Instructions for Schedule D (Form 1120S) (2006)

General Instructions

This is archived information that pertains only to the 2006 Tax Year. If you
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Table of Contents

What's New

You can elect to treat as capital assets certain self-created musical compositions or copyrights sold or exchanged in tax years beginning after May 17, 2006. See Pub. 550 for details.
If the corporation sold or exchanged a qualified community asset acquired after December 31, 2001, and held for more than 5 years, it can exclude any qualified capital gain. See Exclusion of gain from qualified community assets on page 3.

Purpose of Schedule

Use Schedule D to report:

Sales or exchanges of capital assets.
Gains on distributions to shareholders of appreciated capital assets.
Nonbusiness bad debts.
Net recognized built-in gain as defined in section 1374(d)(2). The built-in gains tax is figured in Part III of Schedule D.

Generally, report every sale or exchange of a capital asset (including like-kind exchanges) on this schedule even if there is no gain or loss.

Other Forms the Corporation May Have To File

Use Form 4797, Sales of Business Property, to report the following.

The sale, exchange, or distribution of property used in a trade or business.
The sale, exchange, or distribution of depreciable and amortizable property.
The sale or other disposition of securities or commodities held in connection with a trading business, if the corporation made a mark-to-market election.
The involuntary conversion (other than from casualty or theft) of property and capital assets held for business or profit.
The disposition of noncapital assets other than inventory or property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of the corporation's trade or business.

Use Form 4684, Casualties and Thefts, to report involuntary conversions of property due to casualty or theft.

Use Form 6781, Gains and Losses From Section 1256 Contracts and Straddles, to report gains and losses from section 1256 contracts and straddles.

Use Form 8824, Like-Kind Exchanges, if the corporation made one or more “like-kind” exchanges. A like-kind exchange occurs when the corporation exchanges business or investment property for property of a like kind. For exchanges of capital assets, include the gain or (loss) from Form 8824, if any, on line 3 or line 9.

Capital Assets

Each item of property the corporation held (whether or not connected with its trade or business) is a capital asset except the following.

Stock in trade or other property included in inventory or held mainly for sale to customers.
Accounts or notes receivable acquired in the ordinary course of the trade or business for services rendered or from the sale of stock in trade or other property included in inventory or held mainly for sale to customers.
Depreciable or real property used in the trade or business, even if it is fully depreciated.
Certain copyrights; literary, musical, or artistic compositions; letters or memoranda; or similar property. See sections 1221(a)(3) and 1221(b)(3).
U.S. Government publications, including the Congressional Record, that the corporation received from the Government, other than by purchase at the normal sales price, or that the corporation got from another taxpayer who had received it in a similar way, if the corporation's basis is determined by reference to the previous owner's basis.
Certain commodities derivative financial instruments held by a dealer. See section 1221(a)(6).
Certain hedging transactions entered into in the normal course of the trade or business. See section 1221(a)(7).
Supplies regularly used in the trade or business.

Items for Special Treatment

For more information, see Pub. 544, Sales and Other Dispositions of Assets.

Loss from a sale or exchange between the corporation and a related person. Except for distributions in complete liquidation of a corporation, no loss is allowed from the sale or exchange of property between the corporation and certain related persons. See section 267.

Loss from a wash sale. The corporation cannot deduct a loss from a wash sale of stock or securities (including contracts or options to acquire or sell stock or securities) unless the corporation is a dealer in stock or securities and the loss was sustained in a transaction made in the ordinary course of the corporation's trade or business. A wash sale occurs if the corporation acquires (by purchase or exchange), or has a contract or option to acquire, substantially identical stock or securities within 30 days before or after the date of the sale or exchange. See section 1091.

Gain on distributions of appreciated property. Generally, gain (but not loss) is recognized on a nonliquidating distribution of appreciated property to the extent that the property's fair market value exceeds its adjusted basis. See section 311.

Gain or loss on distribution of property in complete liquidation. Generally, gain or loss is recognized on property distributed in a complete liquidation. Treat the property as if it had been sold at its fair market value. See section 336.

Gain or loss on certain short-term federal, state, and municipal obligations (other than tax-exempt obligations). These obligations are treated as capital assets in determining gain or loss. On any gain realized, a portion is treated as ordinary income and any remaining balance as a short-term capital gain. See section 1271(a)(3).

Gain from installment sales. If the corporation sold property at a gain and will receive a payment in a tax year after the year of sale, it generally must report the sale on the installment method unless it elects not to. However, the installment method may not be used to report sales of stock or securities traded on an established securities market.

Use Form 6252, Installment Sale Income, to report the sale on the installment method. Also use Form 6252 to report any payment received during the tax year from a sale made in an earlier year that was reported on the installment method. To elect out of the installment method, report the full amount of the gain on Schedule D for the year of the sale on a return filed by the due date (including extensions). If the original return was filed on time without making the election, the corporation can make the election on an amended return filed no later than 6 months after the original due date (excluding extensions). Write “Filed pursuant to section 301.9100-2” at the top of the amended return.

Gain or loss on an option to buy or sell property. See sections 1032 and 1234 for the rules that apply to a purchaser or grantor of an option or a securities futures contract (as defined in section 1234B). See Pub. 550, Investment Income and Expenses.

Gain or loss from a short sale of property. Report the gain or loss to the extent that the property used to close the short sale is considered a capital asset in the hands of the taxpayer.

Loss from securities that are capital assets that become worthless during the year. Except for securities held by a bank, treat the loss as a capital loss as of the last day of the tax year. See section 582 for the rules on the treatment of securities held by a bank.

Nonrecognition of gain on sale of stock to an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) or an eligible cooperative. See section 1042 and Temporary Regulations section 1.1042-1T for rules under which the corporation can elect not to recognize gain from the sale of certain stock to an ESOP or an eligible cooperative.

Gain on disposition of market discount bonds. See section 1276 for rules on the disposition of market discount bonds.

Nonbusiness bad debts. A nonbusiness bad debt must be treated as a short-term capital loss and can be deducted only in the year the debt becomes totally worthless. For each bad debt, enter the name of the debtor and “statement attached” in column (a) of line 1 and the amount of the bad debt as a loss in column (f). Attach a statement of facts to support each bad debt deduction.

Real estate subdivided for sale. Certain lots or parcels that are part of a tract of real estate subdivided for sale may be treated as capital assets. See section 1237.

Sale of a partnership interest. A sale or other disposition of an interest in a partnership owning unrealized receivables or inventory items may result in ordinary gain or loss. See Pub. 541, Partnerships.

Special rules for traders in securities. Traders in securities are engaged in the business of buying and selling securities for their own account. To be engaged in a business as a trader in securities, the corporation:

Must seek to profit from daily market movements in the prices of securities and not from dividends, interest, or capital appreciation.
Must be involved in a trading activity that is substantial.
Must carry on the activity with continuity and regularity.

The following facts and circumstances should be considered in determining if a corporation's activity is a business.

Typical holding periods for securities bought and sold.
The frequency and dollar amount of the corporation's trades during the year.
The extent to which the shareholders pursue the activity to produce income for a livelihood.
The amount of time devoted to the activity.

Like an investor, a trader must report each sale of securities (taking into account commissions and any other costs of acquiring or disposing of the securities) on Schedule D or on an attached statement containing all the same information for each sale in a similar format. However, if a trader made the mark-to-market election (see the Instructions for Form 4797), each transaction is reported in Part II of Form 4797 instead of on Schedule D.

The limitation on investment interest expense that applies to investors does not apply to interest paid or incurred in a trading business. A trader reports interest expense and other expenses (excluding commissions and other costs of acquiring and disposing of securities) from a trading business on page 1 of Form 1120S.

A trader also may hold securities for investment. The rules for investors generally will apply to those securities. If they apply, allocate interest and other expenses between your trading business and investment securities. Report investment interest expense on line 12b of Schedule K and in box 12 of Schedule K-1 using code G.

Gain from certain constructive ownership transactions. Gain in excess of the gain the corporation would have recognized if it had held a financial asset directly during the term of a derivative contract must be treated as ordinary income. See section 1260.

Gain on the constructive sale of certain appreciated financial positions. Generally, if the corporation holds an appreciated financial position in stock or certain other interests, it may have to recognize gain (but not loss) if it enters into a constructive sale (such as a “short sale against the box”). See Pub. 550.

Rollover of gain from qualified stock. If the corporation sold qualified small business stock (defined below) it held for more than 6 months, it can postpone gain if it purchased other qualified small business stock during the 60-day period that began on the date of the sale. The corporation must recognize gain to the extent the sale proceeds exceed the cost of the replacement stock. Reduce the basis of the replacement stock by any postponed gain.

If the corporation chooses to postpone gain, report the entire gain realized on the sale on line 1 or 7. Directly below the line on which the corporation reported the gain, enter in column (a) “Section 1045 Rollover” and enter the amount of the postponed gain as a (loss) in column (f).

The corporation also must separately state the amount of the gain rolled over on qualified stock under section 1045 on Form 1120S, Schedule K, line 10, because each shareholder must determine if he or she qualifies for the rollover at the shareholder level. Also, the corporation must separately state on that line (and not on Schedule D) any gain that could qualify for the section 1045 rollover at the shareholder level instead of the corporate level (because a shareholder was entitled to purchase replacement stock). If the corporation had a gain on qualified stock that could qualify for the partial exclusion under section 1202, report that gain on Schedule D, line 7 (and on Form 1120S, Schedule K, line 10).

To be qualified small business stock, the stock must meet all of the following tests.

A specialized small business investment company (SSBIC) is treated as having met test (2) above.

It must be stock in a C corporation.
It must have been originally issued after August 10, 1993.
As of the date the stock was issued, the corporation was a qualified small business. A qualified small business is a domestic C corporation with total gross assets of $50 million or less (a) at all times after August 9, 1993, and before the stock was issued, and (b) immediately after the stock was issued. Gross assets include those of any predecessor of the corporation. All corporations that are members of the same parent-subsidiary controlled group are treated as one corporation.
The corporation must have acquired the stock at its original issue (either directly or through an underwriter), either in exchange for money or other property or as pay for services (other than as an underwriter) to the corporation. In certain cases, the corporation may meet the test if it acquired the stock from another person who met this test (such as by gift or inheritance) or through a conversion or exchange of qualified small business stock held by the corporation.
During substantially all the time the corporation held the stock:
1. The issuer was a C corporation,
2. At least 80% of the value of the issuer's assets were used in the active conduct of one or more qualified businesses (defined below), and
3. The issuing corporation was not a foreign corporation, DISC, former DISC, corporation that has made (or that has a subsidiary that has made) a section 936 election, regulated investment company, real estate investment trust, REMIC, FASIT, or cooperative.

A qualified business is any business other than the following.

One involving services performed in the fields of health, law, engineering, architecture, accounting, actuarial science, performing arts, consulting, athletics, financial services, or brokerage services.
One whose principal asset is the reputation or skill of one or more employees.
Any banking, insurance, financing, leasing, investing, or similar business.
Any farming business (including the raising or harvesting of trees).
Any business involving the production of products for which percentage depletion can be claimed.
Any business of operating a hotel, motel, restaurant, or similar business.

Exclusion of gain from DC Zone assets. If the corporation sold or exchanged a District of Columbia Enterprise Zone (DC Zone) asset held for more than 5 years, it can exclude any qualified capital gain. The sale or exchange of DC Zone capital assets reported on Schedule D include:

Stock in a domestic corporation that was a DC Zone business.
Interest in a partnership that was a DC Zone business.

Report the sale or exchange of property used in the corporation's DC Zone business on Form 4797.

Gains not qualified for exclusion. The following gains do not qualify for the exclusion of gain from DC Zone assets.

Gain on the sale of an interest in a partnership, which is a DC Zone business, attributable to unrecaptured section 1250 gain. See the instructions for line 8c of Schedule K for information on how to report unrecaptured section 1250 gain.
Gain on the sale of an interest in a partnership attributable to real property or an intangible asset that is not an integral part of a DC Zone business.
Gain from a related-party transaction. See Sales and Exchanges Between Related Persons in chapter 2 of Pub. 544.

See Pub. 954, Tax Incentives for Distressed Communities, and section 1400B for more details on DC Zone assets and special rules.

How to report. Report the entire gain realized from the sale or exchange as the corporation otherwise would without regard to the exclusion. On Schedule D, line 7, enter “DC Zone Asset” in column (a) and enter as a loss in column (f) the amount of the allowable exclusion.

Rollover of gain from empowerment zone assets. If the corporation sold a qualified empowerment zone asset held for more than 1 year, it may be able to elect to postpone part or all of the gain. See Pub. 954 and section 1397B.

Exclusion of gain from qualified community assets. If the corporation sold or exchanged a qualified community asset acquired after December 31, 2001, and held for more than 5 years, it can exclude any qualified capital gain. The exclusion applies to an interest in, or property of, certain qualified community assets.

Qualified community asset. A qualified community asset is any of the following.

Qualified community stock.
Qualified community partnership interest.
Qualified community business property.

Qualified capital gain. Qualified capital gain is any gain recognized on the sale or exchange of a qualified community asset, but does not include any of the following.

Gain treated as ordinary income under section 1245.
Section 1250 gain figured as if section 1250 applied to all depreciation rather than the additional depreciation.
Gain attributable to real property, or an intangible asset, that is not an integral part of a qualified community business.
Gain from a related-party transaction. See Sales and Exchanges Between Related Persons in chapter 2 of Pub. 544.

See Pub. 954 and section 1400F for more details on qualified community assets and special rules.

How to report. Report the entire gain realized from the sale or exchange as the corporation otherwise would without regard to the exclusion. On Schedule D, line 7, enter “Qualified Community Asset” in column (a) and enter as a loss in column (f) the amount of the allowable exclusion. If reporting the sale directly on Schedule D, line 7, use the line directly below the line on which the corporation is reporting the sale.

Collectibles (28%) rate gain or (loss). Report any 28% gain or loss on line 8b of Schedule K (and each shareholder's share in box 8b of Schedule K-1). A collectibles gain or loss is any long-term gain or deductible long-term loss from the sale or exchange of a collectible that is a capital asset.

Collectibles include works of art, rugs, antiques, metals (such as gold, silver, and platinum bullion), gems, stamps, coins, alcoholic beverages, and certain other tangible property.

Also include gain (but not loss) from the sale or exchange of an interest in a partnership or trust held more than 1 year and attributable to unrealized appreciation of collectibles. See Regulations section 1.1(h)-1. Also, attach the statement required under Regulations section 1.1(h)-1(e).