2018 Instructions for Schedule P 541 Alternative Minimum Tax and Credit Limitations – Fiduciaries

IF the property is…	THEN use the…
IRC Section 1250(c) property	Straight-line method over 40 years.
Tangible property (other than the IRC Section 1250(c) property) depreciated using straight-line for the regular tax	Straight-line method over property’s AMT class life.
Any other tangible property	150% declining balance method, switching to straight-line the first tax year it gives a larger deduction, over the property’s AMT class life.

Property placed in service after 1998. For property placed in service after 1998, no adjustment is necessary if the property is IRC Section 1250(c) property or tangible property, other than IRC Section 1250(c) property; depreciated using the straight-line or 150% declining balance method for the regular tax. For any other tangible property, use the 150% declining balance method, switching to straight‑line the first taxable year it gives a larger deduction, and the same convention and recovery period used for the regular tax.

For more information, get federal Schedule I (Form 1041); federal Publication 946, How to Depreciate Property; or see IRC Section 168(g).

Certain grapevines. Grapevines that were replanted as a result of phylloxera infestation or Pierce’s Disease that are depreciated over 5 years for regular tax, must be depreciated over 10 years for AMT.

S corporation shareholders, Partners, LLC members. Enter the amount shown on the Schedule K-1 (100S, 565, or 568), Share of Income, Deductions, Credits, etc., issued by your S corporation, partnership, or LLC for post-1986 depreciation.

Enter on line 4e the difference between depreciation for regular tax and depreciation for AMT. To figure the AMT adjustment on this line, subtract the depreciation figure calculated for AMT from the depreciation allowed for regular tax. If the depreciation calculated for AMT is greater than the depreciation allowed for regular tax, enter the adjustment as a negative amount. Do not include depreciation from the following:

• An activity for which the estate or trust is not at risk
• Amounts received from a S corporation, partnership, or LLC if the basis limitations under IRC Section 704(d) or Section 1366(d) apply
• A passive activity
• A tax shelter farm activity

Instead, include these depreciation adjustments when figuring the adjustments on line 4l, line 4m, or line 4n, whichever applies.

Line 4f – Circulation and research and experimental expenditures paid or incurred after 1986

If the estate or trust elected the optional 3-year write-off period for circulation expenditures and/or the optional 10-year write-off period for research and experimental expenditures under IRC Section 59(e), skip this line.

Circulation expenditures. For regular tax, IRC Section 173 allows a deduction for the full amount of circulation expenditures in the taxable year paid or incurred. For AMT, these expenditures must be amortized over three years beginning with the year the expenditures were paid or incurred. Enter on this line the difference between the AMT deduction and the regular tax deduction. If the AMT deduction is more than the regular tax deduction, enter the difference as a negative amount.

Research and experimental expenditures. For regular tax, IRC Section 174(a) allows a deduction for research and experimental expenditures in the taxable year paid or incurred. For AMT, these expenditures must be amortized over a 10-year period. To figure the AMT adjustment, subtract the amortization figured for AMT from the amortization allowed for regular tax. If the AMT amortization is greater than regular tax amortization, enter the adjustment as a negative amount. Otherwise, enter the difference as a positive amount.

See IRC Section 56(b)(2)(B) for special rules that apply to losses related to circulation, research, or experimental expenditures.

Line 4g – Mining exploration and development costs paid or incurred after 1986

If the estate or trust elected the optional 10-year write-off under IRC Section 59(e), skip this line.

For regular tax, IRC Sections 616(a) and 617(a) allow a deduction for mining exploration and development costs in the taxable year paid or incurred. For AMT, these costs must be capitalized and amortized over 10 years beginning with the taxable year the expenditures were paid or incurred. Enter the difference between the AMT mining amortization and the regular tax mining deduction. If the AMT mining amortization is more than the regular tax mining deduction, enter the adjustment as a negative amount.

See IRC Section 56(a)(2)(B) for special rules that apply to losses related to mining property.

Line 4h – Long-term contracts entered into after February 28, 1986

For AMT, the percentage-of-completion method of accounting described in IRC Section 460(b) generally must be used. This rule does not apply to home construction contracts, as defined in IRC Section 460(e)(6).

To figure the AMT adjustment, subtract the amount computed using the percentage-of-completion method for AMT from the amount allowed for regular tax. If the amount for AMT is less than the amount computed for regular tax, enter the difference as a negative amount.

Line 4i – Amortization of pollution control facilities placed in service after 1986

For regular tax, the estate or trust may elect to amortize the basis of a certified pollution control facility over 60 months.

For facilities placed in service before 1999, the AMT deduction is figured using the alternative depreciation system (ADS) described in IRC Section 168(g). Use the federal Class Life Asset Depreciation Range System (ADR) under the straight-line method.

For facilities placed in service after 1998, the AMT deduction is figured under the modified accelerated cost recovery system (MACRS) using the straight-line method.

To figure the AMT adjustment on line 4i, subtract the amount figured for AMT from the amount allowed for regular tax. If the AMT pollution control facilities depreciation is more than the regular tax pollution control facilities amortization, enter the difference as a negative amount.

Line 4j – Installment sales of certain property

If, for regular tax purposes, the estate or trust used the installment method to report any non-dealer disposition of property that occurred after August 16, 1986, but before the first day of your taxable year that began in 1990, and if the obligation that arose from the disposition was an installment obligation to which the proportionate disallowance rule applied, you must refigure your income for AMT without regard to the installment method.

Enter the difference between your AMT and regular tax income on this line. If the AMT income is smaller, enter the difference as a negative amount.

California conforms to the repeal of the installment method alternative minimum tax adjustment for farmers for payments received in taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 1997, for installment sales made in income years beginning after December 31, 1987.

Line 4k – Adjusted gain or loss (including incentive stock options)

The estate or trust will have an entry on this line only if it reported a gain or loss from the sale or exchange of business or income-producing property on Schedule D (541), Capital Gain and Loss, Schedule D-1 or federal Form 4684, Casualties and Thefts.

Generally, if the estate or trust reported a gain or loss from the sale or exchange of mutual funds, stocks, or bonds, there will not be an entry on this line.

Figure the AMT adjustment for this line as follows:

Step 1 – Refigure the adjusted basis of the asset sold by taking into account any AMT adjustments you made this year or in previous years for depreciation (see line 4e), circulation and research and experimental expenditures (see line 4f), mining cost (see line 4g), pollution control facilities (see line 4i), and incentive stock options (see line 4k).

Step 2 – Refigure your gain or loss using the adjusted basis figured in Step 1.

Step 3 – Figure the difference between the refigured gain or loss for AMT and the gain or loss reported for regular tax. Enter the result on line 4k. Enter the difference as a negative if any of the following apply:

• The AMT gain is less than the regular tax gain.
• The AMT loss is more than the regular tax loss.
• You have an AMT loss and a regular tax gain.

Incentive stock options (ISOs). For regular tax, no income is recognized when an ISO, as defined in IRC Section 422(b), is granted or exercised. However, this rule does not apply for AMT for ISOs exercised after December 31, 1987. Instead, the estate or trust must include the excess, if any, of:

• The fair market value (FMV) of the option (determined without regard to any lapse restriction) at the first time the rights in the option become transferable or when these rights are no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, over
• The amount the estate or trust paid for the option.

Increase the AMT basis of any stock acquired through the exercise of an ISO by the amount of the adjustment. Do not make an AMT adjustment if the estate or trust exercised an ISO and disposed of that stock in the same year.

Line 4l – Certain loss limitations

If you include adjustments or preferences on this line, do not include them on any other line of this schedule. If the loss is from a passive activity, use line 4n instead. If the loss is from a tax shelter farm activity (that is not passive), use line 4m.

For AMT, refigure certain limited losses using the AMT adjustments and tax preferences. Refigure the gains and losses from activities for which the estate or trust is not at risk. Also, refigure the basis limitations that apply to S corporations and partnerships. See IRC Sections 59(h), 465, 704(d), and 1366(d).

Enter on this line the difference between AMT limited losses (from activities reported on federal Schedules C (Form 1040), C-EZ (Form 1040), E (Form 1040), F (Form 1040) or federal Form 4835, Farm Rental Income and Expenses), and the regular tax limited losses from these activities. If the AMT limited loss is less than the regular tax limited loss, enter the difference as a negative amount.

Line 4m – Tax shelter farm activities

If you include AMT adjustments or tax preferences on this line, do not include them on any other line of this schedule.

Complete this line only if the estate or trust has a gain or loss from a tax shelter farm activity, as defined in IRC Section 58(a)(2), that is not a passive activity. If the tax shelter farm activity is a passive activity, you must include it with other passive activities on line 4n.

Refigure all gains and losses reported for regular tax from tax shelter farm activities using the AMT adjustments and preferences.

Figure the tax shelter farm activity gain or loss for AMT using the same rules used for regular tax except for the following:

• Do not take any recomputed loss unless the estate or trust is insolvent, see IRC Section 58(c)(1).
• Do not offset gains from other tax shelter farm activities with the recomputed loss.

Suspend and carry over the loss to future taxable years until one of the following applies:

• There is a gain in a future taxable year from that same activity.
• The activity is disposed of.

Enter on this line the difference between the tax shelter farm loss for AMT and regular tax.

Line 4n – Passive activities

If you include AMT adjustments or preferences on this line, do not include them on any other line of this schedule.

The estate or trust may want to complete a second form FTB 3801, Passive Activity Loss Limitations, and the other forms or schedules on which passive activities are reported to figure this adjustment.

Several types of adjustments may be entered on this line.

Regular passive activities. Refigure the passive activity gains and losses for AMT by taking into account all AMT adjustments, preferences and AMT prior year unallowed losses that apply to the passive activity. The adjustment is the difference between the AMT passive activity income or loss (from activities reported on federal Schedules C (Form 1040), C-EZ (Form 1040), E (Form 1040), F (Form 1040) or federal Form 4835) and the regular tax passive activity income or loss from these activities.

Publicly traded partnership (PTP). If the estate or trust had a loss from a PTP, it will have to refigure the loss using any AMT adjustments, tax preferences, and any AMT prior year unallowed loss.

Tax shelter passive farm activities. Refigure any gain or loss from a tax shelter passive farm activity. Take into account all AMT adjustments, tax preferences, and AMT prior year unallowed losses. Do not include a tax shelter passive farm activity loss on your AMT form FTB 3801. Instead, carry the loss forward to offset against future tax shelter passive farm activities.

Insolvency. If, at the end of the taxable year, the liabilities of the estate or trust exceed the FMV of its assets, increase the passive activity loss allowed by the excess (but not more than the total loss). See IRC Section 58(c)(1).

Line 4o – Beneficiaries of other trusts or decedent’s estates

If the estate or trust is a beneficiary of another estate or trust, enter on this line the amount from Schedule K-1 (541), line 12a. This is the estate’s or trust’s share of the distributable AMTI from the other estate or trust.

Line 4p – Depletion

For AMT, if the depletion deduction for mines, wells, and other natural deposits determined under IRC Section 611 exceeds the adjusted basis of the property at the end of the taxable year, the estate or trust will have a depletion adjustment. To figure the adjusted basis, use the rules in IRC Section 1016 but do not reduce the adjusted basis by current-year depletion. Figure the excess amount separately for each property. Enter on this line only the depletion amount that exceeds the adjusted basis. Get the instructions to federal Schedule I (Form 1041), line 6 for more information.

California conforms to the federal repeal of the AMT depletion adjustment for independent oil and gas producers and royalty owners. For more information, get federal Form 6251, Alternative Minimum Tax – Individuals, and instructions. However, your California depletion costs may continue to be different from the federal amounts because of prior differences in law and different basis.

Line 4q – Intangible drilling costs

If the estate or trust elected the optional 60-month write-off under IRC Section 59(e) for all property in this category, skip this line.

For AMT, intangible drilling costs (IDCs) from oil, gas, and geothermal wells are preferences if the excess IDCs exceed 65% of the net income from the wells. Figure the preference for oil and gas properties separate from geothermal properties. To figure excess IDCs:

1. Figure the amount of the IDCs allowed for regular tax under IRC Section 263(c). Do not include any deduction for nonproductive wells. Refigure the IDCs allowed for AMT by amortizing them over 120 months, starting with the month the well was placed in production. Then subtract the AMT IDCs from the regular tax IDCs to get the excess IDCs. The estate or trust may elect to use any other method that is allowed in determining cost depletion.
2. Figure net income by reducing the gross income, from all oil, gas, and geothermal wells that was received or accrued during the taxable year by any deductions allocable to these properties (reduced by the excess IDCs). Use only income and deductions allowed for AMT.
3. Multiply the net income by 65% (.65). Subtract the result from the excess IDCs figured in Step A. This is the excess IDCs. Enter the result on line 4q.

Exception. The preference for IDCs from oil and gas wells does not apply to taxpayers who are independent producers, i.e., not integrated oil companies as defined in IRC Section 291(b)(4). However, this benefit may be limited. First, figure the IDC preference as if this exception did not apply. Then, for purposes of this exception, complete Schedule P (541) through line 6, including the IDC preference. If the amount of the IDC preference exceeds 40% of the amount figured for line 6, enter the excess on line 4q (the benefit of this exception is limited). If the amount of the IDC preference is equal to or less than 40% of the amount figured for line 6, do not enter an amount on line 4q (the benefit of this exception is not limited).

Line 4r – California qualified stock options

Include the amount of compensation excluded from the employee’s gross income for regular tax from the exercise of California qualified stock options (CQSOs). This amount is the difference between the FMV of the corporation’s stock on the date the option is exercised and the amount the employee paid for the stock.

Line 4s – Other adjustments

Include on this line:

• Patron’s adjustment. Distributions the estate or trust received from a cooperative may be includible in income. Unless the distributions are nontaxable, include on line 4s the total AMT patronage dividend and per-unit retain allocation adjustment reported to the estate or trust by the cooperative.
• Related adjustments. AMT adjustments and tax preferences may affect deductions that are based on an income limit other than AGI or modified AGI (e.g., farm conservation expenses). Refigure these deductions using the income limit as modified for AMT. Include the difference between the regular tax and AMT deduction on line 4r. If the AMT deduction is more than the regular tax deduction, include the difference as a negative amount.

Do not make an adjustment on line 4s for an item you refigured on another line of Schedule P (541).

Line 7a – Alternative minimum tax NOL deduction

For loss years beginning after 1986, reduce any NOL by any positive AMT adjustments in that year. Increase the NOL by negative adjustments. Also, reduce the NOL by any tax preferences, but only to the extent they increase the NOL figured for regular tax.

Line 7b – AMTI Exclusion

Qualified taxpayers shall exclude income from any trade or business when figuring AMTI. If you are a qualified taxpayer (see General Information G, Alternative Minimum Taxable Income (AMTI) Exclusion), enter your taxable trade or business income on line 7b. If zero or less, enter -0-.

Part II – Income Distribution Deduction on an Alternative Minimum (AMT) Tax Basis

Line 5

Enter any capital gains that were paid or permanently set aside for charitable purposes from the current year’s income included on Form 541, Schedule A, Charitable Deduction, line 1c.

Line 6 and Line 7

Capital gains and losses must take into account any basis adjustments from Part I, line 4k.

Line 15 – Income distribution deduction on an AMT basis

Allocate the income distribution deduction computed on an AMT basis among the beneficiaries in the same manner as income was allocated for regular tax. Report each beneficiary’s share on the respective Schedule K-1 (541), line 12a.

Part III – Tentative Minimum Tax (TMT) and Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) Computation

Line 9

Enter the total of the estate’s or trust’s regular tax from Form 541, line 21a.

Part IV – Credits That Reduce Tax

Complete Part IV only if you have tax credits.

Use Part IV to determine the following:

• Amount of credit that may be used to offset tax
• Tax that may be offset
• Amount of credit, if any, that may be carried over to future years
• Order in which to claim credits, if you have more than one credit to claim

Before you begin Part IV:

• Complete Form 541 through line 22.
• Figure the amount of your credits using the credit form or worksheet identified in the Credit Table on the next page. Attach the credit form to your tax return if one is required.

To complete Part IV:

• Complete line 1 through line 3 to figure the amount of excess tax you may offset by credits.
• Identify which sections of Part IV you may take your tax credits. Credits without carryover provisions are listed on Schedule P (541) in Section A1 and Section B2 and may be taken only in those sections. The table on the next page identifies the sections of Part IV in which you may take these tax credits.
• If you have credits in Section B, complete line 10 in addition to the lines for your credits.
• If your credit is taken in Section A2 or Section B1, enter the credit code and the credit name in the space provided. See the Credit Table on the next page.
• Complete column (a) through column (d) for each line on which you are taking a credit. See “Column Instructions” below.
• If your credits are taken in more than one section, complete each section before going to the next section.
• Once you have completed Part IV, see “How to Claim Credits” on the next page.

Section A Instructions

Line 3

Subtract line 2 from line 1. If the amount is zero or less, go to Question 1. If the amount is greater than zero, go to the Section A1 instructions.

1. Does the Credit Table show that you may take your credit ONLY in Section A1 or Section A2?
   • Yes You may not take the credit this year. Go to question 2.
   • No Go to Section B to figure the amount of credit you may take this year. Then continue to Section C if your credit is listed in that section.
2. Does the credit have carryover provisions?
   • Yes Enter the credit code, credit name, and credit amount in column (a) of the section indicated by the table. Enter -0- in column (b). Enter the credit amount in column (d). This is the amount of the credit you may carry over and use in future years.
   • No You may not take the credit this year or in future years.

Section A1 Instructions

Line 4

If you have a credit listed in this section, complete column (a) through column (c).

Section A2 Instructions

Line 5 through Line 9

Follow the Credit Table Instructions to find out in which section to claim your credit. Then complete column (a) through column (d) for each credit in each section before going to the next section.

Credit for Prior Year Alternative Minimum Tax

The prior year AMT credit must be applied before any credits that can reduce the regular tax below the TMT. Get form FTB 3510, Credit for Prior Year Alternative Minimum Tax – Individuals or Fiduciaries, to see if the estate or trust qualifies for the credit.

Section B1 Instructions

Line 11 through Line 14

Follow the Credit Table Instructions to find out in which section to claim your credit. Then complete column (a) through column (d) before going to the next section.

Generally, it is to your advantage to apply credits with limited carryovers before credits with no limitation on the carryover. However, you may want to apply credits with no limitation on carryover first if that is more advantageous in your case.

Section B2 Instructions

Line 15

If you have an other state tax credit, complete column (a) through column (c).

Section C Instructions

Line 17 and Line 18

If you have any of the credits listed in this section, complete column (a) through column (d) for each credit in the order listed.

Column Instructions – In column:

(a)   Enter the amount of credit available to offset tax.

(b)   Figure the amount of credit you are able to use this year by entering the smaller of the amount in column (a) or the amount in column (c) from the previous line.

(c)   Figure the amount of tax remaining to be offset by other credits by subtracting the amount in column (b) from the balance in column (c) of the previous line.

(d)   Enter the amount of credit carryover available to use in future years by subtracting the amount in column (b) from the amount in column (a).

Credit Table Instructions

To use the table:

1. Find your credits listed in the tables below.
2. See which sections are identified in the columns under “Offset Tax in Section:”
3. Take the credit only in sections the table identifies for your credit.
4. Use the credit in the earliest section possible.
5. Complete each section before going to the next section.

How to Claim Credits:

Claim credits by transferring them to Form 541 or Form 109, California Exempt Organization Business Income Tax Return, as follows:

Form 541 filers: If only one credit is claimed, enter the credit code and amount of the credit on Form 541, line 23. If two or more credits are claimed, add the amounts from Part IV, column (b), line 4 through line 9 and line 11 through line 15. Enter the total on Form 541, line 23.

Form 109 filers: If one to three credits are claimed, enter the credit name, code, and amount on Form 109, Schedule B, line 1 through line 3.

If more than three credits are claimed, see Form 109, Schedule B, Tax Credits, instructions.

Credit Table

Code	Repealed Credits with Carryover Provisions	Form	Offset Tax in Section
175	Agricultural Products	FTB 3540	A2
223	California Motion Picture and Television Production	FTB 3541	A2
196	Commercial Solar Electric System	FTB 3540	B1
181	Commercial Solar Energy	FTB 3540	B1   C
209	Community Development Financial Institutions Investment	N/A	A2
224	Donated Fresh Fruits or Vegetables	FTB 3540	A2
194	Employee Ridesharing	FTB 3540	A2
190	Employer Child Care Contribution	FTB 3540	A2
189	Employer Child Care Program	FTB 3540	A2
191	Employer Ridesharing (Large)	FTB 3540	A2
192	Employer Ridesharing (Small)	FTB 3540	A2
193	Employer Ridesharing (Transit Passes)	FTB 3540	A2
182	Energy Conservation	FTB 3540	A2
176	Enterprise Zone Sales or Use Tax	FTB 3805Z	B1
218	Environmental Tax	FTB 3540	A2
207	Farmworker Housing	FTB 3540	A2
198	Local Agency Military Base Recovery Area Sales or Use Tax	FTB 3807	A2
160	Low-Emission Vehicles	FTB 3540	A2
211	Manufacturing Enhancement Area Hiring	FTB 3808	A2
220	New Jobs	FTB 3540	A2
185	Orphan Drug	FTB 3540	B1
184	Political Contributions	FTB 3540	A2
174	Recycling Equipment	FTB 3540	A2
186	Residential Rental & Farm Sales	FTB 3540	A2
206	Rice Straw	FTB 3540	A2
171	Ridesharing	FTB 3540	A2
200	Salmon & Steelhead Trout Habitat Restoration	FTB 3540	A2
180	Solar Energy	FTB 3540	B1   C
179	Solar Pump	FTB 3540	A2
210	Targeted Tax Area Hiring	FTB 3809	B1
210	Target Tax Area Sales or Use Tax	FTB 3809	B1
178	Water Conservation	FTB 3540	A2