply to contributions made after June 30, 1992, except that in the case of any contribution of capital gain property which is not tangible personal property, such amendments shall apply only if the contribution is made after December 31, 1992.”
heading: Effective Date of 1992 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 104–188, title I, § 1702(e)(5), Aug. 20, 1996, 110 Stat. 1870, provided that: “The amendment made by section 1913(b)(2)(C)(i) of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 [Pub. L. 102–486] shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1990.”
Pub. L. 102–486, title XIX, § 1913(c), Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3020, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [enacting sections 30 and 179A of this title and amending this section and sections 55, 62, and 1016 of this title] shall apply to property placed in service after June 30, 1993.”
heading: Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, § 7612(a)(3), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2373, provided that: “The amendments made by this subsection [amending this section] shall apply for purposes of determining the adjusted net minimum tax for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1989.”
Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, § 7612(b)(2), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2374, provided that: “The amendment made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall apply for purposes of determining the amount of the minimum tax credit for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1989; except that, for such purposes, section 53(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall be applied as if such amendment had been in effect for all prior taxable years.”
Amendment by section 7811(d)(2) of Pub. L. 101–239 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provision of the Technical and Miscellaneous Revenue Act of 1988, Pub. L. 100–647, to which such amendment relates, see section 7817 of Pub. L. 101–239, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
heading: Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
text: Amendment by section 1007(g)(4) of 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.
Pub. L. 100–647, title VI, § 6304(b), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3756, provided that: “The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall take effect as if included in the amendments made by section 701 of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 [Pub. L. 99–514].”
heading: Effective Date
text: Section applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1986, with certain exceptions and qualifications, see section 701(f) of Pub. L. 99–514, set out as an Effective Date of 1986 Amendment note under section 55 of this title.
heading: Applicability of Certain Amendments by Pub. L. 99–514 in Relation to Treaty Obligations of United States
text: For applicability of amendment by section 701(b) of Pub. L. 99–514 [enacting this section] notwithstanding any treaty obligation of the United States in effect on Oct. 22, 1986, with provision that for such purposes any amendment by title I of Pub. L. 100–647 be treated as if it had been included in the provision of Pub. L. 99–514 to which such amendment relates, see section 1012(aa)(2), (4) of Pub. L. 100–647, set out as a note under section 861 of this title.
heading: Construction
text: Pub. L. 113–295, div. A, title II, § 221(a)(8)(A)(ii), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 4038, provided that: “The amendment made by clause (i) striking subsection (f) of section 53 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall not be construed to allow any tax abated by reason of section 53(f)(1) of such Code (as in effect before such amendment) to be included in the amount determined under section 53(b)(1) of such Code.”
heading: Special Rule
text: Pub. L. 116–136, div. A, title II, § 2305(d), Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 357, provided that:
“(1) In general.—
For purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, a credit or refund for which an application described in paragraph (2)(A) is filed shall be treated as made under section 6411 of such Code.
“(2) Tentative refund.—
“(A) Application.—
A taxpayer may file an application for a tentative refund of any amount for which a refund is due by reason of an election under section 53(e)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Such application shall be in such manner and form as the Secretary of the Treasury (or the Secretary’s delegate) may prescribe and shall—
“(i) be verified in the same manner as an application under section 6411(a) of such Code,
“(ii) be filed prior to December 31, 2020, and
“(iii) set forth—
“(I) the amount of the refundable credit claimed under section 53(e) of such Code for such taxable year,
“(II) the amount of the refundable credit claimed under such section for any previously filed return for such taxable year, and
“(III) the amount of the refund claimed.
“(B) Allowance of adjustments.—
Within a period of 90 days from the date on which an application is filed under subparagraph (A), the Secretary of the Treasury (or the Secretary’s delegate) shall—
“(i) review the application,
“(ii) determine the amount of the overpayment, and
“(iii) apply, credit, or refund such overpayment,
in a manner similar to the manner provided in section 6411(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
“(C) Consolidated returns.—
The provisions of section 6411(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 Code shall apply to an adjustment under this paragraph to the same extent and manner as the Secretary of the Treasury (or the Secretary’s delegate) may provide.”