(a)
Section 1017 of the Internal Revenue Code, relating to discharge of indebtedness, shall apply, except as otherwise provided. References to affiliated groups which file a consolidated return under Section 1501 of the Internal Revenue Code shall be treated as meaning members of the same unitary group which file a combined report under Article 1 (commencing with Section 25101) of Chapter 17.
(b)
The amendments to Section 1017 of the Internal Revenue Code made by Section 13150 of the Revenue and Reconciliation Act of 1993 (Public Law 103-66), relating to modifications of discharge of indebtedness provisions, shall apply to discharges occurring on or after January 1, 1996, in taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 1996.