---
kind: "section"
citation: "15 U.S.C. § 80a–6"
title: "15"
title_heading: "Commerce and Trade"
number: "80a–6"
heading: "Exemptions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/15/80a-6"
units:
  - "Chapter 2D — Investment Companies and Advisers"
  - "Subchapter I — Investment Companies"
---

# §80a–6. Exemptions

- (a) **Exemption of specified investment companies—** The following investment [companies](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) are exempt from the provisions of this subchapter:
  - (1) Any [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) which since the effective date of this subchapter or within five years prior to such date has been reorganized under the supervision of a court of competent jurisdiction, if (A) such [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) was not an investment [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) at the commencement of such [reorganization](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-33) proceedings, (B) at the conclusion of such proceedings all outstanding [securities](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-36) of such [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) were owned by creditors of such [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) or by [persons](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-28) to whom such [securities](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-36) were issued on account of creditors’ claims, and (C) more than 50 per centum of the [voting securities](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-42) of such [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8), and [securities](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-36) representing more than 50 per centum of the net asset value of such [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8), are currently owned beneficially by not more than twenty-five [persons](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-28); but such exemption shall terminate if any [security](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-36) of which such [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) is the [issuer](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-22) is offered for sale or sold to the public after the conclusion of such proceedings by the [issuer](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-22) or by or through any underwriter. For the purposes of this paragraph, any new [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) organized as part of the [reorganization](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-33) shall be deemed the same [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) as its predecessor; and beneficial ownership shall be determined in the manner provided in [section 80a–3(c)(1) of this title](/usc/15/80a–3.md?p=c-1).
  - (2) Any [issuer](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-22) as to which there is outstanding a writing filed with the [Commission](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-7) by the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation stating that exemption of such [issuer](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-22) from the provisions of this subchapter is consistent with the public interest and the protection of investors and is necessary or appropriate by reason of the fact that such [issuer](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-22) holds or proposes to acquire any assets or any product of any assets which have been segregated (A) from assets of any [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) which at the filing of such writing is an insured institution within the meaning of section 1724(a)[^1] of title 12, or (B) as a part of or in connection with any plan for or condition to the insurance of accounts of any [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) by said corporation or the conversion of any [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) into a Federal [savings and loan association](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-45). Any such writing shall expire when canceled by a writing similarly filed or at the expiration of two years after the date of its filing, whichever first occurs; but said corporation may, nevertheless, before, at, or after the expiration of any such writing file another writing or writings with respect to such [issuer](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-22).
  - (3) Any [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) which prior to March 15, 1940, was and now is a wholly-owned subsidiary of a registered [face-amount certificate](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-15) [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) and was prior to said date and now is organized and operating under the insurance laws of any [State](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-39) and subject to supervision and examination by the insurance commissioner thereof, and which prior to March 15, 1940, was and now is engaged, subject to such laws, in business substantially all of which consists of issuing and selling only to residents of such [State](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-39) and investing the proceeds from, [securities](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-36) providing for or representing participations or interests in intangible assets consisting of mortgages or other liens on real estate or notes or bonds secured thereby or in a fund or deposit of mortgages or other liens on real estate or notes or bonds secured thereby or having outstanding such [securities](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-36) so issued and sold.
  - (4)
    - (A) Any [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) that is not engaged in the business of issuing [redeemable securities](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-32), the operations of which are subject to regulation by the [State](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-39) in which the [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) is organized under a statute governing entities that provide financial or managerial assistance to enterprises doing business, or proposing to do business, in that [State](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-39) if—
      - (i) the organizational documents of the [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) [state](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-39) that the activities of the [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) are limited to the promotion of economic, business, or industrial development in the [State](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-39) through the provision of financial or managerial assistance to enterprises doing business, or proposing to do business, in that [State](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-39), and such other activities that are incidental or necessary to carry out that purpose;
      - (ii) immediately following each sale of the [securities](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-36) of the [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) by the [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) or any underwriter for the [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8), not less than 80 percent of the [securities](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-36) of the [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) being offered in such sale, on a class-by-class basis, are held by [persons](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-28) who reside or who have a substantial business presence in that [State](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-39);
      - (iii) the [securities](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-36) of the [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) are sold, or proposed to be sold, by the [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) or by any underwriter for the [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8), solely to accredited investors, as that term is defined in [section 77b(a)(15) of this title](/usc/15/77b.md?p=a-15), or to such other [persons](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-28) that the [Commission](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-7), as necessary or appropriate in the public interest and consistent with the protection of investors, may permit by rule, regulation, or order; and
      - (iv) the [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) does not purchase any [security](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-36) issued by an investment [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) or by any [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) that would be an investment [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) except for the exclusions from the definition of the term “investment [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8)” under paragraph (1) or (7) of [section 80a–3(c) of this title](/usc/15/80a–3.md?p=c), other than—
        - (I) any debt [security](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-36) that meets such standards of credit-worthiness as the [Commission](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-7) shall adopt; or
        - (II) any [security](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-36) issued by a registered open-end investment [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) that is required by its investment policies to invest not less than 65 percent of its total assets in [securities](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-36) described in [subclause (I)](#a-4-A-iv-I) or [securities](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-36) that are determined by such registered open-end investment [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) to be comparable in quality to [securities](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-36) described in [subclause (I)](#a-4-A-iv-I).
    - (B) Notwithstanding the exemption provided by this paragraph, [section 80a–9 of this title](/usc/15/80a–9.md) (and, to the extent necessary to enforce [section 80a–9 of this title](/usc/15/80a–9.md), sections [80a–37](/usc/15/80a–37.md) through [80a–50](/usc/15/80a–50.md) of this title) shall apply to a [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) described in this paragraph as if the [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) were an investment [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) registered under this subchapter.
    - (C) Any [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) proposing to rely on the exemption provided by this paragraph shall file with the [Commission](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-7) a notification stating that the [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) intends to do so, in such form and manner as the [Commission](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-7) may prescribe by rule.
    - (D) Any [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) meeting the requirements of this paragraph may rely on the exemption provided by this paragraph upon filing with the [Commission](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-7) the notification required by [subparagraph (C)](#a-4-C), until such time as the [Commission](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-7) determines by order that such reliance is not in the public interest or is not consistent with the protection of investors.
    - (E) The exemption provided by this paragraph may be subject to such additional terms and conditions as the [Commission](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-7) may by rule, regulation, or order determine are necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of investors.
- (b) **Exemption of employees’ security company upon application; matters considered—** Upon application by any employees’ [security](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-36) [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8), the [Commission](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-7) shall by order exempt such [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) from the provisions of this subchapter and of the rules and regulations hereunder, if and to the extent that such exemption is consistent with the protection of investors. In determining the provisions to which such an order of exemption shall apply, the [Commission](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-7) shall give due weight, among other things, to the form of organization and the capital structure of such [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8), the [persons](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-28) by whom its [voting securities](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-42), evidences of indebtedness, and other [securities](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-36) are owned and controlled, the prices at which [securities](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-36) issued by such [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) are sold and the [sales load](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-35) thereon, the disposition of the proceeds of such sales, the character of the [securities](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-36) in which such proceeds are invested, and any relationship between such [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) and the [issuer](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-22) of any such [security](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-36).
- (c) **Exemption of persons, securities or any class or classes of persons as necessary and appropriate in public interest—** The [Commission](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-7), by rules and regulations upon its own motion, or by order upon application, may conditionally or unconditionally exempt any [person](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-28), [security](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-36), or transaction, or any class or classes of [persons](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-28), [securities](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-36), or transactions, from any provision or provisions of this subchapter or of any rule or regulation thereunder, if and to the extent that such exemption is necessary or appropriate in the public interest and consistent with the protection of investors and the purposes fairly intended by the policy and provisions of this subchapter.
- (d) **Exemption of closed-end investment companies—** The [Commission](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-7), by rules and regulations or order, shall exempt a closed-end investment [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) from any or all provisions of this subchapter, but subject to such terms and conditions as may be necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of investors, if—
  - (1) the aggregate sums received by such [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) from the sale of all its outstanding [securities](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-36), plus the aggregate offering price of all [securities](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-36) of which such [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) is the [issuer](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-22) and which it proposes to offer for sale, do not exceed $10,000,000, or such other amount as the [Commission](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-7) may set by rule, regulation, or order;
  - (2) no [security](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-36) of which such [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) is the [issuer](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-22) has been or is proposed to be sold by such [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) or any underwriter therefor, in connection with a public offering, to any [person](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-28) who is not a resident of the [State](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-39) under the laws of which such [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) is organized or otherwise created; and
  - (3) such exemption is not contrary to the public interest or inconsistent with the protection of investors.
- (e) **Application of certain specified provisions of subchapter to otherwise exempt companies—** If, in connection with any rule, regulation, or order under this section exempting any investment [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) from any provision of [section 80a–7 of this title](/usc/15/80a–7.md), the [Commission](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-7) deems it necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of investors that certain specified provisions of this subchapter pertaining to registered investment [companies](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) shall be applicable in respect of such [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8), the provisions so specified shall apply to such [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8), and to other [persons](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-28) in their transactions and relations with such [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8), as though such [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) were a registered investment [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8).
- (f) **Exemption of closed-end company treated as business development company—** Any closed-end [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) which—
  - (1) elects to be treated as a [business development company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-48) pursuant to [section 80a–53 of this title](/usc/15/80a–53.md); or
  - (2) would be excluded from the definition of an investment [company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-8) by [section 80a–3(c)(1) of this title](/usc/15/80a–3.md?p=c-1), except that it presently proposes to make a public offering of its [securities](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-36) as a [business development company](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-48), and has notified the [Commission](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-7), in a form and manner which the [Commission](/usc/15/80a–2.md?p=a-7) may, by rule, prescribe, that it intends in good faith to file, within 90 days, a notification of election to become subject to the provisions of sections [80a–54](/usc/15/80a–54.md) through [80a–64](/usc/15/80a–64.md) of this title,

  shall be exempt from sections [80a–1](/usc/15/80a–1.md) through [80a–52](/usc/15/80a–52.md) of this title, except to the extent provided in sections [80a–58](/usc/15/80a–58.md) through [80a–64](/usc/15/80a–64.md) of this title.


## Footnotes

[^1]: See References in Text note below.

## Source credit

(Aug. 22, 1940, ch. 686, title I, § 6, 54 Stat. 800; Proc. No. 2695, eff. July 4, 1946, 11 F.R. 7517, 60 Stat. 1352; Pub. L. 86–70, § 12(e), June 25, 1959, 73 Stat. 143; Pub. L. 86–624, § 7(c), July 12, 1960, 74 Stat. 412; Pub. L. 95–598, title III, § 310(b), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2676; Pub. L. 96–477, title I, § 103, Oct. 21, 1980, 94 Stat. 2277; Pub. L. 100–181, title VI, § 608, Dec. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 1261; Pub. L. 104–290, title V, §§ 501, 502, Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3444, 3445; Pub. L. 111–203, title IX, § 939(c), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1886; Pub. L. 115–174, title V, § 506(a), May 24, 2018, 132 Stat. 1363.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

For the effective date of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), see section 80a–52 of this title.

Section 1724 of title 12, referred to in subsec. (a)(2), was repealed by Pub. L. 101–73, title IV, § 407, Aug. 9, 1989, 103 Stat. 363.

### Amendments

2018—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115–174 redesignated pars. (2) to (5) as (1) to (4), respectively, and struck out former par. (1) which read as follows: “Any company organized or otherwise created under the laws of and having its principal office and place of business in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, or any other possession of the United States; but such exemption shall terminate if any security of which such company is the issuer is offered for sale or sold after the effective date of this subchapter, by such company or an underwriter therefor, to a resident of any State other than the State in which such company is organized.”

2010—Subsec. (a)(5)(A)(iv)(I). Pub. L. 111–203 substituted “meets such standards of credit-worthiness as the Commission shall adopt” for “is rated investment grade by not less than 1 nationally recognized statistical rating organization”.

1996—Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 104–290, § 501, added par. (5).

Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 104–290, § 502, substituted “$10,000,000, or such other amount as the Commission may set by rule, regulation, or order” for “$100,000”.

1987—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 100–181, § 608(1), struck out reference to Canal Zone.

Subsec. (a)(2) to (5). Pub. L. 100–181, § 608(2), redesignated pars. (3) to (5) as (2) to (4), respectively, and struck out former par. (2) which read as follows: “Any company for which, in a proceeding in any court of the United States or of a State, a receiver, trustee in a case under title 11, or similar officer had been appointed or elected prior to the effective date of this subchapter, and every such officer so appointed or elected prior to the effective date of this subchapter; but such exemption shall continue only so long as (A) the conduct of such company’s business remains subject to the supervision of such court or officer thereof, and (B) such company does not sell exclusively for cash any security of which it is the issuer, except short-term paper and ordinary receiver’s or trustee’s certificates.”

1980—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 96–477 added subsec. (f).

1978—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 95–598 substituted “a case under title 11” for “bankruptcy”.

1960—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 86–624 struck out reference to Hawaii.

1959—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 86–70 struck out reference to Alaska.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2018 Amendment; Safe Harbor

Pub. L. 115–174, title V, § 506(b), May 24, 2018, 132 Stat. 1363, provided that: Effective date.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act [May 24, 2018]. Safe harbor.—With respect to a company that is exempt under section 6(a)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a–6(a)(1)) on the day before the date of enactment of this Act, the amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date that is 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act. Extension of safe harbor.—The Securities and Exchange Commission, by rule or regulation upon its own motion, or by order upon application, may conditionally or unconditionally, under section 6(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a–6(c)), further delay the effective date for a company described in paragraph (2) for a maximum of 3 years following the initial 3-year period if, before the end of the initial 3-year period, the Commission determines that such a rule, regulation, motion, or order is necessary or appropriate in the public interest and for the protection of investors.”

[For definition of “company” as used in section 506(b) of Pub. L. 115–174, set out above, see section 2 of Pub. L. 115–174, set out as a Definitions note under section 5365 of Title 12, Banks and Banking.]

### Effective Date of 2010 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 111–203 effective 2 years after July 21, 2010, see section 939(g) of Pub. L. 111–203, set out as a note under section 24a of Title 12, Banks and Banking.

### Effective Date of 1978 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 95–598 effective Oct. 1, 1979, see section 402(a) of Pub. L. 95–598, set out as an Effective Date note preceding section 101 of Title 11, Bankruptcy.

### Transfer of Functions

Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation abolished and functions transferred, see sections 401 to 406 of Pub. L. 101–73, set out as a note under section 1437 of Title 12, Banks and Banking.

### Investment Company Provisions Inapplicable to Certain Life Insurance Benefits Issued Prior to March 23, 1959

Subchapter inapplicable to certain life insurance benefits issued prior to Mar. 23, 1959, under certain conditions, see section 29 of Pub. L. 91–547, Dec. 14, 1970, 84 Stat. 1436, set out as a note under section 77c of this title.

### Executive Documents

### Transfer of Functions

For transfer of functions of Securities and Exchange Commission, with certain exceptions, to Chairman of such Commission, see Reorg. Plan No. 10 of 1950, §§ 1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3175, 64 Stat. 1265, set out under section 78d of this title.