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. (a) "Corporation" includes every corporation except
corporations expressly exempt from the tax by this part or the
Constitution of this state.
(b) (1) For the purposes of the tax imposed under Chapter 3
(commencing with Section 23501), "corporation" also includes
associations (including nonprofit associations that perform services,
borrow money or own property), other than banking associations, and
Massachusetts or business trusts. For the purposes of this part, a
Massachusetts or business trust includes every business organization
consisting essentially of an arrangement whereby property is conveyed
to one, or more than one, trustee for purposes other than the mere
conservation of assets, collecting and disbursing of fixed or
periodic income, or the securing of an obligation. This paragraph
shall apply for income or taxable years beginning before January 1,
1997.
(2) (A) For the purposes of the tax imposed under Chapter 3
(commencing with Section 23501), "corporation" also includes
associations (other than banking associations but including nonprofit
associations that perform services, borrow money or own property),
business trusts, and other business entities classified as
associations.
(B) (i) For purposes of the preceding subparagraph, the
classification of a business entity (including a business trust) as
an association taxable as a corporation (under Chapter 3 (commencing
with Section 23501)) shall be determined under regulations of the
Franchise Tax Board, that shall be consistent with federal
regulations as in effect May 1, 2014, that classify a business entity
as a partnership or an association taxable as a corporation or
disregard the separate existence of certain business entities for tax
purposes.
(ii) The classification of an eligible business entity as a
partnership or an association taxable as a corporation for purposes
of this part, Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001), and Part 10.2
(commencing with Section 18401) shall be the same as the
classification of the entity for federal tax purposes.
(iii) If the separate existence of an eligible business entity is
disregarded for federal tax purposes, the separate existence of that
business entity shall be disregarded for purposes of this part, Part
10 (commencing with Section 17001), and Part 10.2 (commencing with
Section 18401), other than Section 17941 (relating to the tax of a
limited liability company), Section 17942 (relating to the fee of a
limited liability company), Section 18633.5 (relating to the return
of a limited liability company), and Sections 17039 and 23036
(relating to tax credits).
(C) Notwithstanding clauses (ii) and (iii) of subparagraph (B), an
eligible business entity that, for any income year beginning within
the 60-month period preceding January 1, 1997, was properly
classified as an association taxable as a corporation for California
tax purposes shall continue to be an association taxable as a
corporation until it elects, under regulations issued pursuant to
subparagraph (B), to be classified or disregarded the same as the
entity is classified or disregarded for federal tax purposes. The
preceding sentence shall not apply to any entity that, during the
60-month period preceding January 1, 1997, was not doing business in
this state, did not derive income from sources within this state, and
had no owner who was a resident of this state.
(D) This paragraph shall apply for income or taxable years
beginning on and after January 1, 1997.
(c) In addition to the above, for purposes of the tax imposed
under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 23101) for the purpose of
exercising its franchise within this state, "corporation" also
includes any limited liability company that is classified as an
association for California tax purposes.
(d) "Corporation" includes any "corporation" operated by any
receiver, liquidator, referee, trustee or other officers or agents
appointed by any court, or an assignee for the benefit of creditors.
"Corporation" includes any professional corporation incorporated
pursuant to Part 4 (commencing with Section 13400) of Division 3 of
Title 1 of the Corporations Code.
(e) Notwithstanding the above, "corporation" also includes a trust
organized and operated exclusively for purposes contained in Section
23701d.
(f) No provision of the act adding this subdivision shall be
construed to alter existing law with respect to the civil liability
of a limited liability company or its members.