IRS Penalty Information
Total failure to file a tax return and pay all balances owed will result in the IRS charging an IRS penalty, which is usually “five percent of the tax owed for each month, or part of a month that your return is late, up to five months. If your return is over 60 days late, the minimum for late filing is the lesser of $135 or 100 percent of the tax owed” (“Topic 653”).
According to the Internal Revenue Manual’s Penalty Handbook[1], the purpose of penalties, or the assessment thereof, is to encourage voluntary compliance by defining standards specific to compliant behavior, defining consequences for noncompliance, and providing monetary sanctions against taxpayers failing to meet the standard (IRM, “20.1.1.2 Purpose of Penalties,” 8/13/2013).
In addition, according to the Internal Revenue Manual, relief from IRS penalties falls under four categories, which include the following: 1) reasonable cause, 2) statutory exceptions, 3) administrative waivers, and 4) Correction of Service error (IRS.gov, “20.1.1.3 Criteria for Relief From Penalties,” 8/14/2013).
An appeal may recommend abatement or non-assertion. When determining an IRS penalty, the IRS generally considers requests from third parties, “including requests from representatives without an authorized power of attorney.
While information may be accepted, no taxpayer information may be discussed with a third party unless a valid power of attorney … is secured in writing from the taxpayer” (“Criteria for Relief From Penalties”). Organization of the Penalty Handbook is subject to Part 20. Penalty and Interest of the Internal Revenue Manual.
Below is a brief outline of the handbook. To view it in its entirety, visit: 20.1.1.1.2, Organization of IRM 20.1, Penalty Handbook here: https://www.irs.gov/irm/part20/irm_20-001-001r.html. References to codes are not included below.
Sections of the IRM 20.1 include the following:
Introduction and Penalty Relief
Failure to File/Failure to Pay Penalties
Estimated Tax Penalties (ES)
Failure to Deposit Penalty (FTD)
Return Related Penalties
Preparer, Promoter, Material Advisor Penalties
Information Return Penalties
Employee Plans and Exempt Organizations
Miscellaneous Civil Penalties
International Penalties
Miscellaneous Penalties
Excise Tax and Estate and Gift Tax Penalties
Penalties Applicable to Incorrect Appraisals
There are different types of IRS penalties. The following sections outline those types of penalties for which the IRS charges. Below is an overview of the penalties. You may visit the IRS website or review information housed within the Internal Revenue Manual for more insight into the different types of penalties.
Type of IRS Penalties – Part One
Underestimate and Late Payment IRS Penalties
It is possible for a taxpayer to underestimate the amount of tax due, because estimations are based upon predictions. A taxpayer is required to withhold tax or make quarterly estimated tax payments by the end of the year and must estimate this amount.
There is an IRS penalty assessed for amounts that are too little than estimated or have too little tax withheld. The penalty is computed similarly to interest on the amount that should have been paid but not paid.
A different charge applies for a taxpayer who has filed an income (or excise) tax return and incurs a balance but fails to pay that balance when due (without extensions). The charge within this context has two parts.
The first part is an interest charge. It is computed in the same way as the penalty charge above. The second charge is a penalty of 0.5 percent per month. The second charge is applied to the unpaid balance of both tax and interest. The 0.5 percent per month charge is capped at 25 percent of the total unpaid tax.
“The underestimate penalty and interest on late payments are automatically assessed. No ‘reasonable cause’ exception is available for avoiding these penalties” (Wikipedia.org, “IRS Penalties,” 9/11/2013). Taxpayers can expect to be charged these penalties regardless of their financial and/or economic situation.
IRS Penalties for Failure to File; Timely Pay Tax
There are three categories that fall under this section of IRS penalties. For one, the penalty for failure to timely file return is defined as the failure of the taxpayer to file an income or excise tax return in a timely manner.
Within this context, the taxpayer’s tax balance will be assessed a late filing penalty. The penalty assessed is 5 percent “of the amount of unpaid tax per month the return is late, up to a maximum of 25 percent. A minimum penalty of $135 may apply for late filing of an income tax return” (Wikipedia.org, “IRS Penalties,” 9/11/2013).
In contrast, the penalty for failure to timely pay tax is defined as the taxpayer’s failure to pay the amount shown on a tax return. Bounced checks apply. The penalty assessed for this type of failure is 0.5 percent “of the amount of unpaid tax per month the return is late up to a maximum of [25 percent]” (Wikipedia.org, “IRS Penalties,” 9/11/2013).
The third category is IRS penalty for failure to timely pay after issuance of notice. This IRS penalty is assessed because of the taxpayer’s failure to pay the tax or other related required amount shown on the tax return, but it is not shown on the return. In this case, the taxpayer will be liable for a penalty of 0.5 percent per month applied to the amount.
The penalty is applied each month the failure continues. The penalty is applied also “if the amount is not paid within 21 calendar days after the date of an IRS notice demanding the payment” (Wikipedia.org, “IRS Penalties,” 9/11/2013). In cases where the penalty for failure to file and the penalty for failure to pay is assessed at the same time, “then the failure to file penalty is reduced by 0.5 percent each month” (Wikipedia.org, “IRS Penalties,” 9/11/2013).
The 25 percent cap will only apply to the 5 percent late filing penalty fee and the 0.5 percent late payment penalty (Wikipedia.org, “IRS Penalties,” 9/11/2013). In some cases, the late filing penalty can be waived or abated if the taxpayer can prove reasonable cause.
The penalty for failure to file accrues interest from the date the return is due “whereas the failure to pay and failure to show penalties begin accruing interest from the date of notice and demand” (Wikipedia.org, “IRS Penalties,” 9/11/2013).
IRS Penalties – Part Two
Accuracy Related Penalties
The IRS may assess an additional penalty for an amount reported on a taxpayer’s income tax return that is later adjusted but results in a tax increase. “This penalty of 20 percent or 40 percent of the increase in tax is due in the case of substantial understatements of tax, substantial valuation misstatements, transfer pricing adjustments, or negligence or disregard of rules or regulations” (Wikipedia.org, “IRS Penalties,” 9/11/2013). Special rules are considered for each type of error where a penalty is applicable.
Penalties and Information Returns
An information return does not require payment of tax. An information return is defined as a type of tax form filed by employers and businesses to report wages and payments, respectively.
For example, an employer may file a Form W-2 while a business may file one or more reports using Form 1099. “The penalty for failures related to these forms is a dollar amount per form not timely filed, and the amount of penalty increases with the degree of lateness” (Wikipedia.org, “IRS Penalties,” 9/11/2013).
The maximum penalty for filing a late information return is $50. Many of the information returns are filed electronically. Additional penalties for failure to file a partnership income form (Form 1065, $195 per month per partner up to 12 months maximum) apply; and for failure to file an S Corporation return (Form 1120S).
Penalties Unpaid Withholding Taxes
Employers are required to withhold both income and social security taxes from employee wages. The amounts are then submitted and paid to the government. The employer will incur a “penalty of 100% of the amount not paid over (plus liability for paying the withheld amounts may be collected without judicial proceedings from each and every person who had custody and control of the funds and did not make the payment to the government” (Wikipedia.org, “IRS Penalties,” 9/11/2013). This rule applies to company employees, officers, individuals, and to companies themselves.
IRS Penalties – Part Three
Penalties and Failure to Provide Foreign Information
Taxpayers who own shares in a controlled foreign corporation are required to file Form 5471, Information Return of U.S. Persons With Respect to Certain Foreign Corporations. This form must be filed for each controlled foreign corporation.
The penalty for failure to file on time ranges from $10,000 to $50,000 per form. The taxpayer may also lose foreign tax credits. “U.S. corporations more than 25 percent owned, directly or indirectly, by foreign persons must file Form 5472 to report such ownership and all transactions with related parties” (Wikipedia.org, “IRS Penalties,” 9/11/2013).
The use of Form 5472, Information Return of a 25 Percent Foreign-Owned U.S. Corporation or a Foreign Corporation Engaged in a U.S. Trade or Business is required under sections 6038A and 6038C. The penalty for failure to file Form 5472 is $10,000 per required form.
The penalty may be increased by $10,000 per month for continued failure (Wikipedia.org, “IRS Penalties,” 9/11/2013). Penalties may also be assessed for a taxpayer’s failure to report changes in those foreign taxes used as credits.
Additional penalty restrictions apply for both U.S. citizen and resident taxpayers (including entities) “who are beneficiaries of a foreign trust or make transfers of property to a foreign trust” (Wikipedia.org, “IRS Penalties,” 9/11/2013). Beneficiaries must report information about the transfer. Failure to file Form 3520[1] or Form 3520-A[2] will result in assessed penalties of up to 35 percent.
A transferor to a foreign corporation must file Form 926, Filing Requirement for U.S. Transferors of Property to a Foreign Corporation. A penalty of 10 percent is typically assessed when the value of the transfer is up to $100,000.
Lastly, a penalty of $500,000 plus jail is assessed for “failure to file Treasury Department Form TD F 90-22.1[3] each year by owners of or signatories to foreign bank or securities accounts” (Wikipedia.org, “IRS Penalties,” 9/11/2013).
Penalties and Excise Taxes
Federal excise taxes are typically imposed on goods and services. Taxes under this category may require a purchase of tax stamps or evidence of advanced payment of tax. Retailers may be required to collect the tax. Whether the entity is required to purchase tax stamps or collect the tax, the manufacturers’ and retailers’ goods and services are subject to an assortment of penalties.
In addition, there are penalties that apply that are in the form of an excise tax. “Excise taxes are taxes paid when purchases are made on a specific good, such as gasoline. Excise taxes are often included in the price of the product.
There are also excise taxes on activities, such as on wagering or on highway usage by trucks” (IRS.gov, “Excise Tax,” 9/11/2013). Charities and private foundations are responsible for paying excise taxes. Lastly, penalties in the form of excise taxes may be assessed against pension and benefit plans.
[1] Form 3520, Annual Return to Report Transactions With Foreign Trusts and Receipt of Certain Foreign Gifts
[2] Form 3520-A, Annual Information Return of Foreign Trust With a U.S. Owner (Under Section 6048(b)
[3] Form TD F 90-22.1, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (https://www.treasury.gov/services/Pages/TD-F-90-22.1-Report-of-Foreign-Bank-and-Financial-Accounts.aspx).
IRS Penalties – Part Four
Tax Fraud Penalties
The IRS considers the filing of a false tax return to be fraud, which is a criminal offense. Taxpayers convicted of fraud or aiding another taxpayer in committing tax fraud will be “subject to forfeiture of property and/or jail time” (Wikipedia.org, “IRS Penalties,” 9/11/2013).
Taxpayers are convicted and sentenced through the court system and it is the Department of Justice that prosecutes cases within this context. The IRS does not prosecute tax fraud cases. Once convicted, the taxpayer may incur tax fraud penalties based upon the type of tax case.
In other respects, tax protesters frequently argue that the current income tax laws are not valid. In response to this argument, they tend to file frivolous terms as well as frivolous court petitions.
The IRS assesses a civil penalty for frivolous tax submissions.[1] A person who files a frivolous return based upon the policy presented in Part 4. Examining Process, Chapter 10. Examination of Returns, Section 12. Frivolous Return Program of the Internal Revenue Manual can expect to pay a penalty of $5,000.
However, the Secretary provides for the person to withdraw his or her submission. If the taxpayer responds to the Secretary’s notice of a specified frivolous submission by withdrawing it within 30 days, “after such notice, the penalty imposed . . . shall not apply with respect to such submission” (Law.Cornell.edu, “26 USC – Frivolous tax submissions,” 9/12/2013). In essence, taxpayers that subsequently withdraw their frivolous tax submission will not incur a penalty.
Tax Adviser Penalties
Tax adviser penalties are the last types of penalties on this list. If a tax adviser promotes tax shelters, he or she can expect to incur a penalty. In addition, tax advisers who “fail to maintain and disclose lists of reportable transactions of their customers or clients for those transactions” will be responsible for paying a penalty. The penalty assessed is based upon the type of case and location — whether domestic or foreign.
Taxpayer and tax adviser penalties may be eligible for a first-time abatement depending upon the case.
[1] 26 USC 6702 – Frivolous Tax Submissions
IRS Penalty Abatements and Reasonable Cause
IRS Penalty Abatements
As previously noted, the purpose of (assessing) a penalty is to encourage voluntary compliance. “Voluntary compliance exists when taxpayers conform to the law without compulsion or threat” (IRS.gov, “20.1.1.2.1 Encouraging Voluntary Compliance,” 8/14/2013). The taxpayer supports the tenets of the Internal Revenue Code in achieving voluntary compliance when he or she makes a good faith effort to meet all tax obligations (“Encouraging Voluntary Compliance”).
Within this context, the taxpayer is deemed compliant when they respond to written materials outlining the tax rules and complete all forms relevant to their tax liability. To encourage taxpayer self-compliance, the IRS fairly, consistently and accurately administers a system of penalties (“Encouraging Voluntary Compliance”). The IRS also educates taxpayers to encourage future compliance.
Reasonable Cause
When a taxpayer provides an explanation to support their request for relief, the IRS waives and/or abates the applicable penalty. “If the explanation applies to one (or more) penalty(s) but not all penalties, only the penalty(s) to which the explanation applies should be waived or abated” (“Part 20”).
When relief is granted, particularly after the assessment of the penalty, the appropriate portion(s) of the penalty is abated. However, adjustments due to reasonable cause fall under specific guidelines.
Section 20.1.1.3.2 of the Internal Revenue Manual defines reasonable cause within the context of the taxpayer failing to comply with their tax obligations and the granting of relief because the taxpayer “exercised ordinary business care and prudence in determining their tax obligations” (IRS.gov, “20.1.1.3.2 Reasonable Cause,” 8/14/2013).
Reasonable cause relief is usually granted under these circumstances (“Reasonable Cause”). Reasonable cause is defined within penalty sections of the Internal Revenue Code as the evidence required by the taxpayer that he or she “acted in good faith or that the taxpayer[’s] failure to comply with the law was not due to willful neglect” (“Reasonable Cause”).
In essence, a taxpayer may have reasonable cause when evidence of their conduct justifies non-assertion or abatement of penalty (“Reasonable Cause”). Cases are judged individually; judgments are based upon presented evidence, facts, and circumstances.
When evaluating the merits of a case, specific criterion is used to determine the taxpayer’s culpability. For example, a specific question that the IRS might use centers on determining what attempt(s) the taxpayer made to comply once all facts and circumstances changed.
This question, among five others, helps the IRS to evaluate the taxpayer’s decision-making abilities to determine if “circumstances prevented the taxpayer from filing a return, paying a tax, and/or otherwise complying with the law” (“Reasonable Cause”).
The Internal Revenue Manual outlines how reasonable cause and other relief provisions are applied within the context of effective tax administration. The provisions must be applied in a “consistent manner and should conform with the considerations specified in the IRC, Treasury Regulations (Treas. Regs.), Policy Statements, and IRM Part 20.1, Penalty Handbook” (“Reasonable Cause”).
It is important to note that reasonable cause relief is not always available for all penalties. For example, a reasonable cause provision may only apply to a specific section of the Internal Revenue Code. In addition, acceptable explanations are not just limited to those outlined within section 20.1 of the Internal Revenue Manual.
In essence, penalty relief is typically considered when findings reveal that the taxpayer exercised ordinary business care and prudence even though unable to comply within a prescribed time frame. However, once the facts and circumstances reveal that the taxpayer willfully neglected to comply with his or her tax obligation(s), reasonable cause ceases to exist (“Reasonable Cause”).
TAX Penalty Abatements – Reasonable Cause Factors: Part One
My clients often get frustrated and take it personally when they receive a tax penalty from the IRS on top of their balance due.
Tax penalties can substantially increase a balance that is owed to the IRS (coupled with the interest on top of those penalties) and turn a relatively small balance into a much larger one. Furthermore, the IRS takes a hard and fast approach when assessing tax penalties and will often assess the penalties without regard to the underlying circumstances.
Overview of reasonable cause
Fortunately, for some taxpayers, there is a possibility of getting your tax penalty abatement from the IRS.
Tax penalty abatements are somewhat difficult to get accepted, as the IRS does not simply like to discharge them without some justifiable cause. However, there are a number of “reasonable cause” factors that have been codified by the Internal Revenue Manual that taxpayer’s can use as a basis for challenging their tax penalty.
As defined by the IRS, a tax penalty abatement is generally granted when the taxpayer exercises ordinary care and prudence, but nevertheless fails to comply with their obligations.[1] For the sake of my readers, I have listed the reasonable cause exceptions to tax penalties below.
Keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list of the circumstances that a taxpayer can use to get a tax penalty abatement. However, as they are listed in the Internal Revenue Manual, these are the circumstances that I have found in my experience that the IRS is most likely to accept.
Any reason or rational outside of these factors will be much more difficult for the IRS to justify reasonable cause.
Tax penalty abatement factor 1 – Ordinary business care and prudence (IRM 20.1.1.3.2.2)
Ordinary business care and prudence can be demonstrated by showing that the taxpayer made every effort to comply with their tax obligations, but nevertheless for circumstances beyond their control were unable to do so.
The IRS typically looks at four factors when deciding to abate a tax penalty because of reasonable cause.
- First, the taxpayer should have a compelling reason for seeking the penalty abatement. All appropriate explanations should sync with the dates and circumstances on which the penalties were based.
- Second, the IRS looks at the compliance history of the taxpayer. Not to say that taxpayers with past non-compliance issues will be denied tax penalty relief, but sometimes bad behavior can weigh negatively on the taxpayer’s circumstances.
- Third, the length of time that it took for the taxpayer to become compliant must be reasonable under the circumstances
- Finally, the circumstances cited as the underlying reason for tax penalty abatement must be truly beyond the taxpayer’s control
The IRS will closely look into all of these factors and may request substantiating documentation from the taxpayer in order to validate the sequence of events claimed by the taxpayer.
Tax penalty abatement factor 2 – Death, serious illness, or unavoidable absence (IRM 20.1.1.3.2.2.1)
Any death, serious illness, or otherwise serious medical condition is probably one of the best methods to justify a tax penalty abatement from the IRS. This applies both to individual taxpayers (or their family members) and corporate taxpayers when the person solely responsible for a company’s tax compliance obligations is absent.
In situations where a corporation is involved, the IRS will also look at steps that the company took, in light of this condition, to exercise ordinary business care and prudence. Although nobody enjoys sharing personal details with the government, it is important to document the condition that caused the lack of compliance as much as possible.
This includes dates, details related to:
- Severity of the condition
- Relationship of the taxpayer to the individual afflicted with the condition (if not the taxpayer)
- Any other details that might be relevant to the IRS when making your case
- Keep in mind that a human being will eventually be reviewing the facts and circumstances surrounding your tax penalty abatement.
There is nothing wrong with asking for sympathy from the IRS in your tax penalty abatement request.
[1] See IRM 20.1.1.3.2: https://www.irs.gov/irm/part20/irm_20-001-001r.html
Tax penalty abatement factor 3 – Ignorance of the law (IRM 20.1.1.3.2.2.6)[1]
Although this factor is more difficult to use as a reasonable cause argument, ignorance of the law is still a factor that the IRS may consider when determining the validity of a tax penalty abatement.
Some taxpayers, because of their education or past background, may not be aware of the requirement to file and pay certain types of tax obligations. As long as the taxpayer makes a reasonable effort to be compliant, then they can present an argument that they should not be penalized as a result of ignorance of the law.
When making their determination, the IRS will look at a taxpayer’s educational background, whether or not they have been exposed to this type of tax before, whether they have been penalized before (the kiss of death for this argument), and if there were recent changes to the law, the reporting requirements, or the forms that the taxpayer would reasonably not be expected to be aware of.
However, in my professional opinion, ignorance of the law does not play well with the IRS, which believes that a reasonable effort to understand the law should mitigate any ignorance on the part of the taxpayer. It is best that if you are going to attempt a tax penalty abatement that you principally rely on the other factors, rather than making this one your main argument.
That said, ignorance of the law can be combined with other factors to strengthen your position.
Tax penalty abatement factor 4 – Forgetfulness (IRM 20.1.1.3.2.2.7) and mistakes (IRM 20.1.1.3.2.2.4)[2]
Forgetfulness
It is my professional opinion that a tax penalty abatement should not be attempted on the basis of forgetfulness and you are better off not citing this in your reasoning for a penalty abatement than trying to make this argument to the IRS.
Forgetfulness, by nature, does not suggest to the IRS that you exercised reasonable care and prudence in trying to comply with your tax obligations. The IRS even states in the IRM that reliance on another to comply with your obligations or oversight on your own behalf is generally not sufficient to establish reasonable cause.
Mistakes
Mistakes are only slightly less dubious, although the IRS is also quick to note that making a mistake is not suggestive of ordinary care either. As such, I think you are better off forgetting that these factors exist and pursuing other avenues to try and argue your tax penalty abatement.
Tax penalty abatement factor 5 – Unable to obtain records (IRM 20.1.1.3.2.2.3)[3]
This is a double-edged sword, but I have personally had several successful tax penalty abatements accepted on the fact that the taxpayer could not obtain the necessary records to comply with their tax obligations.
The failure to have the necessary records to file argument hinges essentially on:
- How reasonable the failure to have the records in question was
- Whether or not the records in question were under the control of the taxpayer
However, the only thing worse in the eyes of the IRS than not filing is filing something that is not accurate.
Waiting until you have all the necessary information so that you can file a proper and accurate tax return is suggestive of diligence on the part of the taxpayer. However, your argument will also depend on how long you knew you did not have the records in question and what efforts you made to correct the deficiency when you found out about it.
Although the use of this argument for a tax penalty abatement is fact dependent, it can be one of the more successful arguments for getting tax penalties abated.
[1] https://www.irs.gov/irm/part20/irm_20-001-001r.html
[2] https://www.irs.gov/irm/part20/irm_20-001-001r.html
[3] https://www.irs.gov/irm/part20/irm_20-001-001r.html
Tax penalty abatement factor 6 – Undue hardship (IRM 20.1.1.3.3.3)
Undue hardship is another factor that the IRS may use to abate a tax penalty. The IRS defines an undue hardship as something that is “more than an inconvenience to the taxpayer.[1]”
In reality, this means that the taxpayer must show and document some severe financial or personal catastrophe in order to get a tax penalty mitigated as a result of an undue hardship. As a practitioner, I can tell you that this is a fairly difficult feat to accomplish.
There are very few circumstances that the IRS will consider severe enough to warrant non-payment of taxes and that is usually limited to:
- Severe detriment to personal health (cannot pay medical bills)
- Loss of primary residence (cannot pay rent) or detriment to minor children or dependents (cannot pay their food, housing, or medical expenses)
Barring anything outside of these two factors, the IRS is unlikely to consider your rationale behind an undue hardship sufficient.
One other thing that is important to note, is that undue hardship generally constitutes an appropriate rationale where items were tied to a failure to pay. However, the IRS generally does not excuse penalties associated with a taxpayer’s failure to file because of an undue hardship.[2]
According to the IRS, financial detriments generally do not impact the taxpayer’s ability to file. However, I have been personally successful in releasing penalties associated for a failure to file because of an economic hardship.
In my opinion, I think what is really important is the surrounding circumstances behind the taxpayer’s request. Regardless of which penalties they are applied to, good facts and rationale will overcome most IRS objections.
Tax penalty abatement factor 7 – Bad advice (IRM 20.1.1.3.3.4) and errors by the IRS (IRM 20.1.1.3.4)
I will not go so far as to say that receiving bad advice is a slam-dunk for getting penalties mitigated, but bad advice, whether from the IRS or from a tax practitioner, is one of the most compelling reasons to abate tax penalties.
Throwing someone else under the bus is a frequently used tactic by tax practitioners for abating penalties in other areas, such as in an audit. Reliance on an expert or from something that the IRS tells you is indicative of the ordinary care and prudence that the IRS is looking for when granting a tax penalty abatement.
Logically, if the IRS tells you something, you rely on that something, and you are negatively penalized for it, then they should mitigate any penalty associated with their mistake.
In comparison, reliance on a tax advisor is also indicative that you are admitting ignorance when it comes to certain tax matters and trusting someone who is formally trained in such matters.
The only place where reliance on a tax advisor would be unreasonable is where the blame falls squarely on the taxpayer (negligence) or the IRS is able to prove some financial sophistication and that the taxpayer should have known better.
However, generally this is a great tactic to use, facts permitting. Similarly, if the IRS makes a mistake, in most cases they will mitigate any penalties associated with their error without much of a fight by the taxpayer.
Tax penalty abatement factor 8 – Fire, flood, or casualty (IRM 20.1.1.3.3.5)
The IRS, witho