26 USC 6724 - Waiver; definitions and special rules

Collapse to view only § 6724. Waiver; definitions and special rules

§ 6721. Failure to file correct information returns
§ 6722. Failure to furnish correct payee statements
§ 6723. Failure to comply with other information reporting requirements
§ 6724. Waiver; definitions and special rules
§ 6725. Failure to report information under section 4101

§ 6721. Failure to file correct information returns

(a) Imposition of penalty

(1) In general

(2) Failures subject to penaltyFor purposes of paragraph (1), the failures described in this paragraph are—

(A) any failure to file an information return with the Secretary on or before the required filing date, and

(B) any failure to include all of the information required to be shown on the return or the inclusion of incorrect information.

(b) Reduction where correction in specified period

(1) Correction within 30 daysIf any failure described in subsection (a)(2) is corrected on or before the day 30 days after the required filing date—

(A) the penalty imposed by subsection (a) shall be $50 in lieu of $250, and

(B) the total amount imposed on the person for all such failures during any calendar year which are so corrected shall not exceed $500,000.

(2) Failures corrected on or before August 1If any failure described in subsection (a)(2) is corrected after the 30th day referred to in paragraph (1) but on or before August 1 of the calendar year in which the required filing date occurs—

(A) the penalty imposed by subsection (a) shall be $100 in lieu of $250, and

(B) the total amount imposed on the person for all such failures during the calendar year which are so corrected shall not exceed $1,500,000.

(1) Exception for de minimis failure to include all required informationIf—

(A) an information return is filed with the Secretary,

(B) there is a failure described in subsection (a)(2)(B) (determined after the application of section 6724(a)) with respect to such return, and

for purposes of this section, such return shall be treated as having been filed with all of the correct required information.

(2) LimitationThe number of information returns to which paragraph (1) applies for any calendar year shall not exceed the greater of—

(A) 10, or

(B) one-half of 1 percent of the total number of information returns required to be filed by the person during the calendar year.

(3) Safe harbor for certain de minimis errors

(A) In generalIf, with respect to an information return filed with the Secretary—

(i) there are 1 or more failures described in subsection (a)(2)(B) relating to an incorrect dollar amount,

(ii) no single amount in error differs from the correct amount by more than $100, and

(iii) no single amount reported for tax withheld on the information return differs from the correct amount by more than $25,

then no correction shall be required and, for purposes of this section, such return shall be treated as having been filed with all of the correct required information.

(B) Exception

(d) Lower limitations for persons with gross receipts of not more than $5,000,000

(1) In generalIf any person meets the gross receipts test of paragraph (2) with respect to any calendar year, with respect to failures during such calendar year—

(A) subsection (a)(1) shall be applied by substituting “$1,000,000” for “$3,000,000”,

(B) subsection (b)(1)(B) shall be applied by substituting “$175,000” for “$500,000”, and

(2) Gross receipts test

(A) In general

(B) Certain rules made applicable

(e) Penalty in case of intentional disregardIf 1 or more failures described in subsection (a)(2) are due to intentional disregard of the filing requirement (or the correct information reporting requirement), then, with respect to each such failure—

(1) subsections (b), (c), and (d) shall not apply,

(2) the penalty imposed under subsection (a) shall be $500, or, if greater—

(A) in the case of a return other than a return required under section 6045(a), 6041A(b), 6050H, 6050I, 6050J, 6050K, or 6050L, 10 percent of the aggregate amount of the items required to be reported correctly,

(B) in the case of a return required to be filed by section 6045(a), 6050K, or 6050L, 5 percent of the aggregate amount of the items required to be reported correctly,

(C) in the case of a return required to be filed under section 6050I(a) with respect to any transaction (or related transactions), the greater of—

(i) $25,000, or

(ii) the amount of cash (within the meaning of section 6050I(d)) received in such transaction (or related transactions) to the extent the amount of such cash does not exceed $100,000, or

(D) in the case of a return required to be filed under section 6050V, 10 percent of the value of the benefit of any contract with respect to which information is required to be included on the return, and

(3) in the case of any penalty determined under paragraph (2)—

(A) the $3,000,000 limitation under subsection (a) shall not apply, and

(B) such penalty shall not be taken into account in applying such limitation (or any similar limitation under subsection (b)) to penalties not determined under paragraph (2).

(f) Adjustment for inflation

(1) In general

(2) RoundingIf any amount adjusted under paragraph (1)—

(A) is not less than $75,000 and is not a multiple of $500, such amount shall be rounded to the next lowest multiple of $500, and

(B) is not described in subparagraph (A) and is not a multiple of $10, such amount shall be rounded to the next lowest multiple of $10.

(Added Pub. L. 99–514, title XV, § 1501(a), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2732; amended Pub. L. 100–690, title VII, § 7601(a)(2)(A), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4503; Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, § 7711(a), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2388; Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, § 11318(b), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–459; Pub. L. 109–280, title XII, § 1211(b)(2), Aug. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 1073; Pub. L. 111–240, title II, § 2102(a)–(f), Sept. 27, 2010, 124 Stat. 2561, 2562; Pub. L. 113–295, div. B, title II, § 208(f), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 4074; Pub. L. 114–27, title VIII, § 806(a)–(d), June 29, 2015, 129 Stat. 416, 417; Pub. L. 114–113, div. Q, title II, § 202(a), (d), Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 3076, 3077; Pub. L. 115–97, title I, § 11002(d)(1)(PP), Dec. 22, 2017, 131 Stat. 2061; Pub. L. 115–141, div. U, title I, § 101(f)(2), title IV, § 401(a)(299)(F), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1161, 1198.)

§ 6722. Failure to furnish correct payee statements

(a) Imposition of penalty

(1) General rule

(2) Failures subject to penaltyFor purposes of paragraph (1), the failures described in this paragraph are—

(A) any failure to furnish a payee statement on or before the date prescribed therefor to the person to whom such statement is required to be furnished, and

(B) any failure to include all of the information required to be shown on a payee statement or the inclusion of incorrect information.

(b) Reduction where correction in specified period

(1) Correction within 30 daysIf any failure described in subsection (a)(2) is corrected on or before the day 30 days after the date prescribed for furnishing such statement—

(A) the penalty imposed by subsection (a) shall be $50 in lieu of $250, and

(B) the total amount imposed on the person for all such failures during any calendar year which are so corrected shall not exceed $500,000.

(A) the penalty imposed by subsection (a) shall be $100 in lieu of $250, and

(B) the total amount imposed on the person for all such failures during the calendar year which are so corrected shall not exceed $1,500,000.

(1) In generalIf—

(A) a payee statement is furnished to the person to whom such statement is required to be furnished,

(B) there is a failure described in subsection (a)(2)(B) (determined after the application of section 6724(a)) with respect to such statement, and

(C) such failure is corrected on or before August 1 of the calendar year in which the date prescribed for furnishing such statement occurs,

for purposes of this section, such statement shall be treated as having been furnished with all of the correct required information.

(2) LimitationThe number of payee statements to which paragraph (1) applies for any calendar year shall not exceed the greater of—

(A) 10, or

(B) one-half of 1 percent of the total number of payee statements required to be furnished by the person during the calendar year.

(3) Safe harbor for certain de minimis errors

(A) In generalIf, with respect to any payee statement—

(i) there are 1 or more failures described in subsection (a)(2)(B) relating to an incorrect dollar amount,

(ii) no single amount in error differs from the correct amount by more than $100, and

(iii) no single amount reported for tax withheld on the payee statement differs from the correct amount by more than $25,

then no correction shall be required and, for purposes of this section, such statement shall be treated as having been furnished with all of the correct required information.

(B) Exception

(d) Lower limitations for persons with gross receipts of not more than $5,000,000

(1) In generalIf any person meets the gross receipts test of paragraph (2) with respect to any calendar year, with respect to failures during such calendar year—

(A) subsection (a)(1) shall be applied by substituting “$1,000,000” for “$3,000,000”,

(B) subsection (b)(1)(B) shall be applied by substituting “$175,000” for “$500,000”, and

(2) Gross receipts test

(e) Penalty in case of intentional disregardIf 1 or more failures to which subsection (a) applies are due to intentional disregard of the requirement to furnish a payee statement (or the correct information reporting requirement), then, with respect to each such failure—

(1) subsections (b), (c), and (d) shall not apply,

(2) the penalty imposed under subsection (a)(1) shall be $500, or, if greater—

(A) in the case of a payee statement other than a statement required under section 6045(b), 6041A(e) (in respect of a return required under section 6041A(b)), 6050H(d), 6050J(e), 6050K(b), or 6050L(c), 10 percent of the aggregate amount of the items required to be reported correctly, or

(B) in the case of a payee statement required under section 6045(b), 6050K(b), or 6050L(c), 5 percent of the aggregate amount of the items required to be reported correctly, and

(3) in the case of any penalty determined under paragraph (2)—

(A) the $3,000,000 limitation under subsection (a) shall not apply, and

(B) such penalty shall not be taken into account in applying such limitation to penalties not determined under paragraph (2).

(f) Adjustment for inflation

(1) In general

(2) RoundingIf any amount adjusted under paragraph (1)—

(A) is not less than $75,000 and is not a multiple of $500, such amount shall be rounded to the next lowest multiple of $500, and

(B) is not described in subparagraph (A) and is not a multiple of $10, such amount shall be rounded to the next lowest multiple of $10.

(Added Pub. L. 99–514, title XV, § 1501(a), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2733; amended Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, § 7711(a), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2390; Pub. L. 111–240, title II, § 2102(g), Sept. 27, 2010, 124 Stat. 2562; Pub. L. 113–295, div. A, title II, § 207(a)(2), (3), div. B, title II, § 208(g), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 4027, 4028, 4074; Pub. L. 114–27, title VIII, § 806(e), June 29, 2015, 129 Stat. 417; Pub. L. 114–113, div. Q, title II, § 202(b), Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 3077; Pub. L. 115–97, title I, § 11002(d)(1)(QQ), Dec. 22, 2017, 131 Stat. 2061; Pub. L. 115–141, div. U, title I, § 101(f)(1), title IV, § 401(a)(299)(G), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1161, 1198.)

§ 6723. Failure to comply with other information reporting requirements

In the case of a failure by any person to comply with a specified information reporting requirement on or before the time prescribed therefor, such person shall pay a penalty of $50 for each such failure, but the total amount imposed on such person for all such failures during any calendar year shall not exceed $100,000.

(Added Pub. L. 99–514, title XV, § 1501(a), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2733; amended Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, § 7711(a), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2390.)

§ 6724. Waiver; definitions and special rules

(a) Reasonable cause waiver

(b) Payment of penalty

(d) DefinitionsFor purposes of this part—

(1) Information returnThe term “information return” means—

(A) any statement of the amount of payments to another person required by—

(i) section 6041(a) or (b) (relating to certain information at source),

(ii) section 6042(a)(1) (relating to payments of dividends),

(iii) section 6044(a)(1) (relating to payments of patronage dividends),

(iv) section 6049(a) (relating to payments of interest),

(v) section 6050A(a) (relating to reporting requirements of certain fishing boat operators),

(vi) section 6050N(a) (relating to payments of royalties),

(vii) section 6051(d) (relating to information returns with respect to income tax withheld),

(viii) section 6050R (relating to returns relating to certain purchases of fish), or

(ix) section 110(d) (relating to qualified lessee construction allowances for short-term leases),

(B) any return required by—

(i) section 6041A(a) or (b) (relating to returns of direct sellers),

(ii) section 6043A(a) (relating to returns relating to taxable mergers and acquisitions),

(iii) section 6045(a) or (d) (relating to returns of brokers),

(iv) section 6045B(a) (relating to returns relating to actions affecting basis of specified securities),

(v) section 6050H(a) or (h)(1) (relating to mortgage interest received in trade or business from individuals),

(vi) section 6050I(a) or (g)(1) (relating to cash received in trade or business, etc.),

(vii) section 6050J(a) (relating to foreclosures and abandonments of security),

(viii) section 6050K(a) (relating to exchanges of certain partnership interests),

(ix) section 6050L(a) (relating to returns relating to certain dispositions of donated property),

(x) section 6050P (relating to returns relating to the cancellation of indebtedness by certain financial entities),

(xi) section 6050Q (relating to certain long-term care benefits),

(xii) section 6050S (relating to returns relating to payments for qualified tuition and related expenses),

(xiii) section 6050T (relating to returns relating to credit for health insurance costs of eligible individuals),

(xiv) section 6052(a) (relating to reporting payment of wages in the form of group-life insurance),

(xv) section 6050V (relating to returns relating to applicable insurance contracts in which certain exempt organizations hold interests),

(xvi) section 6053(c)(1) (relating to reporting with respect to certain tips),

(xvii) subsection (b) or (e) of section 1060 (relating to reporting requirements of transferors and transferees in certain asset acquisitions),

(xviii) section 4101(d) (relating to information reporting with respect to fuels taxes),

(xix) subparagraph (C) of section 338(h)(10) (relating to information required to be furnished to the Secretary in case of elective recognition of gain or loss),

(xx) section 264(f)(5)(A)(iv) (relating to reporting with respect to certain life insurance and annuity contracts),

(xxi) section 6050U (relating to charges or payments for qualified long-term care insurance contracts under combined arrangements),

(xxii) section 6039(a) (relating to returns required with respect to certain options),

(xxiii) section 6050W (relating to returns to payments made in settlement of payment card transactions),

(xxiv) section 6055 (relating to returns relating to information regarding health insurance coverage),

(xxv) section 6056 (relating to returns relating to certain employers required to report on health insurance coverage),

(xxvi) section 6050Y (relating to returns relating to certain life insurance contract transactions),1

1 So in original. Probably should be followed by “or”.

(xxvii) section 6045A(d) (relating to returns for certain digital assets),

(i) section 408(i) (relating to reports with respect to individual retirement accounts or annuities), or

(ii) section 6047(d) (relating to reports by employers, plan administrators, etc.), and

(D) any statement required to be filed with the Secretary under section 6035.

Such term also includes any form, statement, or schedule required to be filed with the Secretary under chapter 4 or with respect to any amount from which tax was required to be deducted and withheld under chapter 3 (or from which tax would be required to be so deducted and withheld but for an exemption under this title or any treaty obligation of the United States).

(2) Payee statementThe term “payee statement” means any statement required to be furnished under—

(A) section 6031(b) or (c), 6034A, or 6037(b) (relating to statements furnished by certain pass-thru entities),

(B) section 6039(b) (relating to information required in connection with certain options),

(D) section 6041A(e) (relating to returns regarding payments of remuneration for services and direct sales),

(E) section 6042(c) (relating to returns regarding payments of dividends and corporate earnings and profits),

(F) subsections (b) and (d) of section 6043A (relating to returns relating to taxable mergers and acquisitions),

(G) section 6044(e) (relating to returns regarding payments of patronage dividends),

(H) section 6045(b) or (d) (relating to returns of brokers),

(I) section 6045A (relating to information required in connection with transfers of covered securities to brokers),

(J) subsections (c) and (e) of section 6045B (relating to returns relating to actions affecting basis of specified securities),

(K) section 6049(c) (relating to returns regarding payments of interest),

(L) section 6050A(b) (relating to reporting requirements of certain fishing boat operators),

(M) section 6050H(d) or (h)(2) (relating to returns relating to mortgage interest received in trade or business from individuals),

(N) section 6050I(e) or paragraph (4) or (5) of section 6050I(g) (relating to cash received in trade or business, etc.),

(O) section 6050J(e) (relating to returns relating to foreclosures and abandonments of security),

(P) section 6050K(b) (relating to returns relating to exchanges of certain partnership interests),

(Q) section 6050L(c) (relating to returns relating to certain dispositions of donated property),

(R) section 6050N(b) (relating to returns regarding payments of royalties),

(S) section 6050P(d) (relating to returns relating to the cancellation of indebtedness by certain financial entities),

(T) section 6050Q(b) (relating to certain long-term care benefits),

(U) section 6050R(c) (relating to returns relating to certain purchases of fish),

(V) section 6051 (relating to receipts for employees),

(W) section 6052(b) (relating to returns regarding payment of wages in the form of group-term life insurance),

(X) section 6053(b) or (c) (relating to reports of tips),

(Y) section 6048(b)(1)(B) (relating to foreign trust reporting requirements),

(Z) section 408(i) (relating to reports with respect to individual retirement plans) to any person other than the Secretary with respect to the amount of payments made to such person,

(AA) section 6047(d) (relating to reports by plan administrators) to any person other than the Secretary with respect to the amount of payments made to such person,

(BB) section 6050S(d) (relating to returns relating to qualified tuition and related expenses),

(CC) section 264(f)(5)(A)(iv) (relating to reporting with respect to certain life insurance and annuity contracts),

(DD) section 6050T (relating to returns relating to credit for health insurance costs of eligible individuals),

(EE) section 6050U (relating to charges or payments for qualified long-term care insurance contracts under combined arrangements),

(FF) section 6050W(f) (relating to returns relating to payments made in settlement of payment card transactions),

(GG) section 6055(c) (relating to statements relating to information regarding health insurance coverage),

(HH) section 6056(c) (relating to statements relating to certain employers required to report on health insurance coverage),

(II) section 6035 (other than a statement described in paragraph (1)(D)), or

(JJ)2

2 So in original. Two subpars. (JJ) have been enacted.

section 6226(a)(2) (relating to statements relating to alternative to payment of imputed underpayment by partnership) or under any other provision of this title which provides for the application of rules similar to such section.

(JJ)2 subsection (a)(2), (b)(2), or (c)(2) of section 6050Y (relating to returns relating to certain life insurance contract transactions).

Such term also includes any form, statement, or schedule required to be furnished to the recipient of any amount from which tax was required to be deducted and withheld under chapter 3 or 4 (or from which tax would be required to be so deducted and withheld but for an exemption under this title or any treaty obligation of the United States).

(3) Specified information reporting requirementThe term “specified information reporting requirement” means—

(A) the notice required by section 6050K(c)(1) (relating to requirement that transferor notify partnership of exchange),

(B) any requirement contained in the regulations prescribed under section 6109 that a person—

(i) include his TIN on any return, statement, or other document (other than an information return or payee statement),

(ii) furnish his TIN to another person, or

(iii) include on any return, statement, or other document (other than an information return or payee statement) made with respect to another person the TIN of such person,3

3 So in original. Probably should be followed by “and”.

(i) a person include on his return the name, address, and TIN of another person, or

(ii) a person furnish his TIN to another person.

(4) Required filing date

(e) Special rule for certain partnership returns

(f) Special rule for returns of educational institutions related to higher education tuition and related expenses

(g) Special rule for reporting certain additional taxesNo penalty shall be imposed under section 6721 or 6722 if—

(1) a person makes a return or report under section 6047(d) or 408(i) with respect to any distribution,

(2) such distribution is made following a rollover, transfer, or exchange described in section 72(t)(4)(C) or section 72(q)(3)(C),

(3) in making such return or report the person relies upon a certification provided by the taxpayer that the distributions satisfy the requirements of section 72(t)(4)(C)(iii) or section 72(q)(3)(B)(iii), as applicable, and

(4) such person does not have actual knowledge that the distributions do not satisfy such requirements.

(Added Pub. L. 99–514, title XV, § 1501(a), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2734; amended Pub. L. 100–418, title I, § 1941(b)(2)(M), Aug. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 1323; Pub. L. 100–647, title I, §§ 1006(h)(3)(A), 1015(a), title III, § 3001(b)(1), (2), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3410, 3568, 3614; Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, §§ 7711(a), 7811(c)(3), 7813(a), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2391, 2407, 2412; Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, §§ 11212(e)(1), 11323(b)(2), (c)(2), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–432, 1388–465; Pub. L. 102–486, title XIX, § 1933(b), Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3031; Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, § 13252(b), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 532; Pub. L. 103–322, title II, § 20415(b)(1), (2), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 1833; Pub. L. 104–188, title I, §§ 1116(b)(2)(A), (B), 1455(a), 1615(a)(2)(B), 1702(b)(1), (c)(2), 1704(j)(3), 1901(c)(1), Aug. 20, 1996, 110 Stat. 1764, 1817, 1853, 1868, 1869, 1881, 1908; Pub. L. 104–191, title III, § 323(b), Aug. 21, 1996, 110 Stat. 2062; Pub. L. 105–34, title II, § 201(c)(2), title XII, §§ 1213(b), 1223(b), title XVI, § 1602(d)(2)(A), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 805, 1001, 1019, 1094; Pub. L. 105–206, title VI, §§ 6004(a)(3), 6010(o)(4)(B), (C), 6012(b)(5), (d), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 792, 816, 819; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(7) [title III, § 319(23)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–647; Pub. L. 107–210, div. A, title II, § 202(c)(2), Aug. 6, 2002, 116 Stat. 962; Pub. L. 108–357, title VIII, §§ 805(b), 853(d)(2)(L), (M), Oct. 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 1574, 1613; Pub. L. 109–280, title VIII, § 844(d)(2), title XII, § 1211(b)(1), Aug. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 1012, 1073; Pub. L. 109–432, div. A, title IV, § 403(c)(1), (2), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 2955; Pub. L. 110–172, § 11(b)(2), Dec. 29, 2007, 121 Stat. 2488; Pub. L. 110–289, div. C, title III, § 3091(b), July 30, 2008, 122 Stat. 2910; Pub. L. 110–343, div. B, title IV, § 403(c)(2), (d)(2), Oct. 3, 2008, 122 Stat. 3858, 3860; Pub. L. 111–147, title V, §§ 501(c)(6), (7), 522(b), Mar. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 106, 113; Pub. L. 111–148, title I, §§ 1502(b), 1514(b), title X, § 10108(j)(3)(E), (F), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 251, 257, 915;

§ 6725. Failure to report information under section 4101

(a) In general

(b) Failures subject to penalty

For purposes of subsection (a), the failures described in this subsection are—

(1) any failure to make a report under section 4101(d) on or before the date prescribed therefor, and

(2) any failure to include all of the information required to be shown on such report or the inclusion of incorrect information.

(Added Pub. L. 108–357, title VIII, § 863(d)(1), Oct. 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 1620.)