---
kind: "section"
citation: "26 U.S.C. § 212"
title: "26"
title_heading: "Internal Revenue Code"
number: "212"
heading: "Expenses for production of income"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/26/212"
units:
  - "Subtitle A — Income Taxes"
  - "Chapter 1 — Normal Taxes and Surtaxes"
  - "Subchapter B — Computation of Taxable Income"
  - "Part VII — Additional Itemized Deductions for Individuals"
---

# §212. Expenses for production of income


In the case of an individual, there shall be allowed as a deduction all the ordinary and necessary expenses paid or incurred during the taxable year—

- (1) for the production or collection of income;
- (2) for the management, conservation, or maintenance of [property](/usc/26/317.md?p=a) held for the production of income; or
- (3) in connection with the [determination](/usc/26/1313.md?p=a), collection, or refund of any tax.

## Source credit

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 69.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Denial of Deduction for Amounts Paid or Incurred on Judgments in Suits Brought To Recover Price Increases in Purchase of New Principal Residence

No deductions to be allowed in computing taxable income for two-thirds of any amount paid or incurred on a judgment entered against any person in a suit brought under section 208(b) of Pub. L. 94–12, see section 208(c) of Pub. L. 94–12, set out as a note under section 44 of this title.