Publication 535
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000208962Generally, you may amortize the capitalized costs of "section
197 intangibles" (defined later) ratably over a 15-year period. You must
amortize these costs if you hold the section 197 intangibles in connection with
your trade or business or in an activity engaged in for the production of
income.
 | You may not be able to amortize section 197 intangibles acquired
in a transaction that did not result in a significant change in ownership or
use. See
Anti-Churning Rules, later.
|
Your amortization deduction each year is the applicable part
of the intangible's adjusted basis (for purposes of determining gain), figured
by amortizing it ratably over 15 years (180 months). The 15-year period begins
with the later of:
- The month the intangible is acquired, or
- The month the trade or business or activity engaged in for
the production of income begins.
You cannot deduct amortization for the month you dispose of
the intangible.
If you pay or incur an amount that increases the basis of an
amortizable section 197 intangible after the 15-year period begins, amortize it
over the remainder of the 15-year period beginning with the month the basis
increase occurs.
You are not allowed any other depreciation or amortization deduction
for an amortizable section 197 intangible.
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000208964The amortization period for any section 197 intangible leased
under a lease agreement entered into after March 12, 2004, to a tax-exempt
organization, governmental unit, or foreign person or entity (other than a
partnership), shall not be less than 125 percent of the lease term.
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000208965The rules for section 197 intangibles do not apply to any amount
that is included in determining the cost of property that is not a section 197
intangible. For example, if the cost of computer software is not separately
stated from the cost of hardware or other tangible property and you consistently
treat it as part of the cost of the hardware or other tangible property, these
rules do not apply. Similarly, none of the cost of acquiring real property held
for the production of rental income is considered the cost of goodwill, going
concern value, or any other section 197 intangible.
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000208966The following assets are section 197 intangibles and must be
amortized over 180 months:
- Goodwill;
- Going concern value;
- Workforce in place;
- Business books and records, operating systems, or any other
information base, including lists or other information concerning current or
prospective customers;
- A patent, copyright, formula, process, design, pattern, know-how,
format, or similar item;
- A customer-based intangible;
- A supplier-based intangible;
- Any item similar to items (3) through (7);
- A license, permit, or other right granted by a governmental
unit or agency (including issuances and renewals);
- A covenant not to compete entered into in connection with
the acquisition of an interest in a trade or business;
- Any franchise, trademark, or trade name; and
- A contract for the use of, or a term interest in, any item
in this list.
 | You cannot amortize any of the intangibles listed in items
(1) through (8) that you created rather than acquired unless you created them in
acquiring assets that make up a trade or business or a substantial part of a
trade or business.
|
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000208968This is the value of a trade or business based on expected continued
customer patronage due to its name, reputation, or any other factor.
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000208969This is the additional value of a trade or business that attaches
to property because the property is an integral part of an ongoing business
activity. It includes value based on the ability of a business to continue to
function and generate income even though there is a change in ownership (but
does not include any other section 197 intangible). It also includes value based
on the immediate use or availability of an acquired trade or business, such as
the use of earnings during any period in which the business would not otherwise
be available or operational.
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000208970This includes the composition of a workforce (for example, its
experience, education, or training). It also includes the terms and conditions
of employment, whether contractual or otherwise, and any other value placed on
employees or any of their attributes.
For example, you must amortize the part of the purchase price
of a business that is for the existence of a highly skilled workforce. Also, you
must amortize the cost of acquiring an existing employment contract or
relationship with employees or consultants.
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000208971This includes the intangible value of technical manuals, training
manuals or programs, data files, and accounting or inventory control systems. It
also includes the cost of customer lists, subscription lists, insurance
expirations, patient or client files, and lists of newspaper, magazine, radio,
and television advertisers.
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000208972taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000208973This is the composition of market, market share, and any other
value resulting from the future provision of goods or services because of
relationships with customers in the ordinary course of business. For example,
you must amortize the part of the purchase price of a business that is for the
existence of the following intangibles.
- A customer base.
- A circulation base.
- An undeveloped market or market growth.
- Insurance in force.
- A mortgage servicing contract.
- An investment management contract.
- Any other relationship with customers involving the future
provision of goods or services.
Accounts receivable or other similar rights to income for goods
or services provided to customers before the acquisition of a trade or business
are not section 197 intangibles.
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000208974This is the value resulting from the future acquisition of goods
or services used or sold by the business because of business relationships with
suppliers.
For example, you must amortize the part of the purchase price
of a business that is for the existence of the following intangibles.
- A favorable relationship with distributors (such as favorable
shelf or display space at a retail outlet).
- A favorable credit rating.
- A favorable supply contract.
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000208975This is any right granted by a governmental unit or an agency
or instrumentality of a governmental unit. For example, you must amortize the
capitalized costs of acquiring (including issuing or renewing) a liquor license,
a taxicab medallion or license, or a television or radio broadcasting license.
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000208976Section 197 intangibles include a covenant not to compete (or
similar arrangement) entered into in connection with the acquisition of an
interest in a trade or business, or a substantial portion of a trade or
business. An interest in a trade or business includes an interest in a
partnership or a corporation engaged in a trade or business.
An arrangement that requires the former owner to perform services
(or to provide property or the use of property) is not similar to a covenant not
to compete to the extent the amount paid under the arrangement represents
reasonable compensation for those services or for that property or its use.
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000208977A franchise, trademark, or trade name is a section 197 intangible.
You must amortize its purchase or renewal costs, other than certain contingent
payments that you can deduct currently. For information on currently deductible
contingent payments, see
chapter 11.
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000208978A franchise engaged in professional sports and any intangible
assets acquired in connection with acquiring the franchise (including player
contracts) is a section 197 intangible amortizable over a 15-year period.
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000208979Section 197 intangibles include any right under a license, contract,
or other arrangement providing for the use of any section 197 intangible. It
also includes any term interest in any section 197 intangible, whether the
interest is outright or in trust.
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000208980The following assets are not section 197 intangibles.
- Any interest in a corporation, partnership, trust, or estate.
- Any interest under an existing futures contract, foreign currency
contract, notional principal contract, interest rate swap, or similar financial
contract.
- Any interest in land.
- Most computer software. (See
Computer software, later.)
- Any of the following assets not acquired in connection with
the acquisition of a trade or business or a substantial part of a trade or
business.
- An interest in a film, sound recording, video tape, book,
or similar property.
- A right to receive tangible property or services under a
contract or from a governmental agency.
- An interest in a patent or copyright.
- Certain rights that have a fixed duration or amount. (See
Rights of fixed duration or amount, later.)
- An interest under either of the following.
- An existing lease or sublease of tangible property.
- A debt that was in existence when the interest was acquired.
- A right to service residential mortgages unless the right
is acquired in connection with the acquisition of a trade or business or a
substantial part of a trade or business.
- Certain transaction costs incurred by parties to a corporate
organization or reorganization in which any part of a gain or loss is not
recognized.
Intangible property that is not amortizable under the rules for
section 197 intangibles can be depreciated if it meets certain requirements. You
generally must use the straight line method over its useful life. For certain
intangibles, the depreciation period is specified in the law and regulations.
For example, the depreciation period for computer software that is not a section
197 intangible is generally 36 months.
For more information on depreciating intangible property, see
Intangible Property under
What Method Can You Use To Depreciate Your Property? in chapter 1 of Publication 946.
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000208981Section 197 intangibles do not include the following types of
computer software.
- Software that meets all the following requirements.
- It is, or has been, readily available for purchase by the
general public.
- It is subject to a nonexclusive license.
- It has not been substantially modified. This requirement
is considered met if the cost of all modifications is not more than the greater
of 25% of the price of the publicly available unmodified software or $2,000.
- Software that is not acquired in connection with the acquisition
of a trade or business or a substantial part of a trade or business.
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000208982Computer software includes all programs designed to cause a computer
to perform a desired function. It also includes any database or similar item
that is in the public domain and is incidental to the operation of qualifying
software.
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000208983Section 197 intangibles do not include any right under a contract
or from a governmental agency if the right is acquired in the ordinary course of
a trade or business (or in an activity engaged in for the production of income)
but not as part of a purchase of a trade or business and either:
- Has a fixed life of less than 15 years, or
- Is of a fixed amount that, except for the rules for section
197 intangibles, would be recovered under a method similar to the
unit-of-production method of cost recovery.
However, this does not apply to the following intangibles.
- Goodwill.
- Going concern value.
- A covenant not to compete.
- A franchise, trademark, or trade name.
- A customer-related information base, customer-based intangible,
or similar item.
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000208984If you are engaged in the trade or business of film production,
you may be able to amortize the creative property costs for properties not set
for production within 3 years of the first capitalized transaction. You may
amortize these costs ratably over a 15-year period beginning on the first day of
the second half of the tax year in which you properly write off the costs for
financial accounting purposes. If, during the 15-year period, you dispose of the
creative property rights, you must continue to amortize the costs over the
remainder of the 15-year period.
Creative property costs include costs paid or incurred to acquire
and develop screenplays, scripts, story outlines, motion picture production
rights to books and plays, and other similar properties for purposes of
potential future film development, production, and exploitation.
Amortize these costs using the rules of Revenue Procedure 2004-36.
For more information, see Revenue Procedure 2004-36, 2004-24 I.R.B. 1063,
available at
www.irs.gov/irb/2004-24_IRB/ar16.html.
 | A change in the treatment of creative property costs is a
change in method of accounting. |
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000208986Anti-churning rules prevent you from amortizing most section
197 intangibles if the transaction in which you acquired them did not result in
a significant change in ownership or use. These rules apply to goodwill and
going concern value, and to any other section 197 intangible that is not
otherwise depreciable or amortizable.
Under the anti-churning rules, you cannot use 15-year amortization
for the intangible if any of the following conditions apply.
- You or a related person (defined later) held or used the intangible
at any time from July 25, 1991, through August 10, 1993.
- You acquired the intangible from a person who held it at any
time during the period in (1) and, as part of the transaction, the user did not
change.
- You granted the right to use the intangible to a person (or
a person related to that person) who held or used it at any time during the
period in (1). This applies only if the transaction in which you granted the
right and the transaction in which you acquired the intangible are part of a
series of related transactions. See
Related person, later, for more information.
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000208987The anti-churning rules do not apply in the following situations.
- You acquired the intangible from a decedent and its basis
was stepped up to its fair market value.
- The intangible was amortizable as a section 197 intangible
by the seller or transferor you acquired it from. This exception does not apply
if the transaction in which you acquired the intangible and the transaction in
which the seller or transferor acquired it are part of a series of related
transactions.
- The gain-recognition exception, discussed later, applies.
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000208988For purposes of the anti-churning rules, the following are related
persons.
- An individual and his or her brothers, sisters, half-brothers,
half-sisters, spouse, ancestors (parents, grandparents, etc.), and lineal
descendants (children, grandchildren, etc.).
- A corporation and an individual who owns, directly or indirectly,
more than 20% of the value of the corporation's outstanding stock.
- Two corporations that are members of the same controlled group
as defined in section 1563(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, except that "more
than 20%" is substituted for "at least 80%" in that definition and the
determination is made without regard to subsections (a)(4) and (e)(3)(C) of
section 1563. (For an exception, see section 1.197-2(h)(6)(iv) of the
regulations.)
- A trust fiduciary and a corporation if more than 20% of the
value of the corporation's outstanding stock is owned, directly or indirectly,
by or for the trust or grantor of the trust.
- The grantor and fiduciary, and the fiduciary and beneficiary,
of any trust.
- The fiduciaries of two different trusts, and the fiduciaries
and beneficiaries of two different trusts, if the same person is the grantor of
both trusts.
- The executor and beneficiary of an estate.
- A tax-exempt educational or charitable organization and a
person who directly or indirectly controls the organization (or whose family
members control it).
- A corporation and a partnership if the same persons own more
than 20% of the value of the outstanding stock of the corporation and more than
20% of the capital or profits interest in the partnership.
- Two S corporations, and an S corporation and a regular corporation,
if the same persons own more than 20% of the value of the outstanding stock of
each corporation.
- Two partnerships if the same persons own, directly or indirectly,
more than 20% of the capital or profits interests in both partnerships.
- A partnership and a person who owns, directly or indirectly,
more than 20% of the capital or profits interests in the partnership.
- Two persons who are engaged in trades or businesses under
common control (as described in section 41(f)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code).
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000208989Persons are treated as related if the relationship existed at
the following time.
- In the case of a single transaction, immediately before or
immediately after the transaction in which the intangible was acquired.
- In the case of a series of related transactions (or a series
of transactions that comprise a qualified stock purchase under section 338(d)(3)
of the Internal Revenue Code), immediately before the earliest transaction or
immediately after the last transaction.
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000208990In determining whether an individual directly or indirectly owns
any of the outstanding stock of a corporation, the following rules apply.
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000208991Stock directly or indirectly owned by or for a corporation, partnership,
estate, or trust is considered owned proportionately by or for its shareholders,
partners, or beneficiaries.
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000208992An individual is considered to own the stock directly or indirectly
owned by or for his or her family. Family includes only brothers and sisters,
half-brothers and half-sisters, spouse, ancestors, and lineal descendants.
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000208993An individual owning (other than by applying Rule 2) any stock
in a corporation is considered to own the stock directly or indirectly owned by
or for his or her partner.
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000208994For purposes of applying Rule 1, 2, or 3, treat stock constructively
owned by a person under Rule 1 as actually owned by that person. Do not treat
stock constructively owned by an individual under Rule 2 or 3 as owned by the
individual for reapplying Rule 2 or 3 to make another person the constructive
owner of the stock.
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000208995This exception to the anti-churning rules applies if the person
you acquired the intangible from (the transferor) meets both of the following
requirements.
- That person would not be related to you (as described under
Related person, earlier) if the 20% test for ownership of stock and partnership
interests were replaced by a 50% test.
- That person chose to recognize gain on the disposition of
the intangible and pay income tax on the gain at the highest tax rate. See
chapter 2 in Publication 544 for information on making this choice.
If this exception applies, the anti-churning rules apply only
to the amount of your adjusted basis in the intangible that is more than the
gain recognized by the transferor.
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000208996If the person you acquired the intangible from chooses to recognize
gain under the rules for this exception, that person must notify you in writing
by the due date of the return on which the choice is made.
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000208997You cannot amortize any section 197 intangible acquired in a
transaction for which the principal purpose was either of the following.
- To avoid the requirement that the intangible be acquired after
August 10, 1993.
- To avoid any of the anti-churning rules.
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000208998For more information about the anti-churning rules, including
additional rules for partnerships, see Regulations section 1.197-2(h).
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000208999If you later discover that you deducted an incorrect amount for
amortization for a section 197 intangible in any year, you may be able to make a
correction for that year by filing an amended return. See
Amended Return, next. If you are not allowed to make the correction on an
amended return, you can change your accounting method to claim the correct
amortization. See
Changing Your Accounting Method, later.
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000209000If you deducted an incorrect amount for amortization, you can
file an amended return to correct the following.
- A mathematical error made in any year.
- A posting error made in any year.
- An amortization deduction for a section 197 intangible for
which you have not adopted a method of accounting.
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000209001If an amended return is allowed, you must file it by the later
of the following dates.
- 3 years from the date you filed your original return for the
year in which you did not deduct the correct amount. (A return filed early is
considered filed on the due date.)
- 2 years from the time you paid your tax for that year.
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000209002Generally, you must get IRS approval to change your method of
accounting. File Form 3115, Application for Change in Accounting Method, to
request a change to a permissible method of accounting for amortization.
The following are examples of a change in method of accounting
for amortization.
- A change in the amortization method, period of recovery, or
convention of an amortizable asset.
- A change in the accounting for amortizable assets from a single
asset account to a multiple asset account (pooling), or vice versa.
- A change in the accounting for amortizable assets from one
type of multiple asset account to a different type of multiple asset account.
Changes in amortization that are not a change in method of accounting
include the following:
- A change in computing amortization in the tax year in which
your use of the asset changes.
- An adjustment in the useful life of an amortizable asset.
- Generally, the making of a late amortization election or the
revocation of a timely valid amortization election.
- Any change in the placed-in-service date of an amortizable
asset.
See Regulations section 1.446-1(e)(2)(ii)(a) for more information
and examples.
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000209003In some instances, you may be able to get automatic approval
from the IRS to change your method of accounting for amortization. For a list of
automatic accounting method changes, see the Instructions for Form 3115. Also
see the Instructions for Form 3115 for more information on getting approval,
automatic approval procedures, and a list of exceptions to the automatic
approval process.
For more information, see Revenue Procedure 2006-12, as modified
by Revenue Procedure 2006-37, and Revenue Procedure 2008-52, as amplified,
clarified, and modified by Revenue Procedure 2009-39. See Revenue Procedure
2006-12, 2006-3 I.R.B. 310, available at
www.irs.gov/irb/2006-03_IRB/ar14.html.
See Revenue Procedure 2006-37, 2006-38 I.R.B. 499, available
at
www.irs.gov/irb/2006-38_IRB/ar10.html.
See Revenue Procedure 2008-52, 2008-36 I.R.B. 587, available
at
www.irs.gov/irb/2008-36_IRB/ar09.html.
See Revenue Procedure 2009-39, 2009-38 I.R.B. 371, available
at
www.irs.gov/irb/2009-38_IRB/ar08.html.
Note.If you are filing an application for a change in accounting
method filed on or after January 10, 2011, for a year of change ending on or
after April 30, 2010, see Revenue Procedure 2011-14, 2011-4 I.R.B. 330,
available at
www.irs.gov/irb/2011-04_IRB/ar08.html.
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000209004A section 197 intangible is treated as depreciable property used
in your trade or business. If you held the intangible for more than 1 year, any
gain on its disposition, up to the amount of allowable amortization, is ordinary
income (section 1245 gain). If multiple section 197 intangibles are disposed of
in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, treat all of the
section 197 intangibles as if they were a single asset for purposes of
determining the amount of gain that is ordinary income. Any remaining gain, or
any loss, is a section 1231 gain or loss. If you held the intangible 1 year or
less, any gain or loss on its disposition is an ordinary gain or loss. For more
information on ordinary or capital gain or loss on business property, see
chapter 3 in Publication 544.
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000209005You cannot deduct any loss on the disposition or worthlessness
of a section 197 intangible that you acquired in the same transaction (or series
of related transactions) as other section 197 intangibles you still have.
Instead, increase the adjusted basis of each remaining amortizable section 197
intangible by a proportionate part of the nondeductible loss. Figure the
increase by multiplying the nondeductible loss on the disposition of the
intangible by the following fraction.
- The numerator is the adjusted basis of each remaining intangible
on the date of the disposition.
- The denominator is the total adjusted bases of all remaining
amortizable section 197 intangibles on the date of the disposition.
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000209006A covenant not to compete, or similar arrangement, is not considered
disposed of or worthless before you dispose of your entire interest in the trade
or business for which you entered into the covenant.
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000209007If you acquire a section 197 intangible in a nonrecognition transfer,
you are treated as the transferor with respect to the part of your adjusted
basis in the intangible that is not more than the transferor's adjusted basis.
You amortize this part of the adjusted basis over the intangible's remaining
amortization period in the hands of the transferor. Nonrecognition transfers
include transfers to a corporation, partnership contributions and distributions,
like-kind exchanges, and involuntary conversions.
In a like-kind exchange or involuntary conversion of a section
197 intangible, you must continue to amortize the part of your adjusted basis in
the acquired intangible that is not more than your adjusted basis in the
exchanged or converted intangible over the remaining amortization period of the
exchanged or converted intangible. Amortize over a new 15-year period the part
of your adjusted basis in the acquired intangible that is more than your
adjusted basis in the exchanged or converted intangible.
taxmap/pubs/p535-043.htm#en_us_publink1000209008You own a section 197 intangible you have amortized for 4 full
years. It has a remaining unamortized basis of $30,000. You exchange the asset
plus $10,000 for a like-kind section 197 intangible. The nonrecognition
provisions of like-kind exchanges apply. You amortize $30,000 of the $40,000
adjusted basis of the acquired intangible over the 11 years remaining in the
original 15-year amortization period for the transferred asset. You amortize the
other $10,000 of adjusted basis over a new 15-year period.