(a) Prepaid subscription income to which this section applies shall be included in gross income for the taxable years during which the liability described in subsection (d)(2) exists.
(b) In the case of any prepaid subscription income to which this section applies—
(1) If the liability described in subsection (d)(2) ends, then so much of such income as was not includable in gross income under subsection (a) for preceding taxable years shall be included in gross income for the taxable year in which the liability ends.
(2) If the taxpayer ceases to be subject to tax measured by net income imposed under Chapter 2 (commencing at Section 23101) or Chapter 3 (commencing at Section 23501) of this part, then so much of such income as was not includable in gross income under subsection (a) for preceding taxable years shall be included in the measure of tax for the last year in which the taxpayer is subject to the tax measured by net income imposed under Chapter 2 or Chapter 3 of this part.
(c) (1) This section shall apply to prepaid subscription income if and only if the taxpayer makes an election under this section with respect to the trade or business in connection with which such income is received. The election shall be made in such manner as the Franchise Tax Board may by regulations prescribe. No election may be made with respect to a trade or business if in computing net income the cash receipts and disbursements method of accounting is used with respect to such trade or business.
(2) An election made under this section shall apply to all prepaid subscription income received in connection with the trade or business with respect to which the taxpayer has made the election; except that the taxpayer may, to the extent permitted under regulations prescribed by the Franchise Tax Board, include in gross income for the taxable year of receipt the entire amount of any prepaid subscription income if the liability from which it arose is to end within 12 months after the date of receipt. An election made under this section shall not apply to any prepaid subscription income received before the first taxable year for which the election is made.
(3) (A) A taxpayer may, with the consent of the Franchise Tax Board, make an election under this section at any time.
(B) A taxpayer may, without the consent of the Franchise Tax Board, make an election under this section for his first taxable year (i) which begins after December 31, 1960, and (ii) in which it receives prepaid subscription income in the trade or business. Such election shall be made not later than the time prescribed by law for filing the return for the taxable year (including extensions thereof) with respect to which such election is made.
(4) An election under this section shall be effective for the taxable year with respect to which it is first made and for all subsequent taxable years, unless the taxpayer secures the consent of the Franchise Tax Board to the revocation of such election. For purposes of this part, the computation of net income under an election made under this section shall be treated as a method of accounting.
(d) For purposes of this section—
(1) The term “prepaid subscription income” means any amount (includable in gross income) which is received in connection with, and is directly attributable to, a liability which extends beyond the close of the taxable year in which such amount is received, and which is income from a subscription to a newspaper, magazine, or other periodical.
(2) The term “liability” means a liability to furnish or deliver a newspaper, magazine, or other periodical.
(3) Prepaid subscription income shall be treated as received during the taxable year for which it is includable in gross income under Section 24661 (without regard to this section).
(e) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, any taxpayer who has, for taxable years prior to the first taxable year to which this section applies, reported his income under an established and consistent method or practice of accounting for prepaid subscription income (to which this section would apply if an election were made) may continue to report his income for taxable years to which this part applies in accordance with such method or practice.
(Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 862, Sec. 186. Effective January 1, 2001.)