Eligibility
Applies to failures regarding tax-favored accounts (IRA, HSA, 529), return preparation errors, or energy credit certifications where the taxpayer acted in good faith and had a valid reason for the non-compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Reasonable Cause Penalty Abatement?
Applies to failures regarding tax-favored accounts (IRA, HSA, 529), return preparation errors, or energy credit certifications where the taxpayer acted in good faith and had a valid reason for the non-compliance.
How does the Reasonable Cause Penalty Abatement work?
Taxpayers and preparers can avoid penalties for reporting failures, understatements, or incorrect certifications by demonstrating that the error was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect.
What law authorizes the Reasonable Cause Penalty Abatement?
The Reasonable Cause Penalty Abatement is authorized under IRC §6693, 6694, 6695, 6695B of the Internal Revenue Code (Title 26, United States Code).
Statutory Text — IRC §6693
Source: Internal Revenue Code, Title 26, United States Code
§ 6693. Failure to provide reports on certain tax-favored accounts or annuities; penalties relating to designated nondeductible contributions(a) Reports(1) In generalIf a person required to file a report under a provision referred to in paragraph (2) fails to file such report at the time and in the manner required by such provision, such person shall pay a penalty of $50 for each failure unless it is shown that such failure is due to reasonable cause.
(2) ProvisionsThe provisions referred to in this paragraph are—(A) subsections (i) and (l) of section 408 (relating to individual retirement plans),
(B) section 220(h) (relating to Archer MSAs),
(C) section 223(h) (relating to health savings accounts),
(D) section 529(d) (relating to qualified tuition programs),
(E) section 529A(d) (relating to qualified ABLE programs),
(F) section 530(h) (relating to Coverdell education savings accounts), and
(G) section 530A(i) (relating to Trump accounts).
This subsection shall not apply to any report which is an information return described in section 6724(d)(1)(C)(i) or a payee statement described in section 6724(d)(2)(X).
(b) Penalties relating to nondeductible contributions(1) Overstatement of designated nondeductible contributionsAny individual who—(A) is required to furnish information under section 408(o)(4) as to the amount of designated nondeductible contributions made for any taxable year, and
(B) overstates the amount of such contributions made for such taxable year,
shall pay a penalty of $100 for each such overstatement unless it is shown that such overstatement is due to reasonable cause.
(2) Failure to file formAny individual who fails to file a form required to be filed by the Secretary under section 408(o)(4) shall pay a penalty of $50 for each such failure unless it is shown that such failure is due to reasonable cause.
(c) Penalties relating to simple retirement accounts(1) Employer penaltiesAn employer who fails to provide 1 or more notices required by section 408(l)(2)(C) shall pay a penalty of $50 for each day on which such failures continue.
(2) Trustee and issuer penaltiesA trustee or issuer who fails—(A) to provide 1 or more statements required by the last sentence of section 408(i) shall pay a penalty of $50 for each day on which such failures continue, or
(B) to provide 1 or more summary descriptions required by section 408(l)(2)(B) shall pay a penalty of $50 for each day on which such failures continue.
(3) Reasonable cause exceptionNo penalty shall be imposed under this subsection with respect to any failure which the taxpayer shows was due to reasonable cause.
(d) Deficiency procedures not to applySubchapter B of chapter 63 (relating to deficiency procedures for income, estate, gift, and certain excise taxes) does not apply to the assessment or collection of any penalty imposed by this section.
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