Laws: Cases and Codes : U.S. Code : Title 26 : Section 1


   
U.S. Code as of: 01/19/04
Section 1. Tax imposed

    (a) Married individuals filing joint returns and surviving spouses
      There is hereby imposed on the taxable income of - 
        (1) every married individual (as defined in section 7703) who
      makes a single return jointly with his spouse under section 6013,
      and
        (2) every surviving spouse (as defined in section 2(a)),

    a tax determined in accordance with the following table:


       If taxable income is:                     The tax is:            
    --------------------------------------------------------------------
      Not over $36,900              15% of taxable income.              
      Over $36,900 but not over     $5,535, plus 28% of the excess over 
       $89,150                       $36,900.                           
      Over $89,150 but not over     $20,165, plus 31% of the excess     
       $140,000                      over $89,150.                      
      Over $140,000 but not         $35,928.50, plus 36% of the excess  
       over $250,000                 over $140,000.                     
      Over $250,000                 $75,528.50, plus 39.6% of the       
                                     excess over $250,000.              
    --------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) Heads of households
      There is hereby imposed on the taxable income of every head of a
    household (as defined in section 2(b)) a tax determined in
    accordance with the following table:


       If taxable income is:                     The tax is:            
    --------------------------------------------------------------------
      Not over $29,600              15% of taxable income.              
      Over $29,600 but not over     $4,440, plus 28% of the excess over 
       $76,400                       $29,600.                           
      Over $76,400 but not over     $17,544, plus 31% of the excess     
       $127,500                      over $76,400.                      
      Over $127,500 but not         $33,385, plus 36% of the excess     
       over $250,000                 over $127,500.                     
      Over $250,000                 $77,485, plus 39.6% of the excess   
                                     over $250,000.                     
    --------------------------------------------------------------------

    (c) Unmarried individuals (other than surviving spouses and heads
      of households)
      There is hereby imposed on the taxable income of every individual
    (other than a surviving spouse as defined in section 2(a) or the
    head of a household as defined in section 2(b)) who is not a
    married individual (as defined in section 7703) a tax determined in
    accordance with the following table:


       If taxable income is:                     The tax is:            
    --------------------------------------------------------------------
      Not over $22,100              15% of taxable income.              
      Over $22,100 but not over     $3,315, plus 28% of the excess over 
       $53,500                       $22,100.                           
      Over $53,500 but not over     $12,107, plus 31% of the excess     
       $115,000                      over $53,500.                      
      Over $115,000 but not         $31,172, plus 36% of the excess     
       over $250,000                 over $115,000.                     
      Over $250,000                 $79,772, plus 39.6% of the excess   
                                     over $250,000.                     
    --------------------------------------------------------------------

    (d) Married individuals filing separate returns
      There is hereby imposed on the taxable income of every married
    individual (as defined in section 7703) who does not make a single
    return jointly with his spouse under section 6013, a tax determined
    in accordance with the following table:


       If taxable income is:                     The tax is:            
    --------------------------------------------------------------------
      Not over $18,450              15% of taxable income.              
      Over $18,450 but not over     $2,767.50, plus 28% of the excess   
       $44,575                       over $18,450.                      
      Over $44,575 but not over     $10,082.50, plus 31% of the excess  
       $70,000                       over $44,575.                      
      Over $70,000 but not over     $17,964.25, plus 36% of the excess  
       $125,000                      over $70,000.                      
      Over $125,000                 $37,764.25, plus 39.6% of the       
                                     excess over $125,000.              
    --------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) Estates and trusts
      There is hereby imposed on the taxable income of - 
        (1) every estate, and
        (2) every trust,

    taxable under this subsection a tax determined in accordance with
    the following table:


       If taxable income is:                     The tax is:            
    --------------------------------------------------------------------
      Not over $1,500               15% of taxable income.              
      Over $1,500 but not over      $225, plus 28% of the excess over   
       $3,500                        $1,500.                            
      Over $3,500 but not over      $785, plus 31% of the excess over   
       $5,500                        $3,500.                            
      Over $5,500 but not over      $1,405, plus 36% of the excess over 
       $7,500                        $5,500.                            
      Over $7,500                   $2,125, plus 39.6% of the excess    
                                     over $7,500.                       
    --------------------------------------------------------------------

    (f) Phaseout of marriage penalty in 15-percent bracket; adjustments
      in tax tables so that inflation will not result in tax increases
      (1) In general
        Not later than December 15 of 1993, and each subsequent
      calendar year, the Secretary shall prescribe tables which shall
      apply in lieu of the tables contained in subsections (a), (b),
      (c), (d), and (e) with respect to taxable years beginning in the
      succeeding calendar year.
      (2) Method of prescribing tables
        The table which under paragraph (1) is to apply in lieu of the
      table contained in subsection (a), (b), (c), (d), or (e), as the
      case may be, with respect to taxable years beginning in any
      calendar year shall be prescribed - 
          (A) except as provided in paragraph (8), by increasing the
        minimum and maximum dollar amounts for each rate bracket for
        which a tax is imposed under such table by the cost-of-living
        adjustment for such calendar year,
          (B) by not changing the rate applicable to any rate bracket
        as adjusted under subparagraph (A), and
          (C) by adjusting the amounts setting forth the tax to the
        extent necessary to reflect the adjustments in the rate
        brackets.
      (3) Cost-of-living adjustment
        For purposes of paragraph (2), the cost-of-living adjustment
      for any calendar year is the percentage (if any) by which - 
          (A) the CPI for the preceding calendar year, exceeds
          (B) the CPI for the calendar year 1992.
      (4) CPI for any calendar year
        For purposes of paragraph (3), the CPI for any calendar year is
      the average of the Consumer Price Index as of the close of the
      12-month period ending on August 31 of such calendar year.
      (5) Consumer Price Index
        For purposes of paragraph (4), the term "Consumer Price Index"
      means the last Consumer Price Index for all-urban consumers
      published by the Department of Labor. For purposes of the
      preceding sentence, the revision of the Consumer Price Index
      which is most consistent with the Consumer Price Index for
      calendar year 1986 shall be used.
      (6) Rounding
        (A) In general
          If any increase determined under paragraph (2)(A), section
        63(c)(4), section 68(b)(2) or section 151(d)(4) is not a
        multiple of $50, such increase shall be rounded to the next
        lowest multiple of $50.
        (B) Table for married individuals filing separately
          In the case of a married individual filing a separate return,
        subparagraph (A) (other than with respect to sections 63(c)(4)
        and 151(d)(4)(A)) shall be applied by substituting "$25" for
        "$50" each place it appears.
      (7) Special rule for certain brackets
        (A) Calendar year 1994
          In prescribing the tables under paragraph (1) which apply
        with respect to taxable years beginning in calendar year 1994,
        the Secretary shall make no adjustment to the dollar amounts at
        which the 36 percent rate bracket begins or at which the 39.6
        percent rate begins under any table contained in subsection
        (a), (b), (c), (d), or (e).
        (B) Later calendar years
          In prescribing tables under paragraph (1) which apply with
        respect to taxable years beginning in a calendar year after
        1994, the cost-of-living adjustment used in making adjustments
        to the dollar amounts referred to in subparagraph (A) shall be
        determined under paragraph (3) by substituting "1993" for
        "1992".
      (8) Phaseout of marriage penalty in 15-percent bracket
        (A) In general
          With respect to taxable years beginning after December 31,
        2002, in prescribing the tables under paragraph (1) - 
            (i) the maximum taxable income in the 15-percent rate
          bracket in the table contained in subsection (a) (and the
          minimum taxable income in the next higher taxable income
          bracket in such table) shall be the applicable percentage of
          the maximum taxable income in the 15-percent rate bracket in
          the table contained in subsection (c) (after any other
          adjustment under this subsection), and
            (ii) the comparable taxable income amounts in the table
          contained in subsection (d) shall be  1/2  of the amounts
          determined under clause (i).
        (B) Applicable percentage
          For purposes of subparagraph (A), the applicable percentage
        shall be determined in accordance with the following table:

    For taxable years beginning                         The applicable
     in calendar year -                               percentage is - 
      2003 and 2004                                             200   
      2005                                                      180   
      2006                                                      187   
      2007                                                      193   
      2008 and thereafter                                        200. 
        (C) Rounding
          If any amount determined under subparagraph (A)(i) is not a
        multiple of $50, such amount shall be rounded to the next
        lowest multiple of $50.
    (g) Certain unearned income of minor children taxed as if parent's
      income
      (1) In general
        In the case of any child to whom this subsection applies, the
      tax imposed by this section shall be equal to the greater of - 
          (A) the tax imposed by this section without regard to this
        subsection, or
          (B) the sum of - 
            (i) the tax which would be imposed by this section if the
          taxable income of such child for the taxable year were
          reduced by the net unearned income of such child, plus
            (ii) such child's share of the allocable parental tax.
      (2) Child to whom subsection applies
        This subsection shall apply to any child for any taxable year
      if - 
          (A) such child has not attained age 14 before the close of
        the taxable year, and
          (B) either parent of such child is alive at the close of the
        taxable year.
      (3) Allocable parental tax
        For purposes of this subsection - 
        (A) In general
          The term "allocable parental tax" means the excess of - 
            (i) the tax which would be imposed by this section on the
          parent's taxable income if such income included the net
          unearned income of all children of the parent to whom this
          subsection applies, over
            (ii) the tax imposed by this section on the parent without
          regard to this subsection.

        For purposes of clause (i), net unearned income of all children
        of the parent shall not be taken into account in computing any
        exclusion, deduction, or credit of the parent.
        (B) Child's share
          A child's share of any allocable parental tax of a parent
        shall be equal to an amount which bears the same ratio to the
        total allocable parental tax as the child's net unearned income
        bears to the aggregate net unearned income of all children of
        such parent to whom this subsection applies.
        (C) Special rule where parent has different taxable year
          Except as provided in regulations, if the parent does not
        have the same taxable year as the child, the allocable parental
        tax shall be determined on the basis of the taxable year of the
        parent ending in the child's taxable year.
      (4) Net unearned income
        For purposes of this subsection - 
        (A) In general
          The term "net unearned income" means the excess of - 
            (i) the portion of the adjusted gross income for the
          taxable year which is not attributable to earned income (as
          defined in section 911(d)(2)), over
            (ii) the sum of - 
              (I) the amount in effect for the taxable year under
            section 63(c)(5)(A) (relating to limitation on standard
            deduction in the case of certain dependents), plus
              (II) the greater of the amount described in subclause (I)
            or, if the child itemizes his deductions for the taxable
            year, the amount of the itemized deductions allowed by this
            chapter for the taxable year which are directly connected
            with the production of the portion of adjusted gross income
            referred to in clause (i).
        (B) Limitation based on taxable income
          The amount of the net unearned income for any taxable year
        shall not exceed the individual's taxable income for such
        taxable year.
      (5) Special rules for determining parent to whom subsection
        applies
        For purposes of this subsection, the parent whose taxable
      income shall be taken into account shall be - 
          (A) in the case of parents who are not married (within the
        meaning of section 7703), the custodial parent (within the
        meaning of section 152(e)) of the child, and
          (B) in the case of married individuals filing separately, the
        individual with the greater taxable income.
      (6) Providing of parent's TIN
        The parent of any child to whom this subsection applies for any
      taxable year shall provide the TIN of such parent to such child
      and such child shall include such TIN on the child's return of
      tax imposed by this section for such taxable year.
      (7) Election to claim certain unearned income of child on
        parent's return
        (A) In general
          If - 
            (i) any child to whom this subsection applies has gross
          income for the taxable year only from interest and dividends
          (including Alaska Permanent Fund dividends),
            (ii) such gross income is more than the amount described in
          paragraph (4)(A)(ii)(I) and less than 10 times the amount so
          described,
            (iii) no estimated tax payments for such year are made in
          the name and TIN of such child, and no amount has been
          deducted and withheld under section 3406, and
            (iv) the parent of such child (as determined under
          paragraph (5)) elects the application of subparagraph (B),

        such child shall be treated (other than for purposes of this
        paragraph) as having no gross income for such year and shall
        not be required to file a return under section 6012.
        (B) Income included on parent's return
          In the case of a parent making the election under this
        paragraph - 
            (i) the gross income of each child to whom such election
          applies (to the extent the gross income of such child exceeds
          twice the amount described in paragraph (4)(A)(ii)(I)) shall
          be included in such parent's gross income for the taxable
          year,
            (ii) the tax imposed by this section for such year with
          respect to such parent shall be the amount equal to the sum
          of - 
              (I) the amount determined under this section after the
            application of clause (i), plus
              (II) for each such child, 10 percent of the lesser of the
            amount described in paragraph (4)(A)(ii)(I) or the excess
            of the gross income of such child over the amount so
            described, and

            (iii) any interest which is an item of tax preference under
          section 57(a)(5) of the child shall be treated as an item of
          tax preference of such parent (and not of such child).
        (C) Regulations
          The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be
        necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this
        paragraph.
    (h) Maximum capital gains rate
      (1) In general
        If a taxpayer has a net capital gain for any taxable year, the
      tax imposed by this section for such taxable year shall not
      exceed the sum of - 
          (A) a tax computed at the rates and in the same manner as if
        this subsection had not been enacted on the greater of - 
            (i) taxable income reduced by the net capital gain; or
            (ii) the lesser of - 
              (I) the amount of taxable income taxed at a rate below 25
            percent; or
              (II) taxable income reduced by the adjusted net capital
            gain;

          (B) 5 percent (0 percent in the case of taxable years
        beginning after 2007) of so much of the adjusted net capital
        gain (or, if less, taxable income) as does not exceed the
        excess (if any) of - 
            (i) the amount of taxable income which would (without
          regard to this paragraph) be taxed at a rate below 25
          percent, over
            (ii) the taxable income reduced by the adjusted net capital
          gain;

          (C) 15 percent of the adjusted net capital gain (or, if less,
        taxable income) in excess of the amount on which a tax is
        determined under subparagraph (B);
          (D) 25 percent of the excess (if any) of - 
            (i) the unrecaptured section 1250 gain (or, if less, the
          net capital gain), over
            (ii) the excess (if any) of - 
              (I) the sum of the amount on which tax is determined
            under subparagraph (A) plus the net capital gain, over
              (II) taxable income; and

          (E) 28 percent of the amount of taxable income in excess of
        the sum of the amounts on which tax is determined under the
        preceding subparagraphs of this paragraph.
      (2) Net capital gain taken into account as investment income
        For purposes of this subsection, the net capital gain for any
      taxable year shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the amount
      which the taxpayer takes into account as investment income under
      section 163(d)(4)(B)(iii).
      (3) Adjusted net capital gain
        For purposes of this subsection, the term "adjusted net capital
      gain" means the sum of - 
          (A) net capital gain (determined without regard to paragraph
        (11)) reduced (but not below zero) by the sum of - 
            (i) unrecaptured section 1250 gain, and
            (ii) 28-percent rate gain, plus

          (B) qualified dividend income (as defined in paragraph (11)).
      (4) 28-percent rate gain
        For purposes of this subsection, the term "28-percent rate
      gain" means the excess (if any) of - 
          (A) the sum of - 
            (i) collectibles gain; and
            (ii) section 1202 gain, over

          (B) the sum of - 
            (i) collectibles loss;
            (ii) the net short-term capital loss; and
            (iii) the amount of long-term capital loss carried under
          section 1212(b)(1)(B) to the taxable year.
      (5) Collectibles gain and loss
        For purposes of this subsection - 
        (A) In general
          The terms "collectibles gain" and "collectibles loss" mean
        gain or loss (respectively) from the sale or exchange of a
        collectible (as defined in section 408(m) without regard to
        paragraph (3) thereof) which is a capital asset held for more
        than 1 year but only to the extent such gain is taken into
        account in computing gross income and such loss is taken into
        account in computing taxable income.
        (B) Partnerships, etc.
          For purposes of subparagraph (A), any gain from the sale of
        an interest in a partnership, S corporation, or trust which is
        attributable to unrealized appreciation in the value of
        collectibles shall be treated as gain from the sale or exchange
        of a collectible. Rules similar to the rules of section 751
        shall apply for purposes of the preceding sentence.
      (6) Unrecaptured section 1250 gain
        For purposes of this subsection - 
        (A) In general
          The term "unrecaptured section 1250 gain" means the excess
        (if any) of - 
            (i) the amount of long-term capital gain (not otherwise
          treated as ordinary income) which would be treated as
          ordinary income if section 1250(b)(1) included all
          depreciation and the applicable percentage under section
          1250(a) were 100 percent, over
            (ii) the excess (if any) of - 
              (I) the amount described in paragraph (5)(B); over
              (II) the amount described in paragraph (5)(A).
        (B) Limitation with respect to section 1231 property
          The amount described in subparagraph (A)(i) from sales,
        exchanges, and conversions described in section 1231(a)(3)(A)
        for any taxable year shall not exceed the net section 1231 gain
        (as defined in section 1231(c)(3)) for such year.
      (7) Section 1202 gain
        For purposes of this subsection, the term "section 1202 gain"
      means the excess of - 
          (A) the gain which would be excluded from gross income under
        section 1202 but for the percentage limitation in section
        1202(a), over
          (B) the gain excluded from gross income under section 1202.
      (8) Coordination with recapture of net ordinary losses under
        section 1231
        If any amount is treated as ordinary income under section
      1231(c), such amount shall be allocated among the separate
      categories of net section 1231 gain (as defined in section
      1231(c)(3)) in such manner as the Secretary may by forms or
      regulations prescribe.
      (9) Regulations
        The Secretary may prescribe such regulations as are appropriate
      (including regulations requiring reporting) to apply this
      subsection in the case of sales and exchanges by pass-thru
      entities and of interests in such entities.
      (10) Pass-thru entity defined
        For purposes of this subsection, the term "pass-thru entity"
      means - 
          (A) a regulated investment company;
          (B) a real estate investment trust;
          (C) an S corporation;
          (D) a partnership;
          (E) an estate or trust;
          (F) a common trust fund;
          (G) a foreign investment company which is described in
        section 1246(b)(1) and for which an election is in effect under
        section 1247; and
          (H) a qualified electing fund (as defined in section 1295).
      (11) Dividends taxed as net capital gain
        (A) In general
          For purposes of this subsection, the term "net capital gain"
        means net capital gain (determined without regard to this
        paragraph) increased by qualified dividend income.
        (B) Qualified dividend income
          For purposes of this paragraph - 
          (i) In general
            The term "qualified dividend income" means dividends
          received during the taxable year from - 
              (I) domestic corporations, and
              (II) qualified foreign corporations.
          (ii) Certain dividends excluded
            Such term shall not include - 
              (I) any dividend from a corporation which for the taxable
            year of the corporation in which the distribution is made,
            or the preceding taxable year, is a corporation exempt from
            tax under section 501 or 521,
              (II) any amount allowed as a deduction under section 591
            (relating to deduction for dividends paid by mutual savings
            banks, etc.), and
              (III) any dividend described in section 404(k).
          (iii) Coordination with section 246(c)
            Such term shall not include any dividend on any share of
          stock - 
              (I) with respect to which the holding period requirements
            of section 246(c) are not met (determined by substituting
            in section 246(c)(1) "60 days" for "45 days" each place it
            appears and by substituting "120-day period" for "90-day
            period"), or
              (II) to the extent that the taxpayer is under an
            obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise)
            to make related payments with respect to positions in
            substantially similar or related property.
        (C) Qualified foreign corporations
          (i) In general
            Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, the term
          "qualified foreign corporation" means any foreign corporation
          if - 
              (I) such corporation is incorporated in a possession of
            the United States, or
              (II) such corporation is eligible for benefits of a
            comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States
            which the Secretary determines is satisfactory for purposes
            of this paragraph and which includes an exchange of
            information program.
          (ii) Dividends on stock readily tradable on United States
            securities market
            A foreign corporation not otherwise treated as a qualified
          foreign corporation under clause (i) shall be so treated with
          respect to any dividend paid by such corporation if the stock
          with respect to which such dividend is paid is readily
          tradable on an established securities market in the United
          States.
          (iii) Exclusion of dividends of certain foreign corporations
            Such term shall not include any foreign corporation which
          for the taxable year of the corporation in which the dividend
          was paid, or the preceding taxable year, is a foreign
          personal holding company (as defined in section 552), a
          foreign investment company (as defined in section 1246(b)),
          or a passive foreign investment company (as defined in
          section 1297).
          (iv) Coordination with foreign tax credit limitation
            Rules similar to the rules of section 904(b)(2)(B) shall
          apply with respect to the dividend rate differential under
          this paragraph.
        (D) Special rules
          (i) Amounts taken into account as investment income
            Qualified dividend income shall not include any amount
          which the taxpayer takes into account as investment income
          under section 163(d)(4)(B).
          (ii) Extraordinary dividends
            If an individual receives, with respect to any share of
          stock, qualified dividend income from 1 or more dividends
          which are extraordinary dividends (within the meaning of
          section 1059(c)), any loss on the sale or exchange of such
          share shall, to the extent of such dividends, be treated as
          long-term capital loss.
          (iii) Treatment of dividends from regulated investment
            companies and real estate investment trusts
            A dividend received from a regulated investment company or
          a real estate investment trust shall be subject to the
          limitations prescribed in sections 854 and 857.
    (i) Rate reductions after 2000
      (1) 10-percent rate bracket
        (A) In general
          In the case of taxable years beginning after December 31,
        2000 - 
            (i) the rate of tax under subsections (a), (b), (c), and
          (d) on taxable income not over the initial bracket amount
          shall be 10 percent, and
            (ii) the 15 percent rate of tax shall apply only to taxable
          income over the initial bracket amount but not over the
          maximum dollar amount for the 15-percent rate bracket.
        (B) Initial bracket amount
          For purposes of this paragraph, the initial bracket amount is
        - 
            (i) $14,000 ($12,000 in the case of taxable years beginning
          after December 31, 2004, and before January 1, 2008) in the
          case of subsection (a),
            (ii) $10,000 in the case of subsection (b), and
            (iii)  1/2  the amount applicable under clause (i) (after
          adjustment, if any, under subparagraph (C)) in the case of
          subsections (c) and (d).
        (C) Inflation adjustment
          In prescribing the tables under subsection (f) which apply
        with respect to taxable years beginning in calendar years after
        2000 - 
            (i) except as provided in clause (ii), the Secretary shall
          make no adjustment to the initial bracket amounts for any
          taxable year beginning before January 1, 2009,
            (ii) there shall be an adjustment under subsection (f) of
          such amounts which shall apply only to taxable years
          beginning in 2004, and such adjustment shall be determined
          under subsection (f)(3) by substituting "2002" for "1992" in
          subparagraph (B) thereof,
            (iii) the cost-of-living adjustment used in making
          adjustments to the initial bracket amounts for any taxable
          year beginning after December 31, 2008, shall be determined
          under subsection (f)(3) by substituting "2007" for "1992" in
          subparagraph (B) thereof, and
            (iv) the adjustments under clauses (ii) and (iii) shall not
          apply to the amount referred to in subparagraph (B)(iii).

        If any amount after adjustment under the preceding sentence is
        not a multiple of $50, such amount shall be rounded to the next
        lowest multiple of $50.
        (D) Coordination with acceleration of 10 percent rate bracket
          benefit for 2001
          This paragraph shall not apply to any taxable year to which
        section 6428 applies.
      (2) Reductions in rates after June 30, 2001
        In the case of taxable years beginning in a calendar year after
      2000, the corresponding percentage specified for such calendar
      year in the following table shall be substituted for the
      otherwise applicable tax rate in the tables under subsections
      (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e).


               The corresponding percentages shall be substituted
                                      for                        
                           the following percentages:            

                       28%              31%       36%      39.6% 
    --------------------------------------------------------------------
              2001                      27.5%     30.5%     35.5%    39.1%
              2002                      27.0%     30.0%     35.0%    38.6%
              2003 and thereafter       25.0%     28.0%     33.0%    35.0%
    --------------------------------------------------------------------

      (3) Adjustment of tables
        The Secretary shall adjust the tables prescribed under
      subsection (f) to carry out this subsection.



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