Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Updated IRM on 6707A reportable transactions



The IRS update presents guidance in the application of the IRC 6707A penalty, including identification of reportable transactions, the basis for asserting the penalty, and the statute of limitations for assessment.

IRC 6707A provides a monetary penalty for the failure to include on any return or statement any information required to be disclosed under IRC 6011 with respect to a reportable transaction. This penalty was enacted October 22, 2004 under the American Jobs Creation Act (AJCA).  Under Treas. Reg. 1.6011-4, Requirement of Statement Disclosing Participation in Certain Transactions by Taxpayers, taxpayers are required to disclose their participation in several categories of reportable transactions.  The IRC 6707A penalty is imposed in addition to any other penalty that may be imposed against a taxpayer. The penalty applies without regard to whether the underlying transaction is ultimately determined to result in an understatement of tax.Subject to the maximum and minimum limits, the amount of the penalty is "75 percent of the decrease in tax shown on the return" as a result of the reportable transaction (or which would have resulted from such transaction if such transaction were respected for federal tax purposes). 

The maximum penalty in the case of a listed transaction is $100,000 for a natural person and $200,000 for all other taxpayers. In the case of a non-listed reportable transaction, the maximum penalty is $10,000 for a natural person and $50,000 for all other taxpayers.The minimum penalty for both listed transactions and non-listed reportable transactions is $5,000 for a natural person and $10,000 for all other taxpayers. IRC 6707A(e) further provides that taxpayers that have U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing requirements under Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (for example, publicly traded companies) are required to disclose their liability for certain penalties under IRC 6707A, IRC 6662A(c) and IRC 6662(h) in public reports filed with the SEC. See Rev. Proc. 2005-51, 2005-2 C.B. 296, as well as Rev. Proc. 2007-25, 2007-1 C.B 761, for additional information.There is no reasonable cause exception to the IRC 6707A penalty. 

The Commissioner of Internal Revenue (or the commissioner's delegate), however, may rescind the penalty in whole or in part if doing so would promote compliance with the tax code and effective tax administration. This authority applies only to reportable transactions that are not listed transactions.If a penalty is rescinded, the commissioner (or the commissioner's delegate) must keep on file a record of the determination, including the facts and circumstances relating to the violation, the reasons for the decision to rescind the penalty, and the amount of the penalty rescinded. See IRM 1.15.22.1, Description and Authorities, for appropriate retention standards and authorities.

While a taxpayer may challenge an examiner's determination as to its participation in a reportable transaction or as to the adequacy or timeliness of its disclosure of any transaction in Appeals and in court, a taxpayer may not seek review (in Appeals or in court) of the commissioner's denial of a request to rescind the penalty.

The IRS is required to submit an annual report to Congress that includes information regarding the application of the IRC 6707A penalty and the rescission provision, as well as information about the application of certain other penalties.

4.32.4.1.2  (06-05-2012)
Effective Date - IRC 6707A Penalty

  1. The penalty under IRC 6707A applies to returns that are due after October 22, 2004, the date of enactment of the American Jobs Creation Act (AJCA) and that were not filed before that date.

4.32.4.1.3  (06-05-2012)
General Application - IRC 6707A Penalty

  1. Treas. Reg. 301-6707A-1, published on September 7, 2011, advises that the Service may assess a penalty under IRC 6707A with respect to each failure to timely and adequately disclose a reportable transaction as required by IRC 6011 and the associated regulations.
  2. A taxpayer that fails to attach a reportable transaction disclosure statement to a return, including an amended return, and also fails to provide a copy of a required disclosure statement to the Office of Tax Shelter Analysis (OTSA), will only be subject to a single penalty under IRC 6707A. The penalty is also applicable if the taxpayer complies with only one of these two requirements. See Treas. Reg. 301.6707A-1(c)(1) and IRM 4.32.4.2, IRC 6011 - Overview of Disclosure Requirements, for a discussion of when the Form 8886, Reportable Transaction Disclosure Statement, must be sent to OTSA.
  3. The following two examples from Treas. Reg.301.6707A-1(c) illustrate the application of the IRC 6707A penalty for failure to comply with the requirement to file a reportable transaction disclosure statement:
    1. Example 1 - Taxpayer T is required to attach a Form 8886 to its return for the 2008 taxable year and to send a copy of the Form 8886 to OTSA at the time the return is filed. Taxpayer T fails to attach the Form 8886 to its return and fails to send a copy of the Form 8886 to OTSA. Taxpayer T is subject to a single penalty under IRC 6707A for failure to disclose because Taxpayer T failed to comply with the disclosure requirements of IRC 6011 as described in Treas. Reg. 1.6011-4(d) and 1.6011-4(e) of that chapter. A penalty under IRC 6707A also would apply if Taxpayer T had failed to comply with only one of the two requirements as stated in (3) above.
    2. Example 2 - Same as Example 1, except that Taxpayer T also subsequently files an amended return for 2008 that reflects Taxpayer T's participation in the reportable transaction described in Example 1. Taxpayer T fails to attach a Form 8886 to the amended return as required by Treas. Reg. 1.6011-4(e)(1) of this chapter. Taxpayer T is subject to an additional penalty under IRC 6707A for failing to disclose a reportable transaction on the amended return for 2008.

  4. Filing an amended return with a disclosure will not cure the failure to file a disclosure with the original return unless the amended return is filed before the due date of the original return (including extensions). However, the regulations provide that filing a disclosure statement with an amended return will weigh in favor of rescission, provided specific procedures are followed.

    Example:

    Taxpayer's extended due date is August 15. On June 1, he files a return but fails to include the required disclosure. On September 1 (in other words, after the due date of the return), he files an amended return with the disclosure. He is still liable for the penalty. It does not matter that he attempted to cure the problem or whether he attempted to do so before or after the IRS discovered his participation. If, however, Taxpayer filed the amended return before August 15, the amended return would be considered a "superseding return" that is treated as the original return. Because this superseding return was filed with the required disclosure before the due date (as extended), taxpayer is not liable for the IRC 6707A penalty.

  5. In making penalty determinations involving flow-through entities, examiners should note that the IRC 6707A penalty can apply at both the entity level and the individual level. Each entity must be separately analyzed to determine if it is required to disclose its participation in a reportable transaction, and failed to file Form 8886 with its return, and if necessary, with OTSA. See IRM 4.32.4.2, IRC 6011 - Overview of Disclosure Requirements, for a discussion of when the Form 8886 must be sent to OTSA.
  6. In instances when the disclosure statement is due with a return, the IRC 6707A penalty will not be imposed until the taxpayer files a return. In other words, where a disclosure is due with the return, an IRC 6707A penalty will not be imposed where a taxpayer has not yet filed a return, even if the due date for the return has already passed or where the taxpayer files a late return that includes the required disclosure statement (and the required copy to OTSA, if required). In instances where the disclosure statement is not due with a return, such as when a transaction is listed after the taxpayer files a return reflecting participation and is required to provide a disclosure statement to OTSA within 90 days of publication of the listing notice, the penalty is applicable after expiration of the 90-day period.
  7. IRC 6707A penalties must be approved by management. See IRM 4.32.4.4, IRC 6707A Penalty Approval Process.

4.32.4.1.4  (06-05-2012)
Statute of Limitations - General Information

  1. In general, the 30-day letter for the penalty case should be issued with at least nine months remaining on the period of limitations on assessment. This will allow sufficient time for the taxpayer to respond to the 30-day letter; potentially request a 30-day extension of time to prepare a protest; and for the examiner to send the case to Appeals while still ensuring that Appeals receives the case file with six months remaining on the period of limitations on assessment. This also allows time for Appeals to consider and assess the penalty as appropriate.
  2. If the 30-day letter cannot be issued with at least nine months remaining on the period of limitations, the examiner should request an extension of the time to make the assessment from the taxpayer on Form 872, Consent to Extend the Time to Assess Tax. See IRM 4.32.4.1.4.4, Form 872.
  3. Examiners should also consult IRM 25.6.22.2.1, Assessment, which requires that a manager approve the examiner soliciting a consent and IRM 25.6.22.3, Notification of Taxpayer's Rights, which requires that the examiner advise the taxpayer of their right not to extend the statute.

    Note:

    IRM 25.6.22.2.1, Assessment, provides that consent should be solicited at the 180-day time frame. For IRC 6707A penalties, Appeals has requested that examiners solicit consent at the 9-month time frame to ensure that Appeals has additional time due to the complexity of the IRC 6707A cases,

  4. If the taxpayer refuses to extend the statute and all relevant facts to support the penalty are established, proceed to assessment (as described in IRM 4.32.4.7.2) and offer the taxpayer post-assessment Appeals consideration. See IRM 4.32.4.6.3, Sending the Case to Appeals-Post Assessment Consideration, for additional information.
  5. As a conservative measure, the period of limitations in the context of the IRC 6707A penalty should be determined by reference to IRC 6501, Limitations on Assessment and Collection, if disclosure is required with a return. As such, a period of limitations on assessment for the IRC 6707A penalty should be treated as applying when disclosure is required with a return and begins to run from the date the disclosure is required. Under the IRC 6011 regulations, disclosure of a reportable transaction on Form 8886, Reportable Transaction Disclosure Statement, is not always made with the taxpayer's return. If a disclosure is not required with a return, then no limitations period applies to assessment of the IRC 6707A penalty. See IRM 4.32.4.1.4.1, Statute of Limitations When Disclosure Is Required With a Return and IRM 4.32.4.1.4.2, Statute of Limitations When Disclosure Is Required Without a Return for further information.
  6. Because the IRC 6707A penalty can be assessed at the entity level (distinct from the shareholder or partner level), the limitations period for assessing the penalty against an S corporation or partnership depends on when the entity was required to disclose its participation and is not controlled by the associated shareholder's or partner's statute.
  7. If the penalty is developed along with the determination of a deficiency with respect to the reportable transaction and a statutory notice of deficiency is issued, the statutory notice of deficiency suspends the time to assess a deficiency (during the 90-day period to file a petition with the Tax Court, while the case is before the Tax Court, and an additional 60 days after the court's decision is final) but does not suspend the time to assess the IRC 6707A penalty.

4.32.4.1.4.1  (06-05-2012)
Statute of Limitations When Disclosure Is Required with Return

  1. General period of limitations: When the Form 8886 is required to be filed with a return, the assessment of the IRC 6707A penalty for a failure to timely and/or properly disclose a reportable transaction generally must, as a conservative measure, be made within three years of the date of filing the underlying return pursuant to IRC 6501, Limitations on Assessment and Collection.
  2. Disclosure is required with a return when a transaction is listed or otherwise reportable at the time the return is filed and the period of limitations on assessment of the IRC 6707A penalty begins on the date that the return to which the disclosure should be attached is deemed filed.
  3. Disclosure is also required with a return in certain situations where the transaction was not listed at the time that the taxpayer filed a return reflecting participation but becomes listed later.
    • An earlier version of Treas. Reg. 1.6011-4, applicable to transactions entered into from June 14, 2002 to August 2, 2007, provides that when a return is filed reflecting a transaction that is not listed but becomes listed at a later time, a taxpayer must attach a disclosure form with respect to "open years" to the "return next filed after the date the transaction is listed" (Treasury Decision (T.D.) 9000, 2002-2 Cumulative Bulletin (C.B.) 87).
    • Accordingly, in this situation, the period of limitations begins when the "return next filed after the date the transaction is listed" is deemed filed regardless of the tax year or years to which the disclosure relates.
    • Taxpayers who entered into the transaction when this earlier version of Treas. Reg. 1.6011-4 was in effect are subject to this version of the regulations for as long as they are in the transaction. See IRM 4.32.4.1.4.2, Statute of Limitations When Disclosure Is Required Without a Return, which discusses Treas. Reg. 1.6011-4 as it applies to situations where a transaction becomes listed after a return reflecting participation is filed.
    • The foregoing rules are conservative measures that do not consider the potential applicability of IRC 6501(c)(10) that may extend the period limitations.

  4. There is an exception for listed transactions. For listed transactions only, IRC 6501(c)(10) provides additional time to make an assessment of the penalty if the disclosure is not made with the return. IRC 6501(c)(10) provides that the period to assess tax with respect to a listed transaction the taxpayer failed to disclose in accordance with IRC 6011 shall not expire before one year after the earlier of:
    • The date the taxpayer provides the information required under IRC 6011, or
    • The date that a material advisor meets the requirements of IRC 6112.

  5. After first following instructions in IRM 4.32.4.1.4.3, General Procedures Applicable to All Reportable Transactions, see Rev. Proc. 2005-26, 2007-17 C.B. 965, for further guidance on IRC 6501(c)(10) and consult Counsel to determine the applicability of this provision.

4.32.4.1.4.2  (06-05-2012)
Statute of Limitations When Disclosure Is Required Without a Return

  1. Treas. Reg. 1.6011-4(e)(2)(i) requires taxpayers to file a disclosure with OTSA within 90 calendar days of the date that a transaction is listed or identified as a transaction of interest (TOI) by the Service, if the taxpayer participated in the transaction and reported tax benefits from it on a previously filed return for which the period for assessing tax remains open.
  2. Because the return on which the taxpayer took the tax benefits of the transaction was already filed and at the time of filing there was no requirement to make the disclosure, the three-year period for assessing tax on a return is not the appropriate limit of the period within which to assess the penalty for failing to file a stand-alone statement. In this situation, no limitations period to assess the IRC 6707A penalty should apply.

4.32.4.1.4.3  (06-05-2012)
General Procedures Regarding the Statute of Limitations - Applicable to All Reportable Transactions

  1. A determination regarding the application of the IRC 6707A penalty should be made within the three-year period (if disclosure is required with the return), if possible, to avoid questions about whether the limitations period is open.
  2. Where it is not possible to complete an appropriate investigation within the three-year period, an examiner should try to obtain the taxpayer's consent to extend the period of limitations. See IRM 4.32.4.1.4.4, Form 872.
  3. Examiners should also consult IRM 25.6.22.2.1, Assessment, which requires that a manager approve the examiner soliciting a consent and IRM 25.6.22.3, Notification of Taxpayer's Rights, which requires that the examiner advise the taxpayer of their right not to extend the statute.

    Note:

    IRM 25.6.22.2.1, Assessment, provides that consent should be solicited at the 180-day time frame. For IRC 6707A penalties, Appeals has requested that examiners solicit consent at the 9-month time frame to ensure that Appeals has additional time due to the complexity of the IRC 6707A cases,

  4. If a taxpayer refuses to extend the period of limitations on assessment and the case is sufficiently developed to assess the IRC 6707A penalty, assess the penalty.
  5. If the taxpayer refuses to extend the period of limitations on assessment for a case involving a listed transaction, and the case is not sufficiently developed to assess the penalty, the examiner should consult with Counsel to determine whether the period in which to assess the tax (and the penalty) is extended under IRC 6501(c)(10).
  6. If the taxpayer refuses to extend the period of limitations on assessment, the examiner may also consult with Counsel, as necessary, to determine whether any other exceptions to the normal period of limitations apply.

4.32.4.1.4.4  (06-05-2012)
Form 872

  1. The Form 872 for the underlying income tax does not extend the period of limitations for assessment of the IRC 6707A penalty unless the form includes specific language addressing the penalty.
  2. The following language is approved for use on the Form 872:

    Example:

    "Without otherwise limiting the applicability of this agreement, this agreement also extends to the expiration date identified in paragraph (1) above the period of limitations for assessing any penalty pursuant to IRC 6707A, Penalty for Failure to Include Reportable Transaction Information with the Return, with respect to the taxpayers, kind of tax, and tax periods identified above."

  3. To extend the period of limitations for the IRC 6707A penalty without also extending the period of limitations for the income tax on the return associated with the IRC 6707A penalty, the language of paragraph (1) of the Form 872 must be revised. See Exhibit 4.32.4-1, Sample Form 872 IRC 6707A Penalty Only for a sample of the penalty only Form 872. See Exhibit 4.32.4-2, Sample Form 872 IRC 6707A Penalty and Income Tax, for a sample of Form 872 to use with both a penalty and income tax. Counsel approved sample Forms 872 for both situations (penalty only or income tax and penalty) can also be found on the 6707A webpage.
  4. The IRC 6707A penalty is not assessed as a joint and several liability; it can be individually applied to each spouse who jointly files a Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, provided each meets the legal criteria for the penalty. For these cases, the examiner should request that each spouse sign a separate Form 872 that has the explicit language from number (2) above. The examiner does not need a separate Form 872 from a spouse for whom the examiner is not considering an IRC 6707A penalty.
  5. To extend the period of limitations for a partnership potentially subject to an IRC 6707A penalty, the Form 872 should be signed by the general partner and not the tax matters partner. As there is no line on the Form 872 for a general partner to sign, the examiner should strike through the words "Corporate Name," write in "Partnership Name" , strike through "Corporate Officer," and substitute "General Partner."
  6. If the taxpayer extends the statute of limitations with respect to the IRC 6707A penalty, ERCS should be updated to reflect the new statute date. The examiner will need to validate that the statute has been updated in the ERCS system. The examiner should secure a printout of the ERCS penalty case record to verify the updated statute.

4.32.4.2  (06-05-2012)
IRC 6011 - Overview of Disclosure Requirements

  1. The application of IRC 6011 reportable transaction disclosure regulations requires that the taxpayer meet the definition of participation in a reportable transaction as those terms are defined in the relevant versions of the regulations, as well as other requirements of the applicable regulations described below.
  2. Whether a taxpayer was required to disclose under the IRC 6011 regulations depends on what version of those regulations was in effect when the taxpayer entered into the transaction.
  3. The version of the regulations that applies to a transaction at the time the transaction was entered into by the taxpayer will remain applicable to the taxpayer, even if the regulations subsequently were modified. When the IRC 6011 regulations do not impose a disclosure requirement, the IRC 6707A penalty cannot apply. Therefore, as explained more fully below, even if a taxpayer files a tax return after October 22, 2004, reflecting participation in a listed or non-listed reportable transaction and fails to file a Form 8886, he or she may not be subject to the IRC 6707A penalty; further analysis is required before imposing the IRC 6707A penalty.
    1. Returns filed on or before February 28, 2000: The disclosure regulations do not apply to any tax returns filed on or before February 28, 2000. See T.D. 8877, 2000-11, C.B. 747 for more details.
    2. Returns filed after February 28, 2000 and transactions entered into before January 1, 2001: The disclosure regulations initially applied to federal corporate income tax returns filed after February 28, 2000. A listed transaction is not treated as a reportable transaction if it has affected the taxpayer's federal income tax liability as reported on any tax return filed on or before February 28, 2000. A transaction may be an "other reportable transaction" only if it is entered into after February 28, 2000. If a taxpayer entered into the transaction before 2001, it could be subject to the disclosure regulations if it: (1) was a corporation and (2) the taxpayer reasonably estimated that the transaction would reduce the taxpayer's federal income tax liability by more than $1 million in any single taxable year or by a total of more than $2 million for any combination of taxable years (the projected tax effect test - Treas. Reg. 1.6011-4T(b)(4)). See T.D. 8877, 2000-11, C.B. 747; T.D. 8896, 2000-36, C.B. 249 and T.D. 8961, 2001-2 C.B. 194. for more details.
    3. Transactions entered into on or after January 1, 2001 and before January 1, 2003: If the taxpayer entered into the transaction on or after January 1, 2001, and filed its tax return reporting the transaction (i.e. reflecting the tax impact of that transaction) on or before June 14, 2002, the taxpayer was subject to the old rule. In other words, the taxpayer was subject to the disclosure rules only if it was a corporation and the transaction reduced the taxpayer's federal income tax liability by the threshold amounts listed under the old rule above. See T.D. 9000, 2002-2 C.B. 87, T.D. 8877, 2000-11, C.B. 747, T.D. 8896, 2000-36, C.B. 249, and T.D. 8961, 2001-2, C.B. 194 for more details. If the taxpayer entered into the transaction on or after January 1, 2001 and did not file its tax return reporting the transaction (i.e., reflecting the tax impact of that transaction) on or before June 14, 2002, the taxpayer was subject to the disclosures if it was a corporation, individual, trust, partnership, or S corporation. However, taxpayers other than corporations were only subject to the disclosure rules with respect to listed transactions. Listed transactions no longer had to meet the projected tax effect test. See T.D. 9000, 2002-2 C.B. 87 for more details.
    4. Transactions entered into on or after January 1, 2003: All taxpayers who are required to file a tax return are subject to the disclosure rules with respect to all reportable transactions, including listed transactions. See T.D. 9017, 2002-2 C.B. 815, T.D. 9046, 2003-1 C,B 614, T.D. 9108, 2004-1 C.B. 429, T.D. 9295, 2006-2 C.B. 1030, and T.D. 9350, 2007-38 I.R.B. 607 for more details.

  4. Since March 2003, the Form 8886, Reportable Transaction Disclosure Statement, has been available to taxpayers for use as the disclosure statement required under IRC 6011 and the regulations. For transactions governed by the regulations issued prior to T.D. 9017, 2002-2 C.B. 815, (i.e., generally transactions entered into before January 1, 2003), taxpayers did not have to use the Form 8886, but they had to disclose the information required under the regulations on a statement attached to their return.
  5. Under Treas. Reg. 1.6011-4(e), the Form 8886 must be attached to the taxpayer's tax return (or amended return) for each taxable year for which a taxpayer participates in a reportable transaction.
  6. A taxpayer filing a Form 8886 with a return for the first time is required to file a duplicate copy of Form 8886 with OTSA at the same time the disclosure statement is first filed by the taxpayer.
  7. The requirement to file Form 8886 arises with respect to a return for the taxable year in which participation in a reportable transaction commences. The requirement to file a duplicate disclosure statement with OTSA applies only with respect to the initial year the Form 8886 is filed.
  8. When a taxpayer fails to file a required Form 8886 in the year the participation in a reportable transaction commences, the requirement to file a duplicate copy with OTSA arises with the earliest filing of a tax return that incorporates the requisite Form 8886. This requirement exists regardless of the duration of the taxpayer's participation in a reportable transaction prior to filing of the Form 8886 with a tax return.
  9. A failure by a taxpayer to submit the disclosure with its return or, when required, the duplicate of the disclosure with OTSA, is a failure to satisfy the disclosure requirement of IRC 6011, which may result in a liability for an IRC 6707A penalty.
  10. There are special rules relating to the filing of a disclosure statement for transactions that become listed transactions or transactions of interest after the taxpayer has filed a return reflecting the taxpayer's participation in the transaction.
  11. In these situations, taxpayers generally have to disclose to OTSA within 90 days after the date the transaction became a listed transaction or transaction of interest.
  12. When a taxpayer participates in more than one reportable transaction, a separate Form 8886 must be filed with respect to each reportable transaction unless the reportable transactions are substantially similar, in which case one Form 8886 may be filed.

4.32.4.2.1  (06-05-2012)
Identifying Reportable Transactions

  1. Treas. Reg. 1.6011-4(b) currently lists five types of reportable transactions:
    1. Listed transactions
    2. Confidential transactions
    3. Transactions with contractual protection
    4. Loss transactions
    5. Transactions of interest

  2. The definition of reportable transaction varies greatly depending on which version of the regulations applies to the transaction, so it is imperative to look to the actual language of the regulations.
  3. Generally, a transaction will not be considered a reportable transaction if the commissioner makes a determination by published guidance that the transaction is not subject to the reporting requirements.
  4. Additionally, exceptions to the disclosure requirements under IRC 6011 have been created (for example, Notice 2006-16) and additional exceptions may be created in the future.

4.32.4.2.2  (06-05-2012)
Participation in Reportable Transactions

  1. In determining the applicability of the IRC 6707A penalty, examiners must evaluate a taxpayer's participation in a reportable transaction within the meaning of Treas. Reg. 1.6011-4(c)(3)(i)(A) through (3)(i)(G). This determination will vary based upon which version of the regulations is in effect for the transaction, so the actual language of the regulations must be consulted.
  2. For various categories of transactions, regulations may provide distinct definitions of participation.
  3. Examiners should consult the regulations and Counsel if the examiner believes that a disclosure requirement may apply to the transaction he or she is reviewing. Examiners can consult SB/SE, TE/GE, and LB&I technical specialists for the issue (if applicable). LB&I examiners can also consult the LB&I Domestic Penalties Advisor or the SB/SE Attorney-Advisor to the Director, Abusive Transactions and Technical Issues. LB&I examiners should also refer to IRM 4.51.6, Issue Management Process Guide, for further guidance if an Issue Management Team (IMT) regarding a tiered issue exists. SB/SE examiners should also refer to IRM 4.32.1.5, Activities of an Issue Management Team, for further guidance where an IMT exists for an issue.

4.32.4.2.3  (06-05-2012)
Miscellaneous Considerations - Tax Accrual Workpapers

  1. When evaluating Forms 8886 filed by a taxpayer, examiners should also consider whether a request for the taxpayer's tax accrual workpapers is appropriate. Checking the box for a listed transaction is one of the requirements on Form 8886, and claiming tax benefits from a listed transaction on a return (or amended return) may also indicate a requirement for the examiner to request certain tax accrual workpapers. However, checking the box on Form 8886 for a transaction of interest, a confidential transaction, a loss transaction, or a contractual protection transaction should not necessarily lead the examiner to consider requesting any tax accrual workpapers. The examiner should also be cautious in evaluating a taxpayer's "protective disclosure," that a transaction is actually listed or substantially similar to a listed one, before consulting Counsel on whether a request for tax accrual workpapers is appropriate.
  2. For guidance in making this determination, examiners should refer to Announcement 2002-63, which sets forth the Service's revised policy regarding when it will request, and, if necessary, summon tax accrual workpapers and other financial audit workpapers.
  3. Examiners also should review IRM 4.10.20, Requesting Audit, Tax Accrual or Tax Reconciliation Workpapers, and consult Counsel.

4.32.4.3  (06-05-2012)
Processing Procedures - IRC 6707A Penalty

  1. This section describes the procedures examiners must follow to assert the IRC 6707A penalty.

4.32.4.3.1  (06-05-2012)
General Information

  1. The IRC 6707A penalty may be imposed even if an income tax examination results in no change in tax liability or if no income tax examination is opened, as long as sufficient evidence is obtained to support the conclusion that the taxpayer participated in a reportable transaction, had a duty to disclose that participation, and failed to properly disclose. There must also be sufficient factual information to support the calculation of the penalty amount.
  2. When an IRC 6707A penalty is developed in conjunction with an income tax examination, the examiner does not need to conclude the income tax examination before issuing the 30-day letter for the IRC 6707A penalty, provided all relevant facts to support the penalty are established. Likewise, an examiner also does not need to conclude the IRC 6707A penalty investigation before issuing the 30-day letter for the income tax examination. In other words, the examiner should not arbitrarily hold one case to allow the other case to "catch up." If the timing is appropriate for the income tax and IRC 6707A penalty cases, the 30-day letters for both can be issued at the same time.

4.32.4.3.1.1  (06-05-2012)
Case Handling and Time Reporting Procedures

  1. Penalty cases involving a potential IRC 6707A penalty are established as penalty investigations on the Examination Returns Control System (ERCS) and include the appropriate project and tracking codes. See IRM 4.32.2.5.5. SB/SE Tracking Codes, or examiners may refer to the ATTI website on My SB/SE Examination or the LB&I Office of Tax Shelter Analysis (OTSA) website.
  2. Complete Form 5345-D, Examination Request-ERCS Users (for each spouse under the respective TIN, if applicable), to put the investigation on ERCS; check the box "Control penalty investigation," use Source Code 99, and use penalty MFT P5.
  3. An examiner's time will be charged to Activity Code 505.
  4. This case is created and tracked on ERCS. It will not be on the AIMS database.
  5. If SB/SE or LB&I is involved in a concurrent examination with TE/GE, then the penalty case file will be assigned to the SB/SE or LB&I examiner. For example, a TE/GE examiner would analyze and write-up whether a transaction is substantially similar to a listed transaction and the SB/SE or LB&I examiner would analyze whether the taxpayer had a duty to disclose the transaction under Treas. Reg. 1.6011-4, whether the taxpayer had complied with the applicable disclosure requirement, and whether IRC 6707A was effective for the year(s) at issue.
  6. The Report Generating System (RGS) can be used to calculate the tax benefit attributable to the reportable transaction. The examiner can use the tax benefit to manually compute the penalty for cases involving individuals and C corporations only. This method can be used if an income tax examination is ongoing to substantiate the tax benefit for IRC 6707A purposes only. Indicate this in the remarks area. RGS cannot generate the actual penalty report. A manual Form 4549-A, Income Tax Discrepancy Adjustments, will need to be completed using a supportive workpaper justifying the penalty amount. Because flow-through entities have no tax shown on the return, they are subject to the minimum penalty, which is $10,000 for non-individual taxpayers. This flat penalty applicable to flow-through entities does not need to be calculated on RGS.
  7. Although not required, examiners can use RGS to store and backup documents and workpapers associated with the IRC 6707A penalty case file. RGS uses the generic workcenter for miscellaneous civil penalty cases. See the RGS instructions posted to the IRC 6707A link on the SB/SE website for additional information.

4.32.4.3.2  (06-05-2012)
Development of Penalty Case Files - Overview

  1. The examiner must develop a case file that contains all relevant documents and other evidence that demonstrate that the transaction was a reportable transaction. Minimum required documents are listed in IRM 4.32.4.3.2.3, Penalty Case File - Documents Required for All Listed and Non-Listed Reportable Transactions below, but other documents may be required depending on the case (for example, transactional documents, e-mails, other correspondence, opinions about whether the transaction is a reportable transaction, or promotional material). In addition, where applicable, include any evidence about why a disclosure is deficient, including the Form 8886 and any other evidence about the time or manner of filing the Form 8886. Finally, ensure that the case file contains copies of all documents demonstrating that the required procedures have been followed.
  2. The statute provides no reasonable cause or other good faith exception to the penalty. An examiner must fully develop the relevant facts and must process the penalty as described in these procedures whenever an IRC 6707A penalty investigation indicates that the penalty legally applies. Reasonable cause may be a factor considered in requests for rescission of non-listed reportable transactions but the presence of reasonable cause and good faith will not necessarily be determinative of whether the commissioner or his delegate grants rescission.
  3. Examiners handling an IRC 6707A penalty investigation related to a non-listed reportable transaction should attempt to document facts related to any potential rescission request as explained in IRM 4.32.4.3, Processing Procedures - IRC 6707A Penalty, and IRM 4.32.4.10, Factors Weighing in Favor of Rescission.
  4. There is no difference between a TEFRA partnership and a non-TEFRA partnership for purposes of imposing the penalty for failure to disclose a reportable transaction because the IRC 6707A penalty is not a partnership item. Specifically, this penalty is not subject to the TEFRA procedures because the TEFRA procedures apply only to partnership items (items under subtitle A of the Code), and penalties that "relate to an adjustment" of such partnership items. See IRC 6221, Tax Treatment Determined at Partnership Level, for additional information.

4.32.4.3.2.1  (06-05-2012)
Opening an IRC 6707A Penalty Examination

  1. When starting examination activities related to an IRC 6707A penalty, all examiners should contact OTSA to determine whether a Form 8886 was filed with OTSA and the date and tax year of such filing. The examiner should be prepared to provide OTSA the taxpayer's name, TIN, year or years of interest, type of transaction, and whether the disclosure was incomplete or not attached to the return. Contacts at OTSA are listed at the OTSA website. LB&I examiners, when placing a tax return under examination that has a Form 8886 attached, must contact OTSA under certain conditions. Refer to IRM 4.32.2.3.3.1.2 (5), Taxpayer Disclosures, for further information.
  2. The examiner must order the original return if the original return is the only method available to confirm whether the Form 8886 disclosure was filed with the return. Request the original paper filed income tax return using Form 5345-D and Source Code 45. Use alpha Statute Code "FF" if the statute date has expired or is due to expire within 180 days. When received, make a copy of the original return for the case file and attach the Form 5345-D to the return. The group secretary will transfer the return on ERCS to Centralized Case Processing (CCP) in Status Code 51 with Disposal Code 45 and ship it to CCP for closure. If the return was electronically filed, a graphic image of the return can be requested by the group secretary with command code TRPRT. If the return was filed through Modernized E-File a PDF file of the return can be requested through your AIMS/ERCS staff.
  3. If no Form 8886 was filed by the taxpayer and there is sufficient basis to demonstrate that the taxpayer participated in a reportable transaction under Treas. Reg. 1.6011-4, then the required disclosure obligation has not been met.
  4. Once an examiner determines that a taxpayer either has failed to properly disclose a reportable transaction (whether listed or non-listed) on Form 8886 or has not timely filed the Form 8886 with the return or with OTSA (if required), the examiner prepares a separate case file for the penalty investigation. Examiners handling an IRC 6707A penalty investigation related to a non-listed reportable transaction should attempt to document facts related to any potential rescission request as explained in IRM 4.32.4.10, Factors Weighing in Favor of Rescission.
  5. If an IRC 6707A penalty is being considered without an associated income tax examination, an opening letter should be sent by the examiner. If the IRC 6707A penalty is being considered as part of an income tax examination, a separate opening letter for the IRC 6707A penalty is not required. See Exhibit 4.32.4-3, Opening Letter for IRC 6707A Investigation, for a sample letter to be used to open a penalty only investigation. The sample is also posted at the IRC 6707A penalty link on the SB/SE website.
  6. Power of Attorney. In general, when a taxpayer authorizes an individual to represent the taxpayer with respect to a particular form, the representation also covers any penalties related to the form. Thus, the IRC 6707A penalty is covered when the taxpayer authorizes the individual to represent the taxpayer in connection with the Form 8886. Similarly, if the Form 8886 is included or should have been included with a Form 1040, Form 1120, U.S. Corporate Income Tax Return, or any other tax return, an authorization with respect to that tax return will also authorize the representative for the IRC 6707A penalty. Examiners need to obtain a Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative, that refers to "civil penalties," "IRC 6707A penalty," or similar language only when the Form 8886 was or should have been filed without being attached to a return (i.e., when a transaction has been listed after the taxpayer filed the return and the Form 8886 is required to be filed with OTSA separate from the tax return).
  7. When married spouses file a joint Form 1040, the examiner should obtain a valid, separate Form 2848 for each spouse.

4.32.4.3.2.2  (06-05-2012)
Penalty Computation

  1. The Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 amended the IRC 6707A penalty and is retroactive to penalties assessed after December 31, 2006. Because the Service assessed no IRC 6707A penalties on or before December 31, 2006, the amount of the penalty will always be calculated using this amended formula. The application of the IRC 6707A penalty remains unchanged; only the calculation of the penalty amount has been amended.
  2. Subject to the maximum and minimum limits, the penalty is "75 percent of the decrease in tax shown on the return" as a result of the reportable transaction (or which would have resulted from such transaction if such transaction were respected for federal tax purposes).
    1. The maximum penalty in the case of a listed transaction is $100,000 for a natural person and $200,000 for all other taxpayers. In the case of a non-listed reportable transaction, the maximum penalty is $10,000 for a natural person and $50,000 for all other taxpayers.
    2. The minimum penalty for both listed transactions and non-listed reportable transactions is $5,000 for a natural person and $10,000 for all other taxpayers.

  3. To determine how the IRC 6707A penalty applies to a married couple filing a joint return, refer to the August 4, 2010 Memorandum from the Director, Examination, SB/SE, which is available on the SB/SE website.
  4. If only one spouse has participated in a reportable transaction (i.e., only one spouse is subject to the IRC 6707A penalty), the examiner should propose the penalty against the participant-spouse. The examiner should:
    1. Determine the decrease in tax shown on the return as a result of such transaction (or which would have resulted from such transaction if such transaction were respected for federal tax purposes) and determine the penalty amount under IRC 6707A(b)(1).
    2. Apply the minimum and maximum provisions of IRC 6707A(b)(2) and (3).

  5. If both spouses participated in a reportable transaction (i.e., both spouses are subject to the IRC 6707A penalty), the examiner must undertake the following additional analysis:
    1. The examiner should analyze each spouse's potential liability for the IRC 6707A penalty as if he or she filed a separate return.
    2. If one spouse would not meet the legal definition of "participation," as provided in Treas. Reg. 1.6011-4, had he or she filed a separate return, then the examiner should not impose the IRC 6707A penalty against that spouse. In other words, a penalty will not apply against a spouse who has not engaged in a reportable transaction and has "participated" solely by virtue of filing a joint return. The examiner will only impose the penalty against the spouse who would remain a "participant" even if he or she had filed a separate return.

  6. If, however, each spouse would meet the legal definition of "participation" even if he or she filed a separate return, then the examiner must determine whether the spouses were independently involved in a reportable transaction:
    1. If each spouse was independently involved in a reportable transaction, the examiner should propose a penalty against each spouse (i.e., two penalties).
    2. If one spouse was not independently involved in a reportable transaction, only one penalty will be imposed with respect to the return and the penalty will be on the spouse who was independently involved.
    3. If neither spouse was independently involved in a reportable transaction only one penalty should be imposed with respect to the Form 1040. The examiner should assess the penalty against the spouse who is more directly involved in the transaction. However, if the spouses are equally involved in the transaction, the examiner should assess the penalty against the spouse with the primary SSN.

  7. If, following this analysis, the examiner imposes a separate penalty on each spouse, then:
    1. The decrease in tax attributable to each spouse will be proportional to his or her participation in the transaction, and the penalty imposed on each will be 75% of that amount.
    2. The minimum and maximum provisions of IRC 6707A(b)(2) and (3) apply to each spouse separately.

  8. If, following this analysis, the examiner imposes only one penalty on either spouse, then the entire decrease in tax will be attributed to the penalized spouse, and the penalty imposed will be 75% of that amount.

4.32.4.3.2.3  (06-05-2012)
Penalty Case File - Documents Required for all Listed and Non-Listed Reportable Transactions

  1. Documents describing the transaction(s) for which disclosure is required and an explanation of the category of reportable transaction (such as listed transaction, confidential transaction, transaction with contractual protection, loss transaction, or transaction of interest).
  2. Statement of facts and explanation of the examiner's rationale for concluding that the taxpayer participated in a reportable transaction.
  3. Statement of whether the taxpayer filed a Form 8886.
  4. If a Form 8886 was filed, statement of facts and explanation of the examiner's rationale for concluding that the form was deficient. If the Form 8886 was not timely filed, include a statement of facts and explanation as to why the examiner determined the filing was not timely.
  5. A printout of the ERCS penalty case record.
  6. A copy of the opening letter, if one was required.
  7. Form 2848.
  8. Form 872.
  9. The IRC 6707A 30-day letter or post-assessment letter.
  10. Signed Form 895, Notice of Statute Expiration, attached to the front of the IRC 6707A penalty case file.
  11. Information on associated flow-through entities (for example, Schedule K-1 ).
  12. Other information necessary to identify related cases.
  13. Copy of the associated income tax return that gave rise to the disclosure obligation, if applicable (i.e., where disclosure was required with the tax return).
  14. Penalty calculation, including detailed computation schedules.
  15. IRC 6707A Case Overview and Record of Approval. See Exhibit 4.32.4-4, Case Overview and Record of Approval of IRC 6707A Penalty. This form is also posted at the IRC 6707Apenalty link on the SB/SE website.
  16. Completed Form 8278, Assessment and Abatement of Miscellaneous Civil Penalties. Please ensure that you are using the most current Form 8278. The appropriate penalty reference number (PRN) to use on Form 8278 for the IRC 6707A penalty is 648. On page 1, complete column (c) and (d). Also complete page 8 listing the underlying income tax return reference. The examiner and manager must sign the Form 8278.

4.32.4.3.2.4  (06-05-2012)
Penalty Case File - Additional Documents Required for Non-Listed Reportable Transactions Only

  1. Include any information relevant to the presence or absence of the rescission factors from Treas. Reg. 301.6707A-1(d)(3), which are listed in the following section.
  2. Although the absence of any one factor will not necessarily be determinative with respect to rescission, the absence of facts establishing the factors in favor of rescission weighs against granting rescission. Examiners should, therefore, document negative findings. Consult Treas. Reg. 301.6707A-1(d)(4) for further details.

4.32.4.4  (06-05-2012)
IRC 6707A Penalty Approval Process

  1. The penalty is generally approved at the Territory Manager level unless the Territory Manager or SB/SE Area Director (AD) or LB&I Director of Field Operations (DFO), as applicable, requests AD or DFO approval. The examiner submits the file to his or her immediate supervisor for written approval of the imposition of the penalty. See Exhibit 4.32.4-4, Case Overview and Record of Approval of IRC 6707A Penalty, for a sample of the approval form. The form is also posted at the IRC 6707A penalty link on the SB/SE website.
  2. If approved, the immediate supervisor records and dates his or her approval on the Case Overview and Record of Approval of IRC 6707A Penalty form and forwards the file to the SB/SE or LB&I Territory Manager. In the case of a penalty, the amount of which is determined under IRC 6707A(b)(2) (i.e., the proposed penalty is the maximum penalty allowable under IRC 6707A,) the immediate supervisor should forward the file to the SB/SE Area Director or the LB&I Director of Field Operations for approval. The Area Director or Director of Field Operations, in considering an examiner's request for approval, will review the fully developed case file and consider any recommendations from Counsel (if applicable). If the penalty is not approved, the immediate supervisor will return the case to the examiner for further development or other action. For TE/GE approval procedures, please see the TE/GE webpage under ATAT Portal, Procedures & Guidance.
  3. If the Territory Manager (Area Director or Director of Field Operations, as appropriate) approves the penalty, the file, including the record of approval, will be returned to the examiner. Thereafter, the examiner will issue only one report with Letter 4143, 30-Day Letter for Section 6707A Penalty, allowing 30 days for the taxpayer to agree or protest.

4.32.4.5  (06-05-2012)
Issuing the 30-Day Letter (Modified) - Letter 4143

  1. The report to assert the IRC 6707A penalty cannot be prepared on RGS. (As noted previously, an examiner should use RGS to calculate the deficiency attributable to the reportable transaction and then compute the penalty amount for individuals and C corporations and may use RGS to store workpapers, but RGS is not able to produce the report.)
  2. After the Territory Manager (Area Director or Director of Field Operations, as appropriate) approves assertion of the IRC 6707A penalty, the examiner prepares and sends to the taxpayer the 30-day letter, Letter-4143, and encloses:
    1. Form 4549-A, Income Tax Discrepancy Adjustments (examiners must manually prepare, listing type of tax as Form 8278 with IRC 6707A penalty and amount listed on page 2)
    2. Form 870, Waiver of Restrictions on Assessment & Collection of Deficiency in Tax & Acceptance of Overassessment
    3. Form 886-A, Explanation of Items
    4. Computation workpaper
    5. Pub 1, Your Rights as a Taxpayer
    6. Pub 5, Your Appeal Rights and How to Prepare a Protest if You Don't Agree
    7. Pub 594, The IRS Collection Process

  3. An example of the 30-day letter is posted at the IRC 6707A penalty link on the SB/SE website.
  4. The 30-day letter, Letter-4143, used for the IRC 6707A penalty informs taxpayers of their appeal rights, and specifies that the taxpayer must request review by Appeals within 30 days of the date of the letter.
  5. In addition, this 30-day letter has been modified to explain that certain information contained in Pub 1 and Pub 5 is not applicable to the IRC 6707A penalty.
  6. If the taxpayer agrees with the proposed assessment, the examiner should request the taxpayer's signature on a Form 870, Waiver of Restrictions on Assessment & Collection of Deficiency in Tax & Acceptance of Overassessment. If the taxpayer makes a payment regarding the penalty, see IRM 4.32.4.7 (2), 30-Day Letter Issued and Taxpayer Does Not Appeal, for processing instructions.

4.32.4.5.1  (06-05-2012)
Agreed IRC 6707A Penalty Cases

  1. For agreed IRC 6707A penalty cases, examiners should request a taxpayer's signature on Form 870.
  2. See closing instructions in IRM 4.32.4.12, IRC 6707A Penalty Case File Closures.

4.32.4.5.2  (06-05-2012)
No-Change Letter

  1. If, after opening an IRC 6707A investigation and contacting the taxpayer, it is determined that no IRC 6707A penalty applies, the examiner will issue a no-change letter specifically addressing this penalty. See Exhibit 4.32.4-5, IRC 6707A No Change Letter. The IRC 6707A no-change letter is also posted at the IRC 6707A penalty link on the SB/SE website.
  2. See the closing instructions in IRM 4.32.4.12, IRC 6707A Penalty Case File Closures.

4.32.4.6  (06-05-2012)
Timely Appeals Requests - Overview

  1. If possible, taxpayers are offered pre-assessment Appeals consideration of any proposed IRC 6707A penalty. See IRM 4.32.4.6.2, Sending the Case to Appeals - Pre-Assessment Consideration, for more information.
  2. A taxpayer is offered post-assessment Appeals consideration where the IRC 6707A penalty must be assessed before the Government can offer the taxpayer an opportunity to seek pre-assessment Appeals consideration (i.e., because the period of limitations is about to expire and the Government cannot obtain a consent to extend the period of limitations). A taxpayer is not offered post-assessment Appeals consideration merely because he or she failed to timely request pre-assessment Appeals consideration. See IRM 4.32.4.6.3, Sending the Case to Appeals - Post-Assessment Consideration, below for more information.

4.32.4.6.1  (06-05-2012)
General Information - All Appeals Requests

  1. To obtain Appeals consideration, the taxpayer must submit a timely written request (regardless of the total amount of the proposed assessment) in response to the 30-day letter or the post-assessment notice, and follow the standard protest procedures.
  2. If the taxpayer's protest is incomplete, the group manager should return it to the taxpayer and grant additional time to perfect the document.
  3. If the protest contains information warranting further consideration, the group manager should return the case to the examiner for further development. Cases returned for additional development should be considered priority work and be given expedited consideration.
  4. The group manager should attempt to discuss the disputed issues with the taxpayer (or the taxpayer's representative) in an attempt to resolve the issues, obtain agreement and limit taxpayer burden. If agreement cannot be reached, the case will be forwarded to Appeals as outlined in the steps below.
  5. Upon receipt of a protest, the examiner will:
    1. Consider the information contained therein and, if appropriate, reconsider the assertion of the penalty.
    2. Make written comments in response to the protest. See IRM 4.23.10.17.4, Review of Protests. If the examiner prepares a rebuttal to the taxpayer's protest, the examiner must send a copy of the rebuttal to the taxpayer.
    3. Examiners should consult Rev. Proc. 2012-18, 2012-10 I.R.B. 455, Ex Parte communications between Appeals and other Internal Revenue Service employees before contacting Appeals' employees or sending case information to Appeals' employees.

4.32.4.6.2  (06-05-2012)
Sending the Case to Appeals - Pre-Assessment Consideration

  1. To ensure sufficient time to allow a taxpayer to file a protest and for Appeals to receive the case file with at least six months remaining on the statute, the examiner should issue the 30-day letter with at least nine months remaining on the statute.
  2. Once an examiner sends the taxpayer a 30-day letter and the taxpayer timely requests Appeals consideration in response to the letter, the examiner should follow the steps listed below.
  3. Prepare Form 3210, Document Transmittal. The Form 3210 is used to track the transfer of the case to the Appeals office as the IRC 6707A penalty is not controlled on the Automated Information Management System (AIMS).
  4. Prepare a Form 3198, Special Handling Notice for Examination Case Processing, listing Status Code 41 (PSP) and Disposal Code 07 (Appeals). The secretary or examiner will retain a copy of this Form 3198 until the case is closed to files.

    Caution:

    These status updates will not be performed by the group, and statuses will not be confirmed as transferred to Appeals until the signed confirmation receipt of the Form 3210 comes back from Appeals; see more below.

  5. Ensure that the penalty case file contains all the documentation described in IRM 4.32.4.3.2.3, Penalty Case File - Documents Required for All Listed and Non-Listed Reportable Transactions and IRM 4.32.4.3.2.4, Penalty Case File - Additional Documents Required for Non-Listed Reportable Transactions Only, as well as a rebuttal to the taxpayer's protest, a copy of which must have been provided to the taxpayer and the taxpayer's representative, if any.
  6. Attach a copy of Form 895, Notice of Statute Expiration, to the front of the IRC 6707A penalty case file. Ensure that the correct information and signatures of the examiner and group manager are present.
  7. Send the complete penalty file to the local Appeals Processing Services (APS) location based on the taxpayer's address (not the examiner's post of duty). Attach a Form 3210. For additional information about where to send the file, please refer to the Appeals website. Do not send any RGS files.
  8. Update the ERCS record to suspense type 203, "6707A Penalty Case In-Transit to Appeals" . The ERCS record will remain in Status Code 12.
  9. Once the examiner or group secretary receives a signed Form 3210 from Appeals, the group secretary should:
    1. Update the ERCS to Status Code 41, Disposal Code 07 and enter the penalty amount.
    2. Send a copy of the signed Form 3210 received from Appeals to the local AIMS/ERCS analyst to close the case to Status Code 90 on ERCS. The local area AIMS/ERCS analyst may require additional documentation in order to close the record. Appeals then has jurisdiction over the case and is responsible for the statute, assessing the penalty, etc.

  10. If the IRC 6707A penalty case is on the RGS generic folder system and is live in the inventory, the examiner will move it to the server and the group manager will send the case to archives.
  11. Upon completion of Appeals consideration, the Appeals Officer will send the case file to APS to assess the penalty as appropriate and close the case, ensuring the file includes the Appeals case memorandum, closing letter, and agreement form, if any.

4.32.4.6.3  (06-05-2012)
Sending the Case to Appeals - Post-Assessment Consideration

  1. When there is less than nine months remaining on the statute and the examiner cannot secure a consent to extend the period of limitation, the examiner should request a quick assessment of the IRC 6707A penalty under the procedures described in IRM 4.32.4.7.2, Less Than Nine Months Remain on Statute and Examiner Cannot Obtain Consent to Extend the Statute of Limitations. See IRM 4.32.4.1.4 (3) for additional discussion of taxpayer rights.
  2. At the time the examiner submits the assessment documents, he or she must also send a letter notifying the taxpayer of the assessment and the ability to seek post-assessment Appeals consideration. The examiner should include a copy of the report and a computation of the penalty, and should allow 30 days for response. See Exhibit 4.32.4-6, IRC 6707A Notification of Assessment and Post Assessment Appeals Rights for a sample letter. A copy of the Notice of Assessment and of Post-Assessment Appeal Rights letter is also posted on the SB/SE website. The examiner should ensure that a copy of this letter is included in the case file.
  3. If the taxpayer submits a timely appeals request in response to the notification of assessment, the examiner should prepare a Form 3210.
  4. Form 3210 is used to track the transfer of the case to the Appeals Office, as the IRC 6707A penalty is not controlled on the Automated Information Management System (AIMS). Prepare a Form 3198 listing Status Code 41 (PSP) and Disposal Code 07 (Appeals). The secretary or examiner will retain a copy of this Form 3198.

    Note:

    These status updates will not be performed by the group, and statuses will not be confirmed as transferred to Appeals until the confirmation receipt of the Form 3210 comes back from Appeals; see more below.

  5. Ensure the penalty case file contains all the documentation described in IRM 4.32.4.3.2.3, Penalty Case File-Documents Required for All Listed and Non-Listed Reportable Transactions and IRM 4.32.4.3.2.4, Penalty Case File-Additional Documents Required for Non-Listed Reportable Transactions Only. The case file should also include a rebuttal to the taxpayer's protest. The examiner must provide the taxpayer and representative with a copy of any rebuttal.
  6. Use Form 3210 to send the complete penalty file to the appropriate APS location via mail. Do not forward any RGS files. For additional information about where to send the file, please refer to the Appeals website.
  7. Update the ERCS record to suspense type 203, "6707A Penalty Case In-Transit to Appeals" . The ERCS record will remain in Status Code 12.
  8. Once the examiner or group secretary receives a signed Form 3210 from Appeals, the group secretary should:
    1. Update ERCS to Status Code 41, Disposal Code 07 and enter the penalty amount.
    2. Send a copy of the signed Form 3210 received from Appeals to the local AIMS/ERCS analyst to close the case to Status Code 90 on ERCS. The local area may require additional documentation be sent to the AIMS/ERCS analyst when requesting the record be closed. Appeals then has jurisdiction over the case, and is responsible for the statute, assessing the penalty, etc.

  9. If the IRC 6707A penalty case is on the RGS generic folder system, the examiner will move it to the server and the manager will send it to archives.
  10. At the same time that the case is being sent forward to Appeals, the examiner will provide the taxpayer's name and TIN to the appropriate 6707A point of contact at http://mysbse.web.irs.gov/exam/tip/ajca/contacts/15242.aspx, who will work directly with Collection to ensure that collection efforts are suspended appropriately during Appeals consideration.
  11. If the penalty case file is missing relevant information, the Appeals Officer will prepare Form 10467, Appeals Division Feedback Report and Transmittal Memorandum, and return the penalty case file as a premature referral to the examination group using Form 3210. Appeals will update Appeals case management systems to return responsibility for the case file to the field. Appeals should not send the case to Technical Services.
  12. If Exam receives a premature referral back from Appeals, the group secretary will forward a copy of the Form 3210 received from Appeals to the AIMS/ERCS analyst to reopen the case (reverse the Status Code 90 back to active exam group Status Code 12) and will give the case to the manager for re-assignment to an examiner.
  13. The examiner will complete the development of the case and then re-close to Appeals using the procedures listed in IRM 4.32.4.6.2, Sending the Case to Appeals - Pre-Assessment Consideration, and IRM 4.32.4.6.3, Sending the Case to Appeals - Post-Assessment Consideration, above.

4.32.4.7  (06-05-2012)
30-Day Letter Issued and Taxpayer Does Not Appeal

  1. No agreement signed: For cases where the taxpayer does not timely request Appeals consideration, the examiner will request assessment of the IRC 6707A penalty be done by CCP.
    1. The examiner will complete Form 3198 and Form 8278 for the case file.
    2. The group secretary will transfer the case on ERCS to CCP with Status Code 51, Disposal Code 12 and the penalty amount.
    3. Special instructions on Form 3198 should instruct CCP to use the Form 8278 to process the assessment.
    4. CCP will input the assessment, close to Status Code 90 and ship to files.

  2. If the taxpayer makes a payment, the examiner will immediately process the payment using Form 3244-A, Payment Posting Voucher-Examination, identifying the proper MFT as 13 or 55 and the penalty year, using Transaction Code 640, advance payment.

    Note:

    No penalty module exists until assessment is made. After agreed closure, once CCP makes the assessment, the payment will associate with the module when it is created.

    Note:

    Interest charges will accrue only after the penalty has been assessed and the taxpayer has failed to remit payment in response to the notice and demand for payment.

  3. If the taxpayer has agreed by signing Form 870, the examiner will:
    1. Complete Form 3198 (Special instructions on Form 3198 should instruct CCP to use the Form 8278 to process the assessment. CCP will input the assessment, close to Status Code 90 and ship to files.)
    2. Complete Form 8278 (with signatures).
    3. Close the case with normal agreed closure procedures using Disposal Code 03 to CCP.
    4. Update case to Status Code 51.

4.32.4.7.1  (06-05-2012)
The 30-Day Report (L-4143) Issued and Taxpayer Appeals

  1. For cases where a taxpayer timely requests Appeals consideration, Appeals will request assessment through its Appeals Processing Services. See IRM 4.32.4.6.2 (11), Sending the Case to Appeals - Pre-Assessment Consideration.
  2. For instructions on the transmittal of the pre-assessment case from Exam to Appeals, see IRM 4.32.4.6.2, Sending the Case to Appeals - Pre-Assessment Consideration.

4.32.4.7.2  (06-05-2012)
Less Than Nine Months Remain on Statute and Examiner Cannot Obtain Consent to Extend the Statute of Limitations

  1. For cases where less than nine months remain on the statute of limitations and no extension can be secured, the examiner should request a quick assessment from CCP.
  2. The examiner should request via fax a quick assessment from CCP. The assigned CCP Field Office Resource Team (FORT) will work quick assessments within five business days of receipt in the FORT.
  3. The examiner must fax to CCP a copy of the Form 8278, along with a Form 3210.
  4. The examiner will receive an assessment (23C) document locator number (DLN) back in two weeks. The assessment DLN will be associated in IDRS under the MFT 55 (individual) or MFT 13 (entity) modules and the Transaction Code (TC) 240 penalty reference number (PRN) 648 will post to master file in approximately four to six weeks.
  5. Once CCP has made the assessment, the expiration of the statute of limitations on assessment is no longer an issue; however, the ERCS system will not reflect the fact that the statute has been protected (i.e., that the penalty has been assessed). The group must monitor the receipt of the Form 8278 and Form 3210 from the CCP after the quick assessment.
  6. Once the 23C DLN is received, the group can use that number on the Form 3198 to close the case and ship to files.
  7. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR ASSESSMENTS: If you are assessing a fiscal year penalty, include this instruction on the Form 3198, Special Handling Notice for Examination Case Processing: "Please use ADJ54 NOT Form 2859 to process this penalty" . Fiscal year assessments take longer to process, so the examiner should expect to receive a copy of Form 3210 with the assessment (23C) DLN approximately three weeks after the date that the examiner faxed the Form 8278 requesting assessment to the CCP. The examiner must monitor Integrated Data Retrieval System (IDRS) for posting of the assessment, which should be reflected after 5 to 6 weeks.
  8. To request a quick assessment, the examiner should alert the appropriate FORT manager and fax the documents listed below, including the Form 8278 signed by the manager and the Form 3198:
    SB/SE: FORT Manager (Memphis, TN)
    Phone: 901-786-7019
    Fax: 901-786-7106 or 901-786-7105

    LB&I: FORT Manager (Ogden, UT)
    Phone: 801-620-2102
    Fax: 801-620-2103
  9. The examiner sends the signed Form 8278 and Form 3198 to the FORT Manager with a cover sheet that requests that CCP confirm the assessment via fax by returning the Form 8278 along with a copy of the Form 3210 with the assessment (23C) DLN associated with the assessment.
  10. Upon completion of the quick assessment, the CCP will:
    1. Notate Form 8278"Request Completed."
    2. Fax a copy of Form 8278 and the Form 3210 with the assessment (23C) DLN back to the examiner for association with the original case file to show that the assessment was completed. Once assessed, the expiration of the statute of limitations on assessment is no longer an issue.

  11. When there is a quick assessment, the CP 15/215 computer generated notice and demand letter (bill and explanation of the assessment) to the taxpayer is not generated. The quick assessment process uses Form 3552, Prompt Assessment Billing Assembly, as the notice and demand to the taxpayer (bill and explanation of the assessment). See IRM 3.17.244.7, General Information Mailing Form 3552, for additional information.
  12. ) If the penalty relates to a non-listed reportable transaction, the examiner also completes the IRC 6707A Penalty Rescission Checklist and forwards the copy of the penalty file and Appeals case file to Large Business and International, Pre-Filing Technical Guidance, Joint Committee (LB&I:PFTG:JC) for potential rescission request:

    Internal Revenue Service LB&I:PFTG:JC,
    5338 Montgomery Blvd. NE,
    MS4212:ALB:BH,
    Albuquerque, NM 87109
  13. If the penalty relates to a non-listed reportable transaction and the taxpayer waives his/her rights to go to Appeals, has agreed in writing to the assessment of the penalty, and has agreed not to file or pursue a claim for refund or credit of the penalty, administratively or through litigation, other than by requesting rescission, then the examiner also completes the IRC 6707A Penalty Rescission Checklist and forwards the copy of the penalty file to LB&I:PFTG:JC. Attach information and documents that support responses.
  14. In order to properly complete the IRC 6707A Penalty Rescission Checklist, all questions should be answered by the examiner and LB&I:PFTG:JC. Attach information and documents that support responses.
    1. Example 1 - In response to Question 5, an IDRS 10-year history showing whether the taxpayer was in compliance with other tax laws, copies of other Forms 8886 filed and verification from OTSA of Forms 8886 filed should be attached.
    2. Example 2 - Provide any information that would rebut any factors in favor of rescission. If the taxpayer did not cooperate during the examination or impeded the examination, the examiner should provide details in response to Question 6.
    3. Example 3 - Provide information/documents that support any factors in favor of rescission. If the examiner has information/documents that show that the taxpayer's failure to file Form 8886 arose from events beyond the taxpayer's control, the examiner should provide the information/documents in response to Question 7.
    4. If there are workpapers in the case file that support the responses, then the examiner may provide workpaper page references instead of the supporting information/documents.

  15. If the penalty relates to a listed transaction and the taxpayer is a publicly traded company:
    1. The examiner also sends Form 8278 and attachments to OTSA. Contacts can be found at the OTSA website.
    2. OTSA will review to ensure compliance with IRC 6707A(e) (i.e., disclosures to the SEC where a taxpayer has an SEC reporting requirement and participated in a listed transaction).

  16. Taxpayers who were not offered an opportunity to seek pre-assessment Appeals consideration (i.e., taxpayers for whom the examiner requested quick assessment) will be offered post-assessment Appeals consideration.
    1. When the examiner faxes to CCP the request for a quick assessment, he or she will also mail to the taxpayer a "Notice of Assessment and of Post-Assessment Appeal Rights" letter with a copy of the penalty report, calculations and other items listed on the letter as attachments.
    2. If the taxpayer timely requests post-assessment Appeals consideration, the examiner will transmit the case to Appeals using the procedures in IRM 4.32.4.6.3, Sending the Case to Appeals - Post-Assessment Consideration above.
    3. If the taxpayer does not timely request post-assessment Appeals consideration and CCP has confirmed the assessment DLN, the case can be closed according to the procedures in IRM 4.32.4.12, IRC 6707A Penalty Case File Closures below.

4.32.4.8  (06-05-2012)
Abatement Procedures

  1. Exam can abate a penalty only if the penalty does not legally apply and was assessed in error.
  2. If the examiner determines that an assessment must be abated in full or in part, the examiner must:
    1. Obtain approval from his or her manager and ensure that the record of approval is associated with the case file(s). Examiners may use the standard penalty approval form available within the RGS work center to record approval of the abatement by the group manager.
    2. Use Form 5345-D, Examination Request - ERCS, to establish the penalty on ERCS.
    3. Complete a Form 8278. In column E (amount abated), enter total dollar amount of penalties to be abated in parenthesis. Please ensure that the amount abated does not exceed the amount originally assessed. In column F, enter the penalty reason code. See IRM Exhibit 20.1.1-2, Penalty Reason Code Chart.for a list of appropriate penalty reason codes and explanations. Always use the most current version of the form.
    4. Ensure that all documents related to the abatement are associated with the case files.
    5. Prepare the case for closure from the group. Agreed (abated in full or in part and full paid) cases are closed to the Memphis Campus using Disposal Code 03 Status Code 51. Send the case to CCP following local procedures.
    6. Prepare Form 3198, Special Handling Notice for Examination Case Processing, and attach to the outside of the penalty case file. In addition to the regular entries on the form, check the "Other" box and write-in "6707A Penalty Claim Case - Send to CCP."
    7. If Form 2363, Master File Entity Change, was sent to CCP to update the person's address, notate the Form 3198 and include a copy of the form in the case file. Note on the workpaper copy the date the form was faxed or sent to CCP. If appropriate, also note that Form 3177, Notice of Action for Entry on Master File, was sent to CCP in the same box.
    8. In the "Special Features" section, check the Civil Penalties (Form 8278) box.
    9. At the bottom of the first page of Form 3198, check the "Forward to CCP" box.
    10. Complete the case information section, paying particular attention to the adjustment amount.
    11. On the second page of Form 3198, in the letter instructions for CCP area, check the "No letter required to be sent by CCP" box.

4.32.4.9  (06-05-2012)
IRC 6707A Penalty Rescission Consideration

  1. Non-listed reportable transactions are eligible for rescission (i.e., the penalty can be abated in whole or in part). Listed transactions are not eligible for rescission consideration.
  2. Currently, in order to request rescission, a taxpayer must have exhausted the administrative remedies available within the Office of Appeals regarding the proposed assessment of the penalty, unless the person has agreed in writing to the assessment of the penalty and has agreed not to file or prosecute a claim for refund or credit of the penalty, administratively or through litigation, other than by requesting rescission.
  3. The Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement has been delegated the responsibility to determine for the commissioner whether to rescind the penalty in part or in full.
  4. The taxpayer must seek rescission within 30 days of notice and demand or full payment of the penalty, whichever is earlier.
  5. The taxpayer must send the rescission request to LB&I:PFTG:JC for review.
  6. After receiving the rescission request, LB&I:PFTG:JC may make a written request seeking additional information and documents relating to the transaction, such as marketing materials and tax opinions, from the person requesting rescission. Requested information must be submitted to LB&I:PFTG:JC within 30 days of the date of mailing of the request for additional information by LB&I:PFTG:JC.
  7. LB&I:PFTG:JC may grant an extension of time for good cause to persons who request additional time within the 30-day period. A person's failure to provide the requested information within the applicable time period may weigh against rescission. Meritless claims of privilege may weigh against rescission.
  8. Further, the examiner and other Service employees involved with the examination may be asked to review and comment on the rescission request.
  9. LB&I:PFTG:JC will coordinate with Examination and Appeals.
  10. LB&I:PFTG:JC will compile the rescission request package and forward a recommendation to the Servicewide Compliance Strategy Executive Steering Committee (SCS ESC) for review.
  11. The rescission package will include:
    1. Letters prepared for the Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement to sign and send to the taxpayer.
    2. Executive summary sheet that includes a short summary of the amount of the penalty, the basis for asserting the penalty (i.e., what type of transaction), the basis for the taxpayer's rescission request and recommendation.
    3. Completed IRC 6707A Penalty Rescission Checklist and all attachments.
    4. Copy of examiner's case file.
    5. Copy of Appeals Officer's case file, if applicable.

  12. Personnel designated by the SCS ESC (SCS ESC reviewers) will review the rescission request package.
  13. SCS ESC reviewers may request additional information from the taxpayer. See Rev. Proc. 2007-21, 2007-9 I.R.B. 613.
  14. SCS ESC reviewers will present their rescission recommendation to the SCS ESC.
  15. The SCS ESC will review the recommendation and, if it agrees, will forward it to the office of the Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement to the attention of the Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement.
  16. If the Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement agrees with the recommendation, he will sign the letter to the taxpayer that was prepared by LB&I:PFTG:JC.
  17. The Deputy Commissioner's office will retain a copy of the signed letter and executive summary sheet, and send the original letter to the taxpayer.
  18. The Deputy Commissioner's office will return the rescission package to LB&I:PFTG:JC and include a copy of the signed letter.
  19. If the Deputy Commissioner's office does not agree with the recommendation or needs more information, it will contact LB&I:PFTG:JC.
  20. LB&I:PFTG:JC will notify any function in the IRS that still has the taxpayer's return under consideration (e.g., Exam, Appeals, or Counsel) of the rescission request determination.
  21. The rescission determination is not reviewable by Appeals or by any court.
  22. Please note: Rev. Proc. 2007-21, 2007-9 I.R.B. 613, provides detailed information about how a taxpayer seeks rescission. See Treas. Reg. 301-6707A-1(d) for the current list of factors that weigh for and against granting a rescission request.

4.32.4.10  (06-05-2012)
Factors Weighing in Favor of Rescission

  1. The following non-exclusive list of factors, from Rev. Proc. 2007-21, Examination of Returns and Claims for Refund, Credit, or Abatement; Determination of Correct Tax Liability, weighing in favor of granting rescission are relevant to the determination that rescission would promote compliance with the requirements of the Code and effective tax administration. No one factor is determinative of whether to grant rescission. The commissioner, or his delegate, must weigh all relevant factors, regardless of whether the factor is included in the list.
  2. Upon becoming aware of its failure to disclose a reportable transaction properly, a taxpayer filed a complete and proper, albeit untimely, Form 8886 or Form 8264, Application for Registration of a Tax Shelter, (or any successor form), as applicable. This factor will weigh strongly in favor of rescission, provided:
    • The taxpayer files the Form 8886 prior to the date the Service first contacts the taxpayer (including contacts by the Service with any partnership in which the taxpayer is a partner, any S corporation in which the taxpayer is a shareholder, or any trust in which the taxpayer is a beneficiary) concerning a tax examination for the tax period in which the taxpayer participated in the reportable transaction and
    • Other circumstances suggest that the taxpayer did not delay filing an untimely but properly completed Form 8886 until after the Service had taken steps to identify the taxpayer's participation in the reportable transaction in question.

  3. The taxpayer's failure to properly disclose was due to an unintentional mistake of fact that existed despite the taxpayer's reasonable attempts to ascertain the correct facts with respect to the transaction.
  4. The taxpayer has an established history of properly disclosing other reportable transactions and complying with other tax laws.
  5. The taxpayer demonstrates that the failure to include on any return or statement any information required to be disclosed under IRC 6011 arose from events beyond taxpayer's control.
  6. The taxpayer cooperates with the Service by providing timely information with respect to the transaction at issue that the commissioner (or the commissioner's delegate) may request in consideration of the rescission request.
  7. Assessment of the penalty would weigh against equity and good conscience, including whether the taxpayer demonstrates that there was reasonable cause for, and the taxpayer acted in good faith with respect to, the failure to timely file or to include on any return any information required to be disclosed under IRC 6011. For a penalty assessed under IRC 6707A, an important factor in determining reasonable cause and good faith is the extent of the taxpayer's efforts to ensure that persons who prepared the taxpayer's return were informed of the taxpayer's participation in the reportable transactions.

    Note:

    This factor will be disregarded if the persons who prepared the taxpayer's return were material advisors with respect to the reportable transaction.

  8. See Treas Reg. 301.6707A-1(d)(3) for additional details. Note that the list of factors weighing in favor of rescission that is set forth in Rev. Proc. 2007-21 is very similar to, but not identical to, the list of factors weighing in favor of rescission that is set forth in Treas. Reg. 301.6707A-1(d). To the extent that these lists are inconsistent, the list in the regulations controls.

4.32.4.10.1  (06-05-2012)
Absence of Favorable Factors Weighs Against Rescission

  1. The absence of facts establishing the factors in favor of rescission, described above, weighs against granting rescission; however, the absence of any one of these factors will not necessarily be determinative with respect to rescission.

4.32.4.10.2  (06-05-2012)
Factors Not Considered in Rescission Determination

  1. In determining whether to grant rescission, the commissioner (or delegate) will not consider doubt as to liability for the penalty, except to the extent that doubt as to liability is a factor in determining reasonable cause and good faith. Additionally, in determining whether to grant rescission, the commissioner (or delegate) will not consider doubt as to collectibility of the penalties.

4.32.4.10.3  (06-05-2012)
Effect of Rescission Request on Collection Action

  1. A taxpayer need not pay the assessed penalties to receive rescission consideration; however, the Service will not suspend collection efforts solely because the taxpayer has made a request for rescission.
  2. See Rev. Proc. 2007-21 for procedures by which a taxpayer requests rescission. Note that the list of factors weighing in favor of rescission that is set forth in Rev. Proc. 2007-21 is very similar to, but not identical to, the list of factors weighing in favor of rescission that is set forth in Treas. Reg. 301.6707A-1(d). To the extent that these lists are inconsistent, the list in the regulations controls.

4.32.4.11  (06-05-2012)
Continuation of the Income Tax Examination and IRC 6662A Considerations

  1. In general, the income tax examination should not be delayed pending consideration of a rescission request. There are situations, however, where the determination of whether the IRC 6707A penalty applies can affect the determination of whether the IRC 6662A penalty applies.
  2. IRC 6662A, Imposition of Accuracy-Related Penalty on Understatements With Respect to Reportable Transactions, was added by section 812 of the American Jobs Creation Act (AJCA) and imposes a 20-percent penalty on an understatement resulting from a reportable transaction that is properly disclosed and a 30-percent penalty on an understatement resulting from a reportable transaction that is not properly disclosed. The IRC 6662A penalty will not be imposed if the taxpayer adequately disclosed the reportable transaction, and meets other criteria to establish reasonable cause and good faith.
  3. If Appeals rejects the proposed assessment of an IRC 6707A penalty based on its determination that the transaction in question was not a reportable transaction, then the IRC 6662A penalty will not apply. If Appeals rejects the proposed IRC 6707A assessment based on its determination that the transaction was reportable but was properly disclosed, the IRC 6662A penalty will be reduced from 30 to 20-percent. For more information regarding the application of the IRC 6662A penalty, see MySB/SE, Issues and Procedures, AJCA Penalties, IRC 6662A Guidance.
  4. In addition, for purposes of IRC 6662A, a taxpayer is deemed to have properly disclosed the reportable transaction if the Commissioner has rescinded the IRC 6707A penalty with respect to the transaction. If the Commissioner rescinds the IRC 6707A penalty, the IRC 6662A penalty might not apply depending on whether the taxpayer meets the other criteria for relief under the reasonable cause and good faith provisions of IRC 6664. Therefore, the income tax case should not be closed until the rescission determination is made if:
    1. The examiner proposes an IRC 6662A penalty with respect to the reportable transaction,
    2. The taxpayer meets the substantial authority standard in IRC 6664(d)(3)(B), and
    3. The taxpayer meets the reasonable belief standard in IRC 6664(d)(3)(C).
    If the IRC 6707A penalty is rescinded, the taxpayer is deemed to have properly disclosed the transaction and if the taxpayer met the criteria to demonstrate reasonable cause and good faith, the IRC 6662A penalty does not apply.
  5. In contrast, if the results of the examination will not be affected by the commissioner's rescission determination (i.e., there is no proposed IRC 6662A penalty or the taxpayer would be liable for the penalty even if it had adequately disclosed because it failed to meet the other criteria to establish reasonable cause and good faith), the case should proceed and can be closed from the group without waiting for the conclusion of the rescission determination.

4.32.4.12  (06-05-2012)
IRC 6707A Penalty Case File Closures

  1. Whether or not an examiner has pursued an IRC 6707A penalty in connection with an income tax examination, the penalty case file will need to be closed in a particular fashion. Using these case closing procedures should ensure the closed case file can be secured from files using the DLN of the TC 240 PRN 648.

4.32.4.12.1  (06-05-2012)
Cases That Have Not Been Assessed or Appealed but Penalty Proposed

  1. If the case has not been assessed (i.e., there was no request for a quick assessment) and the taxpayer has not requested Appeals consideration, follow normal closing to CCP for assessment to be made using Form 8278. CCP will make the assessment, close to Status Code 90 and ship the case to files. (See IRM 4.32.4.7 above that contains the Form 3198 instructions and group closing codes, i.e., Status Code 51 with disposal code 03 for agreed cases and disposal code 12 for unagreed cases that are not appealed).

4.32.4.12.2  (06-05-2012)
Closing Quick Assessment Cases

  1. Obtain a transcript after final posting of the taxpayer's account and identify the document locator number (DLN) that is associated with Transaction Code (TC) 240 and penalty reference number (PRN) 648. (If necessary, the examiner can use the assessment (23C) DLN provided on the Form 3210 when CCP confirmed the assessment.)
  2. Place a Form 3198 on the case file. In the "Special Features" section, check the box for "Other Instructions" and include the language: IRC 6707A Penalty Case File - Associate with Penalty Assessment under DLN (and input the DLN identified from the transcript or 23C DLN in item 1). Use Status Code 41 (PSP) and disposal code 12 on Form 3198.
  3. Attach a signed Form 895, Notice of Statute Expiration, on the front of the case file.
  4. Ensure that the penalty case file includes the items identified in IRM 4.32.4.3.2.3, Penalty Case File - Documents Required for All Listed and Non-Listed Reportable Transactions, and IRM 4.32.4.3.2.4, Penalty Case File - Additional Documents Required for Non-Listed Reportable Transactions Only above.
  5. Send case to manager for review.
  6. The group secretary will transfer the record in ERCS to Status Code 41, Disposal Code 12, and enter the penalty amount. (Please ensure the penalty amount is entered under the penalty amount and not erroneously entered into the deficiency amount.)
  7. The group secretary will send an e-mail to the AIMS/ERCS analyst requesting the penalty record be closed to Status Code 90 on ERCS. The AIMS/ERCS analyst will update the Status Code to 42 and verify the assessment has been made prior to closing the ERCS record to Status Code 90.
  8. If the IRC 6707A penalty case has been worked using the RGS generic folder system and is live in inventory, the examiner will move it to the file server and the manager will send the case to archives.
  9. The group secretary will ship the case to files. The closed case must be associated with the DLN of the quick assessment with the TC 240 and PRN 648. The mailing of the closed case file must include a confirmation of receipt Form 3210 that the group retains for three years. SB/SE closed case file is sent to:

    Internal Revenue Service Cincinnati Service Center
    201 W Rivercenter Blvd. Stop 2800-F
    Covington, KY 41011
    LB&I closed cases are sent to:
    Internal Revenue Service
    1973 North Rulon White Blvd. Stop 6727
    Ogden, UT 84404

4.32.4.12.3  (06-05-2012)
No-Change Procedures

  1. If no IRC 6707A penalty was proposed, but the case was established on ERCS:
    1. Form 8278 - Penalty Assessment (Page 1) - Complete Columns (c) and (d) for the applicable penalty amount of zero. The three digit reference code is 648. Complete page eight referring to the income tax return. The examiner and the group manager must sign Form 8278.
    2. Attach Form 3198 indicating MFT 13 for an entity or MFT 55 for an individual; reflect the penalty amount as "$0," report the time on the case to the penalty administrative file. Mark Status Code 51 (CCP) and Disposal Code 02. Under instructions, insert directions for CCP to post a $0 assessment, and for all workpapers to be kept with the closed case administrative file and filed with the Form 8278 DLN that will be assigned for TC 240 PRN 648.
    3. Ensure that the case is flagged to note that a penalty was considered but not assessed.
    4. The group secretary will transfer the ERCS record to Status Code 51 (CCP), Disposal Code 02 and ship to CCP.
    5. Follow normal closing procedures to Memphis CCP for SB/SE or Ogden CCP for LB&I. CCP establishes a TC 240 PRN 648 (noting that no penalty was assessed) and a DLN for the file. The file is stored like an audit file and can be retrieved if needed in the future using the DLN. CCP will close the case to Status Code 90.
    6. If the taxpayer was contacted, the examiner should prepare the undated 6707A no-change letter, indicating the examiner as the contact and the manager as signor, and place the letter in the case file. The letter will then be signed, dated and mailed by the manager as the case is closed to CCP for the zero posting. The manager will place a dated copy of the no-change letter in the case file and note on the back of the Form 3198 that no letter should be sent by CCP.

Exhibit 4.32.4-1 
Sample of Page 1 of Form 872 IRC 6707A Penalty Only

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Exhibit 4.32.4-2 
Sample of Page 1 of Form 872 IRC 6707A Penalty and Income Tax

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Exhibit 4.32.4-3 
Opening Letter for IRC 6707A Investigation


Internal Revenue Service Department of the Treasury
Date: Taxpayer Identification Number:
  Form:
Tax Period(s) Ended:
Person to Contact:
Employee ID#:
Contact Telephone Number:
Contact Fax Number:
Last Day to Respond to this Letter:
Dear
We are commencing an investigation to determine whether you complied with the requirements of Internal Revenue Code (IRC) § 6011 and the associated regulations.
IRC § 6707A imposes a monetary penalty for failure to disclose a reportable transaction as required by IRC § 6011 and associated regulations and/or for failing to disclose in a periodic report required under section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 a previously assessed penalty under IRC § 6707A (e)(2) that a taxpayer was required to pay.
Please provide the items listed on the attached Form 4564, Information Document Request (IDR), within 30 days of receipt of this letter.
Someone May Represent You
You may have someone represent you during any part of this investigation. If you want someone to represent you, please provide me with a complete Form, 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative that refers to “income taxes and civil penalties.” (Emphasis added.) In addition, please ensure that information regarding the applicable years is complete, e.g., “Dec. 31, 2004” or “12/31/2004,” and not merely “2004” or “04.”
You may mail or fax the form to me. You can get this form from our office or from our web site at www.irs.gov, or by calling 1-800-829-3676. If you decide that you wish to get representation after the investigation has started, we will delay further investigation activity until you can secure representation.
Enclosures
We have enclosed the following publications: Publication 1, Your Rights as a Taxpayer; Publication 5, Your Appeal Rights and How to Prepare a Protest if You Don't Agree; and Publication 594, What You Should Know About the IRS Collection Process. Please note that, as explained below, certain information contained in Publication 1 and Publication 5 is not applicable to the IRC § 6707A penalty.
Publication 1, Section VIII states that the IRS will waive penalties when allowed by law if you can show you acted reasonably and in good faith. However, under law the IRS cannot waive the IRC § 6707A penalty. Instead, the IRC § 6707A penalty for a non-listed reportable transaction can be rescinded by the Commissioner (or the Commissioner's delegate) only if it would promote tax compliance and effective tax administration. An IRC § 6707A penalty for a listed transaction cannot be rescinded.
Publication 5 states in the Section entitled "If You Do Not Agree" that if you decide to do nothing and your case involves certain penalties; you will receive a formal Notice of Deficiency. However, please note that you are not entitled to receive a formal Notice of Deficiency for the IRC § 6707A penalty. This means that the Tax Court cannot consider your case. Instead, if you do nothing, the IRS will send you a bill for the penalty. If you do nothing, please disregard the information about seeking Tax Court review of this penalty.
Under the section entitled "Protests," Publication 5 states that you may file a formal written protest or a small case request. Publication 5 further states that a small case request is available where the total amount for any tax period is not more than $25,000. Please disregard the Publication 5 information about filing a small case request. Please note that you may not file a small case request for an IRC § 6707A penalty even if the penalty is less than $25,000. You must file a formal written protest if you wish to dispute the penalty.
If you have any questions, please contact me.
  Sincerely,


Internal Revenue Agent
 
Enclosures:    
IDR  
Publication 1  
Publication 5  
Publication 594  
Privacy Act Notice  
The Privacy Act of 1974 and Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 require that when we ask you for information we must first tell you our legal right to ask for the information, why we are asking for it, and how it will be used. We must also tell you what could happen if we do not receive it and whether your response is voluntary, required to obtain a benefit or mandatory under the law.  
Our legal right to ask for information is contained in Internal Revenue Code sections 6011 and 6707A and their regulations. We ask for the information to carry out the Internal Revenue laws of the United States. Your response is mandatory and we need the information to ensure you are complying with these laws and to ascertain whether you are subject to any penalties or injunctive action. Failure to provide the information requested, or providing false or fraudulent information, may subject you to further penalties or criminal prosecution.  
Routine uses of the information may include providing it to the Department of Justice to enforce the tax laws, both civil and criminal, and to cities, states, the District of Columbia, U.S. commonwealths or possessions, and certain foreign governments to carry out their tax laws. We may disclose your tax information to the Department of Treasury and contractors for tax administration purposes, and to other persons as necessary to obtain information which we cannot get in any other way in order to determine the amount of or to collect the tax or penalties you owe. We may disclose your tax information to the Comptroller General of the Untied States to permit the Comptroller General to review the Internal Revenue Service. We may disclose your tax information to committees of Congress; federal, state, and local child support agencies; and to other federal agencies for the purposes of determining entitlement for benefits or the eligibility for and the repayment of loans. We may also disclose this information to other countries under a tax treaty, to federal and state agencies to enforce federal non-tax criminal laws, or to federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies to combat terrorism.  

Exhibit 4.32.4-4 
Case Overview and Penalty Approval Record


Page 1- Case Overview and Penalty Approval Record

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Page 2- Case Overview and Penalty Approval Record

Action Yes/No
(If yes, provide date)
Comments (If Any)
30-day letter issued    
Appeals consideration timely requested    
Appeals Resolution    
Assessment Requested    
Penalty Assessed    
Rescission Requested    
Rescission Determination    
Case closed    


Page 3- Case Overview and Penalty Approval Record


6707A Case Overview Attachment


INSERT APPLICABLE PARAGRAPH(S) ON SUMMARY SHEET
I am proposing the assessment of a penalty under IRC § 6707A for failing to disclose one or more reportable transactions described as follows: (INSERT RELEVANT PARAGRAPHS). For more details, please see the Revenue Agent Report included in this penalty case file.
Listed transactions: A listed transaction is a transaction that is the same as or substantially similar to one of the types of transactions that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has determined to be a tax avoidance transaction and identified by notice, regulation, or other form of published guidance as a listed transaction.
Confidential transactions: A confidential transaction is a transaction that is offered to a taxpayer under conditions of confidentiality and for which the taxpayer has paid an advisor a minimum fee.
Transactions with contractual protection: A transaction with contractual protection is a transaction for which the taxpayer or a related party has the right to a full or partial refund of fees if all or part of the intended tax consequences from the transaction are not sustained. A transaction with contractual protection also is a transaction for which fees are contingent on the taxpayer's realization of tax benefits from the transaction.
Loss transaction: A loss transaction is a transaction resulting in the taxpayer claiming certain minimum single year or cumulative year losses under IRC § 165.
Transactions with significant book-tax differences: A transaction with a significant book-tax difference is a transaction where the amount for tax purposes of any item or items of income, gain, expense, or loss from the transaction differs by more than $10 million on a gross basis from the amount of the item or items for book purposes in any taxable year.
Transactions involving brief asset holding periods: A transaction involving a brief asset holding period is any transaction resulting in the taxpayer claiming a tax credit exceeding $250,000 (including a foreign tax credit) if the underlying asset giving rise to the credit is held by the taxpayer for 45 days or less.
OR
I am proposing the assessment of a penalty under IRC § 6707A(e) for failing to disclose in a periodic report required under section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 any penalty described in IRC § 6707A(e)(2) that taxpayer was required to pay. Specifically, taxpayer was assessed a penalty under IRC § 6707A(e)(2) on INSERT DATE and has failed to disclose that assessment in a periodic report required under section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. For more details, please see the Revenue Agent Report that is included in this penalty file.

Exhibit 4.32.4-5 
IRC 6707A No Change Letter

Internal Revenue Service Department of the Treasury
Date: Taxpayer Identification Number:
  Tax Year:
  Form Number:
  Person to Contact:
  Employee Identification Number:
  Contact Telephone Number:
Dear
We have completed our consideration of the applicability of penalties provided under Internal Revenue Code (I.R.C.) § 6707A for not adequately disclosing the reportable transaction described below:
which affected the tax return(s) filed for the period(s) shown above. The I.R.C. § 6707A penalty will not be imposed with respect to this matter.
If you have any questions, please call or write us at the telephone number or address shown above. If you write, please include your telephone number, the best time for us to call you in case we need to contact you, and a copy of this letter.
You may want to keep a copy of this letter for your records. Thank you for your cooperation.
  Sincerely,

Exhibit 4.32.4-6 
IRC 6707A Notification of Assessment and Post Assessment Appeals Rights


Insert applicable paragraphs in the sample letter below.

Internal Revenue Service Department of the Treasury
Date: Taxpayer Identification Number:
  Form:
  Tax Period(s) Ended and Amount(s):
  Person to Contact:
  Employee Identification Number:
  Contact Telephone Number:
  Last Day to Respond to this Letter:
Dear
Why We Are Sending You This Letter
This letter notifies you that because we have been unable to obtain an agreement to extend the period of limitations, we have assessed a penalty or penalties under IRC § 6707A. This penalty is being assessed for your failure to disclose a reportable transaction as required by IRC 6011 and associated regulations. The paragraph below describes the possible grounds for proposing this penalty. Please review this proposed assessment and let us know whether or not you agree by following the directions provided in this letter.
Proposed Adjustment [Selectable paragraph for Proposed Adjustment] [Selectable paragraph for Reportable Transaction, if applicable]
What to Do If You Agree
If you agree to the assessment and collection of the proposed penalty or penalties, please sign, date, and return one copy of the enclosed Form 870, Waiver of Restrictions on Assessment and Collection of Deficiency in Tax and Acceptance of Overassessment, in the envelope provided. Make your check or money order payable to the United States Treasury for the amount indicated on the agreement form. If you agree but cannot pay in full, pay what you can within 30 days from receipt of this notice and we will send you a bill for the remaining amount with information on your payment options.
What to Do If You Disagree
If you do not agree to the assessment and collection of the proposed penalty or penalties, you can request a conference with our Appeals Office. To do so, forward a written protest in duplicate before the designated response date, which is shown at the top of the first page of this letter, and mail it to the revenue agent indicated above. Include the following:
1. A request for a conference;
2. Your name, address, and daytime telephone number;
3. Your social security number or employer identification number;
4. The date and number of this letter;
5. The taxable years involved;
6. The penalties that you contest;
7. An explanation of why you contest those penalties;
8. All information pertinent to your position;
9. A statement of law or other authority that you relied on, and how that law or other authority applies in your case; and
10. The following signed statement: "Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined the facts presented in this statement and any accompanying information and, to the best of my knowledge and belief they are true, correct and complete." A representative who submits a protest should substitute for this declaration a statement that he or she prepared the protest and accompanying documents, and knows personally that the statement of facts contained in the protest and the documents are true, correct and complete.
The Commissioner may rescind the penalty under IRC section 6707A for transactions other than listed transactions, if rescission would promote tax compliance and effective tax administration. If you would like to preserve your ability to submit a rescission request for a penalty related to a non-listed reportable transaction, you must first seek Appeals consideration of your case (as set forth in the 10 steps above) or waive in writing such consideration by signing and submitting the enclosed Form 870. Additional information about submitting a rescission request is contained in Rev. Proc. 2007-21.
You may seek review in a United States District Court or the United States Court of Federal Claims of your liability for the section 6707A penalty with respect to the determination that you participated in a reportable transaction, and that you failed to properly disclose that participation. (You cannot seek review of the Commissioner's determination to deny a rescission request.) To seek court review of your liability for the section 6707A penalty, you must first fully pay the liability and file a claim for refund.
What Will Happen If You Do Nothing
If you do not take any action by the response date noted above, we will begin collection procedures. If you fail to seek Appeals consideration of your case or fail to waive in writing such consideration or allow the 30-day response time to lapse without contact, the Commissioner will not consider a request to rescind the penalty.
Enclosures
We have enclosed the following publications: Publication 1, Your Rights as a Taxpayer; Publication 5, Your Appeal Rights and How to Prepare a Protest if You Don't Agree; and Publication 594, What You Should Know About the IRS Collection Process. Please note that, as explained below, certain information contained in Publication 1 and Publication 5 is not applicable to the IRC section 6707A penalty.
Publication 1, Section VIII states that the IRS will waive penalties when allowed by law if you can show you acted reasonably and in good faith. However, under law the IRS cannot waive the IRC section 6707A penalty. Instead, the IRC section 6707A penalty for a non-listed reportable transaction can be rescinded by the Commissioner (or the Commissioner's delegate) only if it would promote tax compliance and effective tax administration. The IRC section 6707A penalty for a listed transaction cannot be rescinded.
Publication 5 states (under the Section entitled "If You Do Not Agree") that if you decide to do nothing and your case involves certain penalties, you will receive a formal Notice of Deficiency. However, please note that you are not entitled to receive a formal Notice of Deficiency for the IRC section 6707A penalty and the information about seeking Tax Court review of this penalty should be disregarded. The Tax Court cannot consider your case under the procedures explained in Publication 5.
Under the section entitled "Protests," Publication 5 states that you may file a formal written protest or a small case request. Publication 5 further states that a small case request is available where the total amount for any tax period is not more than $25,000. Please disregard the Publication 5 information about filing a small case request. Please note that you may not file a small case request for an IRC section 6707A penalty even if the penalty is less than $25,000. You must file a formal written protest if you wish to dispute the penalty.
If you have any questions, please contact the person identified at the top of the first page of this letter. Thank you for your cooperation.
  Sincerely yours,
  Internal Revenue Agent
Enclosures:
Form 4549-A
Form 886A
Form 870
Publication 1
Publication 5
Publication 594
Envelope 3


Do Not Mail This Page

Selectable Paragraphs for Proposed Adjustment

Item Paragraph
1. We are assessing a penalty under IRC section 6707A (a) for failing to disclose the reportable transaction listed below.
2. We are assessing a penalty under IRC section 6707A(e) for failing to disclose in a periodic report required under section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 any penalty described in IRC section 6707A(e)(2) that you were required to pay. The penalty is 75 percent of the decrease in tax shown on your tax return as a result of such transaction (or which would have resulted from such transaction if such transaction were respected for Federal tax purposes) for each penalty that should have been disclosed, but was not. The maximum penalty shall not exceed $200,000 in the case of a listed transaction and $50,000 in the case of any other reportable transaction; and the minimum penalty shall not be less than $10,000.

Selectable Paragraphs for Reportable Transactions

Item Paragraph
a. Listed transactions: A listed transaction is a transaction that is the same as or substantially similar to one of the types of transactions that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has determined to be a tax avoidance transaction and identified by notice, regulation, or other form of published guidance as a listed transaction. Subject to maximum and minimum limitations, for each failure to disclose a transaction, the penalty is 75 percent of the decrease in tax shown on your tax return as a result of such transaction (or which would have resulted from such transaction if such transaction were respected for Federal tax purposes). The maximum penalty shall not exceed $100,000 for an individual and $200,000 for all others. The minimum penalty shall not be less that $5,000 for an individual and $10,000 for all others.
b. Confidential transactions: A confidential transaction is a transaction that is offered to a taxpayer under conditions of confidentiality and for which the taxpayer has paid an advisor a minimum fee. Subject to maximum and minimum limitations, for each failure to disclose a transaction, the penalty is 75 percent of the decrease in tax shown on your tax return as a result of such transaction (or which would have resulted from such transaction if such transaction were respected for Federal tax purposes). The maximum penalty shall not exceed $10,000 for an individual and $50,000 for all others. The minimum penalty shall not be less that $5,000 for an individual and $10,000 for all others.
c. Transactions with contractual protection: A transaction with contractual protection is a transaction for which the taxpayer or a related party has the right to a full or partial refund of fees if all or part of the intended tax consequences from the transaction are not sustained. A transaction with contractual protection also is a transaction for which fees are contingent on the taxpayer's realization of tax benefits from the transaction. Subject to maximum and minimum limitations, for each failure to disclose a transaction, the penalty is 75 percent of the decrease in tax shown on your tax return as a result of such transaction (or which would have resulted from such transaction if such transaction were respected for Federal tax purposes). The maximum penalty shall not exceed $10,000 for an individual and $50,000 for all others. The minimum penalty shall not be less that $5,000 for an individual and $10,000 for all others.
d. Loss transactions: A loss transaction is a transaction resulting in the taxpayer claiming certain minimum single year or cumulative year losses under IRC section 165. Subject to maximum and minimum limitations, for each failure to disclose a transaction, the penalty is 75 percent of the decrease in tax shown on your tax return as a result of such transaction (or which would have resulted from such transaction if such transaction were respected for Federal tax purposes). The maximum penalty shall not exceed $10,000 for an individual and $50,000 for all others. The minimum penalty shall not be less that $5,000 for an individual and $10,000 for all others.
e. Transactions with significant book-tax differences: A transaction with a significant book-tax difference is a transaction where the amount for tax purposes of any item or items of income, gain, expense, or loss from the transaction differs by more than $10 million on a gross basis from the amount of the item or items for book purposes in any taxable year. Subject to maximum and minimum limitations, for each failure to disclose a transaction, the penalty is 75 percent of the decrease in tax shown on your tax return as a result of such transaction (or which would have resulted from such transaction if such transaction were respected for Federal tax purposes). The maximum penalty shall not exceed $10,000 for an individual and $50,000 for all others. The minimum penalty shall not be less that $5,000 for an individual and $10,000 for all others.
f. Transactions involving brief asset holding periods: A transaction involving a brief asset holding period is any transaction resulting in the taxpayer claiming a tax credit exceeding $250,000 (including a foreign tax credit) if the underlying asset giving rise to the credit is held by the taxpayer for 45 days or less. Subject to maximum and minimum limitations, for each failure to disclose a transaction, the penalty is 75 percent of the decrease in tax shown on your tax return as a result of such transaction (or which would have resulted from such transaction if such transaction were respected for Federal tax purposes). The maximum penalty shall not exceed $10,000 for an individual and $50,000 for all others. The minimum penalty shall not be less that $5,000 for an individual and $10,000 for all others.
g. Transactions of Interest: A transaction of interest is a transaction that is the same as or substantially similar to one of the types of transactions that the IRS has identified by notice, regulation or other form of published guidance as a transaction of interest. Subject to maximum and minimum limitations, for each failure to disclose a transaction, the penalty is 75 percent of the decrease in tax shown on your tax return as a result of such transaction (or which would have resulted from such transaction if such transaction were respected for Federal tax purposes). The maximum penalty shall not exceed $100,000 for an individual and $200,000 for all others. The minimum penalty shall not be less that $5,000 for an individual and $10,000 for all others.



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