Section 6695: Other assessable penalties with respect to the preparation of tax returns for other persons
Internal Revenue Code
§6695. Other assessable penalties with respect to the preparation of tax returns for other persons
(a) Failure to furnish copy to taxpayer
Any person who is a tax return preparer with respect to any return or claim for refund who fails to comply with section 6107(a) with respect to such return or claim shall pay a penalty of $50 for such failure, unless it is shown that such failure is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect. The maximum penalty imposed under this subsection on any person with respect to documents filed during any calendar year shall not exceed $25,000.
(b) Failure to sign return
Any person who is a tax return preparer with respect to any return or claim for refund, who is required by regulations prescribed by the Secretary to sign such return or claim, and who fails to comply with such regulations with respect to such return or claim shall pay a penalty of $50 for such failure, unless it is shown that such failure is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect. The maximum penalty imposed under this subsection on any person with respect to documents filed during any calendar year shall not exceed $25,000.
(c) Failure to furnish identifying number
Any person who is a tax return preparer with respect to any return or claim for refund and who fails to comply with section 6109(a)(4) with respect to such return or claim shall pay a penalty of $50 for such failure, unless it is shown that such failure is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect. The maximum penalty imposed under this subsection on any person with respect to documents filed during any calendar year shall not exceed $25,000.
(d) Failure to retain copy or list
Any person who is a tax return preparer with respect to any return or claim for refund who fails to comply with section 6107(b) with respect to such return or claim shall pay a penalty of $50 for each such failure, unless it is shown that such failure is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect. The maximum penalty imposed under this subsection on any person with respect to any return period shall not exceed $25,000.
(e) Failure to file correct information returns
Any person required to make a return under section 6060 who fails to comply with the requirements of such section shall pay a penalty of $50 for—
(2) each failure to set forth an item in the return as required under section,
unless it is shown that such failure is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect. The maximum penalty imposed under this subsection on any person with respect to any return period shall not exceed $25,000.
(f) Negotiation of check
Any person who is a tax return preparer who endorses or otherwise negotiates (directly or through an agent) any check made in respect of the taxes imposed by this title which is issued to a taxpayer (other than the tax return preparer) shall pay a penalty of $500 with respect to each such check. The preceding sentence shall not apply with respect to the deposit by a bank (within the meaning of section 581) of the full amount of the check in the taxpayer's account in such bank for the benefit of the taxpayer.
(g) Failure to be diligent in determining eligibility for certain tax benefits
Any person who is a tax return preparer with respect to any return or claim for refund who fails to comply with due diligence requirements imposed by the Secretary by regulations with respect to determining—
(2) eligibility for, or the amount of, the credit allowable by section 24, 25A(a)(1), or 32,
shall pay a penalty of $500 for each such failure.
(1) In general
In the case of any failure relating to a return or claim for refund filed in a calendar year beginning after 2014, each of the dollar amounts under subsections (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g) shall be increased by an amount equal to such dollar amount multiplied by the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year determined by substituting "calendar year 2013" for "calendar year 2016" in subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof.
(A) is not less than $5,000 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 $5, such amount shall be rounded to the next lowest multiple of $5.
(Added
Inflation Adjusted Items for Certain Years
For inflation adjustment of certain items in this section, see Revenue Procedures listed in a table under
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2018—Subsec. (h)(1).
Subsec. (h)(2).
Subsec. (h)(2)(B).
2017—Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h)(1).
2015—Subsec. (g).
2014—Subsec. (h).
2011—Subsec. (g).
2007—
Subsecs. (a) to (d).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g).
1997—Subsec. (g).
1989—Subsecs. (a) to (c).
Subsec. (e).
"(1) $100 for each failure to file a return as required under such section, and
"(2) $5 for each failure to set forth an item in the return as required under such section,
unless it is shown that such failure is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect. The maximum penalty imposed under this subsection on any person with respect to any return period shall not exceed $20,000."
1985—Subsec. (b).
1984—Subsec. (b).
1978—Subsec. (f).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2017 Amendment
Amendment by section 11001(b) of
Amendment by section 11002(d)(1)(MM) of
Effective Date of 2015 Amendment
Effective Date of 2014 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2011 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2007 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Effective Date of 1985 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1978 Amendment
Repeal of Regulations Covering Substantiation by Adequate Contemporaneous Records
Regulations issued before May 24, 1985, to carry out the amendment of subsec. (b) of this section by section 179(b)(2) of