### Question
How does the law define liability?


### Answer
Under *26 U.S.C. § 456*, **liability** is defined as:

> a liability to render services or make available membership privileges over a period of time which does not exceed 36 months, which liability shall be deemed to exist ratably over the period of time that such services are required to be rendered, or that such membership privileges are required to be made available

#### Citation:
  - *26 U.S.C. § 456*
  - Heading: **Subtitle A-Income Taxes > CHAPTER 1-NORMAL TAXES AND SURTAXES > Subchapter E-Accounting Periods and Methods of Accounting > PART II-METHODS OF ACCOUNTING > Subpart B-Taxable Year for Which Items of Gross Income Included**

