Title 26 › Subtitle D — Miscellaneous Excise Taxes › CHAPTER 45 — PROVISIONS RELATING TO EXPATRIATED ENTITIES › § 4985
A tax must be paid by any disqualified individual tied to a company that becomes an expatriated corporation. The tax equals the rate in section 1(h)(1)(D) multiplied by the value of specified stock compensation the person or a family member held at any time during the 12‑month period that starts six months before the expatriation date. Stock options and stock appreciation rights are valued at their fair value; other stock pay is valued at fair market value. Values are measured on the expatriation date if held then, the day before cancellation if canceled in the six months before expatriation, or on the grant date if granted after expatriation. The tax only applies if shareholders recognize gain because of the acquisition described in section 7874(a)(2)(B)(i). The rule does not apply to an option exercised on or during the six months before expatriation (and the stock’s income is recognized under section 83 on or before the expatriation date), or to other stock pay that is cashed out or otherwise paid during that period if all income, gain, or loss is fully recognized. Disqualified individual: an insider who is subject to section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during that 12‑month window. Expatriated corporation: a company that is an expatriated entity under section 7874(a)(2), including predecessors and successors. Specified stock compensation: stock-based pay or rights tied to the company’s stock given for services by or for a disqualified individual (excludes certain options under part II of subchapter D of chapter 1 and payments from plans covered by section 280G(b)(6)). Expanded affiliated group: the usual affiliated group rule but using “more than 50 percent.” Cancellation of a never‑lapping restriction counts as a grant. If the company pays the tax, that payment counts as stock compensation and is not deductible. Transfers of property count as payments. The Secretary must issue rules to carry this out.
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Internal Revenue Code, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Legislative History
Reference
Citation
26 U.S.C. § 4985
Title 26, Internal Revenue Code
Last Updated
Sep 22, 2026
Release point: 119-110