26 U.S.C. §§ 2034–2042

§2034. Dower or curtesy interests

26 U.S.C. § 2034

The value of the gross estate shall include the value of all property to the extent of any interest therein of the surviving spouse, existing at the time of the decedent’s death as dower or curtesy, or by virtue of a statute creating an estate in lieu of dower or curtesy.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 381; Pub. L. 87–834, § 18(a)(2)(B), Oct. 16, 1962, 76 Stat. 1052.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1962—Pub. L. 87–834 struck out provisions which excepted real property situated outside of the United States.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1962 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 87–834 applicable to estates of decedents dying after Oct. 16, 1962, except as otherwise provided, see section 18(b) of Pub. L. 87–834, set out as a note under section 2031 of this title.

§2035. Adjustments for certain gifts made within 3 years of decedent’s death

26 U.S.C. § 2035

(a)

Inclusion of certain property in gross estate— If—

(1)

the decedent made a transfer (by trust or otherwise) of an interest in any property, or relinquished a power with respect to any property, during the 3-year period ending on the date of the decedent’s death, and

(2)

the value of such property (or an interest therein) would have been included in the decedent’s gross estate under section 2036, 2037, 2038, or 2042 if such transferred interest or relinquished power had been retained by the decedent on the date of his death,

the value of the gross estate shall include the value of any property (or interest therein) which would have been so included.

(b)

Inclusion of gift tax on gifts made during 3 years before decedent’s death— The amount of the gross estate (determined without regard to this subsection) shall be increased by the amount of any tax paid under chapter 12 by the decedent or his estate on any gift made by the decedent or his spouse during the 3-year period ending on the date of the decedent’s death.

(c)

Other rules relating to transfers within 3 years of death—

(1)

In general— For purposes of—

(A)

section 303(b) (relating to distributions in redemption of stock to pay death taxes),

(B)

section 2032A (relating to special valuation of certain farms, etc., real property), and

(C)

subchapter C of chapter 64 (relating to lien for taxes),

the value of the gross estate shall include the value of all property to the extent of any interest therein of which the decedent has at any time made a transfer, by trust or otherwise, during the 3-year period ending on the date of the decedent’s death.

(2)

Coordination with section 6166— An estate shall be treated as meeting the 35 percent of adjusted gross estate requirement of section 6166(a)(1) only if the estate meets such requirement both with and without the application of subsection (a).

(3)

Marital and small transfers— Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any transfer (other than a transfer with respect to a life insurance policy) made during a calendar year to any donee if the decedent was not required by section 6019 (other than by reason of section 6019(2)) to file any gift tax return for such year with respect to transfers to such donee.

(d)

Exception— Subsection (a) and paragraph (1) of subsection (c) shall not apply to any bona fide sale for an adequate and full consideration in money or money’s worth.

(e)

Treatment of certain transfers from revocable trusts— For purposes of this section and section 2038, any transfer from any portion of a trust during any period that such portion was treated under section 676 as owned by the decedent by reason of a power in the grantor (determined without regard to section 672(e)) shall be treated as a transfer made directly by the decedent.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 381; Pub. L. 87–834, § 18(a)(2)(C), Oct. 16, 1962, 76 Stat. 1052; Pub. L. 94–455, title XX, § 2001(a)(5), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1848; Pub. L. 95–600, title VII, § 702(f)(1), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2930; Pub. L. 97–34, title IV, §§ 403(b)(3)(B), 424(a), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 301, 317; Pub. L. 97–448, title I, § 104(a)(9), (d)(1)(A), (C), (2), Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2381, 2383; Pub. L. 105–34, title XIII, § 1310(a), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 1043; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(7) [title III, § 319(14)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–646.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2000—Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(7) [title III, § 319(14)(A)], substituted “subsection (a)” for “paragraph (1)”.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(7) [title III, § 319(14)(B)], inserted “and paragraph (1) of subsection (c)” after “Subsection (a)”.

1997—Pub. L. 105–34 amended section catchline and text generally. Prior to amendment, section consisted of subsecs. (a) to (d) relating to adjustments for gifts made within 3 years of decedent’s death.

1983—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 97–448, § 104(a)(9), substituted “section 6019(2)” for “section 6019(a)(2)”.

Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 97–448, § 104(d)(2), inserted “of this subsection and paragraph (2) of subsection (b)” after “Paragraph (1)”, and struck out “2041,” after “2038,”.

Subsec. (d)(3)(C), (D). Pub. L. 97–448, § 104(d)(1)(C), redesignated subpar. (D) as (C). Former subpar. (C), which referred to section 6166 (relating to extension of time for payment of estate tax where estate consists largely of interest in closely held business), was struck out.

Subsec. (d)(4). Pub. L. 97–448, § 104(d)(1)(A), added par. (4).

1981—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 97–34, § 403(b)(3)(B), inserted “(other than by reason of section 6019(a)(2))” after “section 6019”.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 97–34, § 424(a), added subsec. (d).

1978—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 95–600 substituted in par. (2) provisions relating to gifts for which donee was not required by section 6019 to file gift tax returns for provisions relating to gifts excludable in computing taxable gifts by reason of section 2503(b) and inserted provisions following par. (2) relating to inapplicability of par. (2) to transfers respecting life insurance policies.

1976—Pub. L. 94–455 substituted provisions covering adjustments for gifts made within 3 years of decedent’s death for provisions under which transfers by the decedent within 3 years of the decedent’s death were deemed to have been made in contemplation of death and included in the value of the gross estate.

1962—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 87–834 struck out provisions which excepted real property situated outside of the United States.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1997 Amendment

Pub. L. 105–34, title XIII, § 1310(c), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 1044, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to the estates of decedents dying after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 5, 1997].”

Effective Date of 1983 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 97–448 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if it had been included in the provision of the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981, Pub. L. 97–34, to which such amendment relates, see section 109 of Pub. L. 97–448, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.

Effective Date of 1981 Amendment

Amendment by section 403(b)(3)(B) of Pub. L. 97–34 applicable to estates of decedents dying after Dec. 31, 1981, see section 403(e) of Pub. L. 97–34, set out as a note under section 2056 of this title.

Pub. L. 97–34, title IV, § 424(b), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 317, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to the estates of decedents dying after December 31, 1981.”

Effective Date of 1978 Amendment

Pub. L. 95–600, title VII, § 702(f)(2), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2930, provided that: “The amendment made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall apply to the estates of decedents dying after December 31, 1976, except that it shall not apply to transfers made before January 1, 1977.”

Effective Date of 1976 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 94–455 applicable to estates of decedents dying after Dec. 31, 1976, but not to transfers made before Jan. 1, 1977, see section 2001(d)(1) of Pub. L. 94–455, set out as a note under section 2001 of this title.

Effective Date of 1962 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 87–834 applicable to estates of decedents dying after Oct. 16, 1962, except as otherwise provided, see section 18(b) of Pub. L. 87–834, set out as a note under section 2031 of this title.

Transfers Made by Decedent During 1977; Election Available to Executor On or Before Due Date for Filing Estate Tax Return

Pub. L. 96–222, title I, § 107(a)(2)(F), Apr. 1, 1980, 94 Stat. 223, as amended by Pub. L. 99–514, § 2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095, provided that: If the executor elects the benefits of this subparagraph with respect to any estate, section 2035(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] (relating to adjustments for gifts made within 3 years of decedent’s death) shall be applied with respect to transfers made by the decedent during 1977 as if paragraph (2) of such section 2035(b) read as follows:

“ ‘(2) to any gift to a donee made during 1977 to the extent of the amount of such gift which was excludable in computing taxable gifts by reason of section 2503(b) (relating to $3,000 annual exclusion for purposes of the gift tax) determined without regard to section 2513(a).’

The election under clause (i) with respect to any estate shall be made on or before the later of— the due date for filing the estate tax return, or the day which is 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Apr. 1, 1980].”

§2036. Transfers with retained life estate

26 U.S.C. § 2036

(a)

General rule— The value of the gross estate shall include the value of all property to the extent of any interest therein of which the decedent has at any time made a transfer (except in case of a bona fide sale for an adequate and full consideration in money or money’s worth), by trust or otherwise, under which he has retained for his life or for any period not ascertainable without reference to his death or for any period which does not in fact end before his death—

(1)

the possession or enjoyment of, or the right to the income from, the property, or

(2)

the right, either alone or in conjunction with any person, to designate the persons who shall possess or enjoy the property or the income therefrom.

(b)

Voting rights—

(1)

In general— For purposes of subsection (a)(1), the retention of the right to vote (directly or indirectly) shares of stock of a controlled corporation shall be considered to be a retention of the enjoyment of transferred property.

(2)

Controlled corporation— For purposes of paragraph (1), a corporation shall be treated as a controlled corporation if, at any time after the transfer of the property and during the 3-year period ending on the date of the decedent’s death, the decedent owned (with the application of section 318), or had the right (either alone or in conjunction with any person) to vote, stock possessing at least 20 percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock.

(3)

Coordination with section 2035— For purposes of applying section 2035 with respect to paragraph (1), the relinquishment or cessation of voting rights shall be treated as a transfer of property made by the decedent.

(c)

Limitation on application of general rule— This section shall not apply to a transfer made before March 4, 1931; nor to a transfer made after March 3, 1931, and before June 7, 1932, unless the property transferred would have been includible in the decedent’s gross estate by reason of the amendatory language of the joint resolution of March 3, 1931 (46 Stat. 1516).

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 382; Pub. L. 87–834, § 18(a)(2)(D), Oct. 16, 1962, 76 Stat. 1052; Pub. L. 94–455, title XX, § 2009(a), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1893; Pub. L. 95–600, title VII, § 702(i)(1), (2), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2931; Pub. L. 100–203, title X, § 10402(a), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–431; Pub. L. 100–647, title III, § 3031(a)(1), (b)–(e), (g), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3634–3638; Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, § 11601(a), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–490.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1990—Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 101–508 redesignated subsec. (d) as (c) and struck out former subsec. (c) which enunciated a rule that retention of retained interest would be considered to be a retention of enjoyment of transferred property if a person held a substantial interest in an enterprise, and such person in effect transferred after Dec. 17, 1987, property having a disproportionately large share of the potential appreciation in such person’s interest in the enterprise while retaining an interest in the income of, or rights in, the enterprise.

1988—Subsec. (c)(1)(B). Pub. L. 100–647, § 3031(e), substituted “an interest” for “a disproportionately large share” after “whole retaining”.

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 100–647, § 3031(g)(1), substituted “consideration furnished by” for “sales to” in heading, and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The exception contained in subsection (a) for a bona fide sale shall not apply to a transfer described in paragraph (1) if such transfer is to a member of the transferor’s family.”

Subsec. (c)(3)(C). Pub. L. 100–647, § 3031(d), substituted “Except as provided in regulations, an” for “An”.

Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 100–647, § 3031(a)(1), amended par. (4) generally, substituting provisions relating to treatment of certain transfers for provisions relating to coordination with section 2035.

Subsec. (c)(5). Pub. L. 100–647, § 3031(g)(2), amended par. (5) generally, substituting provisions relating to the making of appropriate adjustments in amounts included in gross estate for provisions relating to coordination with section 2043.

Subsec. (c)(6). Pub. L. 100–647, § 3031(b), added par. (6).

Subsec. (c)(7), (8). Pub. L. 100–647, § 3031(b)[(c)], added pars. (7) and (8).

1987—Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 100–203 added subsec. (c) and redesignated former subsec. (c) as (d).

1978—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 95–600, § 702(i)(2), struck out provision following par. (2) relating to the retention of voting rights in retained stock.

Subsecs. (b), (c). Pub. L. 95–600, § 702(i)(1), added subsec. (b) and redesignated former subsec. (b) as (c).

1976—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 94–455 provided that, for purposes of par. (1), the retention of voting rights in retained stock be considered to be a retention of the enjoyment of that stock.

1962—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 87–834 struck out provisions which excepted real property situated outside of the United States.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1990 Amendment

Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, § 11601(c), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–491, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 2207B and 2501 of this title] shall apply in the case of property transferred after December 17, 1987.”

Effective Date of 1988 Amendment

Pub. L. 100–647, title III, § 3031(h), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3639, provided that: In general.—Except as provided in this subsection, any amendment made by this section [enacting section 2207B of this title and amending this section and section 2501 of this title] shall take effect as if included in the provisions of the Revenue Act of 1987 [Pub. L. 100–203, title X] to which such amendment relates. Subsection (a).—The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section and section 2501 of this title] shall apply in cases where the transfer referred to in section 2036(c)(1)(B) of the 1986 Code is on or after June 21, 1988. Subsection (f).—If an amount is included in the gross estate of a decedent under section 2036 of the 1986 Code other than solely by reason of section 2036(c) of the 1986 Code, the amendments made by subsection (f) [enacting section 2207B of this title] shall apply to such amount only with respect to property transferred after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 10, 1988]. Correction period.—If section 2036(c)(1) of the 1986 Code would (but for this paragraph) apply to any interest arising from a transaction entered into during the period beginning after December 17, 1987, and ending before January 1, 1990, such section shall not apply to such interest if— during such period, such actions are taken as are necessary to have such section 2036(c)(1) not apply to such transaction (and any such interest), or the original transferor and his spouse on January 1, 1990 (or, if earlier, the date of the original transferor’s death), does not hold any interest in the enterprise involved. Clarification of effective date.—For purposes of section 10402(b) of the Revenue Act of 1987 [Pub. L. 100–203, set out as an Effective Date of 1987 Amendment note below], with respect to property transferred on or before December 17, 1987— any failure to exercise a right of conversion, any failure to pay dividends, and [sic] failures to exercise other rights specified in regulations,shall not be treated as a subsequent transfer.”

Effective Date of 1987 Amendment

Pub. L. 100–203, title X, § 10402(b), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–432, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to estates of decedents dying after December 31, 1987, but only in the case of property transferred after December 17, 1987.” [For clarification of this note, see section 3031(h)(5) of Pub. L. 100–647, set out as an Effective Date of 1988 Amendment note above.]

Effective Date of 1978 Amendment

Pub. L. 95–600, title VII, § 702(i)(3), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2931, provided that: “The amendments made by this subsection [amending this section] shall apply to transfers made after June 22, 1976.”

Effective Date of 1976 Amendment

Pub. L. 94–455, title XX, § 2009(e)(1), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1896, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to transfers made after June 22, 1976.”

Effective Date of 1962 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 87–834 applicable to estates of decedents dying after Oct. 16, 1962, except as otherwise provided, see section 18(b) of Pub. L. 87–834, set out as a note under section 2031 of this title.

§2037. Transfers taking effect at death

26 U.S.C. § 2037

(a)

General rule— The value of the gross estate shall include the value of all property to the extent of any interest therein of which the decedent has at any time after September 7, 1916, made a transfer (except in case of a bona fide sale for an adequate and full consideration in money or money’s worth), by trust or otherwise, if—

(1)

possession or enjoyment of the property can, through ownership of such interest, be obtained only by surviving the decedent, and

(2)

the decedent has retained a reversionary interest in the property (but in the case of a transfer made before October 8, 1949, only if such reversionary interest arose by the express terms of the instrument of transfer), and the value of such reversionary interest immediately before the death of the decedent exceeds 5 percent of the value of such property.

(b)

Special rules— For purposes of this section, the term “reversionary interest” includes a possibility that property transferred by the decedent—

(1)

may return to him or his estate, or

(2)

may be subject to a power of disposition by him,

but such term does not include a possibility that the income alone from such property may return to him or become subject to a power of disposition by him. The value of a reversionary interest immediately before the death of the decedent shall be determined (without regard to the fact of the decedent’s death) by usual methods of valuation, including the use of tables of mortality and actuarial principles, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary. In determining the value of a possibility that property may be subject to a power of disposition by the decedent, such possibility shall be valued as if it were a possibility that such property may return to the decedent or his estate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an interest so transferred shall not be included in the decedent’s gross estate under this section if possession or enjoyment of the property could have been obtained by any beneficiary during the decedent’s life through the exercise of a general power of appointment (as defined in section 2041) which in fact was exercisable immediately before the decedent’s death.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 382; Pub. L. 87–834, § 18(a)(2)(E), Oct. 16, 1962, 76 Stat. 1052; Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, § 1906(b)(13)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1834.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1976—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 94–455 struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary”.

1962—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 87–834 struck out provisions which excepted real property situated outside of the United States.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1962 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 87–834 applicable to estates of decedents dying after Oct. 16, 1962, except as otherwise provided, see section 18(b) of Pub. L. 87–834, set out as a note under section 2031 of this title.

§2038. Revocable transfers

26 U.S.C. § 2038

(a)

In general— The value of the gross estate shall include the value of all property—

(1)

Transfers after June 22, 1936— To the extent of any interest therein of which the decedent has at any time made a transfer (except in case of a bona fide sale for an adequate and full consideration in money or money’s worth), by trust or otherwise, where the enjoyment thereof was subject at the date of his death to any change through the exercise of a power (in whatever capacity exercisable) by the decedent alone or by the decedent in conjunction with any other person (without regard to when or from what source the decedent acquired such power), to alter, amend, revoke, or terminate, or where any such power is relinquished during the 3 year period ending on the date of the decedent’s death.

(2)

Transfers on or before June 22, 1936— To the extent of any interest therein of which the decedent has at any time made a transfer (except in case of a bona fide sale for an adequate and full consideration in money or money’s worth), by trust or otherwise, where the enjoyment thereof was subject at the date of his death to any change through the exercise of a power, either by the decedent alone or in conjunction with any person, to alter, amend, or revoke, or where the decedent relinquished any such power during the 3 year period ending on the date of the decedent’s death. Except in the case of transfers made after June 22, 1936, no interest of the decedent of which he has made a transfer shall be included in the gross estate under paragraph (1) unless it is includible under this paragraph.

(b)

Date of existence of power— For purposes of this section, the power to alter, amend, revoke, or terminate shall be considered to exist on the date of the decedent’s death even though the exercise of the power is subject to a precedent giving of notice or even though the alteration, amendment, revocation, or termination takes effect only on the expiration of a stated period after the exercise of the power, whether or not on or before the date of the decedent’s death notice has been given or the power has been exercised. In such cases proper adjustment shall be made representing the interests which would have been excluded from the power if the decedent had lived, and for such purpose, if the notice has not been given or the power has not been exercised on or before the date of his death, such notice shall be considered to have been given, or the power exercised, on the date of his death.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 383; Pub. L. 86–141, § 1, Aug. 7, 1959, 73 Stat. 288; Pub. L. 87–834, § 18(a)(2)(F), Oct. 16, 1962, 76 Stat. 1052; Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, § 1902(a)(3), title XX, § 2001(c)(1)(K), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1804, 1852.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1976—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 94–455, § 2001(c)(1)(K)(i), substituted “during the 3-year period ending on the date of the decedent’s death” for “in contemplation of decedent’s death”.

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 94–455, § 2001(c)(1)(K)(ii), substituted “during the 3-year period ending on the date of the decedent’s death” for “in contemplation of his death”.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1902(a)(3), struck out subsec. (c) which covered the effect of a disability in certain cases by relating a mental disability to relinquish a power to a power, the relinquishment of which would be deemed not to be a transfer for purposes of chapter 4 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1939.

1962—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 87–834 struck out provisions which excepted real property situated outside of the United States.

1959—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 86–141 added subsec. (c).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1976 Amendment

Amendment by section 1902(a)(3) of Pub. L. 94–455 applicable to estates of decedents dying after Oct. 4, 1976, see section 1902(c)(1) of Pub. L. 94–455, set out as a note under section 2012 of this title.

Amendment by section 2001(c)(1)(K)(i), (ii) of Pub. L. 94–455 applicable to estates of decedents dying after Dec. 31, 1976 but not to transfers made before Jan. 1, 1977, see section 2001(d)(1) of Pub. L. 94–455, set out as a note under section 2001 of this title.

Effective Date of 1962 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 87–834 applicable to estates of decedents dying after Oct. 16, 1962, except as otherwise provided, see section 18(b) of Pub. L. 87–834, set out as a note under section 2031 of this title.

Effective Date of 1959 Amendment

Pub. L. 86–141, § 2, Aug. 7, 1959, 73 Stat. 289, provided that: “The amendment made by the first section of this Act [amending this section] shall apply only with respect to estates of decedents dying after August 16, 1954. No interest shall be allowed or paid on any overpayment resulting from the application of the amendment made by the first section of this Act with respect to any payment made before the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 7, 1959].”

§2039. Annuities

26 U.S.C. § 2039

(a)

General— The gross estate shall include the value of an annuity or other payment receivable by any beneficiary by reason of surviving the decedent under any form of contract or agreement entered into after March 3, 1931 (other than as insurance under policies on the life of the decedent), if, under such contract or agreement, an annuity or other payment was payable to the decedent, or the decedent possessed the right to receive such annuity or payment, either alone or in conjunction with another for his life or for any period not ascertainable without reference to his death or for any period which does not in fact end before his death.

(b)

Amount includible— Subsection (a) shall apply to only such part of the value of the annuity or other payment receivable under such contract or agreement as is proportionate to that part of the purchase price therefor contributed by the decedent. For purposes of this section, any contribution by the decedent’s employer or former employer to the purchase price of such contract or agreement (whether or not to an employee’s trust or fund forming part of a pension, annuity, retirement, bonus or profit sharing plan) shall be considered to be contributed by the decedent if made by reason of his employment.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 384; Pub. L. 85–866, title I, §§ 23(e), 67(a), Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1622, 1658; Pub. L. 87–792, § 7(i), Oct. 10, 1962, 76 Stat. 830; Pub. L. 89–365, § 2(a), Mar. 8, 1966, 80 Stat. 33; Pub. L. 91–172, title I, § 101(j)(23), Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 528; Pub. L. 92–580, § 2(a), Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1276; Pub. L. 93–406, title II, § 2007(b)(4), Sept. 2, 1974, 88 Stat. 994; Pub. L. 94–455, title XX, § 2009(c)(1)–(3), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1894, 1895; Pub. L. 95–600, title I, §§ 142(a), (b), 156(c)(4), title VII, § 702(j)(1), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2796, 2803, 2931; Pub. L. 96–222, title I, § 101(a)(8)(B), Apr. 1, 1980, 94 Stat. 201; Pub. L. 97–34, title III, §§ 311(d)(1), (h)(4), 313(b)(3), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 280, 282, 286; Pub. L. 97–248, title II, § 245(a), (b), Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 524; Pub. L. 97–448, title I, § 103(c)(9), Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2377; Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title IV, § 491(d)(34), title V, § 525(a), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 851, 873; Pub. L. 99–514, title XVIII, §§ 1848(d), 1852(e)(1)(A), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2857, 2868.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1986—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1852(e)(1), struck out subsec. (c) which provided an exclusion from gross estate of certain annuity interests created by community property laws.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1848(d), struck out “or a bond described in paragraph (3)” after “an annuity described in paragraph (2)” in concluding provisions as such provisions were applicable to obligations issued after Dec. 31, 1983, and prior to repeal of subsec. (e) by Pub. L. 98–369, § 525(a), see Effective Date of 1984 Amendment note below.

1984—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 98–369, § 525(a), substituted provisions relating to exception of certain annuity interests created by community property laws for provisions which related to exemption of annuities under certain trusts and plans.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 98–369, § 525(a), struck out subsec. (d) which related to exemption of certain annuity interests created by community property laws. See subsec. (c) of this section.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 98–369, § 525(a), struck out subsec. (e) which related to exclusion of individual retirement accounts.

Pub. L. 98–369, § 491(d)(34), inserted “or” at end of par. (1), substituted a period for “, or” at end of par. (2), struck out par. (3) which excluded from the value of the gross estate the value of an annuity receivable by any beneficiary, other than the executor, under a retirement bond described in section 409(a), and substituted in provision following par. (2) “or 408(d)(3)” for “405(d)(3), 408(d)(3), or 409(b)(3)(C)”, and substituted “or annuity” for “, annuity, or bond” wherever appearing.

Subsecs. (f), (g). Pub. L. 98–369, § 525(a), struck out subsec. (f) which related to lump sum distributions and an exception where the recipient elects not to take 10-year averaging, and subsec. (g) which related to a $100,000 limitation on the exclusions under subsecs. (c) and (e).

1983—Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 97–448, § 103(c)(9)(A), designated existing provisions as subpar. (A), substituted “without regard to the third sentence of section 402(e)(4)(A))” for “without regard to the next to the last sentence of section 402(e)(4)(A)” in subpar. (A) as so designated, and added subpar. (B).

Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 97–448, § 103(c)(9)(B), substituted “An amount described” for “A lump sum distribution described”.

1982—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 97–248, § 245(b), substituted “Subject to the limitation of subsection (g), notwithstanding any other provision of this section” for “Notwithstanding the provisions of this section”.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 97–248, § 245(b), substituted “Subject to the limitation of subsection (g), notwithstanding any other provision of this section” for “Notwithstanding the provisions of this section”.

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 97–248, § 245(a), added subsec. (g).

1981—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 97–34, § 311(d)(1), provided that for purposes of subsec. (c), any deductible employee contributions, within the meaning of par. (5) of section 72(o), shall be considered as made by a person other than the decedent.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 97–34, § 313(b)(3), inserted reference to rollover contribution described in section 405(d)(3).

Pub. L. 97–34, § 311(h)(4), substituted “section 219” for “section 219 or 220”.

1980—Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 96–222 substituted “(without the application of paragraph (2) thereof), except to the extent that section 402(e)(4)(J) applies to such distribution” for “without the application of paragraph (2) thereof”.

1978—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 95–600, § 142(a), substituted “(other than an amount described in subsection (f))” for “(other than a lump sum distribution described in section 402(e)(4), determined without regard to the next to the last sentence of section 402(e)(4)(A))” in provisions preceding par. (1).

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 95–600, §§ 156(c)(4), 702(j)(1), inserted “section 403(b)(8) (but only to the extent such contribution is attributed to a distribution from a contract described in subsection (c)(3)),” after “403(a)(4)” and inserted “or 220” after “section 219” wherever appearing in provisions following par. (3).

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 95–600, § 142(b), added subsec. (f).

1976—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 94–455, § 2009(c)(2), (3), substituted “other payment (other than a lump sum distribution described in section 402(e)(4), determined without regard to the next to the last sentence of section 402(e)(4)(A)) receivable by any beneficiary” for “other payment receivable by any beneficiary” in provisions preceding par. (1) and substituted “For purposes of this subsection, contributions or payments on behalf of the decedent while he was an employee within the meaning of section 401(c)(1) made under a trust or plan described in paragraph (1) or (2) shall, to the extent allowable as a deduction under section 404, be considered to be made by a person other than the decedent and, to the extent not so allowable, shall be considered to be made by the decedent” for “For purposes of this subsection, contributions or payments on behalf of the decedent while he was an employee within the meaning of section 401(c)(1) made under a trust or plan described in paragraph (1) or (2) shall be considered to be contributions or payments made by the decedent” in provisions following par. (4).

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 94–455, § 2009(c)(1), added subsec. (e).

1974—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 93–406 inserted reference to section 1452(d) in provisions following par. (4).

1972—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 92–580 added subsec. (d).

1969—Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 91–172 substituted “section 170(b)(1)(A)(ii) or (vi), or which is a religious organization (other than a trust),” for “section 503(b) (1), (2), or (3),”.

1966—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 89–365 added par. (4), inserted reference to chapter 73 of title 10 of the United States Code in the enumeration of the plans and contracts set out in the prohibition against allowance of exclusion for that part of the value of the amount payable under the plan or contract in the proportion that the total payments or contributions made by the decedent bear to the total payments or contributions made, and provided that, for purposes of this section, amounts payable under chapter 73 of title 10 are attributable to payments or contributions made by the decedent only to the extent of amounts deposited by him pursuant to section 1438 of title 10.

1962—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 87–792 substituted “was a plan described in section 403(a)” for “met the requirements of section 401(a)(3), (4), (5), and (6)” in par. (2), and inserted sentence providing, for purposes of this subsection, that contributions or payments on behalf of the decedent while he was an employee within the meaning of section 401(c)(1) made under a trust or plan described in paragraph (1) or (2) shall be considered to be contributions or payments made by the decedent.

1958—Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 85–866, § 67(a), inserted “(4), (5), and (6)” after “section 401(a)(3)”.

Subsec. (c)(3) and closing sentences. Pub. L. 85–866, § 23(e), added par. (3), inserted “or under contract described in paragraph (3)” in second sentence of subsec. (c) and substituted “paragraph (1) or (2) shall not be considered to be contributed by the decedent, and contributions or payments made by the decedent’s employer or former employer toward the purchase of an annuity contract described in paragraph (3) shall, to the extent excludable from gross income under section 403(b),” for “this subsection shall” in third sentence of subsec. (c).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Pub. L. 99–514, title XVIII, § 1852(e)(1)(B), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2868, provided that: “The amendment made by subparagraph (A) [amending this section] shall apply to estates of decedents dying after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 22, 1986].”

Amendment by section 1848(d) of Pub. L. 99–514 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1984, Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, to which such amendment relates, see section 1881 of Pub. L. 99–514, set out as a note under section 48 of this title.

Effective Date of 1984 Amendment

Amendment by section 491(d)(34) of Pub. L. 98–369 applicable to obligations issued after Dec. 31, 1983, see section 491(f)(1) of Pub. L. 98–369, set out as a note under section 62 of this title.

Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title V, § 525(b)(1), (2), (4), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 874, as amended by Pub. L. 99–514, title XVIII, § 1852(e)(3), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2868, provided that: In general.—The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to the estates of decedents dying after December 31, 1984. Exception for participants in pay status.—The amendments made by this section shall not apply to the estate of any decedent who— was a participant in any plan who was in pay status on December 31, 1984, and irrevocably elected the form of the benefit before the date of the enactment of this Act [July 18, 1984]. Irrevocable election.—For purposes of paragraph (2) [set out above] and section 245(c) of the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 [see Effective Date of 1982 Amendment note below], an individual who— separated from service before January 1, 1985, with respect to paragraph (2), or January 1, 1983, with respect to section 245(c) of the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982, and meets the requirements of such paragraph or such section other than the requirement that there be an irrevocable election, and that the individual be in pay status,shall be treated as having made an irrevocable election and as being in pay status within the time prescribed with respect to a form of benefit if such individual does not change such form of benefit before death.”

Effective Date of 1983 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 97–448 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if it had been included in the provision of the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981, Pub. L. 97–34, to which such amendment relates, see section 109 of Pub. L. 97–448, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.

Effective Date of 1982 Amendment

Pub. L. 97–248, title II, § 245(c), Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 525, as amended by Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title V, § 525(b)(3), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 874, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to the estates of decedents dying after December 31, 1982, except that such amendments shall not apply to the estate of any decedent who was a participant in any plan who was in pay status on December 31, 1982, and irrevocably elected before January 1, 1983, the form of benefit.”

Effective Date of 1981 Amendment

Amendment by section 311(d)(1), (h)(4) of Pub. L. 97–34 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1981, see section 311(i)(1) of Pub. L. 97–34, set out as a note under section 219 of this title.

Amendment by section 313(b)(3) of Pub. L. 97–34 applicable to redemptions after Aug. 13, 1981, in taxable years ending after such date, see section 313(c) of Pub. L. 97–34, set out as a note under section 219 of this title.

Effective Date of 1980 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 96–222 applicable with respect to the estates of decedents dying after Apr. 1, 1980, see section 101(b)(1)(D) of Pub. L. 96–222, set out as a note under section 691 of this title.

Effective Date of 1978 Amendment

Pub. L. 95–600, title I, § 142(c), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2796, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply with respect to the estates of decedents dying after December 31, 1978.”

Amendment by section 156(c)(4) of Pub. L. 95–600 applicable to distributions or transfers made after Dec. 31, 1977, in taxable years beginning after such date, see section 156(d) of Pub. L. 95–600, set out as a note under section 403 of this title.

Pub. L. 95–600, title VII, § 702(j)(3)(A), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2932, provided that: “The amendment made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall apply to the estates of decedents dying after December 31, 1976.”

Effective Date of 1976 Amendment

Pub. L. 94–455, title XX, § 2009(e)(3)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1896, provided that: “The amendments made by paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (c) [amending this section] shall apply to the estates of decedents dying after December 31, 1976.”

Effective Date of 1974 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 93–406 applicable to taxable years ending on or after Sept. 21, 1972, with respect to individuals dying on or after Sept. 21, 1972, see section 2007(c) of Pub. L. 93–406, set out as a note under section 122 of this title.

Effective Date of 1972 Amendment

Pub. L. 92–580, § 2(b), Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1276, as amended by Pub. L. 99–514, § 2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to estate of decedents for which the period prescribed by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] for filing of a claim for credit or refund of an overpayment of estate tax ends on or after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 27, 1972]. No interest shall be allowed or paid on any overpayment of estate tax resulting from the application of the amendment made by subsection (a) for any period prior to the expiration of the one hundred and eightieth day following the date of the enactment of this Act.”

Effective Date of 1969 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 91–172 effective Jan. 1, 1970, see section 101(k)(1) of Pub. L. 91–172, set out as an Effective Date note under section 4940 of this title.

Effective Date of 1966 Amendment

Pub. L. 89–365, § 2(c), Mar. 8, 1966, 80 Stat. 33, provided that: “The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to decedents dying after December 31, 1965. The amendments made by subsection (b) [amending section 2517 of this title] shall apply with respect to calendar years after 1965.”

Effective Date of 1962 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 87–792 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1962, see section 8 of Pub. L. 87–792, set out as a note under section 22 of this title.

Effective Date of 1958 Amendment

Amendment by section 23(e) of Pub. L. 85–866 applicable with respect to estates of decedents dying after Dec. 31, 1957, see section 23(g) of Pub. L. 85–866, set out as a note under section 403 of this title.

Pub. L. 85–866, title I, § 67(b), Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1659, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to estates of decedents dying after December 31, 1953.”

Plan Amendments Not Required Until January 1, 1989

For provisions directing that if any amendments made by subtitle A or subtitle C of title XI [§§ 1101–1147 and 1171–1177] or title XVIII [§§ 1800–1899A] of Pub. L. 99–514 require an amendment to any plan, such plan amendment shall not be required to be made before the first plan year beginning on or after Jan. 1, 1989, see section 1140 of Pub. L. 99–514, as amended, set out as a note under section 401 of this title.

§2040. Joint interests

26 U.S.C. § 2040

(a)

General rule— The value of the gross estate shall include the value of all property to the extent of the interest therein held as joint tenants with right of survivorship by the decedent and any other person, or as tenants by the entirety by the decedent and spouse, or deposited, with any person carrying on the banking business, in their joint names and payable to either or the survivor, except such part thereof as may be shown to have originally belonged to such other person and never to have been received or acquired by the latter from the decedent for less than an adequate and full consideration in money or money’s worth: Provided, That where such property or any part thereof, or part of the consideration with which such property was acquired, is shown to have been at any time acquired by such other person from the decedent for less than an adequate and full consideration in money or money’s worth, there shall be excepted only such part of the value of such property as is proportionate to the consideration furnished by such other person: Provided further, That where any property has been acquired by gift, bequest, devise, or inheritance, as a tenancy by the entirety by the decedent and spouse, then to the extent of one-half of the value thereof, or, where so acquired by the decedent and any other person as joint tenants with right of survivorship and their interests are not otherwise specified or fixed by law, then to the extent of the value of a fractional part to be determined by dividing the value of the property by the number of joint tenants with right of survivorship.

(b)

Certain joint interests of husband and wife—

(1)

Interests of spouse excluded from gross estate— Notwithstanding subsection (a), in the case of any qualified joint interest, the value included in the gross estate with respect to such interest by reason of this section is one-half of the value of such qualified joint interest.

(2)

Qualified joint interest defined— For purposes of paragraph (1), the term “qualified joint interest” means any interest in property held by the decedent and the decedent’s spouse as—

(A)

tenants by the entirety, or

(B)

joint tenants with right of survivorship, but only if the decedent and the spouse of the decedent are the only joint tenants.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 385; Pub. L. 87–834, § 18(a)(2)(G), Oct. 16, 1962, 76 Stat. 1052; Pub. L. 94–455, title XX, § 2002(c)(1), (3), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1855, 1856; Pub. L. 95–600, title V, § 511(a), title VII, § 702(k)(2), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2881, 2932; Pub. L. 96–222, title I, § 105(a)(3), Apr. 1, 1980, 94 Stat. 218; Pub. L. 97–34, title IV, § 403(c)(1)–(3)(A), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 301, 302.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1981—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 97–34, § 403(c)(2), substituted “joint tenants with right of survivorship” for “joint tenants” in three places.

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 97–34, § 403(c)(1), in redefining “qualified joint interest” substituted provision defining term as meaning any interest in property held by the decedent and the decedent’s spouse as tenants by the entirety, or joint tenants with right of survivorship, but only if the decedent and the spouse of the decedent are the only joint tenants for provision defining the term as meaning any interest in property held by the decedent and the decedent’s spouse as joint tenants or as tenants by the entirety, but only if such joint interest was created by the decedent, the decedent’s spouse, or both, in the case of personal property, the creation of such joint interest constituted in whole or in part a gift for purposes of chapter 12, or in the case of real property, an election under section 2515 applies with respect to the creation of such joint interest, and in the case of a joint tenancy, only the decedent and the decedent’s spouse are joint tenants.

Subsecs. (c) to (e). Pub. L. 97–34, § 403(c)(3)(A), repealed subsec. (c) respecting value where spouse of decedent materially participated in farm or other business, subsec. (d) relating to joint interests of husband and wife created before 1977, and subsec. (e) covering treatment of certain post-1976 terminations.

1980—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 96–222, § 105(a)(3)(B), substituted “subsection (a)” for “subsections (a)”.

Subsec. (c)(2)(C). Pub. L. 96–222, § 105(a)(3)(A), added subpar. (C).

1978—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 95–600, § 511(a), added subsec. (c).

Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 95–600, § 702(k)(2), added subsecs. (d) and (e).

1976—Pub. L. 94–455 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), added heading for subsec. (a), and added subsec. (b).

1962—Pub. L. 87–834 struck out provisions which excepted real property outside of the United States.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1981 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 97–34 applicable to estates of decedents dying after Dec. 31, 1981, see section 403(e) of Pub. L. 97–34, set out as a note under section 2056 of this title.

Effective Date of 1980 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 96–222 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if it had been included in the provisions of the Revenue Act of 1978, Pub. L. 95–600, to which such amendment relates, see section 201 of Pub. L. 96–222, set out as a note under section 32 of this title.

Effective Date of 1978 Amendment

Pub. L. 95–600, title V, § 511(b), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2882, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to estates of decedents dying after December 31, 1978.”

Effective Date of 1976 Amendment

Pub. L. 94–455, title XX, § 2002(d)(3), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1856, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (c) [amending this section and section 2515 of this title] shall apply to joint interests created after December 31, 1976.”

Effective Date of 1962 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 87–834 applicable to estates of decedents dying after Oct. 16, 1962, except as otherwise provided, see section 18(b) of Pub. L. 87–834, set out as a note under section 2031 of this title.

Consideration Given Before July 14, 1988 by Decedent to Noncitizen Spouse Treated as Originally Belonging to Spouse

Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, § 7815(d)(16), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2419, as amended by Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, § 11701(l)(3), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–513, provided that: “For purposes of applying section 2040(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 with respect to any joint interest to which section 2040(b) of such Code does not apply solely by reason of section 2056(d)(1)(B) of such Code, any consideration furnished before July 14, 1988, by the decedent for such interest to the extent treated as a gift to the spouse of the decedent for purposes of chapter 12 of such Code (or would have been so treated if the donor were a citizen of the United States) shall be treated as consideration originally belonging to such spouse and never acquired by such spouse from the decedent.”

§2041. Powers of appointment

26 U.S.C. § 2041

(a)

In general— The value of the gross estate shall include the value of all property—

(1)

Powers of appointment created on or before October 21, 1942— To the extent of any property with respect to which a general power of appointment created on or before October 21, 1942, is exercised by the decedent—

(A)

by will, or

(B)

by a disposition which is of such nature that if it were a transfer of property owned by the decedent, such property would be includible in the decedent’s gross estate under sections 2035 to 2038, inclusive;

but the failure to exercise such a power or the complete release of such a power shall not be deemed an exercise thereof. If a general power of appointment created on or before October 21, 1942, has been partially released so that it is no longer a general power of appointment, the exercise of such power shall not be deemed to be the exercise of a general power of appointment if—

(i)

such partial release occurred before November 1, 1951, or

(ii)

the donee of such power was under a legal disability to release such power on October 21, 1942, and such partial release occurred not later than 6 months after the termination of such legal disability.

(2)

Powers created after October 21, 1942— To the extent of any property with respect to which the decedent has at the time of his death a general power of appointment created after October 21, 1942, or with respect to which the decedent has at any time exercised or released such a power of appointment by a disposition which is of such nature that if it were a transfer of property owned by the decedent, such property would be includible in the decedent’s gross estate under sections 2035 to 2038, inclusive. For purposes of this paragraph (2), the power of appointment shall be considered to exist on the date of the decedent’s death even though the exercise of the power is subject to a precedent giving of notice or even though the exercise of the power takes effect only on the expiration of a stated period after its exercise, whether or not on or before the date of the decedent’s death notice has been given or the power has been exercised.

(3)

Creation of another power in certain cases— To the extent of any property with respect to which the decedent—

(A)

by will, or

(B)

by a disposition which is of such nature that if it were a transfer of property owned by the decedent such property would be includible in the decedent’s gross estate under section 2035, 2036, or 2037,

exercises a power of appointment created after October 21, 1942, by creating another power of appointment which under the applicable local law can be validly exercised so as to postpone the vesting of any estate or interest in such property, or suspend the absolute ownership or power of alienation of such property, for a period ascertainable without regard to the date of the creation of the first power.

(b)

Definitions— For purposes of subsection (a)—

(1)

General power of appointment— The term “general power of appointment” means a power which is exercisable in favor of the decedent, his estate, his creditors, or the creditors of his estate; except that—

(A)

A power to consume, invade, or appropriate property for the benefit of the decedent which is limited by an ascertainable standard relating to the health, education, support, or maintenance of the decedent shall not be deemed a general power of appointment.

(B)

A power of appointment created on or before October 21, 1942, which is exercisable by the decedent only in conjunction with another person shall not be deemed a general power of appointment.

(C)

In the case of a power of appointment created after October 21, 1942, which is exercisable by the decedent only in conjunction with another person—

(i)

If the power is not exercisable by the decedent except in conjunction with the creator of the power—such power shall not be deemed a general power of appointment.

(ii)

If the power is not exercisable by the decedent except in conjunction with a person having a substantial interest in the property, subject to the power, which is adverse to exercise of the power in favor of the decedent—such power shall not be deemed a general power of appointment. For the purposes of this clause a person who, after the death of the decedent, may be possessed of a power of appointment (with respect to the property subject to the decedent’s power) which he may exercise in his own favor shall be deemed as having an interest in the property and such interest shall be deemed adverse to such exercise of the decedent’s power.

(iii)

If (after the application of clauses (i) and (ii)) the power is a general power of appointment and is exercisable in favor of such other person—such power shall be deemed a general power of appointment only in respect of a fractional part of the property subject to such power, such part to be determined by dividing the value of such property by the number of such persons (including the decedent) in favor of whom such power is exercisable.

For purposes of clauses (ii) and (iii), a power shall be deemed to be exercisable in favor of a person if it is exercisable in favor of such person, his estate, his creditors, or the creditors of his estate.

(2)

Lapse of power— The lapse of a power of appointment created after October 21, 1942, during the life of the individual possessing the power shall be considered a release of such power. The preceding sentence shall apply with respect to the lapse of powers during any calendar year only to the extent that the property, which could have been appointed by exercise of such lapsed powers, exceeded in value, at the time of such lapse, the greater of the following amounts:

(A)

$5,000, or

(B)

5 percent of the aggregate value, at the time of such lapse, of the assets out of which, or the proceeds of which, the exercise of the lapsed powers could have been satisfied.

(3)

Date of creation of power— For purposes of this section, a power of appointment created by a will executed on or before October 21, 1942, shall be considered a power created on or before such date if the person executing such will dies before July 1, 1949, without having republished such will, by codicil or otherwise, after October 21, 1942.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 385; Pub. L. 87–834, § 18(a)(2)(H), Oct. 16, 1962, 76 Stat. 1052; Pub. L. 94–455, title XX, § 2009(b)(4)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1894.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1976—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 94–455 struck out provision that a disclaimer or renunciation of a power of appointment not be deemed a release of that power.

1962—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 87–834 struck out provisions which excepted real property situated outside of the United States.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1976 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 94–455 applicable to transfers creating an interest in person disclaiming made after Dec. 31, 1976, see section 2009(e)(2) of Pub. L. 94–455, set out as a note under section 2518 of this title.

Effective Date of 1962 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 87–834 applicable to estates of decedents dying after Oct. 16, 1962, except as otherwise provided, see section 18(b) of Pub. L. 87–834, set out as a note under section 2031 of this title.

§2042. Proceeds of life insurance

26 U.S.C. § 2042

The value of the gross estate shall include the value of all property—

(1)

Receivable by the executor— To the extent of the amount receivable by the executor as insurance under policies on the life of the decedent.

(2)

Receivable by other beneficiaries— To the extent of the amount receivable by all other beneficiaries as insurance under policies on the life of the decedent with respect to which the decedent possessed at his death any of the incidents of ownership, exercisable either alone or in conjunction with any other person. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term “incident of ownership” includes a reversionary interest (whether arising by the express terms of the policy or other instrument or by operation of law) only if the value of such reversionary interest exceeded 5 percent of the value of the policy immediately before the death of the decedent. As used in this paragraph, the term “reversionary interest” includes a possibility that the policy, or the proceeds of the policy, may return to the decedent or his estate, or may be subject to a power of disposition by him. The value of a reversionary interest at any time shall be determined (without regard to the fact of the decedent’s death) by usual methods of valuation, including the use of tables of mortality and actuarial principles, pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary. In determining the value of a possibility that the policy or proceeds thereof may be subject to a power of disposition by the decedent, such possibility shall be valued as if it were a possibility that such policy or proceeds may return to the decedent or his estate.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 387; Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, § 1906(b)(13) (A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1834.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1976—Pub. L. 94–455 struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary”.