[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 26, Volume 4]
[Revised as of April 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 26CFR1.381(c)(1)-1]

[Page 362-371]
 
                       TITLE 26--INTERNAL REVENUE
 
    CHAPTER I--INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY 
                               (CONTINUED)
 
PART 1_INCOME TAXES--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 1.381(c)(1)-1  Net operating loss carryovers in certain corporate 
acquisitions.

    (a) Carryover requirement. (1) Section 381(c)(1) requires the 
acquiring corporation to succeed to, and take into account, the net 
operating loss carryovers of the distributor or transferor corporation. 
To determine the amount of these carryovers as of the close of the date 
of distribution or transfer, and to integrate them with any carryovers 
and carrybacks of the acquiring corporation for purposes of determining 
the taxable income of the acquiring corporation for taxable years ending 
after the date of distribution or transfer, it is necessary to apply the 
provisions of section 172 in accordance with the conditions and 
limitations of section 381(c)(1) and this section. See also section 
382(b) and the regulations thereunder.
    (2) The net operating loss carryovers and carrybacks of the 
acquiring corporation determined as of the close of the date of 
distribution or transfer shall be computed without reference to any net 
operating loss of a distributor or transferor corporation. The net 
operating loss carryovers of a distributor or transferor corporation as 
of the close of the date of distribution or transfer shall be determined 
without reference to any net operating loss of the acquiring 
corporation.
    (3) For purposes of the tax imposed under section 56, the acquiring 
corporation succeeding to and taking into account any net operating loss 
carryovers of the distributor or transferor corporation shall also 
succeed to and take into account along with such net operating loss 
carryforward any deferred tax liability under section 56(b) and the 
regulations thereunder attributable to such net operating loss 
carryover.
    (b) Carryback of net operating losses. A net operating loss of the 
acquiring corporation for any taxable year ending after the date of 
distribution or transfer shall not be carried back in computing the 
taxable income of a distributor or transferor corporation.

[[Page 363]]

However, a net operating loss of the acquiring corporation for any such 
taxable year shall be carried back in accordance with section 172(b) in 
computing the taxable income of the acquiring corporation for a taxable 
year ending on or before the date of distribution or transfer. If a 
distributor or transferor corporation remains in existence after the 
date of distribution or transfer, a net operating loss sustained by it 
for any taxable year beginning after such date shall be carried back in 
accordance with section 172(b) in computing the taxable income of such 
corporation for a taxable year ending on or before that date, but may 
not be carried back or over in computing the taxable income of the 
acquiring corporation. This paragraph may be illustrated by the 
following examples:

    Example (1). On December 31, 1954, X Corporation merged into Y 
Corporation in a statutory merger to which section 361 applies, and the 
charter of Y Corporation continued after the merger. Y Corporation 
sustained a net operating loss for the calendar year 1955. Y 
Corporation's net operating loss for 1955 may not be carried back in 
computing the taxable income of X Corporation but shall be carried back 
in computing the taxable income of Y Corporation.
    Example (2). On December 31, 1954, X Corporation and Y Corporation 
transferred all their assets to Z Corporation in a statutory 
consolidation to which section 361 applies. Z Corporation sustained a 
net operating loss for the calendar year 1955. Z Corporation's net 
operating loss for 1955 may not be carried back in computing the taxable 
income of X Corporation or Y Corporation.
    Example (3). On December 31, 1954, X Corporation ceased all 
operations (other than liquidating activities) and transferred 
substantially all its properties to Y Corporation in a reorganization 
qualifying under section 368(a)(1)(C). Such properties comprised all of 
X Corporation's properties which were to be transferred pursuant to the 
reorganization. In the process of liquidating its assets and winding up 
its affairs, X Corporation sustained a net operating loss for its 
taxable year beginning on January 1, 1955. This net operating loss of X 
Corporation shall be carried back in computing the taxable income of 
that corporation but may not be carried back or over in computing the 
taxable income of Y Corporation.

    (c) First taxable year to which carryovers apply. (1) The net 
operating loss carryovers available to the distributor or transferor 
corporation as of the close of the date of distribution or transfer 
shall first be carried to the first taxable year of the acquiring 
corporation ending after that date. This rule applies irrespective of 
whether the date of distribution or transfer is on the last day, or any 
other day, of the acquiring corporation's taxable year. Thus, such net 
operating loss carryovers shall first be used by the acquiring 
corporation with respect to the computation of its net operating loss 
deduction under section 172(a), and its taxable income determined under 
the provisions of section 172(b)(2), for such first taxable year. 
However, see paragraph (f) of this section.
    (2) The net operating loss carryovers available to the distributor 
or transferor corporation as of the close of the date of distribution or 
transfer shall be carried to the acquiring corporation without 
diminution by reason of the fact that the acquiring corporation does not 
acquire 100 percent of the assets of the distributor or transferor 
corporation. Thus, if a parent corporation owning 80 percent of all 
classes of stock of its subsidiary corporation were to acquire its share 
of the assets of the subsidiary corporation upon a complete liquidation 
described in paragraph (b)(1)(i) of Sec. 1.381(a)-1, then, subject to 
the conditions and limitations of this section, 100 percent of the net 
operating loss carryovers available to the subsidiary corporation as of 
the close of the date of distribution would be carried over to the 
parent corporation.
    (d) Limitation on net operating loss deduction for first taxable 
year ending after date of distribution or transfer. (1) That part of the 
acquiring corporation's net operating loss deduction, determined in 
accordance with sections 172(a) and 381(c)(1), for its first taxable 
year ending after the date of distribution or transfer which is 
attributable to the net operating loss carryovers of the distributor or 
transferor corporation, is limited by section 381(c)(1)(B) and this 
paragraph to an amount equal to the acquiring corporation's 
postacquisition part year taxable income. Such postacquisition part year 
taxable income is the amount which bears the same ratio to the acquiring 
corporation's taxable income for the

[[Page 364]]

first taxable year ending after the date of distribution or transfer 
(determined under section 63 without regard to any net operating loss 
deduction but taking into account other items to which the acquiring 
corporation succeeds under section 381) as the number of days in such 
first taxable year which follow the date of distribution or transfer 
bears to the total number of days in such taxable year. Thus, if the 
date of distribution or transfer is the last day of the acquiring 
corporation's taxable year, the net operating loss carryovers of the 
distributor or transferor are allowed in full in computing under section 
172(a) the net operating loss deduction of the acquiring corporation for 
its first taxable year ending after that date. In such instance, the 
number of days in the first taxable year which follow the date of 
distribution or transfer is the total number of days in such taxable 
year.
    (2) The limitation provided by section 381(c)(1)(B) applies solely 
for the purpose of computing the net operating loss deduction of the 
acquiring corporation under section 172(a) for the acquiring 
corporation's first taxable year ending after the date of distribution 
or transfer. The limitation does not apply for purposes of determining 
the portion of any net operating loss (whether of the distributor, 
transferor, or acquiring corporation) which may be carried to any 
taxable year of the acquiring corporation following its first taxable 
year ending after the date of distribution or transfer since such 
determination is made pursuant to section 172(b) and section 
381(c)(1)(C). See paragraphs (e) and (f) of this section.
    (3) The limitation provided by section 381(c)(1)(B) shall be applied 
to the aggregate of the allowable net operating loss carryovers of the 
distributor or transferor corporation without reference to the taxable 
years in which the net operating losses were sustained by such 
corporation. If the acquiring corporation has acquired the assets of two 
or more distributor or transferor corporations on the same date of 
distribution or transfer, then the limitation provided by section 
381(c)(1)(B) shall be applied to the aggregate of the net operating loss 
carryovers from all of such distributor or transferor corporations.
    (4) If the acquiring corporation succeeds to the net operating loss 
carryovers of two or more distributor or transferor corporations on two 
or more different dates of distribution or transfer within one taxable 
year of the acquiring corporation, the limitation to be applied under 
section 381(c)(1)(B) to the aggregate of such carryovers shall be 
governed by the rules prescribed in paragraph (b) of Sec. 1.381(c)(1)-
2.
    (5) Illustrations. The application of this paragraph may be 
illustrated by the following examples:

    Example (1). (i) X Corporation and Y Corporation were organized on 
January 1, 1956, and make their returns on the calendar year basis. On 
December 16, 1957, X Corporation transferred all its assets to Y 
Corporation in a statutory merger to which section 361 applies. The net 
operating losses and taxable income (computed without the net operating 
loss deduction) of the two corporations are as follows, the assumption 
being made that none of the modifications specified in section 
172(b)(2)(A) apply to any taxable year:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     X            Y
                 Taxable year                   Corporation  Corporation
                                               (transferor)   (acquirer)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1956.........................................    ($35,000)      ($5,000)
Ending 12-16-57..............................     (30,000)           xxx
1957.........................................          xxx        36,500
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) The aggregate of the net operating loss carryovers of X 
Corporation carried under section 381(c)(1)(A) to Y Corporation's 
taxable year ending December 31, 1957, is $65,000; but pursuant to 
section 381(c)(1)(B), only $1,500 of such aggregate amount ($36,500x 15/
365 ) may be used in computing the net operating loss deduction of Y 
Corporation for such taxable year under section 172(a). This limitation 
applies even though Y Corporation's own net operating loss carryover to 
such year is only $5,000, with the result that Y Corporation has taxable 
income under section 63 of $30,000 for its taxable year ending December 
31, 1957, that is, $36,500 less the sum of $5,000 and $1,500.
    (iii) For rules determining the portion of any given loss of X 
Corporation or Y Corporation which may be carried to a taxable year of Y 
Corporation following its taxable year ending December 31, 1957, see 
sections 172(b)(2) and 381(c)(1)(C) and paragraph (f) of this section.
    Example (2). (i) X Corporation was organized on January 1, 1954, and 
Y Corporation was organized on January 1, 1956. Each corporation makes 
its return on the basis of the

[[Page 365]]

calendar year. On December 31, 1956, X Corporation transferred all its 
assets to Y Corporation in a statutory merger to which section 361 
applies. The net operating losses and the taxable income (computed 
without any net operating loss deduction) of the two corporations are as 
follows, the assumption being made that none of the modifications 
specified in section 172(b)(2)(A) apply to any taxable year:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     X            Y
                 Taxable year                   Corporation  Corporation
                                               (transferor)   (acquirer)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1954.........................................     ($5,000)           xxx
1955.........................................     (15,000)           xxx
1956.........................................     (10,000)       $20,000
1957.........................................          xxx        40,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) The aggregate of the net operating loss carryovers of X 
Corporation carried under section 381(c)(1)(A) to Y Corporation's 
taxable year 1957 is $30,000, and the full amount of such carryovers is 
allowed in such taxable year to Y Corporation as a deduction under 
section 172(a), since such amount does not exceed the limitation 
($40,000x 365/365 ) for such taxable year under section 381(c)(1)(B).
    Example (3). (i) X Corporation, Y Corporation, and Z Corporation 
were organized on January 1, 1954, and each corporation makes its return 
on the basis of the calendar year. On September 30, 1956, X Corporation 
and Y Corporation transferred all their assets to Z Corporation in a 
statutory merger to which section 361 applies. The net operating losses 
and the taxable income (computed without any net operating loss 
deduction) of the three corporations are as follows, the assumption 
being made that none of the modifications specified in section 
172(b)(2)(A) apply to any taxable year:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       X             Y            Z
          Taxable year            Corporation   Corporation  Corporation
                                 (transferor)  (transferor)   (acquirer)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1954...........................     ($5,000)      ($3,000)     ($40,000)
1955...........................      (4,000)       (2,000)        10,000
Ending 9-30-56.................      (1,000)       (9,000)           xxx
1956...........................          xxx           xxx        73,200
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) The aggregate of the net operating loss carryovers of X 
Corporation and Y Corporation carried under section 381(c)(1)(A) to Z 
Corporation's taxable year 1956 is $24,000; but, pursuant to section 
381(c)(1)(B), only $18,400 of such aggregate amount ($73,200x 92/366 ) 
may be used in computing the net operating loss deduction of Z 
Corporation for such taxable year under section 172(a). For this 
purpose, Z Corporation may not use the total of the aggregate carryovers 
($10,000) from X Corporation plus the aggregate carryovers ($14,000) 
from Y Corporation, even though each such aggregate of carryovers is 
separately less than the limitation ($18,400) applicable under section 
381(c)(1)(B) and this section.
    (iii) For rules determining the portion of any given loss of X 
Corporation, Y Corporation, or Z Corporation which may be carried to a 
taxable year of Z Corporation following its taxable year ending December 
31, 1956, see sections 172(b)(2) and 381(c)(1)(C) and paragraph (f) of 
this section.

    (e) Computation of carryovers and carrybacks; general rule--(1) 
Sequence for applying losses and computation of taxable income. The 
portion of any net operating loss which is carried back or carried over 
to any taxable year is the excess, if any, of the amount of the loss 
over the sum of the taxable income for each of the prior taxable years 
to which the loss may be carried under sections 172(b)(1) and 381. In 
determining the taxable income for each such prior taxable year for this 
purpose, the various net operating loss carryovers and carrybacks to 
such prior taxable year are considered to be applied in reduction of the 
taxable income in the order of the taxable years in which the net 
operating losses are sustained, beginning with the loss for the earliest 
taxable year. The application of this rule to the taxable income of the 
acquiring corporation for any taxable year ending after the date of 
distribution or transfer involves the use of carryovers of the 
distributor or transfer corporation, and of carryovers and carrybacks of 
the acquiring corporation. In such instance, the sequence for the use of 
loss years remains the same, and the requirement is to begin with the 
net operating loss of the earliest taxable year, whether or not it is a 
loss of the distributor, transferor, or acquiring corporation. The 
taxable income of the acquiring corporation for any taxable year ending 
after the date of distribution or transfer shall be determined in the 
manner prescribed by section 172(b)(2), except that, if the date of 
distribution or transfer is on a day other than the last day of a 
taxable year of the acquiring corporation, the taxable income of such 
corporation for the taxable year which includes such date shall be 
computed in the special manner prescribed by section 381(c)(1)(C) and 
paragraph (f) of this section.
    (2) Loss year of transferor or distributor considered prior taxable 
year. Section 381(c)(1)(C) provides that, for the purpose of determining 
the net operating

[[Page 366]]

loss carryovers under section 172(b)(2), a net operating loss for a loss 
year of a distributor or transferor corporation which ends on or before 
the last day of a loss year of the acquiring corporation shall be 
considered to be a net operating loss for a year prior to such loss year 
of the acquiring corporation. In a case where the acquiring corporation 
has acquired the assets of two or more distributor or transferor 
corporations on the same date of distribution or transfer, the loss 
years of the distributor or transferor corporations shall be taken into 
account in the order in which such loss years terminate; if any one of 
the loss years of a distributor or transferor corporation ends on the 
same day as the loss year of another distributor or transferor 
corporation, either loss year may be taken into account before the 
other.
    (3) Years to which losses may be carried. The taxable years to which 
a net operating loss shall be carried back or carried over are 
prescribed by section 172(b)(1). Since the taxable year of the 
distributor or transferor corporation ends with the close of the date of 
distribution or transfer, such taxable year and the first taxable year 
of the acquiring corporation which ends after that date shall be 
considered two separate taxable years to which a net operating loss of 
the distributor or transferor corporation for any taxable year ending 
before that date may be carried over. This rule applies even though the 
taxable year of the distributor or transferor corporation which ends on 
the date of distribution or transfer is a period of less than twelve 
months. However, for the purpose of determining under section 172(b)(1) 
the taxable years to which a net operating loss of the acquiring 
corporation is carried over or carried back, the first taxable year of 
the acquiring corporation which ends after the date of distribution or 
transfer shall be treated as only one taxable year even though such 
taxable year is considered under section 381(c)(1)(C) and paragraph 
(f)(2) of this section as two taxable years. The application of this 
subparagraph may be illustrated by the following example:

    Example. X Corporation was organized on January 1, 1954, and 
thereafter it sustained net operating losses in its calendar years 1954, 
1955, and 1956. On June 30, 1957, X Corporation transferred all its 
assets to Y Corporation, which was organized on January 1, 1955, in a 
statutory merger to which section 361 applies. In its taxable year 
ending June 30, 1957, X Corporation sustained a net operating loss. Y 
Corporation sustained net operating losses in its calendar years 1955, 
1956, and 1958, but had taxable income for the year 1957. The years to 
which these losses of X Corporation and Y Corporation shall be carried, 
and the sequence in which carried, are as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Loss year
------------------------------------------------------------------------
X 1954..................................  X 1955, X 1956, X 6/30/57, Y
                                           1957, Y 1958.
X 1955..................................  X 1954, X 1956, X 6/30/57, Y
                                           1957, Y 1958, Y 1959.
Y 1955..................................  Y 1956, Y 1957, Y 1958, Y
                                           1959, Y 1960.
X 1956..................................  X 1954, X 1955, X 6/30/57, Y
                                           1957, Y 1958, Y 1959, Y 1960.
Y 1956..................................  Y 1955, Y 1957, Y 1958, Y
                                           1959, Y 1960, Y 1961.
X 6-30-57...............................  X 1955, X 1956, Y 1957, Y
                                           1958, Y 1959, Y 1960, Y 1961.
Y 1958..................................  Y 1955, Y 1956, Y 1957, Y
                                           1959, Y 1960, Y 1961, Y 1962,
                                           Y 1963.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (4) Computation of carryovers in a case where the date of 
distribution or transfer occurs on last day of acquiring corporation's 
taxable year. The computation of the net operating loss carryovers from 
the distributor or transferor corporation and from the acquiring 
corporation in a case where the date of distribution or transfer occurs 
on the last day of a taxable year of the acquiring corporation may be 
illustrated by the following example:

    Example. X Corporation and Y Corporation were organized on January 
1, 1955, and each corporation makes its return on the basis of the 
calendar year. On December 31, 1956, X Corporation transferred all its 
assets to Y Corporation in a statutory merger to which section 361 
applies. The net operating losses and the taxable income (computed 
without any net operating loss deduction) of the two corporations are as 
follows, the assumption being made that none of the modifications 
specified in section 172(b)(2)(A) apply to any taxable year:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     X            Y
                 Taxable year                   Corporation  Corporation
                                               (transferor)   (acquirer)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1955.........................................     ($2,000)     ($11,000)
1956.........................................      (3,000)        10,000
1957.........................................          xxx      (15,000)
------------------------------------------------------------------------


The sequence in which the losses of X Corporation and Y Corporation are 
applied, and

[[Page 367]]

the computation of the carryovers to Y Corporation's calendar year 1958, 
may be illustrated as follows:
    (i) X Corporation's 1955 loss. The carryover to 1958 is $2,000, 
computed as follows:

Net operating loss..........................................      $2,000
Less:
  X's 1956 taxable income........................          0  ..........
  Y's 1957 taxable income........................          0  ..........
                                                  ------------
                                                   .........           0
                                                             -----------
 Carryover..................................................       2,000


    (ii) Y Corporation's 1955 loss. The carryover to 1958 is $1,000, 
computed as follows:

Net operating loss..........................................    $11,000
Less:
  Y's 1956 taxable income.......................     $10,000  ..........
  Y's 1957 taxable income.......................           0
                                                 -------------
                                                  ..........      10,000
                                                             -----------
 Carryover..................................................       1,000


    (iii) X Corporation's 1956 loss. The carryover to 1958 is $3,000, 
computed as follows:

Net operating loss...........................................     $3,000
Less:
  X's 1955 taxable income.........................          0  .........
  Y's 1957 taxable income.........................          0  .........
                                                   ------------
                                                    .........          0
                                                              ----------
 Carryover...................................................      3,000


    (iv) Y Corporation's 1957 loss. The carryover to 1958 is $15,000, 
computed as follows:

Net operating loss..........................................    $15,000
Less:
  Y's 1955 taxable income..........................        0  ..........
  Y's 1956 taxable income before net        $10,000  .......  ..........
   operating loss deduction............
  Minus Y's 1956 net operating loss          11,000        0  ..........
   deduction (i.e., Y's 1955 carryover)
                                        -------------
                                         ..........        0
                                                    ----------
 Carryover..................................................      15,000


    (v) Summary of carryovers to 1958. The aggregate of the net 
operating loss carryovers to 1958 is $21,000, computed as follows:

X's 1955 loss................................................     $2,000
Y's 1955 loss................................................      1,000
X's 1956 loss................................................      3,000
Y's 1957 loss................................................     15,000
                                                              ----------
 Total.......................................................     21,000


    (f) Computation of carryovers and carrybacks when date of 
distribution or transfer is not on last day of acquiring corporation's 
taxable year--(1) General rule. Pursuant to the provisions of section 
381(c)(1)(C), the taxable income of the acquiring corporation for its 
taxable year which is a prior taxable year for purposes of section 
172(b)(2) and paragraph (e) of this section shall be determined in the 
manner prescribed in this paragraph, if the date of distribution or 
transfer occurs within, but not on the last day of, such taxable year.
    (2) Taxable year considered as two taxable years. Such taxable year 
of the acquiring corporation shall be considered as though it were two 
taxable years, but only for the limited purpose of applying section 
172(b)(2). The first of such two taxable years shall be referred to in 
this section as the preacquisition part year; the second, as the 
postacquisition part year. For purposes of section 172(b)(2), a net 
operating loss of the acquiring corporation shall be carried to the 
preacquisition part year and then to the postacquisition part year, 
whereas a net operating loss of a distributor or transferor corporation 
shall be carried to the postacquisition part year and then to the 
acquiring corporation's subsequent taxable years. In determining under 
section 172(b)(2) and this paragraph the portion of any net operating 
loss of a distributor or transferor corporation which is carried to any 
taxable year of the acquiring corporation ending after the 
postacquisition part year, the taxable income (as determined under this 
paragraph) of the postacquisition part year shall be taken into account 
but the taxable income of the preacquisition part year (as so 
determined) shall not be taken into account. Though considered as two 
separate taxable years for purposes of section 172(b)(2), the 
preacquisition part year and the postacquisition part year are treated 
as one taxable year in determining the years to which a net operating 
loss is carried under section 172(b)(1). See paragraph (e)(3) of this 
section.
    (3) Preacquisition part year. The preacquisition part year shall 
begin with the beginning of such taxable year of the acquiring 
corporation and shall end with the close of the date of distribution or 
transfer.
    (4) Postacquisition part year. The postacquisition part year shall 
begin with the day following the date of distribution or transfer and 
shall end with the close of such taxable year of the acquiring 
corporation.

[[Page 368]]

    (5) Division of taxable income. The taxable income for such taxable 
year (computed with the modifications specified in section 172(b)(2)(A) 
but without any net operating loss deduction) of the acquiring 
corporation shall be divided between the preacquisition part year and 
the postacquisition part year in proportion to the number of days in 
each. Thus, if in a statutory merger to which section 361 applies Y 
Corporation acquires the assets of X Corporation on June 30, 1960, and Y 
Corporation has taxable income (computed in the manner so prescribed) of 
$36,600 for its calendar year 1960, then the preacquisition part year 
taxable income would be $18,200 ($36,600x 182/366 ) and the 
postacquisition part year taxable income would be $18,400 ($36,600x 184/
366 ).
    (6) Net operating loss deduction. After obtaining the taxable income 
of the preacquisition part year and of the postacquisition part year in 
the manner described in subparagraph (5) of this paragraph, it is 
necessary to compute the net operating loss deduction for each such part 
year. This deduction shall be determined in the manner prescribed by 
section 172(b)(2)(B) but subject to the provisions of this subparagraph. 
The net operating loss deduction for the preacquisition part year shall, 
for purposes of section 172(b)(2) only, be determined in the same manner 
as that prescribed by section 172(b)(2)(B) but shall be computed without 
taking into account any net operating loss of the distributor or 
transferor corporation. Therefore, only net operating loss carryovers 
and carrybacks of the acquiring corporation to the preacquisition part 
year shall be taken into account in computing the net operating loss 
deduction for such part year. The net operating loss deduction for the 
post- acquisition part year shall, for purposes of section 172(b)(2) 
only, be determined in the same manner as that prescribed by section 
172(b)(2)(B) and shall be computed by taking into account all the net 
operating loss carryovers available to the distributor or transferor 
corporation as of the close of the date of distribution or transfer, as 
well as the net operating loss carryovers and carrybacks of the 
acquiring corporation to the postacquisition part year. The sequence in 
which the net operating losses of the two corporations shall be applied 
for purposes of this subparagraph shall be determined in the manner 
prescribed in paragraph (e) of this section.
    (7) Limitation on taxable income. In no case shall the taxable 
income of the preacquisition part year or the postacquisition part year, 
as computed under this paragraph, be considered to be less than zero.
    (8) Cross reference. If the acquiring corporation succeeds to the 
net operating loss carryovers of two or more distributors or transferor 
corporations on two or more dates of distribution or transfer during the 
same taxable year of the acquiring corporation, the determination of the 
taxable income of the acquiring corporation for such year pursuant to 
section 381(c)(1)(C) shall be governed by the rules prescribed in 
paragraph (c) of Sec. 1.381(c)(1)-2.
    (9) Illustration. The application of this paragraph may be 
illustrated by the following example:

    Example-- (i) Facts. X Corporation was organized on January 1, 1955, 
and Y Corporation was organized on January 1, 1954. Each corporation 
makes its return on the basis of the calendar year. On June 30, 1956, X 
Corporation transferred all its assets to Y Corporation in a statutory 
merger to which section 361 applies. The net operating losses and the 
taxable income (computed without any net operating loss deduction) of 
the two corporations are as follows, the assumption being made that none 
of the modifications specified in section 172(b)(2)(A) apply to any 
taxable year:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     X            Y
                 Taxable year                   Corporation  Corporation
                                               (transferor)   (acquirer)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1954.........................................          xxx      ($5,000)
1955.........................................    ($65,000)      (20,000)
Ending June 30, 1956.........................        1,000           xxx
1956.........................................          xxx        36,600
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) Y Corporation's 1954 loss. The carryover to 1957 is $0, 
computed as follows:

Net operating loss...........................................     $5,000
Less:
  Y's 1955 taxable income....................................          0
                                                  -------------
    Carryover to Y's preacquisition part year................      5,000
Less:
  Y's preacquisition part year taxable income         $18,200  .........
   computed under subparagraph (5) of this
   paragraph ($36,600x 182/366 ).................

[[Page 369]]


  Minus Y's net operating loss deduction for              xxx     18,200
   preacquisition part year......................
                                                  -------------
    Carryover to Y's postacquisition part year and also to Y           0
     1957....................................................


    (iii) X Corporation's 1955 loss. The carryover to 1957 is $45,600, 
computed as follows:

Net operating loss..........................................     $65,000
Less:
  X's 6/30/56 year taxable income...........................       1,000
                                                 -------------
    Carryover to Y's postacquisition part year..............     64,000
Less:
  Y's postacquisition part year taxable income       $18,400  ..........
   computed under subparagraph (5) of this
   paragraph ($36,600x184/366)..................
  Minus Y's net operating loss deduction for      ..........     $18,400
   postacquisition part year (i.e., Y's 1954
   carryover of $0 to such part year)...........
                                                             -----------
    Carryover to Y 1957.....................................      45,600


    (iv) Y Corporation's 1955 loss. The carryover to 1957 is $6,800, 
computed as follows:

Net operating loss..........................................     $20,000
Less:
  Y's 1954 taxable income...................................           0
                                                 -------------
    Carryover to Y's preacquisition part year...............     20,000
Less:
  Y's preacquisition part year taxable income        $18,200  ..........
   computed under subparagraph (5) of this
   paragraph....................................
  Minus Y's net operating loss deduction for           5,000  ..........
   preacquisition part year (i.e., Y's 1954
   carryover to such part year).................
                                                 ------------
                                                  ..........      13,200
                                                             -----------
    Carryover to Y's postacquisition part year..............      6,800
Less:
  Y's postacquisition part year taxable income       $18,400  ..........
   computed under subparagraph (5) of this
   paragraph....................................
  Minus Y's net operating loss deduction for          64,000  ..........
   postacquisition part year (i.e., Y's 1954
   carryover of $0, and X's 1955 carryover of
   $64,000, to such part year)..................
                                                 ------------
                                                  ..........           0
                                                             -----------
    Carryover to Y 1957.....................................       6,800


    (v) Summary of carryovers to 1957. The aggregate of the net 
operating loss carryovers to 1957 is $52,400, determined as follows:

Y's 1954 loss...............................................           0
X's 1955 loss...............................................     $45,600
Y's 1955 loss...............................................       6,800
                                                             -----------
 Total......................................................      52,400


    (g) Successive acquiring corporations. An acquiring corporation 
which, in a distribution or transfer to which section 381(a) applies, 
acquires the assets of a distributor or transferor corporation which 
previously acquired the assets of another corporation in a transaction 
to which section 381(a) applies, shall succeed to and take into account, 
subject to the conditions and limitations of sections 172 and 381, the 
net operating loss carryovers available to the first acquiring 
corporation under sections 172 and 381.
    (h) Illustration. The application of this section may be further 
illustrated by the following example:

    Example-- (1) Facts. X Corporation was organized on January 1, 1954, 
and Y Corporation was organized on January 1, 1955. Each corporation 
makes its return on the basis of the calendar year. On August 31, 1957, 
X Corporation transferred all its assets to Y Corporation in a statutory 
merger to which section 361 applies. The net operating losses and the 
taxable income of the two corporations for the taxable years involved 
are set forth in the tabulation below. The taxable income so shown is 
computed without the modifications required by section 172(b)(2)(A) and 
without the benefit of any net operating loss deduction. In its calendar 
year 1957, Y Corporation had a deduction of $365 which is disallowed by 
section 172(b)(2)(A).

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     X            Y
                 Taxable year                   Corporation  Corporation
                                               (transferor)   (acquirer)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1954.........................................     ($7,000)           xxx
1955.........................................     (10,000)     ($10,000)
1956.........................................     (25,000)      (15,000)
Ending 8-31-57...............................        1,000           xxx
1957.........................................          xxx        54,750
1958.........................................          xxx       (5,000)
1959.........................................          xxx        50,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Computation of carryovers and carrybacks. The sequence in which 
the losses of X Corporation and Y Corporation are applied and the 
computation of the carryovers to Y Corporation's calendar year 1959 may 
be illustrated as follows:
    (i) X Corporation's 1954 loss. The carryover to 1958, which is the 
last year to which this loss may be carried, is $0, computed as follows:

Net operating loss..........................................      $7,000
Less:
  X's 1955 taxable income.......................           0  ..........
  X's 1956 taxable income.......................           0  ..........
                                                 ------------
                                                  ..........           0
                                                             -----------
    Carryover to X's 8/31/57-year...........................       7,000

[[Page 370]]


Less:
  X's 8/31/57-year taxable income...........................       1,000
                                                 -------------
    Carryover to Y's postacquisition part year..............       6,000
Less:
  Y's postacquisition part year taxable income       $18,422  ..........
   computed under paragraph (f)(5) of this
   section (($54,750+$365) x 122/365)...........
  Minus Y's net operating loss deduction for             xxx  ..........
   postacquisition part year....................
                                                 ------------
                                                  ..........      18,422
                                                             -----------
    Carryover to Y 1958.....................................           0


    (ii) X Corporation's 1955 loss. The carryover to 1959 is $0, 
computed as follows:

Net operating loss..........................................     $10,000
Less:
  X's 1954 taxable income.......................           0  ..........
  X's 1956 taxable income.......................           0  ..........
                                                 ------------
                                                  ..........           0
                                                             -----------
    Carryover to X's 8/31/57-year...........................      10,000
Less:
  X's 8/31/57-year taxable income before net          $1,000  ..........
   operating loss deduction.....................
  Minus X's net operating loss deduction for 8/        7,000  ..........
   31/57-year (i.e., X's 1954 carryover)........
                                                 ------------
                                                  ..........           0
                                                             -----------
    Carryover to Y's postacquisition part year..............      10,000
Less:
  Y's postacquisition part year taxable income       $18,422  ..........
   computed under paragraph (f)(5) of this
   section......................................
  Minus Y's net operating loss deduction for           6,000  ..........
   postacquisition part year (i.e., X's 1954
   carryover to such part year).................
                                                 ------------
                                                  ..........      12,422
                                                             -----------
    Carryover to Y 1958 and Y 1959..........................           0


    (iii) Y Corporation's 1955 loss. The carryover to 1959 is $0, 
computed as follows:

Net operating loss..........................................     $10,000
Less:
  Y's 1956 taxable income...................................           0
                                                 -------------
    Carryover to Y's preacquisition part year...............      10,000
Less:
  Y's preacquisition part year taxable income        $36,693  ..........
   computed under paragraph (f)(5) of this
   section (($54,750+$365) x 243/365)...........
  Minus Y's net operating loss deduction for             xxx  ..........
   preacquisition part year.....................
                                                 ------------
                                                  ..........      36,693
                                                             -----------
    Carryover to Y's postacquisition part year, to Y 1958,             0
     and to Y 1959..........................................


    (iv) X Corporation's 1956 loss. The carryover to 1959 is $22,578, 
computed as follows:

Net operating loss.........................................      $25,000
Less:
  X's 1954 taxable income.......................          0  ...........
  X's 1955 taxable income.......................          0  ...........
  X's 8/31/57-year taxable income         $1,000  .........  ...........
   before net operating loss
   deduction........................
  Minus X's net operating loss           $17,000          0            0
   deduction for 8/31/57-year (i.e.,
   X's 1954 carryover of $7,000 and
   X's 1955 carryover of $10,000)...
                                     -------------
    Carryover to Y's postacquisition part year.............      $25,000
Less:
  Y's postacquisition part year taxable income      $18,422  ...........
   computed under paragraph (f)(5) of this
   section......................................
  Minus Y's net operating loss deduction for         16,000  ...........
   postacquisition part year (i.e., X's 1954
   carryover of $6,000, X's 1955 carryover of
   $10,000 and Y's 1955 carryover of $0, to such
   part year)...................................
                                     ------------
                                                  .........        2,422
                                                 ------------
    Carryover to Y 1958....................................       22,578
Less:
  Y's 1958 taxable income..................................            0
                                     -------------
    Carryover to Y 1959....................................       22,578


    (v) Y Corporation's 1956 loss. The carryover to 1959 is $0, computed 
as follows:

Net operating loss..........................................     $15,000
Less:
  Y's 1955 taxable income...................................           0
                                                 -------------
    Carryover to Y's preacquisition part year...............      15,000
Less:
  Y's preacquisition part year taxable income        $36,693  ..........
   computed under paragraph (f)(5) of this
   section......................................
  Minus Y's net operating loss deduction for          10,000  ..........
   preacquisition part year (i.e., Y's 1955
   carryover to such part year).................
                                                 ------------
                                                  ..........      26,693
                                                             -----------
    Carryover to Y's postacquisition part year, to Y 1958,             0
     and to Y 1959..........................................


    (vi) Y Corporation's 1958 loss. The carryover to 1959 is $0, 
computed as follows:

Net operating loss...........................................     $5,000
Less:
  Y's 1955 taxable income \1\....................           0
  Y's 1956 taxable income........................           0  .........
                                                  ------------

[[Page 371]]


                                                   ..........          0
                                                              ----------
    Carryback to Y's preacquisition part year................    $5,000
Less:
  Y's preacquisition part year taxable income         $36,693  .........
   computed under paragraph (f)(5) of this
   section.......................................
  Minus Y's net operating loss deduction for           25,000  .........
   preacquisition part year (i.e., Y's 1955
   carryover of $10,000, and Y's 1956 carryover
   of $15,000, to such part year)................
                                                  -------------
                                                   ..........    11,693
    Carryback to Y's postacquisition part year and carryover           0
     to Y 1959...............................................

\1\ Three-year carryback in case of loss years ending after December 31,
  1957.

    (vii) Summary of carryovers to 1959. The aggregate of the net 
operating loss carryovers to 1959 is $22,578, computed as follows:

X's 1955 loss...............................................           0
Y's 1955 loss...............................................           0
X's 1956 loss...............................................     $22,578
Y's 1956 loss...............................................           0
Y's 1958 loss...............................................           0
                                                             -----------
 Total......................................................      22,578


    (3) Net operating loss deduction for 1957. (i) The net operating 
loss deduction available to Y Corporation under section 172(a) for the 
calendar year 1957, determined in accordance with paragraph (d) of this 
section, is $48,300, computed as follows:

Aggregate of the net operating loss carryovers    ..........
 available to the transferor corporation as of
 the close of August 31, 1957, but limited by
 paragraph (d) of this section to $18,300 (Y's
 1957 taxable income of $54,750, computed
 without any net operating loss deduction,
 multiplied by 122/365)
  Carryover of X's 1954 loss....................      $6,000
  Carryover of X's 1955 loss....................      10,000
  Carryover of X's 1956 loss....................      25,000
                                                 -------------
                                                    $41,000
Aggregate of carryovers, limited as above...................     $18,300
Carryover of Y's 1955 loss..................................      10,000
Carryover of Y's 1956 loss..................................      15,000
Carryback of Y's 1958 loss..................................       5,000
                                                 -------------
 Net operating loss deduction...............................      48,800


    (ii) The taxable income under section 63 for 1957 is $6,450, 
computed as follows:

Taxable income determined without any net operating loss         $54,750
 deduction..................................................
Less:
  Net operating loss deduction for 1957, as determined under     $48,300
   subdivision (i) of this subparagraph.....................
                                                             -----------
 Taxable income under section 63............................       6,450


    (4) Net operating loss deduction for 1959. The taxable income under 
section 63 for 1959 is $27,422, computed as follows:

Taxable income determined without any net operating loss         $50,000
 deduction..................................................
Less:
  Net operating loss deduction for 1959 (i.e., the aggregate      22,578
   carryovers determined under subparagraph (2)(vii) of this
   paragraph)...............................................
                                                             -----------
 Taxable income under section 63............................      27,422


    (5) Years to which losses may be carried. The taxable years to which 
the losses of X Corporation and Y Corporation may be carried, and the 
sequence in which carried, are as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Loss year                           Carried to
------------------------------------------------------------------------
X 1954............................  X 1955, X 1956, X 8/31/57, Y 1957, Y
                                     1958.
X 1955............................  X 1954, X 1956, X 8/31/57, Y 1957, Y
                                     1958, Y 1959.
Y 1955............................  Y 1956, Y 1957, Y 1958, Y 1959, Y
                                     1960.
X 1956............................  X 1954, X 1955, X 8/31/57, Y 1957, Y
                                     1958, Y 1959, Y 1960.
Y 1956............................  Y 1955, Y 1957, Y 1958, Y 1959, Y
                                     1960, Y 1961.
Y 1958............................  Y 1955, Y 1956, Y 1957, Y 1959, Y
                                     1960, Y 1961, Y 1962, Y 1963.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[T.D. 6500, 25 FR 11607, Nov. 26, 1960, as amended by T.D. 7564, 43 FR 
40493, Sept. 12, 1978]