Section 197 of the Internal Revenue Code, relating to amortization of goodwill and certain other intangibles, is modified as follows:
(a) (1) Section 13261(g) of the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993 (P.L. 103-66), relating to effective dates, shall apply, except as otherwise provided.
(2) (A) If a taxpayer has, at any time, made an election for federal purposes under Section 13261(g)(2) of the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993 (P.L. 103-66), relating to election to have amendments apply to property acquired after July 25, 1991, or Section 13261(g)(3) of that act, relating to elective binding contract exception, a separate election for state purposes shall not be allowed under paragraph (3) of subdivision (e) of Section 17024.5 and the federal election shall be binding for purposes of this part.
(B) If a taxpayer has not made an election for federal purposes under Section 13261(g)(2) of the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993 (P.L. 103-66), relating to election to have amendments apply to property acquired after July 25, 1991, or Section 13261(g)(3) of that act, relating to elective binding contract exception, with respect to property acquired before August 11, 1993, then the taxpayer shall not be allowed to make an election under Section 13261(g) of the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993 (P.L. 103-66), for purposes of this part, with respect to that property.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, each of the following shall apply:
(1) No deduction shall be allowed under this section for any taxable year beginning prior to January 1, 1994.
(2) No inference is intended with respect to the allowance or denial of any deduction for amortization in any taxable year beginning before January 1, 1994.
(3) In the case of an intangible that was acquired in a taxable year beginning before January 1, 1994, the amount to be amortized shall not exceed the adjusted basis of that intangible as of the first day of the first taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 1994, and that amount shall be amortized ratably over the period beginning with the first month of the first taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 1994, and ending 15 years after the month in which the intangible was acquired.
(Amended by Stats. 1997, Ch. 611, Sec. 37. Effective October 3, 1997.)