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Procedural Penalty Assessment Defense

IRC §6751

Taxpayers can challenge and potentially invalidate tax penalties if the IRS fails to obtain written supervisory approval before the initial determination of the assessment.

Eligibility

Applicable to most non-automatic penalties where the IRS agent did not secure a signed approval from their immediate supervisor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for the Procedural Penalty Assessment Defense?

Applicable to most non-automatic penalties where the IRS agent did not secure a signed approval from their immediate supervisor.

How does the Procedural Penalty Assessment Defense work?

Taxpayers can challenge and potentially invalidate tax penalties if the IRS fails to obtain written supervisory approval before the initial determination of the assessment.

What law authorizes the Procedural Penalty Assessment Defense?

The Procedural Penalty Assessment Defense is authorized under IRC §6751 of the Internal Revenue Code (Title 26, United States Code).

Statutory Text — IRC §6751

Source: Internal Revenue Code, Title 26, United States Code

§ 6751. Procedural requirements(a) Computation of penalty included in noticeThe Secretary shall include with each notice of penalty under this title information with respect to the name of the penalty, the section of this title under which the penalty is imposed, and a computation of the penalty. (b) Approval of assessment(1) In generalNo penalty under this title shall be assessed unless the initial determination of such assessment is personally approved (in writing) by the immediate supervisor of the individual making such determination or such higher level official as the Secretary may designate. (2) ExceptionsParagraph (1) shall not apply to—(A) any addition to tax under section 6651, 6654, 6655, or 6662 (but only with respect to an addition to tax by reason of paragraph (9) or (10) of subsection (b) thereof); or (B) any other penalty automatically calculated through electronic means. (c) PenaltiesFor purposes of this section, the term “penalty” includes any addition to tax or any additional amount. (Added Pub. L. 105–206, title III, § 3306(a), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 744; amended Pub. L. 116–260, div. EE, title II, § 212(b)(3), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 3067; Pub. L. 117–328, div. T, title VI, § 605(a)(2)(D), Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5395.) Editorial Notes Codification Another section 212(b) of div. EE of Pub. L. 116–260 amended section 63 of this title. Amendments2022—Subsec. (b)(2)(A). Pub. L. 117–328 substituted “paragraph (9) or (10) of subsection (b)” for “subsection (b)(9)”. 2020—Subsec. (b)(2)(A). Pub. L. 116–260 substituted “6655, or 6662 (but only with respect to an addition to tax by reason of subsection (b)(9) thereof)” for “or 6655”. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries Effective Date of 2022 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 117–328 applicable to contributions made after Dec. 29, 2022, see section 605(c)(1) of Pub. L. 117–328, set out as a note under section 170 of this title. Effective Date of 2020 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 116–260 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 2020, see section 212(d) of div. EE of Pub. L. 116–260, set out as a note under section 62 of this title. Effective DatePub. L. 105–206, title III, § 3306(c), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 744, as amended by Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(7) [title III, § 302(b)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–632, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [enacting this subchapter] shall apply to notices issued, and penalties assessed, after June 30, 2001. In the case of any notice of penalty issued after June 30, 2001, and before July 1, 2003, the requirements of section 6751(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall be treated as met if such notice contains a telephone number at which the taxpayer can request a copy of the taxpayer’s assessment and payment history with respect to such penalty.”