### Question
How does the law define publicly held corporation?


### Answer
Under *26 U.S.C. § 162*, **publicly held corporation** is defined as:

> any corporation issuing any class of common equity securities required to be registered under section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

#### Citation:
  - *26 U.S.C. § 162*
  - Heading: **Subtitle A-Income Taxes > CHAPTER 1-NORMAL TAXES AND SURTAXES > Subchapter B-Computation of Taxable Income > PART VI-ITEMIZED DEDUCTIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS AND CORPORATIONS**

