11 U.S.C. § 504 — Sharing of compensation

Page 112 TITLE 11—BANKRUPTCY § 504 Subsec. (b)(6). Pub. L. 99–554, § 283(g)(3), substituted a period for ‘‘; and’’. 1984—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 98–353, § 446(1), struck out the comma after ‘‘be allowed’’ in provisions preceding par. (1). Subsec. (b)(1)(C). Pub. L. 98–353, § 446(2), struck out the comma after ‘‘credit’’. Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 98–353, § 446(3), inserted ‘‘(a)’’ after ‘‘330’’. Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 98–353, § 446(4), inserted a comma after ‘‘paragraph (4) of this subsection’’. Subsec. (b)(3)(C). Pub. L. 98–353, § 446(5), struck out the comma after ‘‘case’’. Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 98–353, § 446(6), struck out ‘‘and’’ after ‘‘title;’’. Subsec. (b)(6). Pub. L. 98–353, § 446(7), substituted ‘‘; and’’ for period at end. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries EFFECTIVE AND TERMINATION DATES OF 2020 AMENDMENT Amendment by section 320(b) of div. N of Pub. L. 116–260 effective on the date on which the Adminis- trator of the Small Business Administration submits to the Director of the Executive Office for United States Trustees a written determination relating to loan eligi- bility under pars. (36) and (37) of section 636(a) of Title 15, Commerce and Trade, and applicable to any case pending on or commenced on or after such date, and amendment by section 320(f)(2)(A)(ii) of div. N of Pub. L. 116–260, relating to repeal of such amendment if it became effective, effective two years after Dec. 27, 2020, see section 320(f) of Pub. L. 116–260, set out as a note under section 364 of this title. [Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 636(a)(36)(A)(iii), the ‘‘cov- ered period’’ for loans under the Paycheck Protection Program ended on June 30, 2021.] EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2005 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 109–8 effective 180 days after Apr. 20, 2005, and not applicable with respect to cases commenced under this title before such effective date, except as otherwise provided, see section 1501 of Pub. L. 109–8, set out as a note under section 101 of this title. EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1994 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 103–394 effective Oct. 22, 1994, and not applicable with respect to cases commenced under this title before Oct. 22, 1994, see section 702 of Pub. L. 103–394, set out as a note under section 101 of this title. EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1986 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 99–554 effective 30 days after Oct. 27, 1986, see section 302(a) of Pub. L. 99–554, set out as a note under section 581 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure. EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1984 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 98–353 effective with respect to cases filed 90 days after July 10, 1984, see section 552(a) of Pub. L. 98–353, set out as a note under section 101 of this title. § 504. Sharing of compensation (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a person receiving compensation or re- imbursement under section 503(b)(2) or 503(b)(4) of this title may not share or agree to share— (1) any such compensation or reimbursement with another person; or (2) any compensation or reimbursement re- ceived by another person under such sections. (b)(1) A member, partner, or regular associate in a professional association, corporation, or partnership may share compensation or reim- bursement received under section 503(b)(2) or 503(b)(4) of this title with another member, part- ner, or regular associate in such association, corporation, or partnership, and may share in any compensation or reimbursement received under such sections by another member, part- ner, or regular associate in such association, corporation, or partnership. (2) An attorney for a creditor that files a peti- tion under section 303 of this title may share compensation and reimbursement received under section 503(b)(4) of this title with any other attorney contributing to the services ren- dered or expenses incurred by such creditor’s at- torney. (c) This section shall not apply with respect to sharing, or agreeing to share, compensation with a bona fide public service attorney referral program that operates in accordance with non- Federal law regulating attorney referral serv- ices and with rules of professional responsibility applicable to attorney acceptance of referrals. (Pub. L. 95–598, Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2582; Pub. L. 109–8, title III, § 326, Apr. 20, 2005, 119 Stat. 99.) HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES SENATE REPORT NO. 95–989 Section 504 prohibits the sharing of compensation, or fee splitting, among attorneys, other professionals, or trustees. The section provides only two exceptions: partners or associates in the same professional associa- tion, partnership, or corporation may share compensa- tion inter se; and attorneys for petitioning creditors that join in a petition commencing an involuntary case may share compensation. Editorial Notes AMENDMENTS 2005—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 109–8 added subsec. (c). Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2005 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 109–8 effective 180 days after Apr. 20, 2005, and not applicable with respect to cases commenced under this title before such effective date, except as otherwise provided, see section 1501 of Pub. L. 109–8, set out as a note under section 101 of this title. § 505. Determination of tax liability (a)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the court may determine the amount or legality of any tax, any fine or pen- alty relating to a tax, or any addition to tax, whether or not previously assessed, whether or not paid, and whether or not contested before and adjudicated by a judicial or administrative tribunal of competent jurisdiction. (2) The court may not so determine— (A) the amount or legality of a tax, fine, penalty, or addition to tax if such amount or legality was contested before and adjudicated by a judicial or administrative tribunal of competent jurisdiction before the commence- ment of the case under this title; (B) any right of the estate to a tax refund, before the earlier of— (i) 120 days after the trustee properly re- quests such refund from the governmental unit from which such refund is claimed; or