§ 280C. Certain expenses for which credits are allowable

§ 280C. Certain expenses for which credits are allowable

(a) Rule for employment credits No deduction shall be allowed for that portion of the wages or salaries paid or incurred for the taxable year which is equal to the sum of the credits determined for the taxable year under sections 45A(a), 45P(a), 45S(a)(1)(A), 51(a), and 1396(a). No deduction shall be allowed for that portion of the premiums paid or incurred for the taxable year which is equal to that portion of the paid family and medical leave credit which is determined for the taxable year under section 45S(a)(1)(B). In the case of a corporation which is a member of a controlled group of corporations (within the meaning of section 52(a)) or a trade or business which is treated as being under common control with other trades or businesses (within the meaning of section 52(b)), this subsection shall be applied under rules prescribed by the Secretary similar to the rules applicable under subsections (a) and (b) of section 52.

(b) Credit for qualified clinical testing expenses for certain drugs

(1) In general No deduction shall be allowed for that portion of the qualified clinical testing expenses (as defined in section 45C(b)) otherwise allowable as a deduction for the taxable year which is equal to the amount of the credit allowable for the taxable year under section 45C (determined without regard to section 38(c)).

(2) Similar rule where taxpayer capitalizes rather than deducts expenses If—

the amount chargeable to capital account for the taxable year for such expenses shall be reduced by the amount of such excess.

(A) the amount of the credit allowable for the taxable year under section 45C (determined without regard to section 38(c)), exceeds

(B) the amount allowable as a deduction for the taxable year for qualified clinical testing expenses (determined without regard to paragraph (1)),

(3) Election of reduced credit

(A) In general In the case of any taxable year for which an election is made under this paragraph—

(i) paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not apply, and

(ii) the amount of the credit under section 45C(a) shall be the amount determined under subparagraph (B).

(B) Amount of reduced credit The amount of credit determined under this subparagraph for any taxable year shall be the amount equal to the excess of—

(i) the amount of credit determined under section 45C(a) without regard to this paragraph, over

(ii) the product of—

(I) the amount described in clause (i), and

(II) the maximum rate of tax under section 11(b).

(C) Election An election under this paragraph for any taxable year shall be made not later than the time for filing the return of tax for such year (including extensions), shall be made on such return, and shall be made in such manner as the Secretary shall prescribe. Such an election, once made, shall be irrevocable.

(4) Controlled groups In the case of a corporation which is a member of a controlled group of corporations (within the meaning of section 41(f)(5)) or a trade or business which is treated as being under common control with other trades or business (within the meaning of section 41(f)(1)(B)), this subsection shall be applied under rules prescribed by the Secretary similar to the rules applicable under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 41(f)(1).

(c) Credit for increasing research activities

(1) In general The domestic research or experimental expenditures (as defined in section 174A(b)) otherwise taken into account as a deduction or charged to capital account under this chapter shall be reduced by the amount of the credit allowed under section 41(a).

(2) Election of reduced credit

(A) In general In the case of any taxable year for which an election is made under this paragraph—

(i) paragraph (1) shall not apply, and

(ii) the amount of the credit under section 41(a) shall be the amount determined under subparagraph (B).

(B) Amount of reduced credit The amount of credit determined under this subparagraph for any taxable year shall be the amount equal to the excess of—

(i) the amount of credit determined under section 41(a) without regard to this paragraph, over

(ii) the product of—

(I) the amount described in clause (i), and

(II) the maximum rate of tax under section 11(b).

(C) Election An election under this paragraph for any taxable year shall be made not later than the time for filing the return of tax for such year (including extensions), shall be made on such return, and shall be made in such manner as the Secretary may prescribe. Such an election, once made, shall be irrevocable.

(3) Controlled groups Paragraph (3) of subsection (b) shall apply for purposes of this subsection.

(d) Credit for low sulfur diesel fuel production The deductions otherwise allowed under this chapter for the taxable year shall be reduced by the amount of the credit determined for the taxable year under section 45H(a).

(e) Mine rescue team training credit No deduction shall be allowed for that portion of the expenses otherwise allowable as a deduction for the taxable year which is equal to the amount of the credit determined for the taxable year under section 45N(a).

(f) Credit for security of agricultural chemicals No deduction shall be allowed for that portion of the expenses otherwise allowable as a deduction taken into account in determining the credit under section 45O for the taxable year which is equal to the amount of the credit determined for such taxable year under section 45O(a).

(g) Credit for health insurance premiums No deduction shall be allowed for the portion of the premiums paid by the taxpayer for coverage of 1 or more individuals under a qualified health plan which is equal to the amount of the credit determined for the taxable year under section 36B(a) with respect to such premiums.

(h) Credit for employee health insurance expenses of small employers No deduction shall be allowed for that portion of the premiums for qualified health plans (as defined in section 1301(a) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act), or for health insurance coverage in the case of taxable years beginning in 2010, 2011, 2012, or 2013, paid by an employer which is equal to the amount of the credit determined under section 45R(a) with respect to the premiums.

(Added Pub. L. 95–30, title II, § 202(c)(1), May 23, 1977, 91 Stat. 147; amended Pub. L. 95–600, title III, § 322(d)(1), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2838; Pub. L. 96–178, § 6(c)(4), Jan. 2, 1980, 93 Stat. 1298; Pub. L. 96–222, title I, § 103(a)(7)(D)(iv), Apr. 1, 1980, 94 Stat. 212; Pub. L. 97–414, § 4(b)(1), (2)(A), Jan. 4, 1983, 96 Stat. 2055; Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title IV, § 474(r)(10), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 841; Pub. L. 99–514, title II, § 231(d)(3)(E), title XVIII, § 1847(b)(8), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2179, 2856; Pub. L. 100–647, title IV, § 4008(a), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3652; Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, §§ 7110(c)(1), 7814(e)(2)(A), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2325, 2413; Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, §§ 13302(b)(1), 13322(c)(1), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 555, 563; Pub. L. 104–188, title I, § 1205(d)(7), Aug. 20, 1996, 110 Stat. 1776; Pub. L. 106–170, title V, § 502(c)(2), Dec. 17, 1999, 113 Stat. 1919; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(7) [title III, § 311(a)(1)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–639; Pub. L. 108–357, title III, § 339(c), Oct. 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 1484; Pub. L. 109–135, title I, § 103(b)(2), title II, § 201(b)(2), Dec. 21, 2005, 119 Stat. 2595, 2607; Pub. L. 109–432, div. A, title IV, § 405(c), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 2957; Pub. L. 110–172, § 7(a)(1)(B), Dec. 29, 2007, 121 Stat. 2481; Pub. L. 110–234, title XV, § 15343(c), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1519; Pub. L. 110–245, title I, § 111(c), June 17, 2008, 122 Stat. 1635; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title XV, § 15343(c), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2281; Pub. L. 111–148, title I, §§ 1401(b), 1421(d)(1), title IX, § 9023(c)(2), title X, § 10105(e)(3), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 219, 242, 880, 906; Pub. L. 115–97, title I, §§ 13001(b)(1)(A), 13206(d)(2), 13401(b), 13403(d)(1), Dec. 22, 2017, 131 Stat. 2096, 2112, 2133, 2137; Pub. L. 115–141, div. U, title IV, § 401(a)(62), (d)(3)(B)(iii), (6)(B)(iv), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1187, 1209, 1211; Pub. L. 119–21, title VII, §§ 70302(b)(2)(B), 70304(b), July 4, 2025, 139 Stat. 191, 197.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 1301(a) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, referred to in subsec. (h), is classified to section 18021(a) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.

Codification

Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 made identical amendments to this section. The amendments by Pub. L. 110–234 were repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246.

Amendments

2025—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 119–21, § 70304(b), substituted “45S(a)(1)(A)” for “45S(a)” and inserted “No deduction shall be allowed for that portion of the premiums paid or incurred for the taxable year which is equal to that portion of the paid family and medical leave credit which is determined for the taxable year under section 45S(a)(1)(B).” after “and 1396(a).”

Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 119–21, § 70302(b)(2)(B), amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “If—

“(A) the amount of the credit determined for the taxable year under section 41(a)(1), exceeds

“(B) the amount allowable as a deduction for such taxable year for qualified research expenses or basic research expenses,

the amount chargeable to capital account for the taxable year for such expenses shall be reduced by the amount of such excess.”

2018—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115–141, § 401(d)(6)(B)(iv), substituted “and 1396(a)” for “1396(a), 1400P(b), and 1400R”.

Pub. L. 115–141, § 401(a)(62), substituted “1396(a),” for “and 1396(a),”.

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 115–141, § 401(d)(3)(B)(iii), struck out subsec. (g) relating to qualifying therapeutic discovery project credit.

2017—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115–97, § 13403(d)(1), inserted “45S(a),” after “45P(a),”.

Subsec. (b)(3), (4). Pub. L. 115–97, § 13401(b), added par. (3) and redesignated former par. (3) as (4).

Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 115–97, § 13206(d)(2)(A), added par. (1) and struck out former par. (1). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “No deduction shall be allowed for that portion of the qualified research expenses (as defined in section 41(b)) or basic research expenses (as defined in section 41(e)(2)) otherwise allowable as a deduction for the taxable year which is equal to the amount of the credit determined for such taxable year under section 41(a).”

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 115–97, § 13206(d)(2)(B)–(D), redesignated par. (3) as (2), substituted “paragraph (1)” for “paragraphs (1) and (2)” in subpar. (A)(i), and struck out former par. (2) which related to rule where taxpayer capitalizes rather than deducts expenses.

Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 115–97, § 13206(d)(2)(C), redesignated par. (4) as (3). Former par. (3) redesignated (2).

Subsec. (c)(3)(B)(ii)(II). Pub. L. 115–97, § 13001(b)(1)(A), substituted “section 11(b)” for “section 11(b)(1)”.

Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 115–97, § 13206(d)(2)(C), redesignated par. (4) as (3).

2010—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 111–148, § 9023(c)(2), added subsec. (g) relating to qualifying therapeutic discovery project credit.

Pub. L. 111–148, § 1401(b), added subsec. (g) relating to credit for health insurance premiums.

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 111–148, § 10105(e)(3), substituted “2010, 2011” for “2011”.

Pub. L. 111–148, § 1421(d)(1), added subsec. (h).

2008—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 110–245 inserted “45P(a),” after “45A(a),”.

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 110–246, § 15343(c), added subsec. (f).

2007—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 110–172 amended heading and text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “No deduction shall be allowed for that portion of the expenses otherwise allowable as a deduction for the taxable year which is equal to the amount of the credit determined for the taxable year under section 45H(a).”

2006—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 109–432 added subsec. (e).

2005—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–135, § 201(b)(2), substituted “1400P(b), and 1400R” for “and 1400P(b)”.

Pub. L. 109–135, § 103(b)(2), substituted “1396(a), and 1400P(b)” for “and 1396(a)”.

2004—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 108–357 added subsec. (d).

2000—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 106–554 struck out “or credit” after “deduction” in two places.

1999—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 106–170 inserted “or credit” after “deduction” in two places.

1996—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 104–188, § 1205(d)(7), substituted “section 45C(b)” for “section 28(b)”, “section 45C” for “section 28”, and “section 38(c)” for “subsection (d)(2) thereof”.

Subsec. (b)(2)(A). Pub. L. 104–188, § 1205(d)(7)(B), (C), substituted “section 45C” for “section 28” and “section 38(c)” for “subsection (d)(2) thereof”.

1993—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–66, § 13322(c)(1), substituted “45A(a), 51(a), and” for “51(a)”.

Pub. L. 103–66, § 13302(b)(1), substituted “Rule for employment credits” for “Rule for targeted jobs credit” in heading and “the sum of the credits determined for the taxable year under sections 51(a) and 1396(a)” for “the amount of the credit determined for the taxable year under section 51(a)” in text.

1989—Subsec. (c)(1), (2)(A). Pub. L. 101–239, § 7110(c)(1), struck out “50 percent of” before “the amount of the credit”.

Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 101–239, § 7814(e)(2)(A), added par. (3). Former par. (3) redesignated (4).

Subsec. (c)(3)(B)(ii)(I). Pub. L. 101–239, § 7110(c)(1), struck out “50 percent of” before “the amount described”.

Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 101–239, § 7814(e)(2)(A), redesignated par. (3) as (4).

1988—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 100–647 added subsec. (c).

1986—Subsec. (b)(1), (2)(A). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1847(b)(8), substituted “section 28(b)” for “section 29(b)” in par. (1) and “section 28” for “section 29” in pars. (1) and (2)(A).