Section 6330: Notice and opportunity for hearing before levy
Internal Revenue Code
§6330. Notice and opportunity for hearing before levy
(1) In general
No levy may be made on any property or right to property of any person unless the Secretary has notified such person in writing of their right to a hearing under this section before such levy is made. Such notice shall be required only once for the taxable period to which the unpaid tax specified in paragraph (3)(A) relates.
(C) sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, to such person's last known address;
not less than 30 days before the day of the first levy with respect to the amount of the unpaid tax for the taxable period.
(3) Information included with notice
The notice required under paragraph (1) shall include in simple and nontechnical terms—
(C) the proposed action by the Secretary and the rights of the person with respect to such action, including a brief statement which sets forth—
(iii) the administrative appeals available to the taxpayer with respect to such levy and sale and the procedures relating to such appeals;
(iv) the alternatives available to taxpayers which could prevent levy on property (including installment agreements under section 6159); and
(v) the provisions of this title and procedures relating to redemption of property and release of liens on property.
(1) In general
If the person requests a hearing in writing under subsection (a)(3)(B) and states the grounds for the requested hearing, such hearing shall be held by the Internal Revenue Service Independent Office of Appeals.
(2) One hearing per period
A person shall be entitled to only one hearing under this section with respect to the taxable period to which the unpaid tax specified in subsection (a)(3)(A) relates.
(3) Impartial officer
The hearing under this subsection shall be conducted by an officer or employee who has had no prior involvement with respect to the unpaid tax specified in subsection (a)(3)(A) before the first hearing under this section or section 6320. A taxpayer may waive the requirement of this paragraph.
(1) Requirement of investigation
The appeals officer shall at the hearing obtain verification from the Secretary that the requirements of any applicable law or administrative procedure have been met.
(A) In general
The person may raise at the hearing any relevant issue relating to the unpaid tax or the proposed levy, including—
(iii) offers of collection alternatives, which may include the posting of a bond, the substitution of other assets, an installment agreement, or an offer-in-compromise.
(B) Underlying liability
The person may also raise at the hearing challenges to the existence or amount of the underlying tax liability for any tax period if the person did not receive any statutory notice of deficiency for such tax liability or did not otherwise have an opportunity to dispute such tax liability.
(3) Basis for the determination
The determination by an appeals officer under this subsection shall take into consideration—
(C) whether any proposed collection action balances the need for the efficient collection of taxes with the legitimate concern of the person that any collection action be no more intrusive than necessary.
(A)(i) the issue was raised and considered at a previous hearing under section 6320 or in any other previous administrative or judicial proceeding; and
(C) a final determination has been made with respect to such issue in a proceeding brought under subchapter C of
This paragraph shall not apply to any issue with respect to which subsection (d)(3)(B) applies.
(1) Petition for review by Tax Court
The person may, within 30 days of a determination under this section, petition the Tax Court for review of such determination (and the Tax Court shall have jurisdiction with respect to such matter).
(2) Suspension of running of period for filing petition in title 11 cases
In the case of a person who is prohibited by reason of a case under
(3) Jurisdiction retained at IRS Independent Office of Appeals
The Internal Revenue Service Independent Office of Appeals shall retain jurisdiction with respect to any determination made under this section, including subsequent hearings requested by the person who requested the original hearing on issues regarding—
(B) after the person has exhausted all administrative remedies, a change in circumstances with respect to such person which affects such determination.
(1) In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), if a hearing is requested under subsection (a)(3)(B), the levy actions which are the subject of the requested hearing and the running of any period of limitations under section 6502 (relating to collection after assessment), section 6531 (relating to criminal prosecutions), or section 6532 (relating to other suits) shall be suspended for the period during which such hearing, and appeals therein, are pending. In no event shall any such period expire before the 90th day after the day on which there is a final determination in such hearing. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 7421(a), the beginning of a levy or proceeding during the time the suspension under this paragraph is in force may be enjoined by a proceeding in the proper court, including the Tax Court. The Tax Court shall have no jurisdiction under this paragraph to enjoin any action or proceeding unless a timely appeal has been filed under subsection (d)(1) and then only in respect of the unpaid tax or proposed levy to which the determination being appealed relates.
(2) Levy upon appeal
Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a levy action while an appeal is pending if the underlying tax liability is not at issue in the appeal and the court determines that the Secretary has shown good cause not to suspend the levy.
(1) the Secretary has made a finding under the last sentence of section 6331(a) that the collection of tax is in jeopardy,
(2) the Secretary has served a levy on a State to collect a Federal tax liability from a State tax refund,
(4) the Secretary has served a Federal contractor levy,
this section shall not apply, except that the taxpayer shall be given the opportunity for the hearing described in this section within a reasonable period of time after the levy.
(g) Frivolous requests for hearing, etc.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, if the Secretary determines that any portion of a request for a hearing under this section or section 6320 meets the requirement of clause (i) or (ii) of section 6702(b)(2)(A), then the Secretary may treat such portion as if it were never submitted and such portion shall not be subject to any further administrative or judicial review.
(1) Disqualified employment tax levy
A disqualified employment tax levy is any levy in connection with the collection of employment taxes for any taxable period if the person subject to the levy (or any predecessor thereof) requested a hearing under this section with respect to unpaid employment taxes arising in the most recent 2-year period before the beginning of the taxable period with respect to which the levy is served. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term "employment taxes" means any taxes under
(2) Federal contractor levy
A Federal contractor levy is any levy if the person whose property is subject to the levy (or any predecessor thereof) is a Federal contractor.
(Added
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2019—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (d)(3).
2018—Subsec. (c)(4).
Subsec. (d)(2).
2015—Subsec. (c)(4)(C).
Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (d)(2), (3).
2010—Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (f)(4).
Subsec. (h).
2007—Subsec. (f)(3).
Subsec. (h).
2006—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (c)(4)(A), (B).
Subsec. (d)(1).
"(A) to the Tax Court (and the Tax Court shall have jurisdiction with respect to such matter); or
"(B) if the Tax Court does not have jurisdiction of the underlying tax liability, to a district court of the United States.
If a court determines that the appeal was to an incorrect court, a person shall have 30 days after the court determination to file such appeal with the correct court."
Subsec. (g).
2000—Subsec. (d)(1)(A).
Subsec. (e)(1).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2015 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Effective Date of 2007 Amendment
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Amendment by section 1(a)(7) [title III, §313(b)(2)(A)] of
Effective Date
Section applicable to collection actions initiated after the date which is 180 days after July 22, 1998, see section 3401(d) of