Subchapter A—Procedure in General

        

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2010—Pub. L. 111–312, title VII, §728(b), Dec. 17, 2010, 124 Stat. 3317, added item 6409.

1987—Pub. L. 100–203, title X, §10621(b), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–452, added item 6408.

§6401. Amounts treated as overpayments

(a) Assessment and collection after limitation period.

The term "overpayment" includes that part of the amount of the payment of any internal revenue tax which is assessed or collected after the expiration of the period of limitation properly applicable thereto.

(b) Excessive credits

(1) In general

If the amount allowable as credits under subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 (relating to refundable credits) exceeds the tax imposed by subtitle A (reduced by the credits allowable under subparts A, B, D, and G of such part IV), the amount of such excess shall be considered an overpayment.

(2) Special rule for credit under section 33

For purposes of paragraph (1), any credit allowed under section 33 (relating to withholding of tax on nonresident aliens and on foreign corporations) for any taxable year shall be treated as a credit allowable under subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 only if an election under subsection (g) or (h) of section 6013 is in effect for such taxable year. The preceding sentence shall not apply to any credit so allowed by reason of section 1446.

(c) Rule where no tax liability

An amount paid as tax shall not be considered not to constitute an overpayment solely by reason of the fact that there was no tax liability in respect of which such amount was paid.

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 791; Pub. L. 89–44, title VIII, §809(d)(6), June 21, 1965, 79 Stat. 168; Pub. L. 91–172, title III, §331(c), Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 598; Pub. L. 91–258, title II, §207(d)(1), May 21, 1970, 84 Stat. 248; Pub. L. 94–12, title II, §204(b)(1), Mar. 29, 1975, 89 Stat. 31; Pub. L. 94–455, title VII, §701(f)(2), (3), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1580; Pub. L. 95–600, title VII, §701(u)(15)(D), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2919; Pub. L. 95–618, title III, §301(c)(2), Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3199; Pub. L. 96–222, title I, §103(a)(2)(B)(iv), Apr. 1, 1980, 94 Stat. 209; Pub. L. 96–223, title II, §223(b)(2), Apr. 2, 1980, 94 Stat. 266; Pub. L. 97–248, title III, §§307(a)(9), 308(a), Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 589, 591; Pub. L. 98–67, title I, §102(a), Aug. 5, 1983, 97 Stat. 369; Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title IV, §474(r)(36), title VII, §735(c)(16), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 846, 985; Pub. L. 99–514, title XII, §1246(b), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2582; Pub. L. 100–647, title I, §1012(s)(1)(B), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3527; Pub. L. 105–206, title VI, §6022(a), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 824; Pub. L. 109–58, title XIII, §1303(c)(4), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 997; Pub. L. 110–234, title XV, §15316(c)(3), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1511; Pub. L. 110–246, §4(a), title XV, §15316(c)(3), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2273; Pub. L. 111–5, div. B, title I, §1531(c)(5), Feb. 17, 2009, 123 Stat. 360; Pub. L. 115–97, title I, §13404(c)(4), Dec. 22, 2017, 131 Stat. 2138.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 made identical amendments to this section. The amendments by Pub. L. 110–234 were repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246.

Amendments

2017—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 115–97 substituted "and G" for "G, H, I, and J".

2009—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 111–5 substituted "I, and J" for "and I".

2008—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 110–246, §15316(c)(3), substituted "H, and I" for "and H".

2005—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 109–58 substituted "G, and H" for "and G".

1998—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 105–206 substituted "D, and G" for "and D".

1988—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 100–647 amended last sentence generally, substituting "credit so allowed by reason of section 1446" for "amount deducted and withheld under section 1446".

1986—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 99–514 inserted last sentence.

1984—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 98–369, §474(r)(36), amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (b) read as follows: "If the amount allowable as credits under sections 31 (relating to tax withheld on wages) and 39 (relating to certain uses of gasoline and special fuels), and 43 (relating to earned income credit), exceeds the tax imposed by subtitle A (reduced by the credits allowable under subpart A of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1, other than the credits allowable under sections 31, 39, and 43), the amount of such excess shall be considered an overpayment. For purposes of the preceding sentence, any credit allowed under paragraph (1) of section 32 (relating to withholding of tax on nonresident aliens and on foreign corporations) to a nonresident alien individual for a taxable year with respect to which an election under section 6013(g) or (h) is in effect shall be treated as an amount allowable as a credit under section 31."

Pub. L. 98–369, §735(c)(16), substituted "and special fuels" for ", special fuels, and lubricating oil".

1983—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 98–67 repealed amendments made by Pub. L. 97–248. See 1982 Amendment note below.

1982—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 97–248 provided that, applicable to payments of interest, dividends, and patronage dividends paid or credited after June 30, 1983, subsec. (b) is amended by inserting ", interest, dividends, and patronage dividends" after "tax withheld on wages". Section 102(a), (b) of Pub. L. 98–67, title I, Aug. 5, 1983, 97 Stat. 369, repealed subtitle A (§§301–308) of title III of Pub. L. 97–247 as of the close of June 30, 1983, and provided that the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 [now 1986] [this title] shall be applied and administered (subject to certain exceptions) as if such subtitle A (and the amendments made by such subtitle A) had not been enacted.

1980—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 96–223 struck out subsec. (d) which made a cross reference to section 46(a)(9)(C) for a rule allowing a refund for excess investment credit attributable to solar or wind energy property.

Pub. L. 96–222 substituted "46(a)(9)(C)" for "46(a)(10)(C)".

1978—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 95–600 inserted provisions relating to credit to a nonresident alien individual.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 95–618 added subsec. (d).

1976—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 94–455 substituted "wages) and" and "lubricating oil), and" for "wages)," and "lubricating oil),", respectively; and pars. (2) and (3) made identical change: striking out "and 667(b) (relating to taxes paid by certain trusts)" after "(relating to earned income credit)".

1975—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 94–12 inserted "43 (relating to earned income credit)," before "and 667(b)" and substituted ", 39, and 43" for "and 39".

1970—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 91–258 inserted reference to credits under section 39 relating to certain uses of special fuels.

1969—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 91–172 struck out "under sections 31 and 39" after "Excessive credits" in heading and inserted in text reference to section 667(b) (relating to taxes paid by certain trusts).

1965—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 89–44 substituted "Excessive credits under sections 31 and 39" for "Excessive withholding" in heading and expanded text to include credits under section 39.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2017 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 115–97 applicable to bonds issued after Dec. 31, 2017, see section 13404(d) of Pub. L. 115–97, set out as an Effective Date of Repeal note under former section 54 of this title.

Effective Date of 2009 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 111–5 applicable to obligations issued after Feb. 17, 2009, see section 1531(e) of Pub. L. 111–5, set out as a note under section 6211 of this title.

Effective Date of 2008 Amendment

Amendment of this section and repeal of Pub. L. 110–234 by Pub. L. 110–246 effective May 22, 2008, the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110–234, except as otherwise provided, see section 4 of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as an Effective Date note under section 8701 of Title 7, Agriculture.

Amendment by section 15316(c)(3) of Pub. L. 110–246 applicable to obligations issued after June 18, 2008, see section 15316(d) of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as a note under section 6049 of this title.

Effective Date of 2005 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 109–58 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 2005, see section 1303(e) of Pub. L. 109–58, set out as a note under section 6049 of this title.

Effective Date of 1998 Amendment

Pub. L. 105–206, title VI, §6022(b), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 824, provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect as if included in the amendments made by section 701(b) of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 [Pub. L. 99–514]."

Effective Date of 1988 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 100–647 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1987, see section 1012(s)(1)(D) of Pub. L. 100–647, set out as a note under section 1446 of this title.

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 99–514 applicable to distributions after Dec. 31, 1987, or, if earlier, the effective date of the initial regulations issued under section 1446 of this title, which date shall not be earlier than Jan. 1, 1987, see section 1246(d) of Pub. L. 99–514, set out as an Effective Date note under section 1446 of this title.

Effective Date of 1984 Amendment

Amendment by section 474(r)(36) of Pub. L. 98–369 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1983, and to carrybacks from such years, see section 475(a) of Pub. L. 98–369, set out as a note under section 21 of this title.

Amendment by section 735(c)(16) of Pub. L. 98–369 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provisions of the Highway Revenue Act of 1982, title V of Pub. L. 97–424, to which such amendment relates, see section 736 of Pub. L. 98–369, set out as a note under section 4051 of this title.

Effective Date of 1980 Amendments

Amendment by Pub. L. 96–223 applicable to qualified investment for taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1979, see section 223(b)(3) of Pub. L. 96–223, set out as a note under section 46 of this title.

Amendment by Pub. L. 96–222 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if it had been included in the provisions of the Revenue Act of 1978, Pub. L. 95–600, to which such amendment relates, see section 201 of Pub. L. 96–222, set out as a note under section 32 of this title.

Effective Date of 1978 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 95–600, to the extent amendment relates to chapter 1 or 5 of this title, applicable to taxable years ending on or after Dec. 31, 1975, and, to the extent amendment relates to wage withholding under chapter 24 of this title, applicable to remuneration paid on or after the first day of the first month which begins more than 90 days after Nov. 6, 1978, see section 701(u)(15)(E) of Pub. L. 95–600, set out as a note under section 6013 of this title.

Effective Date of 1976 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 94–455 applicable to distributions made in taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1975, see section 701(h) of Pub. L. 94–455, set out as a note under section 667 of this title.

Effective Date of 1975 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 94–12 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1974, see section 209(b) of Pub. L. 94–12, as amended, set out as a note under section 32 of this title.

Effective Date of 1970 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 91–258 effective July 1, 1970, see section 211(a) of Pub. L. 91–258, set out as a note under section 4041 of this title.

Effective Date of 1969 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 91–172 applicable to taxable years beginning before Jan. 1, 1970, see section 331(d) of Pub. L. 91–172, set out as a note under section 665 of this title.

Effective Date of 1965 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 89–44 applicable to taxable years beginning on or after July 1, 1965, see section 809(f) of Pub. L. 89–44, set out as a note under section 6420 of this title.

§6402. Authority to make credits or refunds

(a) General rule

In the case of any overpayment, the Secretary, within the applicable period of limitations, may credit the amount of such overpayment, including any interest allowed thereon, against any liability in respect of an internal revenue tax on the part of the person who made the overpayment and shall, subject to subsections (c), (d), (e), and (f), refund any balance to such person.

(b) Credits against estimated tax

The Secretary is authorized to prescribe regulations providing for the crediting against the estimated income tax for any taxable year of the amount determined by the taxpayer or the Secretary to be an overpayment of the income tax for a preceding taxable year.

(c) Offset of past-due support against overpayments

The amount of any overpayment to be refunded to the person making the overpayment shall be reduced by the amount of any past-due support (as defined in section 464(c) of the Social Security Act) owed by that person of which the Secretary has been notified by a State in accordance with section 464 of such Act. The Secretary shall remit the amount by which the overpayment is so reduced to the State collecting such support and notify the person making the overpayment that so much of the overpayment as was necessary to satisfy his obligation for past-due support has been paid to the State. The Secretary shall apply a reduction under this subsection first to an amount certified by the State as past due support under section 464 of the Social Security Act before any other reductions allowed by law. This subsection shall be applied to an overpayment prior to its being credited to a person's future liability for an internal revenue tax.

(d) Collection of debts owed to Federal agencies

(1) In general

Upon receiving notice from any Federal agency that a named person owes a past-due legally enforceable debt (other than past-due support subject to the provisions of subsection (c)) to such agency, the Secretary shall—

(A) reduce the amount of any overpayment payable to such person by the amount of such debt;

(B) pay the amount by which such overpayment is reduced under subparagraph (A) to such agency; and

(C) notify the person making such overpayment that such overpayment has been reduced by an amount necessary to satisfy such debt.

(2) Priorities for offset

Any overpayment by a person shall be reduced pursuant to this subsection after such overpayment is reduced pursuant to subsection (c) with respect to past-due support collected pursuant to an assignment under section 408(a)(3) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 608(a)(3)) and before such overpayment is reduced pursuant to subsections (e) and (f) and before such overpayment is credited to the future liability for tax of such person pursuant to subsection (b). If the Secretary receives notice from a Federal agency or agencies of more than one debt subject to paragraph (1) that is owed by a person to such agency or agencies, any overpayment by such person shall be applied against such debts in the order in which such debts accrued.

(3) Treatment of OASDI overpayments

(A) Requirements

Paragraph (1) shall apply with respect to an OASDI overpayment only if the requirements of paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 3720A(f) of title 31, United States Code, are met with respect to such overpayment.

(B) Notice; protection of other persons filing joint return

(i) Notice

In the case of a debt consisting of an OASDI overpayment, if the Secretary determines upon receipt of the notice referred to in paragraph (1) that the refund from which the reduction described in paragraph (1)(A) would be made is based upon a joint return, the Secretary shall—

(I) notify each taxpayer filing such joint return that the reduction is being made from a refund based upon such return, and

(II) include in such notification a description of the procedures to be followed, in the case of a joint return, to protect the share of the refund which may be payable to another person.

(ii) Adjustments based on protections given to other taxpayers on joint return

If the other person filing a joint return with the person owing the OASDI overpayment takes appropriate action to secure his or her proper share of the refund subject to reduction under this subsection, the Secretary shall pay such share to such other person. The Secretary shall deduct the amount of such payment from amounts which are derived from subsequent reductions in refunds under this subsection and are payable to a trust fund referred to in subparagraph (C).

(C) Deposit of amount of reduction into appropriate trust fund

In lieu of payment, pursuant to paragraph (1)(B), of the amount of any reduction under this subsection to the Commissioner of Social Security, the Secretary shall deposit such amount in the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund or the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, whichever is certified to the Secretary as appropriate by the Commissioner of Social Security.

(D) OASDI overpayment

For purposes of this paragraph, the term "OASDI overpayment" means any overpayment of benefits made to an individual under title II of the Social Security Act.

(e) Collection of past-due, legally enforceable State income tax obligations

(1) In general

Upon receiving notice from any State that a named person owes a past-due, legally enforceable State income tax obligation to such State, the Secretary shall, under such conditions as may be prescribed by the Secretary—

(A) reduce the amount of any overpayment payable to such person by the amount of such State income tax obligation;

(B) pay the amount by which such overpayment is reduced under subparagraph (A) to such State and notify such State of such person's name, taxpayer identification number, address, and the amount collected; and

(C) notify the person making such overpayment that the overpayment has been reduced by an amount necessary to satisfy a past-due, legally enforceable State income tax obligation.

If an offset is made pursuant to a joint return, the notice under subparagraph (B) shall include the names, taxpayer identification numbers, and addresses of each person filing such return.

(2) Offset permitted only against residents of State seeking offset

Paragraph (1) shall apply to an overpayment by any person for a taxable year only if the address shown on the Federal return for such taxable year of the overpayment is an address within the State seeking the offset.

(3) Priorities for offset

Any overpayment by a person shall be reduced pursuant to this subsection—

(A) after such overpayment is reduced pursuant to—

(i) subsection (a) with respect to any liability for any internal revenue tax on the part of the person who made the overpayment;

(ii) subsection (c) with respect to past-due support; and

(iii) subsection (d) with respect to any past-due, legally enforceable debt owed to a Federal agency; and

(B) before such overpayment is credited to the future liability for any Federal internal revenue tax of such person pursuant to subsection (b).

If the Secretary receives notice from one or more agencies of the State of more than one debt subject to paragraph (1) or subsection (f) that is owed by such person to such an agency, any overpayment by such person shall be applied against such debts in the order in which such debts accrued.

(4) Notice; consideration of evidence

No State may take action under this subsection until such State—

(A) notifies by certified mail with return receipt the person owing the past-due State income tax liability that the State proposes to take action pursuant to this section;

(B) gives such person at least 60 days to present evidence that all or part of such liability is not past-due or not legally enforceable;

(C) considers any evidence presented by such person and determines that an amount of such debt is past-due and legally enforceable; and

(D) satisfies such other conditions as the Secretary may prescribe to ensure that the determination made under subparagraph (C) is valid and that the State has made reasonable efforts to obtain payment of such State income tax obligation.

(5) Past-due, legally enforceable State income tax obligation

For purposes of this subsection, the term "past-due, legally enforceable State income tax obligation" means a debt—

(A)(i) which resulted from—

(I) a judgment rendered by a court of competent jurisdiction which has determined an amount of State income tax to be due; or

(II) a determination after an administrative hearing which has determined an amount of State income tax to be due; and

(ii) which is no longer subject to judicial review; or

(B) which resulted from a State income tax which has been assessed but not collected, the time for redetermination of which has expired, and which has not been delinquent for more than 10 years.

For purposes of this paragraph, the term "State income tax" includes any local income tax administered by the chief tax administration agency of the State.

(6) Regulations

The Secretary shall issue regulations prescribing the time and manner in which States must submit notices of past-due, legally enforceable State income tax obligations and the necessary information that must be contained in or accompany such notices. The regulations shall specify the types of State income taxes and the minimum amount of debt to which the reduction procedure established by paragraph (1) may be applied. The regulations may require States to pay a fee to reimburse the Secretary for the cost of applying such procedure. Any fee paid to the Secretary pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be used to reimburse appropriations which bore all or part of the cost of applying such procedure.

(7) Erroneous payment to State

Any State receiving notice from the Secretary that an erroneous payment has been made to such State under paragraph (1) shall pay promptly to the Secretary, in accordance with such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, an amount equal to the amount of such erroneous payment (without regard to whether any other amounts payable to such State under such paragraph have been paid to such State).

(f) Collection of unemployment compensation debts

(1) In general

Upon receiving notice from any State that a named person owes a covered unemployment compensation debt to such State, the Secretary shall, under such conditions as may be prescribed by the Secretary—

(A) reduce the amount of any overpayment payable to such person by the amount of such covered unemployment compensation debt;

(B) pay the amount by which such overpayment is reduced under subparagraph (A) to such State and notify such State of such person's name, taxpayer identification number, address, and the amount collected; and

(C) notify the person making such overpayment that the overpayment has been reduced by an amount necessary to satisfy a covered unemployment compensation debt.

If an offset is made pursuant to a joint return, the notice under subparagraph (C) shall include information related to the rights of a spouse of a person subject to such an offset.

(2) Priorities for offset

Any overpayment by a person shall be reduced pursuant to this subsection—

(A) after such overpayment is reduced pursuant to—

(i) subsection (a) with respect to any liability for any internal revenue tax on the part of the person who made the overpayment;

(ii) subsection (c) with respect to past-due support; and

(iii) subsection (d) with respect to any past-due, legally enforceable debt owed to a Federal agency; and

(B) before such overpayment is credited to the future liability for any Federal internal revenue tax of such person pursuant to subsection (b).

If the Secretary receives notice from a State or States of more than one debt subject to paragraph (1) or subsection (e) that is owed by a person to such State or States, any overpayment by such person shall be applied against such debts in the order in which such debts accrued.

(3) Notice; consideration of evidence

No State may take action under this subsection until such State—

(A) notifies the person owing the covered unemployment compensation debt that the State proposes to take action pursuant to this section;

(B) provides such person at least 60 days to present evidence that all or part of such liability is not legally enforceable or is not a covered unemployment compensation debt;

(C) considers any evidence presented by such person and determines that an amount of such debt is legally enforceable and is a covered unemployment compensation debt; and

(D) satisfies such other conditions as the Secretary may prescribe to ensure that the determination made under subparagraph (C) is valid and that the State has made reasonable efforts to obtain payment of such covered unemployment compensation debt.

(4) Covered unemployment compensation debt

For purposes of this subsection, the term "covered unemployment compensation debt" means—

(A) a past-due debt for erroneous payment of unemployment compensation due to fraud or the person's failure to report earnings which has become final under the law of a State certified by the Secretary of Labor pursuant to section 3304 and which remains uncollected;

(B) contributions due to the unemployment fund of a State for which the State has determined the person to be liable and which remain uncollected; and

(C) any penalties and interest assessed on such debt.

(5) Regulations

(A) In general

The Secretary may issue regulations prescribing the time and manner in which States must submit notices of covered unemployment compensation debt and the necessary information that must be contained in or accompany such notices. The regulations may specify the minimum amount of debt to which the reduction procedure established by paragraph (1) may be applied.

(B) Fee payable to Secretary

The regulations may require States to pay a fee to the Secretary, which may be deducted from amounts collected, to reimburse the Secretary for the cost of applying such procedure. Any fee paid to the Secretary pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be used to reimburse appropriations which bore all or part of the cost of applying such procedure.

(C) Submission of notices through Secretary of Labor

The regulations may include a requirement that States submit notices of covered unemployment compensation debt to the Secretary via the Secretary of Labor in accordance with procedures established by the Secretary of Labor. Such procedures may require States to pay a fee to the Secretary of Labor to reimburse the Secretary of Labor for the costs of applying this subsection. Any such fee shall be established in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury. Any fee paid to the Secretary of Labor may be deducted from amounts collected and shall be used to reimburse the appropriation account which bore all or part of the cost of applying this subsection.

(6) Erroneous payment to State

Any State receiving notice from the Secretary that an erroneous payment has been made to such State under paragraph (1) shall pay promptly to the Secretary, in accordance with such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, an amount equal to the amount of such erroneous payment (without regard to whether any other amounts payable to such State under such paragraph have been paid to such State).

(g) Review of reductions

No court of the United States shall have jurisdiction to hear any action, whether legal or equitable, brought to restrain or review a reduction authorized by subsection (c), (d), (e), or (f). No such reduction shall be subject to review by the Secretary in an administrative proceeding. No action brought against the United States to recover the amount of any such reduction shall be considered to be a suit for refund of tax. This subsection does not preclude any legal, equitable, or administrative action against the Federal agency or State to which the amount of such reduction was paid or any such action against the Commissioner of Social Security which is otherwise available with respect to recoveries of overpayments of benefits under section 204 of the Social Security Act.

(h) Federal agency

For purposes of this section, the term "Federal agency" means a department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States, and includes a Government corporation (as such term is defined in section 103 of title 5, United States Code).

(i) Treatment of payments to States

The Secretary may provide that, for purposes of determining interest, the payment of any amount withheld under subsection (c), (e), or (f) to a State shall be treated as a payment to the person or persons making the overpayment.

(j) Cross reference

For procedures relating to agency notification of the Secretary, see section 3721 of title 31, United States Code.

(k) Refunds to certain fiduciaries of insolvent members of affiliated groups

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in the case of an insolvent corporation which is a member of an affiliated group of corporations filing a consolidated return for any taxable year and which is subject to a statutory or court-appointed fiduciary, the Secretary may by regulation provide that any refund for such taxable year may be paid on behalf of such insolvent corporation to such fiduciary to the extent that the Secretary determines that the refund is attributable to losses or credits of such insolvent corporation.

(l) Explanation of reason for refund disallowance

In the case of a disallowance of a claim for refund, the Secretary shall provide the taxpayer with an explanation for such disallowance.

(m) Earliest date for certain refunds

No credit or refund of an overpayment for a taxable year shall be made to a taxpayer before the 15th day of the second month following the close of such taxable year if a credit is allowed to such taxpayer under section 24 (by reason of subsection (d) thereof) or 32 for such taxable year.

(n) Misdirected direct deposit refund

Not later than the date which is 6 months after the date of the enactment of the Taxpayer First Act, the Secretary shall prescribe regulations to establish procedures to allow for—

(1) taxpayers to report instances in which a refund made by the Secretary by electronic funds transfer was not transferred to the account of the taxpayer;

(2) coordination with financial institutions for the purpose of—

(A) identifying the accounts to which transfers described in paragraph (1) were made; and

(B) recovery of the amounts so transferred; and

(3) the refund to be delivered to the correct account of the taxpayer.

(Aug. 6, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 791; Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, §1906(b)(13) (A), (K), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1834, 1835; Pub. L. 97–35, title XXIII, §2331(c), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 861; Pub. L. 98–369, div. B, title VI, §2653(b)(1), (2), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1154, 1155; Pub. L. 98–378, §21(e), Aug. 16, 1984, 98 Stat. 1325; Pub. L. 100–647, title VI, §6276, Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3753; Pub. L. 101–508, title V, §5129(c), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–288; Pub. L. 103–296, title I, §108(h)(7), Aug. 15, 1994, 108 Stat. 1487; Pub. L. 104–134, title III, §31001(u)(2), Apr. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 1321–375; Pub. L. 104–193, title I, §110(l)(7), Aug. 22, 1996, 110 Stat. 2173; Pub. L. 105–33, title V, §5514(a)(1), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 620; Pub. L. 105–206, title III, §§3505(a), 3711(a), (c), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 771, 779, 781; Pub. L. 109–171, title VII, §7301(d), Feb. 8, 2006, 120 Stat. 144; Pub. L. 110–328, §3(a), (d), Sept. 30, 2008, 122 Stat. 3570, 3573; Pub. L. 111–291, title VIII, §801(a), Dec. 8, 2010, 124 Stat. 3157; Pub. L. 111–312, title V, §503(a), Dec. 17, 2010, 124 Stat. 3308; Pub. L. 114–113, div. Q, title II, §201(b), Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 3076; Pub. L. 115–141, div. U, title IV, §401(a)(285)–(287), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1198; Pub. L. 116–25, title I, §1407, July 1, 2019, 133 Stat. 1001.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Social Security Act, referred to in subsecs. (c), (d)(3)(D), and (g), is act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, 49 Stat. 620. Title II of the Act is classified generally to subchapter II (§401 et seq.) of chapter 7 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. Sections 204 and 464 of the Act are classified to sections 404 and 664, respectively, of Title 42. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 1305 of Title 42 and Tables.

The date of the enactment of the Taxpayer First Act, referred to in subsec. (n), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 116–25, which was approved July 1, 2019.

Amendments

2019—Subsec. (n). Pub. L. 116–25 added subsec. (n).

2018—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115–141, §401(a)(285), substituted "(f), refund" for "(f) refund".

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 115–141, §401(a)(286), substituted "of such Act" for "of of such Act".

Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 115–141, §401(a)(287), substituted "section 408(a)(3) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 608(a)(3))" for "section 402(a)(26) of the Social Security Act".

2015—Subsec. (m). Pub. L. 114–113 added subsec. (m).

2010—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 111–291, §801(a)(1), struck out "resulting from fraud" after "debts" in heading.

Subsec. (f)(3). Pub. L. 111–291, §801(a)(2), redesignated par. (4) as (3) and struck out former par. (3). Prior to amendment, text of par. (3) read as follows: "Paragraph (1) shall apply to an overpayment by any person for a taxable year only if the address shown on the Federal return for such taxable year of the overpayment is an address within the State seeking the offset."

Subsec. (f)(3)(A). Pub. L. 111–291, §801(a)(3)(A), struck out "by certified mail with return receipt" after "notifies".

Subsec. (f)(3)(B). Pub. L. 111–291, §801(a)(3)(B), substituted "is not a covered unemployment compensation debt" for "due to fraud".

Subsec. (f)(3)(C). Pub. L. 111–312 substituted "is a covered unemployment compensation debt" for "is not a covered unemployment compensation debt".

Pub. L. 111–291, §801(a)(3)(C), substituted "is not a covered unemployment compensation debt" for "due to fraud".

Subsec. (f)(4). Pub. L. 111–291, §801(a)(2), redesignated par. (5) as (4). Former par. (4) redesignated (3).

Subsec. (f)(4)(A). Pub. L. 111–291, §801(a)(4)(A), inserted "or the person's failure to report earnings" after "due to fraud" and struck out "for not more than 10 years" after "remains uncollected".

Subsec. (f)(4)(B). Pub. L. 111–291, §801(a)(4)(B), struck out "due to fraud" after "to be liable" and "for not more than 10 years" after "remain uncollected".

Subsec. (f)(5) to (8). Pub. L. 111–291, §801(a)(2), redesignated pars. (5) to (7) as (4) to (6), respectively, and struck out par. (8). Prior to amendment, text of par. (8) read as follows: "This section shall not apply to refunds payable after the date which is 10 years after the date of the enactment of this subsection."

2008—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 110–328, §3(d)(1), substituted "(c), (d), (e), and (f)" for "(c), (d), and (e),".

Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 110–328, §3(d)(2), substituted "and before such overpayment is reduced pursuant to subsections (e) and (f)" for "and before such overpayment is reduced pursuant to subsection (e)".

Subsec. (e)(3). Pub. L. 110–328, §3(d)(3), inserted "or subsection (f)" after "paragraph (1)" in concluding provisions.

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 110–328, §3(a), added subsec. (f). Former subsec. (f) redesignated (g).

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 110–328, §3(a), (d)(4), redesignated subsec. (f) as (g) and substituted "(c), (d), (e), or (f)" for "(c), (d), or (e)". Former subsec. (g) redesignated (h).

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 110–328, §3(a), redesignated subsec. (g) as (h). Former subsec. (h) redesignated (i).

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 110–328, §3(a), (d)(5), redesignated subsec. (h) as (i) and substituted "subsection (c), (e), or (f)" for "subsection (c) or (e)". Former subsec. (i) redesignated (j).

Subsecs. (j) to (l). Pub. L. 110–328, §3(a), redesignated subsecs. (i) to (k) as (j) to (l), respectively.

2006—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 109–171 substituted "of such Act." for "the Social Security Act." in first sentence and "The Secretary shall apply a reduction under this subsection first to an amount certified by the State as past due support under section 464 of the Social Security Act before any other reductions allowed by law." for "A reduction under this subsection shall be applied first to satisfy any past-due support which has been assigned to the State under section 402(a)(26) or 471(a)(17) of the Social Security Act, and shall be applied to satisfy any other past-due support after any other reductions allowed by law (but before a credit against future liability for an internal revenue tax) have been made." in third sentence.

1998—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105–206, §3711(c)(1), substituted "(c), (d), and (e)" for "(c) and (d)".

Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 105–206, §3711(c)(2), substituted "and before such overpayment is reduced pursuant to subsection (e) and before such overpayment" for "and before such overpayment".

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 105–206, §3711(a), added subsec. (e). Former subsec. (e) redesignated (f).

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 105–206, §3711(a), (c)(3), redesignated subsec. (e) as (f) and substituted "(c), (d), or (e)" for "(c) or (d)" and "Federal agency or State" for "Federal agency". Former subsec. (f) redesignated (g).

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 105–206, §3711(a), redesignated subsec. (f) as (g). Former subsec. (g) redesignated (h).

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 105–206, §3711(a), (c)(4), redesignated subsec. (g) as (h) and substituted "subsection (c) or (e)" for "subsection (c)". Former subsec. (h) redesignated (i).

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 105–206, §3711(a), redesignated subsec. (h) as (i). Former subsec. (i) redesignated (j).

Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 105–206, §3711(a), redesignated subsec. (i) as (j). Former subsec. (j) redesignated (k).

Pub. L. 105–206, §3505(a), added subsec. (j).

Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 105–206, §3711(a), redesignated subsec. (j) as (k).

1997—Subsecs. (a), (e) to (j). Pub. L. 105–33 repealed Pub. L. 104–193, §110(l)(7). See 1996 Amendment notes below.

1996—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–193, §110(l)(7)(A), which directed substitution of "(c), (d), and (e)" for "(c) and (d)", was repealed by Pub. L. 105–33.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 104–193, §110(l)(7)(C), which directed amendment by adding subsec. (e), reading as follows: "Collection of Overpayments Under Title IV–A of the Social Security Act.—The amount of any overpayment to be refunded to the person making the overpayment shall be reduced (after reductions pursuant to subsections (c) and (d), but before a credit against future liability for an internal revenue tax) in accordance with section 405(e) of the Social Security Act (concerning recovery of overpayments to individuals under State plans approved under part A of title IV of such Act).", was repealed by Pub. L. 105–33.

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 104–193, §110(l)(7)(B), which directed amendment by redesignating subsec. (e) as (f), was repealed by Pub. L. 105–33.

Pub. L. 104–134 amended subsec. (f) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (f) read as follows: "For purposes of this section, the term 'Federal agency' means a department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States (other than an agency subject to section 9 of the Act of May 18, 1933 (48 Stat. 63, chapter 32; 16 U.S.C. 831h)), and includes a Government corporation (as such term is defined in section 103 of title 5, United States Code)."

Subsecs. (g) to (j). Pub. L. 104–193, §110(l)(7)(B), which directed amendment by redesignating subsecs. (f) to (i) as (g) to (j), respectively, was repealed by Pub. L. 105–33.

1994—Subsecs. (d)(3)(C), (e). Pub. L. 103–296 substituted "Commissioner of Social Security" for "Secretary of Health and Human Services" wherever appearing.

1990—Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 101–508, §5129(c)(1)(A), struck out "any OASDI overpayment and" after "(other than".

Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 101–508, §5129(c)(1)(B), added par. (3) and struck out former par. (3) which read as follows: "For purposes of this subsection the term 'OASDI overpayment' means any overpayment of benefits made to an individual under title II of the Social Security Act."

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 101–508, §5129(c)(2), inserted before period at end "or any such action against the Secretary of Health and Human Services which is otherwise available with respect to recoveries of overpayments of benefits under section 204 of the Social Security Act".

1988—Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 100–647 added subsec. (i).

1984—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 98–369, §2653(b)(2), substituted "subsections (c) and (d)" for "subsection (c)".

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 98–378, §21(e)(1), substituted "collecting such support" for "to which such support has been assigned" and inserted provision that a reduction under this subsection shall be applied first to satisfy any past-due support which has been assigned to the State under section 402(a)(26) or 471(a)(17) of the Social Security Act, and shall be applied to satisfy any other past-due support after any other reductions allowed by law (but before a credit against future liability for an internal revenue tax) have been made.

Subsecs. (d) to (f). Pub. L. 98–369, §2653(b)(1), added subsecs. (d) to (f).

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 98–378, §21(e)(2), added subsec. (g). Former subsec. (g) redesignated (h).

Pub. L. 98–369, §2653(b)(1), added subsec. (g).

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 98–378, §21(e)(2), redesignated former subsec. (g) as (h).

1981—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 97–35, §2331(c)(1), inserted reference to subsec. (c) of this section.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 97–35, §2331(c)(2), added subsec. (c).

1976—Pub. L. 94–455 struck out "or his delegate" after "Secretary" wherever appearing.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2015 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 114–113 applicable to credits or refunds made after Dec. 31, 2016, see section 201(d) of Pub. L. 114–113, set out as a note under section 6071 of this title.

Effective Date of 2010 Amendment

Pub. L. 111–312, title V, §503(b), Dec. 17, 2010, 124 Stat. 3308, provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect as if included in section 801 of the Claims Resolution Act of 2010 [Pub. L. 111–291]."

Pub. L. 111–291, title VIII, §801(b), Dec. 8, 2010, 124 Stat. 3157, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to refunds payable under section 6402 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 8, 2010]."

Effective Date of 2008 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 110–328 applicable to refunds payable under section 6402 of this title on or after Sept. 30, 2008, see section 3(e) of Pub. L. 110–328, set out as a note under section 3304 of this title.

Effective Date of 2006 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 109–171 effective Oct. 1, 2009, and applicable to payments under parts A and D of subchapter IV of chapter 7 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, for calendar quarters beginning on or after such date, subject to certain State options, see section 7301(e) of Pub. L. 109–171, set out as a note under section 608 of Title 42.

Effective Date of 1998 Amendment

Pub. L. 105–206, title III, §3505(b), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 771, provided that: "The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to disallowances after the 180th day after the date of the enactment of this Act [July 22, 1998]."

Amendment by section 3711 of Pub. L. 105–206 applicable to refunds payable under this section after Dec. 31, 1999, see section 3711(d) of Pub. L. 105–206, set out as a note under section 6103 of this title.

Effective Date of 1997 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 105–33 effective as if included in section 110 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, Pub. L. 104–193, at the time such section 110 became law, see section 5518(c) of Pub. L. 105–33, set out as a note under section 51 of this title.

Effective Date of 1996 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 104–193 effective July 1, 1997, with transition rules relating to State options to accelerate such date, rules relating to claims, actions, and proceedings commenced before such date, rules relating to closing out of accounts for terminated or substantially modified programs and continuance in office of Assistant Secretary for Family Support, and provisions relating to termination of entitlement under AFDC program, see section 116 of Pub. L. 104–193, as amended, set out as an Effective Date note under section 601 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.

Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 103–296 effective Mar. 31, 1995, see section 110(a) of Pub. L. 103–296, set out as a note under section 401 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.

Effective Date of 1990 Amendment

Pub. L. 101–508, title V, §5129(d), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–289, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [amending this section, section 3720A of Title 31, Money and Finance, and section 404 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare]—

"(1) shall take effect January 1, 1991, and

"(2) shall not apply to refunds to which the amendments made by section 2653 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984 (98 Stat. 1153) [enacting section 3720A of Title 31 and amending this section and sections 6103 and 7213 of this title] do not apply."

Effective Date of 1984 Amendments

Amendment by Pub. L. 98–378 applicable with respect to refunds payable under this section after Dec. 31, 1985, see section 21(g) of Pub. L. 98–378, set out as a note under section 6103 of this title.

Pub. L. 98–369, div. B, title VI, §2653(c), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1156, as amended by Pub. L. 99–514, §2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095; Pub. L. 100–203, title IX, §9402(a), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–376; Pub. L. 100–485, title VII, §701(a), Oct. 13, 1988, 102 Stat. 2425; Pub. L. 102–164, title IV, §401(a), Nov. 15, 1991, 105 Stat. 1061, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [enacting section 3720A of Title 31, Money and Finance, and amending this section and sections 6103 and 7213 of this title] shall apply with respect to refunds payable under section 6402 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] after December 31, 1985."

[Pub. L. 102–164, title IV, §401(b), Nov. 15, 1991, 105 Stat. 1061, provided that: "The amendment made by this section [amending section 2653(c) of Pub. L. 98–369, set out above] shall take effect on October 1, 1991."]

Effective Date of 1981 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 97–35 effective, except as otherwise specifically provided, on Oct. 1, 1981, see section 2336 of Pub. L. 97–35, set out as a note under section 651 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.

Organ and Tissue Donation Information Included With Income Tax Refund Payments

Pub. L. 104–191, title III, §371, Aug. 21, 1996, 110 Stat. 2072, provided that:

"(a) In General.—The Secretary of the Treasury shall, to the extent practicable, include with the mailing of any payment of a refund of individual income tax made during the period beginning on February 1, 1997, and ending on June 30, 1997, a copy of the document described in subsection (b).

"(b) Text of Document.—The Secretary of the Treasury shall, after consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and organizations promoting organ and tissue (including eye) donation, prepare a document suitable for inclusion with individual income tax refund payments which—

"(1) encourages organ and tissue donation;

"(2) includes a detachable organ and tissue donor card; and

"(3) urges recipients to—

"(A) sign the organ and tissue donor card;

"(B) discuss organ and tissue donation with family members and tell family members about the recipient's desire to be an organ and tissue donor if the occasion arises; and

"(C) encourage family members to request or authorize organ and tissue donation if the occasion arises."

Clarification of Congressional Intent as to Scope of Amendments by Section 2653 of Pub. L. 98–369

Pub. L. 100–203, title IX, §9402(b), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–376, provided that:

"(1) Nothing in the amendments made by section 2653 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984 [enacting section 3720A of Title 31, Money and Finance, and amending this section and sections 6103 and 7213 of this title] shall be construed as exempting debts of corporations or any other category of persons from the application of such amendments.

"(2) It is the intent of the Congress that, to the extent practicable, the amendments made by section 2653 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984 shall extend to all Federal agencies (as defined in the amendments made by such section).

"(3) The Secretary of the Treasury shall issue regulations to carry out the purposes of this subsection."

Study by General Accounting Office of Operation and Effectiveness of Amendments by Section 2653 of Pub. L. 98–369

Pub. L. 100–203, title IX, §9402(c), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–376, required the Comptroller General of the United States, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, to conduct a study of the operation and effectiveness of amendments by section 2653 of Pub. L. 98–369 on voluntary compliance with the income tax laws and, by Apr. 1, 1989, submit a report and recommendations to Congress.

§6403. Overpayment of installment

In the case of a tax payable in installments, if the taxpayer has paid as an installment of the tax more than the amount determined to be the correct amount of such installment, the overpayment shall be credited against the unpaid installments, if any. If the amount already paid, whether or not on the basis of installments, exceeds the amount determined to be the correct amount of the tax, the overpayment shall be credited or refunded as provided in section 6402.

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 791.)

§6404. Abatements

(a) General rule

The Secretary is authorized to abate the unpaid portion of the assessment of any tax or any liability in respect thereof, which—

(1) is excessive in amount, or

(2) is assessed after the expiration of the period of limitation properly applicable thereto, or

(3) is erroneously or illegally assessed.

(b) No claim for abatement of income, estate, and gift taxes

No claim for abatement shall be filed by a taxpayer in respect of an assessment of any tax imposed under subtitle A or B.

(c) Small tax balances

The Secretary is authorized to abate the unpaid portion of the assessment of any tax, or any liability in respect thereof, if the Secretary determines under uniform rules prescribed by the Secretary that the administration and collection costs involved would not warrant collection of the amount due.

(d) Assessments attributable to certain mathematical errors by Internal Revenue Service

In the case of an assessment of any tax imposed by chapter 1 attributable in whole or in part to a mathematical error described in section 6213(g)(2)(A), if the return was prepared by an officer or employee of the Internal Revenue Service acting in his official capacity to provide assistance to taxpayers in the preparation of income tax returns, the Secretary is authorized to abate the assessment of all or any part of any interest on such deficiency for any period ending on or before the 30th day following the date of notice and demand by the Secretary for payment of the deficiency.

(e) Abatement of interest attributable to unreasonable errors and delays by Internal Revenue Service

(1) In general

In the case of any assessment of interest on—

(A) any deficiency attributable in whole or in part to any unreasonable error or delay by an officer or employee of the Internal Revenue Service (acting in his official capacity) in performing a ministerial or managerial act, or

(B) any payment of any tax described in section 6212(a) to the extent that any unreasonable error or delay in such payment is attributable to such an officer or employee being erroneous or dilatory in performing a ministerial or managerial act,

the Secretary may abate the assessment of all or any part of such interest for any period. For purposes of the preceding sentence, an error or delay shall be taken into account only if no significant aspect of such error or delay can be attributed to the taxpayer involved, and after the Internal Revenue Service has contacted the taxpayer in writing with respect to such deficiency or payment.

(2) Interest abated with respect to erroneous refund check

The Secretary shall abate the assessment of all interest on any erroneous refund under section 6602 until the date demand for repayment is made, unless—

(A) the taxpayer (or a related party) has in any way caused such erroneous refund, or

(B) such erroneous refund exceeds $50,000.

(f) Abatement of any penalty or addition to tax attributable to erroneous written advice by the Internal Revenue Service

(1) In general

The Secretary shall abate any portion of any penalty or addition to tax attributable to erroneous advice furnished to the taxpayer in writing by an officer or employee of the Internal Revenue Service, acting in such officer's or employee's official capacity.

(2) Limitations

Paragraph (1) shall apply only if—

(A) the written advice was reasonably relied upon by the taxpayer and was in response to a specific written request of the taxpayer, and

(B) the portion of the penalty or addition to tax did not result from a failure by the taxpayer to provide adequate or accurate information.

(g) Suspension of interest and certain penalties where Secretary fails to contact taxpayer

(1) Suspension

(A) In general

In the case of an individual who files a return of tax imposed by subtitle A for a taxable year on or before the due date for the return (including extensions), if the Secretary does not provide a notice to the taxpayer specifically stating the taxpayer's liability and the basis for the liability before the close of the 36-month period beginning on the later of—

(i) the date on which the return is filed; or

(ii) the due date of the return without regard to extensions,

the Secretary shall suspend the imposition of any interest, penalty, addition to tax, or additional amount with respect to any failure relating to the return which is computed by reference to the period of time the failure continues to exist and which is properly allocable to the suspension period.

(B) Separate application

This paragraph shall be applied separately with respect to each item or adjustment.

If, after the return for a taxable year is filed, the taxpayer provides to the Secretary 1 or more signed written documents showing that the taxpayer owes an additional amount of tax for the taxable year, clause (i) shall be applied by substituting the date the last of the documents was provided for the date on which the return is filed.

(2) Exceptions

Paragraph (1) shall not apply to—

(A) any penalty imposed by section 6651;

(B) any interest, penalty, addition to tax, or additional amount in a case involving fraud;

(C) any interest, penalty, addition to tax, or additional amount with respect to any tax liability shown on the return;

(D) any interest, penalty, addition to tax, or additional amount with respect to any gross misstatement;

(E) any interest, penalty, addition to tax, or additional amount with respect to any reportable transaction with respect to which the requirement of section 6664(d)(3)(A) is not met and any listed transaction (as defined in 6707A(c)); or

(F) any criminal penalty.

(3) Suspension period

For purposes of this subsection, the term "suspension period" means the period—

(A) beginning on the day after the close of the 36-month period under paragraph (1); and

(B) ending on the date which is 21 days after the date on which notice described in paragraph (1)(A) is provided by the Secretary.

(h) Judicial review of request for abatement of interest

(1) In general

The Tax Court shall have jurisdiction over any action brought by a taxpayer who meets the requirements referred to in section 7430(c)(4)(A)(ii) to determine whether the Secretary's failure to abate interest under this section was an abuse of discretion, and may order an abatement, if such action is brought—

(A) at any time after the earlier of—

(i) the date of the mailing of the Secretary's final determination not to abate such interest, or

(ii) the date which is 180 days after the date of the filing with the Secretary (in such form as the Secretary may prescribe) of a claim for abatement under this section, and

(B) not later than the date which is 180 days after the date described in subparagraph (A)(i).

(2) Special rules

(A) Date of mailing

Rules similar to the rules of section 6213 shall apply for purposes of determining the date of the mailing referred to in paragraph (1).

(B) Relief

Rules similar to the rules of section 6512(b) shall apply for purposes of this subsection.

(C) Review

An order of the Tax Court under this subsection shall be reviewable in the same manner as a decision of the Tax Court, but only with respect to the matters determined in such order.

(i) Cross reference

For authority to suspend running of interest, etc. by reason of Presidentially declared disaster or terroristic or military action, see section 7508A.

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 792; Pub. L. 94–455, title XII, §1212(a), title XIX, §1906(b)(13)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1712, 1834; Pub. L. 96–589, §6(b)(2), Dec. 24, 1980, 94 Stat. 3407; Pub. L. 99–514, title XV, §1563(a), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2762; Pub. L. 100–647, title I, §1015(n), title VI, §6229(a), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3572, 3733; Pub. L. 104–168, title III, §§301(a), (b), 302(a), title VII, §701(c)(3), July 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 1457, 1464; Pub. L. 105–206, title III, §§3305(a), 3309(a), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 743, 745; Pub. L. 105–277, div. J, title IV, §4003(e)(2), Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–909; Pub. L. 107–134, title I, §112(d)(1), Jan. 23, 2002, 115 Stat. 2434; Pub. L. 108–357, title VIII, §903(a)–(c), Oct. 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 1652; Pub. L. 109–135, title III, §303(b)(1), Dec. 21, 2005, 119 Stat. 2609; Pub. L. 110–28, title VIII, §8242(a), May 25, 2007, 121 Stat. 200; Pub. L. 113–295, div. A, title II, §221(a)(111), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 4054; Pub. L. 114–113, div. Q, title IV, §421(a), Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 3123; Pub. L. 115–141, div. U, title IV, §401(a)(288), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1198.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Subsec. (g)(2)(E). Pub. L. 115–141 substituted "section 6664(d)(3)(A)" for "section 6664(d)(2)(A)".

2015—Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 114–113, §421(a)(1), substituted "Judicial review" for "Review of denial" in heading.

Subsec. (h)(1). Pub. L. 114–113, §421(a)(2), substituted "if such action is brought—" and subpars. (A) and (B) for "if such action is brought within 180 days after the date of the mailing of the Secretary's final determination not to abate such interest."

2014—Subsec. (f)(3). Pub. L. 113–295 struck out par. (3). Text read as follows: "Within 180 days after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall prescribe such initial regulations as may be necessary to carry out this subsection."

2007—Subsec. (g)(1)(A), (3)(A). Pub. L. 110–28 substituted "36-month period" for "18-month period".

2005—Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 109–135 inserted at end "If, after the return for a taxable year is filed, the taxpayer provides to the Secretary 1 or more signed written documents showing that the taxpayer owes an additional amount of tax for the taxable year, clause (i) shall be applied by substituting the date the last of the documents was provided for the date on which the return is filed."

2004—Subsec. (g)(1)(A). Pub. L. 108–357, §903(a), substituted "18-month period" for "1-year period (18-month period in the case of taxable years beginning before January 1, 2004)" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (g)(2)(D). Pub. L. 108–357, §903(b), added subpar. (D). Former subpar. (D) redesignated (E).

Subsec. (g)(2)(E). Pub. L. 108–357, §903(c), added subpar. (E). Former subpar. (E) redesignated (F).

Pub. L. 108–357, §903(b), redesignated subpar. (D) as (E).

Subsec. (g)(2)(F). Pub. L. 108–357, §903(c), redesignated subpar. (E) as (F).

Subsec. (g)(3)(A). Pub. L. 108–357, §903(a), substituted "18-month period" for "1-year period (18-month period in the case of taxable years beginning before January 1, 2004)".

2002—Subsecs. (h), (i). Pub. L. 107–134 added subsec. (i), redesignated former subsec. (i) as (h), and struck out former subsec. (h), which had authorized abatement of interest on underpayments by taxpayers in Presidentially declared disaster areas and defined the term "Presidentially declared disaster area" for purposes of this provision.

1998—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 105–206, §3305(a), added subsec. (g). Former subsec. (g) redesignated (h).

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 105–206, §3309(a), added subsec. (h). Former subsec. (h) redesignated (i).

Pub. L. 105–206, §3305(a), redesignated subsec. (g) as (h).

Subsec. (h)(2). Pub. L. 105–277 inserted "Robert T. Stafford" before "Disaster".

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 105–206, §3309(a), redesignated subsec. (h) as (i).

1996—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 104–168, §301(b), substituted "Abatement of interest attributable to unreasonable errors" for "Assessments of interest attributable to errors" in heading.

Subsec. (e)(1)(A), (B). Pub. L. 104–168, §301(a), inserted "unreasonable" before "error" and substituted "in performing a ministerial or managerial act" for "in performing a ministerial act".

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 104–168, §302(a), added subsec. (g).

Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 104–168, §701(c)(3), substituted "section 7430(c)(4)(A)(ii)" for "section 7430(c)(4)(A)(iii)".

1988—Subsec. (e)(1)(B). Pub. L. 100–647, §1015(n), inserted "error or" before "delay" and "erroneous or" before "dilatory".

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 100–647, §6229(a), added subsec. (f).

1986—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 99–514 added subsec. (e).

1980—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 96–589 substituted "section 6213(g)(2)(A)" for "section 6213(f)(2)(A)".

1976—Subsecs. (a), (c). Pub. L. 94–455, §1906(b)(13)(A), struck out "or his delegate" after "Secretary" wherever appearing.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 94–455, §1212(a), added subsec. (d).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2015 Amendment

Pub. L. 114–113, div. Q, title IV, §421(b), Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 3123, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to claims for abatement of interest filed with the Secretary of the Treasury after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 18, 2015]."

Effective Date of 2014 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 113–295 effective Dec. 19, 2014, subject to a savings provision, see section 221(b) of Pub. L. 113–295, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.

Effective Date of 2007 Amendment

Pub. L. 110–28, title VIII, §8242(b), May 25, 2007, 121 Stat. 200, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to notices provided by the Secretary of the Treasury, or his delegate, after the date which is 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [May 25, 2007]."

Effective Date of 2005 Amendment

Pub. L. 109–135, title III, §303(b)(2), Dec. 21, 2005, 119 Stat. 2609, provided that: "The amendment made by this subsection [amending this section] shall apply to documents provided on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 21, 2005]."

Effective Date of 2004 Amendment

Pub. L. 108–357, title VIII, §903(d), Oct. 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 1652, as amended by Pub. L. 109–135, title III, §303(a)(1), Dec. 21, 2005, 119 Stat. 2608; Pub. L. 109–432, div. A, title IV, §426(b)(1), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 2975, provided that:

"(1) In general.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2003.

"(2) Exception for reportable or listed transactions.—

"(A) In general.—The amendments made by subsection (c) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to interest accruing after October 3, 2004.

"(B) Special rule for certain listed and reportable transactions.—

"(i) In general.—Except as provided in clauses (ii), (iii), and (iv), the amendments made by subsection (c) shall also apply with respect to interest accruing on or before October 3, 2004.

"(ii) Participants in settlement initiatives.—Clause (i) shall not apply to any transaction if, as of January 23, 2006—

"(I) the taxpayer is participating in a settlement initiative described in Internal Revenue Service Announcement 2005–80 with respect to such transaction, or

"(II) the taxpayer has entered into a settlement agreement pursuant to such an initiative.

  Subclause (I) shall not apply to any taxpayer if, after January 23, 2006, the taxpayer withdraws from, or terminates, participation in the initiative or the Secretary of the Treasury or the Secretary's delegate determines that a settlement agreement will not be reached pursuant to the initiative within a reasonable period of time.

"(iii) Taxpayers acting in good faith.—The Secretary of the Treasury or the Secretary's delegate may except from the application of clause (i) any transaction in which the taxpayer has acted reasonably and in good faith.

"(iv) Closed transactions.—Clause (i) shall not apply to a transaction if, as of December 14, 2005—

"(I) the assessment of all Federal income taxes for the taxable year in which the tax liability to which the interest relates arose is prevented by the operation of any law or rule of law, or

"(II) a closing agreement under section 7121 has been entered into with respect to the tax liability arising in connection with the transaction."

[Pub. L. 109–432, div. A, title IV, §426(b)(2), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 2975, provided that: "The amendment made by this subsection [amending section 903(d) of Pub. L. 108–357, set out above] shall take effect as if included in the provisions of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 [Pub. L. 108–357] to which it relates."]

[Pub. L. 109–135, title III, §303(a)(2), Dec. 21, 2005, 119 Stat. 2609, provided that: "The amendment made by this subsection [amending section 903(d) of Pub. L. 108–357, set out above] shall take effect as if included in the provisions of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 [Pub. L. 108–357] to which it relates."]

Effective Date of 2002 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 107–134 applicable to disasters and terroristic or military actions occurring on or after Sept. 11, 2001, with respect to any action of the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Labor, or the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation occurring on or after Jan. 23, 2002, see section 112(f) of Pub. L. 107–134, set out as a note under section 6081 of this title.

Effective Date of 1998 Amendments

Amendment by Pub. L. 105–277 effective as if included in the provision of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, Pub. L. 105–34, to which such amendment relates, see section 4003(l) of Pub. L. 105–277, set out as a note under section 86 of this title.

Pub. L. 105–206, title III, §3305(b), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 743, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years ending after the date of the enactment of this Act [July 22, 1998]."

Pub. L. 105–206, title III, §3309(b), (c), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 745, provided that:

"(b) Effective Date.—The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to disasters declared after December 31, 1997, with respect to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1997.

"(c) Emergency Designation.—

"(1) For the purposes of section 252(e) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act [2 U.S.C. 902(e)], Congress designates the provisions of this section as an emergency requirement.

"(2) The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) of this section [amending this section] shall only take effect upon the transmittal by the President to the Congress of a message designating the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 252(e) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act."

[For message of the President dated July 22, 1998, designating the provisions of section 3309(a), (b) of Pub. L. 105–206 as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 252(e) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 on July 22, 1998, see Cong. Rec., vol. 144, pt. 11, p. 16779.]

Effective Date of 1996 Amendment

Pub. L. 104–168, title III, §301(c), July 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 1457, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to interest accruing with respect to deficiencies or payments for taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act [July 30, 1996]."

Pub. L. 104–168, title III, §302(b), July 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 1458, provided that: "The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to requests for abatement after the date of the enactment of this Act [July 30, 1996]."

Pub. L. 104–168, title VII, §701(d), July 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 1464, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 6656 and 7430 of this title] shall apply in the case of proceedings commenced after the date of the enactment of this Act [July 30, 1996]."

Effective Date of 1988 Amendment

Amendment by section 1015(n) of Pub. L. 100–647 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provision of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, Pub. L. 99–514, to which such amendment relates, see section 1019(a) of Pub. L. 100–647, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.

Pub. L. 100–647, title VI, §6229(b), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3733, provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to advice requested on or after January 1, 1989."

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Pub. L. 99–514, title XV, §1563(b), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2762, provided that:

"(1) In general.—The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to interest accruing with respect to deficiencies or payments for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1978.

"(2) Statute of limitations.—If refund or credit of any amount resulting from the application of the amendment made by subsection (a) is prevented at any time before the close of the date which is 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 22, 1986] by the operation of any law or rule of law (including res judicata), refund or credit of such amount (to the extent attributable to the application of the amendment made by subsection (a)) may, nevertheless, be made or allowed if claim therefore [sic] is filed before the close of such 1-year period."

Effective Date of 1980 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 96–589 effective on Oct. 1, 1979, but not applicable to proceedings under Title 11, Bankruptcy, commenced before Oct. 1, 1979, see section 7(e) of Pub. L. 96–589, set out as a note under section 108 of this title.

Effective Date of 1976 Amendment

Pub. L. 94–455, title XII, §1212(b), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1712, provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to returns filed for taxable years ending after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 4, 1976]."

§6405. Reports of refunds and credits

(a) By Treasury to Joint Committee

No refund or credit of any income, war profits, excess profits, estate, or gift tax, or any tax imposed with respect to public charities, private foundations, operators' trust funds, pension plans, or real estate investment trusts under chapter 41, 42, 43, or 44, in excess of $2,000,000 ($5,000,000 in the case of a C corporation) shall be made until after the expiration of 30 days from the date upon which a report giving the name of the person to whom the refund or credit is to be made, the amount of such refund or credit, and a summary of the facts and the decision of the Secretary, is submitted to the Joint Committee on Taxation.

(b) Tentative adjustments

Any credit or refund allowed or made under section 6411 shall be made without regard to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section. In any such case, if the credit or refund, reduced by any deficiency in such tax thereafter assessed and by deficiencies in any other tax resulting from adjustments reflected in the determination of the credit or refund, is in excess of $2,000,000 ($5,000,000 in the case of a C corporation), there shall be submitted to such committee a report containing the matter specified in subsection (a) at such time after the making of the credit or refund as the Secretary shall determine the correct amount of the tax.

(c) Refunds attributable to certain disaster losses

If any refund or credit of income taxes is attributable to the taxpayer's election under section 165(i) to deduct a disaster loss for the taxable year immediately preceding the taxable year in which the disaster occurred, the Secretary is authorized in his discretion to make the refund or credit, to the extent attributable to such election, without regard to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section. If such refund or credit is made without regard to subsection (a), there shall thereafter be submitted to such Joint Committee a report containing the matter specified in subsection (a) as soon as the Secretary shall determine the correct amount of the tax for the taxable year for which the refund or credit is made.

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 792; Pub. L. 92–418, §2(b), Aug. 29, 1972, 86 Stat. 657; Pub. L. 92–512, title II, §203(a), Oct. 20, 1972, 86 Stat. 944; Pub. L. 94–455, title XII, §1210(a), (b), title XIX, §1906(b)(13)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1711, 1834; Pub. L. 95–227, §4(d)(3), Feb. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 23; Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title VII, §711(c)(3), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 946; Pub. L. 99–514, title XVIII, §1879(e), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2906; Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, §§11801(c)(21)(A), 11834(a), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–528, 1388-560; Pub. L. 106–554, §1(a)(7) [title III, §305(a)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A-634; Pub. L. 113–295, div. A, title III, §301(a), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 4055.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2014—Subsecs. (a), (b). Pub. L. 113–295 inserted "($5,000,000 in the case of a C corporation)" after "$2,000,000".

2000—Subsecs. (a), (b). Pub. L. 106–554 substituted "$2,000,000" for "$1,000,000".

1990—Subsecs. (a), (b). Pub. L. 101–508, §11834(a) substituted "$1,000,000" for "$200,000".

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 101–508, §11801(c)(21)(A), struck out subsec. (d) which read as follows: "For purposes of this section, a refund or credit made under subchapter E of chapter 64 (relating to Federal collection of qualified State individual income taxes) for a taxable year shall be treated as a portion of a refund or credit of the income tax for that taxable year."

1986—Subsecs. (b) to (e). Pub. L. 99–514 redesignated subsecs. (c) to (e) as (b) to (d), respectively, and struck out former subsec. (b) which read as follows: "A report to Congress shall be made annually by such committee of such refunds and credits, including the names of all persons and corporations to whom amounts are credited or payments are made, together with the amounts credited or paid to each."

1984—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 98–369 substituted "section 165(i)" for "section 165(h)".

1978—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 95–227 inserted provisions relating to applicability to public charities, operators' trust funds, or real estate investment trusts, and references to chapters 41 and 44.

1976—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 94–455, §1210(a), inserted reference to any tax imposed with respect to private foundations and pensions under chapters 42 and 43, substituted $200,000 for $100,000 and struck out "or his delegate" after "Secretary".

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 94–455, §§1210(b), 1906(b)(13)(A), substituted "$200,000" for "$100,000" and struck out "or his delegate" after "Secretary".

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 94–455, §1906(b)(13)(A), struck out "or his delegate" after "Secretary" wherever appearing.

1972—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 92–418 added subsec. (d).

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 92–512 added subsec. (e).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2014 Amendment

Pub. L. 113–295, div. A, title III, §301(b), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 4055, provided that: "The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 19, 2014], except that such amendment shall not apply with respect to any refund or credit with respect to a report that has been made before such date under section 6405 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986."

Effective Date of 2000 Amendment

Pub. L. 106–554, §1(a)(7) [title III, §305(b)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A-634, provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 21, 2000], except that such amendment shall not apply with respect to any refund or credit with respect to a report that has been made before such date of the enactment under section 6405 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986."

Effective Date of 1990 Amendment

Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, §11834(b), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–560, provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 5, 1990], except that such amendment shall not apply with respect to any refund or credit with respect to a report has been made before such date of enactment under section 6405 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986."

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 99–514 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1984, Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, to which such amendment relates, see section 1881 of Pub. L. 99–514, set out as a note under section 48 of this title.

Effective Date of 1984 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 98–369 effective as if included in the provision of the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982, Pub. L. 97–248, to which such amendment relates, see section 715 of Pub. L. 98–369, set out as a note under section 31 of this title.

Effective Date of 1978 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 95–227 applicable with respect to contributions, acts, and expenditures made after Dec. 31, 1977, in and for taxable years beginning after such date, see section 4(f) of Pub. L. 95–227, set out as an Effective Date note under section 192 of this title.

Effective Date of 1976 Amendment

Pub. L. 94–455, title XII, §1210(d)(1), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1711, as amended by Pub. L. 99–514, §2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095, provided that: "The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) [amending this section] shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 4, 1976], except that such amendments shall not apply with respect to any refund or credit with respect to which a report has been made before the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 4, 1976] under subsection (a) or (c) of section 6405 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954]."

Effective Date of 1972 Amendment

Pub. L. 92–418, §2(c), Aug. 29, 1972, 86 Stat. 657, provided in part that: "The amendment made by subsection (b) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to refunds or credits made after July 1, 1972."

Savings Provision

For provisions that nothing in amendment by section 11801(c)(21)(A) of Pub. L. 101–508 be construed to affect treatment of certain transactions occurring, property acquired, or items of income, loss, deduction, or credit taken into account prior to Nov. 5, 1990, for purposes of determining liability for tax for periods ending after Nov. 5, 1990, see section 11821(b) of Pub. L. 101–508, set out as a note under section 45K of this title.

Plan Amendments Not Required Until January 1, 1989

For provisions directing that if any amendments made by subtitle A or subtitle C of title XI [§§1101–1147 and 1171–1177] or title XVIII [§§1800–1899A] of Pub. L. 99–514 require an amendment to any plan, such plan amendment shall not be required to be made before the first plan year beginning on or after Jan. 1, 1989, see section 1140 of Pub. L. 99–514, as amended, set out as a note under section 401 of this title.

§6406. Prohibition of administrative review of decisions

In the absence of fraud or mistake in mathematical calculation, the findings of fact in and the decision of the Secretary upon the merits of any claim presented under or authorized by the internal revenue laws and the allowance or non-allowance by the Secretary of interest on any credit or refund under the internal revenue laws shall not, except as provided in subchapters C and D of chapter 76 (relating to the Tax Court), be subject to review by any other administrative or accounting officer, employee, or agent of the United States.

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 792; Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, §1906(b)(13)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1834.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1976—Pub. L. 94–455 struck out "or his delegate" after "Secretary" wherever appearing.

§6407. Date of allowance of refund or credit

The date on which the Secretary first authorizes the scheduling of an overassessment in respect of any internal revenue tax shall be considered as the date of allowance of refund or credit in respect of such tax.

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 793; Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, §1906(b)(13)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1834.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1976—Pub. L. 94–455 struck out "or his delegate" after "Secretary" wherever appearing.

§6408. State escheat laws not to apply

No overpayment of any tax imposed by this title shall be refunded (and no interest with respect to any such overpayment shall be paid) if the amount of such refund (or interest) would escheat to a State or would otherwise become the property of a State under any law relating to the disposition of unclaimed or abandoned property. No refund (or payment of interest) shall be made to the estate of any decedent unless it is affirmatively shown that such amount will not escheat to a State or otherwise become the property of a State under such a law.

(Added Pub. L. 100–203, title X, §10621(a), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–452.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Pub. L. 100–203, title X, §10621(c), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–452, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [enacting this section] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 22, 1987]."

§6409. Refunds disregarded in the administration of Federal programs and federally assisted programs

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any refund (or advance payment with respect to a refundable credit) made to any individual under this title shall not be taken into account as income, and shall not be taken into account as resources for a period of 12 months from receipt, for purposes of determining the eligibility of such individual (or any other individual) for benefits or assistance (or the amount or extent of benefits or assistance) under any Federal program or under any State or local program financed in whole or in part with Federal funds.

(Added Pub. L. 111–312, title VII, §728(a), Dec. 17, 2010, 124 Stat. 3317; amended Pub. L. 112–240, title I, §103(d), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 2320.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2013—Pub. L. 112–240 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to refunds disregarded in the administration of Federal programs and federally assisted programs and provided that the provisions were inapplicable to any amount received after Dec. 31, 2012.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2013 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 112–240 applicable to amounts received after Dec. 31, 2012, see section 103(e)(2) of Pub. L. 112–240, set out as a note under section 24 of this title.

Effective Date

Pub. L. 111–312, title VII, §728(c), Dec. 17, 2010, 124 Stat. 3317, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [enacting this section] shall apply to amounts received after December 31, 2009."