26 U.S. Code § 170(e) – Charitable, etc., contributions and gifts
Published by Cornell University Law School
(3) Special rule for certain contributions of inventory and other property
(A) Qualified contributions
For purposes of this paragraph, a qualified contribution shall mean a charitable contribution of property described in paragraph (1) or (2) of section 1221 (a), by a corporation (other than a corporation which is an S corporation) to an organization which is described in section 501 (c)(3) and is exempt under section 501 (a) (other than a private foundation, as defined in section 509 (a), which is not an operating foundation, as defined in section 4942 (j)(3)), but only if—
(i) the use of the property by the donee is related to the purpose or function constituting the basis for its exemption under section 501 and the property is to be used by the donee solely for the care of the ill, the needy, or infants;
(ii) the property is not transferred by the donee in exchange for money, other property, or services;
(iii) the taxpayer receives from the donee a written statement representing that its use and disposition of the property will be in accordance with the provisions of clauses (i) and (ii); and
(iv) in the case where the property is subject to regulation under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, as amended, such property must fully satisfy the applicable requirements of such Act and regulations promulgated thereunder on the date of transfer and for one hundred and eighty days prior thereto.
(B) Amount of reduction
The reduction under paragraph (1)(A) for any qualified contribution (as defined in subparagraph (A)) shall be no greater than the sum of—
(i) one-half of the amount computed under paragraph (1)(A) (computed without regard to this paragraph), and
(ii) the amount (if any) by which the charitable contribution deduction under this section for any qualified contribution (computed by taking into account the amount determined in clause (i), but without regard to this clause) exceeds twice the basis of such property.
(C) Special rule for contributions of food inventory
(i) General rule In the case of a charitable contribution of food from any trade or business of the taxpayer, this paragraph shall be applied—
(I) without regard to whether the contribution is made by a C corporation, and
(II) only to food that is apparently wholesome food.
(ii) Limitation In the case of a taxpayer other than a C corporation, the aggregate amount of such contributions for any taxable year which may be taken into account under this section shall not exceed 10 percent of the taxpayer’s aggregate net income for such taxable year from all trades or businesses from which such contributions were made for such year, computed without regard to this section.
(iii) Apparently wholesome food For purposes of this subparagraph, the term “apparently wholesome food” has the meaning given to such term by section 22(b)(2) of the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act (42 U.S.C.1791 (b)(2)), as in effect on the date of the enactment of this subparagraph.
(iv) Termination This subparagraph shall not apply to contributions made after December 31, 2013.
(D) Special rule for contributions of book inventory to public schools
(i) Contributions of book inventory In determining whether a qualified book contribution is a qualified contribution, subparagraph (A) shall be applied without regard to whether the donee is an organization described in the matter preceding clause (i) of subparagraph (A).
(ii) Qualified book contribution For purposes of this paragraph, the term “qualified book contribution” means a charitable contribution of books to a public school which is an educational organization described in subsection (b)(1)(A)(ii) and which provides elementary education or secondary education (kindergarten through grade 12).
(iii) Certification by donee Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to any contribution of books unless (in addition to the certifications required by subparagraph (A) (as modified by this subparagraph)), the donee certifies in writing that—
(I) the books are suitable, in terms of currency, content, and quantity, for use in the donee’s educational programs, and
(II) the donee will use the books in its educational programs.
(iv) Termination This subparagraph shall not apply to contributions made after December 31, 2011.
(E) This paragraph shall not apply to so much of the amount of the gain described in paragraph (1)(A) which would be long-term capital gain but for the application of sections 617, 1245, 1250, or 1252.