Section 23051.5.
Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 23051.5.
in effect(a)
(1)
Unless otherwise specifically provided, the terms “Internal Revenue Code,” “Internal Revenue Code of 1954,” or “Internal Revenue Code of 1986,” for purposes of this part, mean Title 26 of the United States Code, including all amendments thereto, as enacted on the specified date for the applicable taxable year as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section
17024.5.
(2)
(A)
Unless otherwise specifically provided, for federal laws enacted on or after January 1, 1987, and on or before the specified date for the taxable year, uncodified provisions that relate to provisions of the Internal Revenue Code that are incorporated for purposes of this part, shall be applicable to the same taxable years as the incorporated provisions.
(B)
In the case where Section 901 of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-16) applies to any provision of the Internal Revenue Code that is incorporated for purposes of this part, Section 901 of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-16) shall apply for purposes of this part in the same manner and to the same taxable years as it applies for federal income tax purposes.
(3)
Subtitle G (Tax Technical Corrections) and Part I of Subtitle H (Repeal of Expired or Obsolete Provisions) of the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-508) modified numerous provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and provisions of prior federal acts, some of which are incorporated by reference into this part. Unless otherwise provided, the provisions described in the preceding sentence, to the extent that they modify provisions that are incorporated into this part, are declaratory of existing law and shall be applied in the same manner and for the same periods as specified in the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1990.
(b)
Unless otherwise specifically provided, when applying the Internal Revenue Code for purposes of this part, a reference to any of the following is not applicable for purposes of this part:
(1)
Domestic International Sales Corporations
(DISC), as defined in Section 992(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(2)
Foreign Sales Corporations (FSC), as defined in Section 922(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(3)
A personal holding company, as defined in Section 542 of the Internal Revenue Code.
(4)
A foreign personal holding company, as defined in Section 552 of the Internal Revenue Code.
(5)
A foreign investment company, as defined in Section 1246(b) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(6)
A foreign trust as defined in Section 679 of the Internal Revenue Code.
(7)
Foreign income taxes and foreign income tax credits.
(8)
Federal tax credits and carryovers of federal tax credits.
(c)
(1)
The provisions contained in Sections 41 to 44, inclusive, and Section 172 of the Tax Reform Act of 1984 (Public Law 98-369), relating to treatment of debt instruments, is not applicable for taxable years beginning before January 1, 1987.
(2)
The provisions contained in Public Law 99-121, relating to the treatment of debt instruments, is not applicable for taxable years beginning before January 1, 1987.
(3)
For taxable years beginning on and after January 1, 1987, the provisions referred to by paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be applicable for purposes of this part in the same manner and with respect to the same obligations as the federal provisions, except as otherwise provided in this part.
(d)
When applying the Internal Revenue Code for purposes of this part, regulations promulgated in final form or issued as temporary regulations by “the secretary” shall be applicable as regulations issued under this part to the extent that they do not conflict with this part or with regulations issued by the Franchise Tax Board.
(e)
Whenever this part allows a taxpayer to make an election, the following rules shall apply:
(1)
A proper election filed with the Internal Revenue Service in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code or regulations issued by “the secretary” shall be deemed to be a proper election for purposes of this part, unless otherwise expressly provided in this part or in regulations issued by the Franchise Tax Board.
(2)
A copy of that
election shall be furnished to the Franchise Tax Board upon request.
(3)
(A)
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), in order to obtain treatment other than that elected for federal purposes, a separate election shall be filed with the Franchise Tax Board at the time and in the manner that may be required by the Franchise Tax Board.
(B)
(i)
If a taxpayer makes a proper election for federal income tax purposes prior to the time that taxpayer becomes subject to the tax imposed under this part or Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001), that taxpayer is deemed to have made the same election for purposes of the tax imposed by this part, Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001), and Part 10.2 (commencing with Section 18401), as applicable, and that taxpayer may not make a separate election for California tax purposes unless that separate
election is expressly authorized by this part, Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001), or Part 10.2 (commencing with Section 18401), or by regulations issued by the Franchise Tax Board.
(ii)
If a taxpayer has not made a proper election for federal income tax purposes prior to the time that taxpayer becomes subject to tax under this part or Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001), that taxpayer may not make a separate California election for purposes of this part, Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001), or Part 10.2 (commencing with Section 18401), unless that separate election is expressly authorized by this part, Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001), Part 10.2 (commencing with Section 18401), or by regulations issued by the Franchise Tax Board.
(iii)
This subparagraph applies only to the extent that the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code or regulations issued by “the
secretary” authorizing an election for federal income tax purposes apply for purposes of this part, Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001), or Part 10.2 (commencing with Section 18401).
(f)
Whenever this part allows or requires a taxpayer to file an application or seek consent, the rules set forth in subdivision (e) shall apply to that application or consent.
(g)
When applying the Internal Revenue Code for purposes of determining the statute of limitations under this part, any reference to a period of three years shall be modified to read four years for purposes of this part.
(h)
When applying, for purposes of this part, any section of the Internal Revenue Code or any applicable regulation thereunder, all of the following shall apply:
(1)
For purposes
of Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 23101), Chapter 2.5 (commencing with Section 23400), and Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 23501), the term “taxable income” shall mean “net income.”
(2)
For purposes of Article 2 (commencing with Section 23731) of Chapter 4, the term “taxable income” shall mean “unrelated business taxable income,” as defined by Section 23732.
(3)
Any reference to “subtitle,” “Chapter 1,” or “chapter” shall mean this part.
(4)
The provisions of Section 7806 of the Internal Revenue Code, relating to construction of title, shall apply.
(5)
Any provision of the Internal Revenue Code that becomes operative on or after the specified date for that taxable year shall become operative on the same date for purposes of this part.
(6)
Any provision of the Internal Revenue Code that becomes inoperative on or after the specified date for that taxable year shall become inoperative on the same date for purposes of this part.
(7)
Due account shall be made for differences in federal and state terminology, effective dates, substitution of “Franchise Tax Board” for “secretary” when appropriate, and other obvious differences.
(8)
Any provision of the Internal Revenue Code that refers to a “corporation” shall, when applicable for purposes of this part, include a “bank,” as defined by Section 23039.
(9)
Except as otherwise provided, any reference to Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code shall be interpreted to also refer to Section 23701.
(i)
Any reference to a specific provision of the Internal Revenue Code shall include modifications of that provision, if any, in this part.
References
referencesCal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 17024.5.
referencesCal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 901.
referencesCal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 992.
referencesCal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 922.
referencesCal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 1246.
referencesCal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 41.
referencesCal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 172.
referencesCal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 17001.
referencesCal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 18401.
referencesCal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 23101.
referencesCal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 23400.
referencesCal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 23501.
referencesCal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 23731.
referencesCal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 23732.
referencesCal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 23039.
referencesCal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 23701.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026