26 USC 6212 - Notice of deficiency

Collapse to view only § 6212. Notice of deficiency

§ 6211. Definition of a deficiency
§ 6212. Notice of deficiency
§ 6213. Restrictions applicable to deficiencies; petition to Tax Court
§ 6214. Determinations by Tax Court
§ 6215. Assessment of deficiency found by Tax Court
§ 6216. Cross references

§ 6211. Definition of a deficiency

(a) In generalFor purposes of this title in the case of income, estate, and gift taxes imposed by subtitles A and B and excise taxes imposed by chapters 41, 42, 43, and 44 the term “deficiency” means the amount by which the tax imposed by subtitle A or B, or chapter 41, 42, 43, or 44 exceeds the excess of—

(1) the sum of

(A) the amount shown as the tax by the taxpayer upon his return, if a return was made by the taxpayer and an amount was shown as the tax by the taxpayer thereon, plus

(B) the amounts previously assessed (or collected without assessment) as a deficiency, over—

(2) the amount of rebates, as defined in subsection (b)(2), made.

(b) Rules for application of subsection (a)For purposes of this section—

(1) The tax imposed by subtitle A and the tax shown on the return shall both be determined without regard to payments on account of estimated tax, without regard to the credit under section 31, without regard to the credit under section 33, and without regard to any credits resulting from the collection of amounts assessed under section 6851 or 6852 (relating to termination assessments).

(2) The term “rebate” means so much of an abatement, credit, refund, or other repayment, as was made on the ground that the tax imposed by subtitle A or B or chapter 41, 42, 43, or 44 was less than the excess of the amount specified in subsection (a)(1) over the rebates previously made.

(3) The computation by the Secretary, pursuant to section 6014, of the tax imposed by chapter 1 shall be considered as having been made by the taxpayer and the tax so computed considered as shown by the taxpayer upon his return.

(4) For purposes of subsection (a)—

(A) any excess of the sum of the credits allowable under sections 21 by reason of subsection (g) thereof, 24 by reason of subsections (d) and (i)(1) thereof, 25A by reason of subsection (i) thereof, 32, 34, 35, 36, 36B, 6428, 6428A, 6428B, and 7527A over the tax imposed by subtitle A (determined without regard to such credits), and

(B) any excess of the sum of such credits as shown by the taxpayer on his return over the amount shown as the tax by the taxpayer on such return (determined without regard to such credits),

shall be taken into account as negative amounts of tax.

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 770; Pub. L. 89–44, title VIII, § 809(d)(5)(A), June 21, 1965, 79 Stat. 168; Pub. L. 89–368, title I, § 102(b)(4), Mar. 15, 1966, 80 Stat. 64; Pub. L. 91–172, title I, § 101(f)(1), (j)(39), Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 524, 530; Pub. L. 93–406, title II, § 1016(a)(9), Sept. 2, 1974, 88 Stat. 929; Pub. L. 94–455, title XII, § 1204(c)(4), title XIII, § 1307(d)(2)(E), (F)(i), title XVI, § 1605(b)(4), title XIX, § 1906(b)(13)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1698, 1728, 1754, 1834; Pub. L. 96–223, title I, § 101(f)(1)(A), (B), (2), (3), Apr. 2, 1980, 94 Stat. 252; Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title IV, § 474(r)(33), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 845; Pub. L. 100–203, title X, § 10713(b)(2)(B), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–470; Pub. L. 100–418, title I, § 1941(b)(2)(B)(i), (ii), (C), (D), Aug. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 1323; Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1015(r)(2), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3572; Pub. L. 105–34, title XII, § 1231(b), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 1023; Pub. L. 105–206, title VI, § 6012(f), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 819; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(7) [title III, § 314(a)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–643; Pub. L. 109–432, div. A, title IV, § 402(b)(1), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 2954; Pub. L. 110–172, § 11(a)(35), Dec. 29, 2007, 121 Stat. 2487; Pub. L. 110–185, title I, § 101(b)(1), Feb. 13, 2008, 122 Stat. 615; Pub. L. 110–289, div. C, title I, § 3011(b)(2), July 30, 2008, 122 Stat. 2891; Pub. L. 111–5, div. B, title I, §§ 1001(e)(1), 1004(b)(7), 1201(a)(3)(B), (b)(2), 1531(c)(4), Feb. 17, 2009, 123 Stat. 312, 314, 334, 360; Pub. L. 111–148, title I, § 1401(d)(3), as added title X, §§ 10105(d), 10909(b)(2)(N), (c), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 906, 1023; Pub. L. 111–312, title I, § 101(b)(1), Dec. 17, 2010, 124 Stat. 3298; Pub. L. 113–295, div. A, title II, § 221(a)(5)(B), (8)(B), (112)(B), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 4037, 4038, 4054; Pub. L. 115–97, title I, § 13404(c)(3), Dec. 22, 2017, 131 Stat. 2138; Pub. L. 115–141, div. U, title I, §§ 101(l)(17), 106(a), title II, § 201(c)(1), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1165, 1170, 1172; Pub. L. 116–136, div. A, title II, § 2201(b)(1), Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 337; Pub. L. 116–260, div. N, title II, § 272(b)(1), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 1971; Pub. L. 117–2, title IX, §§ 9601(c)(1), 9611(b)(4)(B), 9631(c)(1), Mar. 11, 2021, 135 Stat. 143, 150, 160; Pub. L. 117–328, div. T, title I, § 103(c)(1), Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5285.)

§ 6212. Notice of deficiency

(a) In general

(b) Address for notice of deficiency

(1) Income and gift taxes and certain excise taxes

(2) Joint income tax return

(3) Estate tax

(1) General rule

(2) Cross references

For assessment as a deficiency notwithstanding the prohibition of further deficiency letters, in the case of—

(A) Deficiency attributable to change of treatment with respect to itemized deductions, see section 63(e)(3).

(B) Deficiency attributable to gain on involuntary conversion, see section 1033(a)(2)(C) and (D).

For provisions allowing determination of tax in title 11 cases, see section 505(a) of title 11 of the United States Code.

(d) Authority to rescind notice of deficiency with taxpayer’s consent

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 770; Pub. L. 85–866, title I, §§ 76, 89(b), Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1661, 1665; Pub. L. 88–272, title I, § 112(d)(1), Feb. 26, 1964, 78 Stat. 24; Pub. L. 91–172, title I, § 101(f)(2), (j)(40), (41), Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 524, 530; Pub. L. 91–614, title I, § 102(d)(5), Dec. 31, 1970, 84 Stat. 1842; Pub. L. 93–406, title II, § 1016(a)(10), Sept. 2, 1974, 88 Stat. 930; Pub. L. 94–455, title II, § 214(b), title XII, §§ 1204(c)(5), 1206(c)(3), title XIII, § 1307(d)(2)(F)(ii), (G), title XVI, § 1605(b)(5), title XIX, §§ 1901(b)(31)(C), (37)(C), 1906(b)(13)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1549, 1698, 1704, 1728, 1754, 1800, 1803, 1834; Pub. L. 95–30, title I, § 101(d)(15), May 23, 1977, 91 Stat. 134; Pub. L. 95–600, title IV, § 405(c)(5), title VII, § 701(t)(3)(C), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2871, 2912; Pub. L. 96–223, title I, § 101(f)(1)(C), (4), (5), Apr. 2, 1980, 94 Stat. 252, 253; Pub. L. 96–589, § 6(d)(2), Dec. 24, 1980, 94 Stat. 3408; Pub. L. 97–34, title IV, § 442(d)(4), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 323; Pub. L. 99–514, title I, § 104(b)(17), title XV, § 1562(a), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2106, 2761; Pub. L. 100–203, title X, § 10713(b)(2)(C), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–470; Pub. L. 100–418, title I, § 1941(b)(2)(B)(iii), (E), (F), Aug. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 1323; Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1015(m), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3572; Pub. L. 105–34, title III, § 312(d)(12), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 840; Pub. L. 105–206, title I, § 1102(b), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 703.)

§ 6213. Restrictions applicable to deficiencies; petition to Tax Court

(a) Time for filing petition and restriction on assessment

(b) Exceptions to restrictions on assessment

(1) Assessments arising out of mathematical or clerical errors

(2) Abatement of assessment of mathematical or clerical errors

(A) Request for abatement

(B) Stay of collection

(3) Assessments arising out of tentative carryback or refund adjustments

(4) Assessment of amount paid

(5) Certain orders of criminal restitutionIf the taxpayer is notified that an assessment has been or will be made pursuant to section 6201(a)(4)—

(A) such notice shall not be considered as a notice of deficiency for the purposes of subsection (a) (prohibiting assessment and collection until notice of the deficiency has been mailed), section 6212(c)(1) (restricting further deficiency letters), or section 6512(a) (prohibiting credits or refunds after petition to the Tax Court), and

(B) subsection (a) shall not apply with respect to the amount of such assessment.

(d) Waiver of restrictions

(e) Suspension of filing period for certain excise taxes

(f) Coordination with title 11

(1) Suspension of running of period for filing petition in title 11 cases

(2) Certain action not taken into account

(g) DefinitionsFor purposes of this section—

(1) Return

(2) Mathematical or clerical errorThe term “mathematical or clerical error” means—

(A) an error in addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division shown on any return,

(B) an incorrect use of any table provided by the Internal Revenue Service with respect to any return if such incorrect use is apparent from the existence of other information on the return,

(D) an omission of information which is required to be supplied on the return to substantiate an entry on the return,

(E) an entry on a return of a deduction or credit in an amount which exceeds a statutory limit imposed by subtitle A or B, or chapter 41, 42, 43, or 44, if such limit is expressed—

(i) as a specified monetary amount, or

(ii) as a percentage, ratio, or fraction,

and if the items entering into the application of such limit appear on such return,

(F) an omission of a correct taxpayer identification number required under section 32 (relating to the earned income credit) to be included on a return,

(G) an entry on a return claiming the credit under section 32 with respect to net earnings from self-employment described in section 32(c)(2)(A) to the extent the tax imposed by section 1401 (relating to self-employment tax) on such net earnings has not been paid,

(H) an omission of a correct TIN required under section 21 (relating to expenses for household and dependent care services necessary for gainful employment) or section 151 (relating to allowance of deductions for personal exemptions),

(I) an omission of a correct TIN required under section 24(e) (relating to child tax credit) to be included on a return,

(J) an omission of a correct TIN required under section 25A(g)(1) (relating to higher education tuition and related expenses) to be included on a return,

(K) an omission of information required by section 32(k)(2) (relating to taxpayers making improper prior claims of earned income credit) or an entry on the return claiming the credit under section 32 for a taxable year for which the credit is disallowed under subsection (k)(1) thereof,

(L) the inclusion on a return of a TIN required to be included on the return under section 21, 24, 32, 6428, or 6428A if—

(i) such TIN is of an individual whose age affects the amount of the credit under such section, and

(ii) the computation of the credit on the return reflects the treatment of such individual as being of an age different from the individual’s age based on such TIN,

(M) the entry on the return claiming the credit under section 32 with respect to a child if, according to the Federal Case Registry of Child Support Orders established under section 453(h) of the Social Security Act, the taxpayer is a noncustodial parent of such child,

(N) an omission of any increase required under section 36(f) with respect to the recapture of a credit allowed under section 36,

(O) the inclusion on a return of an individual taxpayer identification number issued under section 6109(i) which has expired, been revoked by the Secretary, or is otherwise invalid,

(P) an omission of information required by section 24(g)(2) or an entry on the return claiming the credit under section 24 for a taxable year for which the credit is disallowed under subsection (g)(1) thereof,

(Q) an omission of information required by section 25A(b)(4)(B) or an entry on the return claiming the American Opportunity Tax Credit for a taxable year for which such credit is disallowed under section 25A(b)(4)(A),

(R) an omission of information or documentation required under section 25C(b)(6)(B) (relating to home energy audits) to be included on a return,

(S)1

1 See Applicability of Amendment note below.

an omission of a correct product identification number required under section 25C(h) (relating to credit for nonbusiness energy property) to be included on a return,

(T) an omission of a correct vehicle identification number required under section 30D(f)(9) (relating to credit for new clean vehicles) to be included on a return,

(U) an omission of a correct vehicle identification number required under section 25E(d) (relating to credit for previously-owned clean vehicles) to be included on a return, and

(V) an omission of a correct vehicle identification number required under section 45W(e) (relating to commercial clean vehicle credit) to be included on a return.

A taxpayer shall be treated as having omitted a correct TIN for purposes of the preceding sentence if information provided by the taxpayer on the return with respect to the individual whose TIN was provided differs from the information the Secretary obtains from the person issuing the TIN.

(h) Cross references

(1) For assessment as if a mathematical error on the return, in the case of erroneous claims for income tax prepayment credits, see section 6201(a)(3).

(2) For assessments without regard to restrictions imposed by this section in the case of—

(A) Recovery of foreign income taxes, see section 905(c).

(B) Recovery of foreign estate tax, see section 2016.

(3) For provisions relating to application of this subchapter in the case of certain partnership items, etc., see section 6230(a).2

2 See References in Text note below.

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 771; Pub. L. 89–44, title VIII, § 809(d)(4)(B), June 21, 1965, 79 Stat. 168; Pub. L. 91–172, title I, § 101(f)(3), (j)(42), Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 524, 530; Pub. L. 93–406, title II, § 1016(a)(11), Sept. 2, 1974, 88 Stat. 930; Pub. L. 94–455, title XII, §§ 1204(c)(6), 1206(a)–(c)(1), title XIII, § 1307(d)(2)(F)(iii), title XVI, § 1605(b)(6), title XIX, §§ 1906(a)(15), (b)(13)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1698, 1703, 1704, 1728, 1755, 1825, 1834; Pub. L. 95–227, § 4(d)(1), (2), Feb. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 23; Pub. L. 95–600, title V, § 504(b)(2), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2881; Pub. L. 96–223, title I, § 101(f)(1)(D), (E), Apr. 2, 1980, 94 Stat. 252; Pub. L. 96–589, § 6(b)(1), Dec. 24, 1980, 94 Stat. 3407; Pub. L. 96–596, § 2(a)(4)(C), Dec. 24, 1980, 94 Stat. 3472; Pub. L. 97–248, title IV, § 402(c)(2), Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 667; Pub. L. 98–369, title III, § 305(b)(4), title IV, § 474(r)(34), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 784, 845; Pub. L. 99–514, title XVIII, § 1875(d)(2)(B)(i), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2896; Pub. L. 100–203, title X, §§ 10712(c)(1), 10713(b)(2)(D), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–467, 1330–470; Pub. L. 100–418, title I, § 1941(b)(2)(B)(iv), (v), Aug. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 1323; Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1015(r)(3), title VI, § 6243(a), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3573, 3749; Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, § 7811(k)(1), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2412; Pub. L. 104–168, title XIII, § 1311(c)(3), July 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 1478; Pub. L. 104–188, title I, § 1615(c), Aug. 20, 1996, 110 Stat. 1853; Pub. L. 104–193, title IV, § 451(c), Aug. 22, 1996, 110 Stat. 2277; Pub. L. 105–34, title I, § 101(d)(2), title II, § 201(b), title X, § 1085(a)(3), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 799, 803, 956; Pub. L. 105–206, title III, §§ 3463(b), 3464(a), title VI, § 6010(p)(3), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 767, 817; Pub. L. 105–277, div. J, title III, § 3003(a), (b), Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–905; Pub. L. 107–16, title III, § 303(g), June 7, 2001, 115 Stat. 56; Pub. L. 110–185, title I, § 101(b)(2), Feb. 13, 2008, 122 Stat. 616; Pub. L. 111–5, div. B, title I, § 1001(d), Feb. 17, 2009, 123 Stat. 312; Pub. L. 111–92, §§ 11(h), 12(d), Nov. 6, 2009, 123 Stat. 2991, 2992; Pub. L. 111–237, § 3(b)(1), Aug. 16, 2010, 124 Stat. 2498; Pub. L. 113–295, div. A, title II, §§ 214(a), 221(a)(4), (5)(C), (112)(C), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 4034, 4037, 4038, 4054; Pub. L. 114–113, div. Q, title II, §§ 203(e), 208(b), Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 3080, 3084; Pub. L. 115–141, div. U, title I, § 101(l)(18), title IV, § 401(a)(277), (278), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1165, 1197; Pub. L. 116–136, div. A, title II, § 2201(b)(2), Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 337; Pub. L. 116–260, div. N, title II, § 272(b)(2), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 1971; Pub. L. 117–169, title I, §§ 13301(f)(4), (g)(2), 13401(i)(4), 13402(c), 13403(b)(2), Aug. 16, 2022, 136 Stat. 1945, 1946, 1961, 1964, 1966.)

§ 6214. Determinations by Tax Court

(a) Jurisdiction as to increase of deficiency, additional amounts, or additions to the tax

(b) Jurisdiction over other years and quarters

(d) Final decisions of Tax Court

(e) Cross reference

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 773; Pub. L. 91–172, title I, § 101(j)(43), (44), title IX, § 960(a), Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 530, 531, 734; Pub. L. 91–614, title I, § 102(d)(6), Dec. 31, 1970, 84 Stat. 1842; Pub. L. 93–406, title II, § 1016(a)(12), Sept. 2, 1974, 88 Stat. 930; Pub. L. 94–455, title XIII, § 1307(d)(2)(F)(iv), (H), title XVI, § 1605(b)(7), title XIX, § 1906(b)(13)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1728, 1755, 1834; Pub. L. 96–223, title I, § 101(f)(1)(F), (G), Apr. 2, 1980, 94 Stat. 252; Pub. L. 96–596, § 2(b), Dec. 24, 1980, 94 Stat. 3472; Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title I, § 144(b), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 683; Pub. L. 99–514, title XV, §§ 1511(c)(8), 1554(a), title XVIII, § 1833, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2745, 2754, 2852; Pub. L. 100–418, title I, § 1941(b)(2)(B)(vi), (vii), Aug. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 1323; Pub. L. 100–647, title VI, § 6244(b)(1), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3750; Pub. L. 104–188, title I, § 1704(t)(16), Aug. 20, 1996, 110 Stat. 1888; Pub. L. 109–280, title VIII, § 858(a), Aug. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 1020.)

§ 6215. Assessment of deficiency found by Tax Court

(a) General rule

(b) Cross references

(1) For assessment or collection of the amount of the deficiency determined by the Tax Court pending appellate court review, see section 7485.

(2) For dismissal of petition by Tax Court as affirmation of deficiency as determined by the Secretary, see section 7459(d).

(3) For decision of Tax Court that tax is barred by limitation as its decision that there is no deficiency, see section 7459(e).

(4) For assessment of damages awarded by Tax Court for instituting proceedings merely for delay, see section 6673.

(5) For rules applicable to Tax Court proceedings, see generally subchapter C of chapter 76.

(6) For extension of time for paying amount determined as deficiency, see section 6161(b).

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 773; Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, § 1906(a)(16), (b)(13)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1825, 1834; Pub. L. 99–514, title XIV, § 1404(c)(2), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2714; Pub. L. 115–141, div. U, title IV, § 401(b)(46), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1204.)

§ 6216. Cross references

(1) For procedures relating to receivership proceedings, see subchapter B of chapter 70.

(2) For procedures relating to jeopardy assessments, see subchapter A of chapter 70.

(3) For procedures relating to claims against transferees and fiduciaries, see chapter 71.

(4) For procedures relating to partnership items, see subchapter C.

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 773; Pub. L. 96–589, § 6(i)(9),