Feeder organizations — Us Code Code § 502

Us Code Code § 502 — Feeder organizations. Reproduced from the official United States Code, with a citation summary, verification link, and related provisions.

§ 502. Feeder organizations

(a) General rule

An organization operated for the primary purpose of carrying on a trade or business for profit shall not be exempt from taxation under section 501 on the ground that all of its profits are payable to one or more organizations exempt from taxation under section 501.

(b) Special rule

For purposes of this section, the term "trade or business" shall not include—

(1) the deriving of rents which would be excluded under section 512(b)(3), if section 512 applied to the organization,

(2) any trade or business in which substantially all the work in carrying on such trade or business is performed for the organization without compensation, or

(3) any trade or business which is the selling of merchandise, substantially all of which has been received by the organization as gifts or contributions.

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 166; Pub. L. 91–172, title I, §121(b)(7), Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 542.)


Editorial Notes

Amendments

1969—Pub. L. 91–172 redesignated first sentence of existing provisions as subsec. (a), and substantial portion of second sentence as subsec. (b)(1), and, in subsec. (b)(1) as so redesignated, inserted reference to section 512 of this title, and added pars. (2) and (3).


Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1969 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 91–172 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1969, see section 121(g) of Pub. L. 91–172, set out as a note under section 511 of this title.

About This Section

26 U.S.C. § 502 is part of Title 26 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 26 U.S.C. § 502. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

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Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

At a glance

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Common questions

What is the source of United States Code § 502?

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What subject does United States Code § 502 address?

It addresses "Feeder organizations". Read the section together with the surrounding provisions listed under "Nearby provisions" for the full picture.

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