TAS Act
Introduced in SenateFeb 26, 2026

TAS Act

1025 sections · 85 min read

(a) Short title

This Act may be cited as the Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act or the TAS Act.

(b) Amendment of 1986 code

Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an amendment is expressed in terms of an amendment to a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

(c) References to Secretary

For purposes of this Act, the term Secretary means the Secretary of the Treasury or the Secretary's delegate.

(d) Table of contents

The table of contents of this Act is as follows:

(a) Returns accepted electronically

Any Federal tax return which any person is required to file with the Secretary, as well as any amendments to such return—

(1) may be filed by such person electronically, and

(2) if such return or amendment is filed electronically, shall be processed electronically by the Secretary.

(b) Digitization of returns and correspondence

The Internal Revenue Service shall use optical character recognition technology (or any functionally similar technology) to transcribe—

(1) any return which is received by the Internal Revenue Service only in a paper form, or

(2) any correspondence which is received by the Internal Revenue Service only in a paper form.

(1) In general

Subsection (b) shall not apply to any technology to the extent that the Secretary determines such technology is slower or less reliable than—

(A) the process of manually transcribing returns or correspondence received in a paper form, or

(B) any other process that the Internal Revenue Service is using or would otherwise use.

(2) Report to congress

Any exception to the application of a technology described in subsection (b) pursuant to paragraph (1) shall not take effect unless the Secretary provides a report to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate regarding the determination made by the Secretary under such paragraph within 30 days of such determination.

(d) Effective date

This section shall apply to—

(1) any individual income tax return (as defined in section 6011(e)(3)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) received on or after January 1 of the first calendar year beginning more than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act,

(2) any estate tax return (as described in section 6018 of such Code) or gift tax return (as described in section 6019 of such Code) received on or after January 1 of the first calendar year beginning more than 24 months after the date of enactment of this Act, and

(3) any other return or correspondence received on or after January 1 of the first calendar year beginning more than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act.

(a) In general

The Secretary shall require the Internal Revenue Service to provide in real time on its public website, to the extent practicable, the following:

(1) Separately with respect to each applicable phone number extension—

(A) the number of callers connected to speak directly with a representative of the Internal Revenue Service,

(B) the number of callers connected to speak with an automated system,

(C) the number of callers who are waiting to be connected to speak directly with a representative of the Internal Revenue Service or an automated system,

(D) the longest amount of time that any caller has been waiting to be connected to speak directly with a representative of the Internal Revenue Service, and

(E) whether callback service is currently available, and if not, when such service is scheduled to be available.

(2) An application or tool embedded on the website which—

(A) displays all of the information described in paragraph (1), and

(B) estimates the approximate wait time to speak directly with a representative of the Internal Revenue Service.

(3) An application programming interface which allows any person to access the information described in subsection (a)(1) using automation and to create an application or tool embedded on a website to display such information.

(4) For each applicable phone number extension, a summary of the information described in paragraph (1) with respect to the prior month, including—

(A) the average and median length of calls,

(B) the average and median amount of time that callers were speaking directly with a representative of the Internal Revenue Service,

(C) the number and percent of calls that were directed to an automated system,

(D) the number and percent of calls that were disconnected or terminated by the Internal Revenue Service,

(E) the number of callers who were transferred to another applicable phone number extension after the call was initially answered by a representative of the Internal Revenue Service,

(F) the average and median amount of time that callers described in subparagraph (E) were on hold following the transfer, and

(G) the number and percent of callers who indicated that they received the answers or service for which they were contacting the Internal Revenue Service.

(b) Detection of automated calls

The Secretary shall require the Internal Revenue Service to use technology to detect and screen out automated calls.

(c) Information regarding delays

For any week in which there was a significant delay with respect to any applicable item (referred to in this subsection as an applicable week), the Secretary shall require the Internal Revenue Service to provide on its public website, during the week subsequent to the applicable week, information with respect to each such applicable item regarding the earliest date on which any such applicable items that were processed during the applicable week were received by the Internal Revenue Service.

(d) Definitions

For purposes of this section—

(1) Applicable item

The term applicable item means each category of tax return, claim, statement, or other document filed with the Internal Revenue Service.

(2) Applicable phone number extension

The term applicable phone number extension means any extension or application which may be reached by calling a phone number which is listed by the Internal Revenue Service on any website, publication, form, or instruction which is available to the public and—

(A) operated by the Internal Revenue Service accounts management function,

(B) operated by the Internal Revenue Service automated collection function,

(C) managed by the Internal Revenue Service Joint Operations Center,

(D) managed and staffed by a contractor on behalf of the Internal Revenue Service, or

(E) received not less than 200,000 calls during the preceding calendar year.

(3) Significant delay

The term significant delay means, in the case of any applicable item for any week, the failure to process all of such applicable items which were received by the Internal Revenue Service at least 21 days before the first day of the week.

(e) Effective date

The requirements of this section shall apply to periods beginning after the date which is 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act.

Section 103. Expansion of electronic access to information about returns and refunds

Not later than January 1 of the first calendar year beginning more than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act, through a website and mobile application, the Secretary shall provide individualized, specific, and up-to-date information to taxpayers regarding their tax returns and amended returns, including information with respect to whether the Internal Revenue Service has—

(1) received such return and entered such return into their systems,

(2) completed processing such return, including—

(A) the date on which the Internal Revenue Service issued any refund of any overpayment of tax,

(B) the estimated date on which the taxpayer can expect to receive such refund, and

(i) if the refund will be issued by electronic fund transfer, the financial account to which such refund will be deposited, including—

(I) the partial or full account number for such account, and

(II) the name and routing number of the financial institution, or

(ii) if the refund will be issued by paper check, the address to which the check will be mailed, or

(3) suspended processing such return, including—

(A) the reason for the suspension, and

(B) in the case of any information which was requested by the Internal Revenue Service—

(i) the information requested,

(ii) the form and manner for submission of such information, and

(iii) the date on which such information is due to be submitted to the Internal Revenue Service.

Section 104. Expansion of callback technology

It is the sense of Congress that—

(1) taxpayers contacting the Internal Revenue Service should have the option to receive a callback, and

(2) not later than calendar year 2028, the Internal Revenue Service should provide any taxpayer (including any taxpayer residing outside of the United States) the option to receive a callback for any call made by the taxpayer to an applicable phone number extension (as defined in section 102(d)(2) of this Act) which has not been answered within 5 minutes.

(a) In general

Not later than January 1 of the first calendar year beginning more than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall make available a website or mobile application which allows any taxpayer (including any taxpayer residing outside of the United States) the ability to—

(1) in a manner consistent with any applicable limitations under section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, view any return (as defined in section 6103(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986), document, notice, or letter (with the exception of any educational item which has no legal effect) which, during the applicable period (as defined in subsection (d)), has been—

(A) sent by the Internal Revenue Service to such taxpayer, or

(B) filed with (or, in the case of any document not required to be filed, sent to) the Internal Revenue Service—

(i) by such taxpayer,

(ii) by a person described in subsection (c) of section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 with respect to such taxpayer, or

(iii) with respect to such taxpayer in a manner described in subsection (e) of such section,

(2) with respect to any document, notice, or letter sent to such taxpayer by the Internal Revenue Service, respond to such document, notice, or letter by uploading or otherwise transmitting the taxpayer's response through the website or mobile application, and

(3) in the case of—

(A) any representative of such taxpayer who is authorized to practice before the Department of the Treasury pursuant to section 330 of title 31, United States Code,

(B) any tax return preparer (as defined in section 7701(a)(36) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) with an identifying number (as described in section 6109(a)(4) of such Code), or

(C) any qualified reporting agent,

(3) permit such representative, preparer, or agent, to the extent authorized by the taxpayer, to access the information described in paragraph (1) or transmit any information described in paragraph (2).

(b) Availability for viewing

With respect to any return, document, notice, or letter described in paragraph (1) of subsection (a), such return, document, notice, or letter shall be made available for viewing by the taxpayer (or, pursuant to paragraph (3) of such subsection, any representative, tax return preparer, or qualified reporting agent authorized by the taxpayer) as soon as is practicable and within such periods as are established pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary.

(c) Access to multiple accounts by representative, preparer, or agent

For purposes of subsection (a)(3), the website or mobile application shall allow a representative, tax return preparer, or qualified reporting agent to be able to access information for multiple taxpayers who have provided permission under such subsection without any requirement to individually and separately access the account of each such taxpayer.

(1) In general

Subject to paragraph (2), for purposes of subsection (a)(1), the term applicable period means the preceding 6-year period.

(2) Prospective application

The term applicable period shall not include any years ending before the date of enactment of this Act.

(1) In general

For purposes of this section, the term qualified reporting agent means a person—

(A) which is properly authorized as an agent to sign and file employment tax returns, make related payments and deposits, and perform such other acts on behalf of a taxpayer under procedures set forth by the Secretary,

(B) which has met such requirements as may be established by the Secretary, and

(C) for which authorization has not been revoked or suspended by the Secretary pursuant to procedures established by the Secretary.

(2) Employment tax return

For purposes of paragraph (1)(A), the term employment tax return means—

(A) any return required to be filed by an employer to report the obligations of the employer and its employees under section 3101, 3111, 3301, or 3402 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and

(B) such other returns as designated by the Secretary.

(f) Preventing unauthorized disclosure of return information by persons designated by taxpayers

Not later than January 1 of the first calendar year beginning more than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall—

(1) establish a program to investigate and address—

(A) any access, use, or disclosure of return information (as defined in section 6103(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) by any person which is in excess of the authorization permitted to such person pursuant to subsection (a)(3), and

(B) any related misconduct, and

(2) annually publish, on the public website of the Internal Revenue Service, the actions undertaken pursuant to the program described in paragraph (1), such as the number of complaints investigated, the number of persons whose access was revoked, and other relevant statistical data.

(g) Focus groups

For purposes of subsection (a), prior to the date that the website or mobile application described in such subsection is made available, the Secretary shall conduct focus groups with taxpayers and tax professionals to ensure that any amounts appropriated or otherwise made available for such purposes are expended in an appropriate manner.

(a) In general

Section 6402(a) is amended—

(1) by striking In the case and inserting the following:

(1) Authority

Except as provided in paragraph (2), in the case

(1) , and

(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:

(2) Special rule for certain individuals

In the case of an overpayment with respect to any taxable year for which a credit is allowed to an applicable taxpayer under section 32, the Secretary shall, subject to subsections (c), (d), (e), and (f), refund such overpayment in an amount not to exceed the amount of the credit allowed under such section for such taxable year.

(3) Applicable taxpayer

For purposes of paragraph (2), the term applicable taxpayer means a taxpayer who was classified by the Secretary as currently not collectible (within the meaning of section 6343(e)) prior to the date on which the refund was requested by the taxpayer.

(2) .

(b) Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to offsets made after the date which is 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act.

(a) In general

Section 6159(f) is amended by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:

(2) Waiver

No fee shall be imposed on an installment agreement under this section in the case of—

(A) any taxpayer with an adjusted gross income, as determined for the most recent year for which such information is available, which does not exceed 250 percent of the applicable poverty level (as determined by the Secretary), or

(B) any taxpayer which has—

(i) entered into the installment agreement using the public website of the Internal Revenue Service, and

(ii) agreed to make payments under the installment agreement by electronic payment through a debit instrument.

(a) In general

.

(b) Effective date

The amendment made by this section shall apply to installment agreements entered into after the date which is 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act.

(a) In general

Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall—

(1) establish a program to identify taxpayers who—

(A) are reasonably likely to be experiencing an economic hardship, and

(B) have an unpaid tax liability, and

(2) in the case of any taxpayer described in paragraph (1) who requests to enter into an agreement described in section 6159(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, provide such taxpayer with information regarding other options which the Internal Revenue Service makes available to taxpayers who have an unpaid tax liability and are experiencing an economic hardship, including—

(A) an agreement described in such section for partial collection of a tax liability,

(B) an offer-in-compromise (as described in section 7122 of such Code), and

(C) classification as currently not collectible (within the meaning of section 6343(e) of such Code).

(b) Economic hardship

For purposes of this section, in determining whether a taxpayer is reasonably likely to be experiencing an economic hardship, such determination shall be made in the same manner as determined under section 6343(a)(1)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 based on—

(1) the most recent income and asset data which the Secretary has received from a return or a report from, or with respect to, such taxpayer, and

(2) the schedules described in section 7122(d)(2)(A) of such Code.

(c) Report

Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the National Taxpayer Advocate, shall submit a report to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate regarding—

(1) the accuracy of the Internal Revenue Service with respect to identifying taxpayers who are reasonably likely to be experiencing an economic hardship under subsection (a)(1),

(2) whether such identification procedures may be appropriately applied for other purposes, and

(A) the number of taxpayers with an unpaid tax liability who were identified as reasonably likely to be experiencing an economic hardship under subsection (a)(1),

(B) the options described in subsection (a)(2) that were provided to such taxpayers, and

(C) the status of the tax liabilities of such taxpayers.

(a) In general

Section 7524 is amended—

(1) in the heading, by striking Annual notice and inserting Notice,

(2) by striking Not less often than annually and inserting the following:

(a) In general

Except as provided in subsection (b), not less often than quarterly

(2) , and

(3) by adding at the end the following:

(b) Information on penalties and interest

The notice described in subsection (a) shall include—

(1) an estimate of the amount of penalties and interest that may accrue if the delinquent tax debt is not fully paid within the period remaining under section 6502(a), and

(2) programs and services that can provide assistance to the taxpayer.

(c) Exception

The requirement under subsection (a) shall not apply—

(1) during any period in which an agreement described in section 6159(a) or an accepted offer-in-compromise (as described in section 7122) is in effect, or

(2) in the case of a taxpayer for which the Secretary has determined that the tax is not collectible (within the meaning of section 6343(e)).

(3) .

(b) Conforming amendment

The table of sections for chapter 77 is amended by striking the item relating to section 7524 and inserting the following new item:

(b) Conforming amendment

.

(c) Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date which is 24 months after the date of enactment of this Act.

(a) Matching funds

Paragraph (5) of section 7526(c) is amended to read as follows:

(A) In general

With respect to any grant provided to a low-income taxpayer clinic under this section, such clinic shall provide matching funds equal to the applicable percentage of the amount of such grant.

(i) In general

For purposes of this paragraph, the term matching funds may include—

(I) the salary (including fringe benefits) of individuals performing services for the low-income taxpayer clinic, and

(II) the cost of equipment used in the low-income taxpayer clinic.

(ii) Exclusion

For purposes of this paragraph, the term matching funds shall not include any indirect expenses, such as general overhead of the institution sponsoring the low-income taxpayer clinic.

(C) Applicable percentage

For purposes of subparagraph (A), the applicable percentage shall be 100 percent, except that the Secretary may establish a lower percentage (not below 25 percent) if the Secretary determines that such percentage would expand the coverage of the low-income taxpayer clinic to additional taxpayers.

(a) Matching funds

.

(b) Technical amendments

Section 7526(c), as amended by subsection (a), is further amended—

(1) by striking paragraphs (1) and (2), and

(2) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (6) as paragraphs (1) through (4).

(c) Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to calendar years beginning after the date of enactment of this Act.

(a) In General

Section 7122(b) is amended by striking in any case and all that follows through his delegate and inserting in any case which the Secretary determines presents a significant legal issue, there shall be placed on file in the office of the Secretary the opinion of the General Counsel for the Department of the Treasury, or the Counsel’s delegate.

(b) Conforming amendments

Section 7122(b) is amended by striking the second and third sentences.

(c) Effective Date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to offers-in-compromise submitted or pending on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(a) In general

Section 6751(b) is amended—

(1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:

(1) In general

No penalty under this title shall be assessed, and no disallowance period shall take effect, unless—

(A) the decision (as defined by the Secretary in regulations) to apply such penalty or disallowance period, as applicable, is personally approved (in writing on an electronic form) by—

(i) the immediate supervisor of the individual making such decision, or

(ii) the Internal Revenue Service Office of Servicewide Penalties (or any successor organization), and

(B) the approval described in subparagraph (A) is obtained on or before the date any appealable notice is sent to the taxpayer regarding the application of such penalty or disallowance period.

(1) , and

(2) by adding at the end the following:

(3) Appealable notice

For purposes of this subsection, the term appealable notice means the first written notice issued to a taxpayer that provides the taxpayer an opportunity to—

(A) appeal the decision to the Internal Revenue Service Independent Office of Appeals, or

(B) petition a Federal court for review of the decision.

(2) .

(b) Disallowance period

Section 6751 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(1) In general

For purposes of this section, the term disallowance period means—

(A) with respect to any credit under section 24, the period determined under section 24(g)(1),

(B) with respect to any credit under section 25A, the period determined under section 25A(b)(4)(A), and

(C) with respect to any credit under section 32, the period determined under section 32(k)(1).

(2) Approval required for disallowance period automatically calculated through electronic means

With respect to the application of any disallowance period, subsection (b)(2)(B) shall not apply.

(b) Disallowance period

.

(c) Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to notices sent after the date which is 12 months after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(d) Report

Not later than 24 months after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall make publicly available a report regarding all penalties assessed by the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 during the preceding calendar year, with all relevant data regarding such penalties to be collected and reported with respect to—

(1) every organizational unit of the Internal Revenue Service that has power to assess, abate, or otherwise enforce any penalty imposed by the Internal Revenue Service under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and

(2) the progression of such penalties at each step of the determination, assessment, and review processes, as well as the final result with respect to such penalties.

(a) In general

Section 7122 is amended by adding at the end the following:

(1) In general

Subject to paragraph (2), in the case of any taxpayer for which an offer-in-compromise has been accepted under this section, any proceeds collected from such taxpayer after acceptance of the offer-in-compromise which are in excess of any remaining payments scheduled under such compromise shall be transferred to the taxpayer.

(2) Exception

Paragraph (1) shall not apply if—

(A) the taxpayer and the Secretary have specifically agreed otherwise, or

(B) the Secretary has—

(i) determined that, under the terms of the compromise, such compromise is in default, and

(ii) elected to terminate such compromise.

(a) In general

.

(b) Authority To release levy and return property

Section 6343 is amended—

(1) in subsection (a)(1)—

(A) in subparagraph (D), by striking or at the end,

(B) in subparagraph (E), by striking the period at the end and inserting, or, and

(C) by adding at the end the following subparagraph:

(F) subject to subsection (h)(2) of section 7122, an offer-in-compromise is accepted under such section with respect to the liability for which the levy was imposed.

(C) , and

(2) in subsection (d)(2)—

(A) in subparagraph (C), by striking or at the end,

(B) in subparagraph (D), by striking the comma at the end and inserting, or, and

(C) by adding at the end the following subparagraph:

(E) subject to subsection (h)(2) of section 7122, an offer-in-compromise is accepted under such section with respect to the liability for which the levy was imposed,

(C) .

(c) Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to any compromise made under section 7122 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 which is accepted by the Secretary after the date of enactment of this Act.

(a) In general

Section 6343(b) is amended, in the flush text following paragraph (3), by striking the date of such levy and inserting the date that the Secretary received any such amount.

(b) Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to any money levied upon or any amount of money received from the sale of property after the date which is 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act.

(a) Implementation

Not later than the date which is 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary (following consultation with the National Taxpayer Advocate, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, and the Comptroller General of the United States) shall provide a report to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate regarding the actions taken by the Internal Revenue Service to implement this title and the amendments made by this title, including—

(1) an analysis of successes and challenges with respect to implementation of such title, and

(2) any recommendations to Congress with respect to the implementation or administration of such title.

(1) In general

Not later than the date which is 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall provide a report to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate regarding efforts made by the Internal Revenue Service to identify, prevent, and resolve each type of tax fraud, including first-person fraud and stolen identity refund fraud.

(2) Information included in report

The report described in paragraph (1) shall include—

(A) a detailed description, timeline, and analysis of any efforts undertaken by the Internal Revenue Service and any of the other members of the Security Summit during the most recent tax filing season to address and prevent each type of tax fraud, including—

(i) any specific information or guidelines provided by the Internal Revenue Service to any of the other members of the Security Summit (and vice versa) with respect to tax fraud, including—

(I) any be on the lookout alerts or other warnings,

(II) updated guidelines or restrictions,

(III) potential threat analyses,

(IV) specific data or analytics, and

(V) any other actionable threat information, and

(ii) any specific recommendations provided by the Internal Revenue Service to any of the other members of the Security Summit (and vice versa) with respect to identifying, preventing, and resolving tax fraud, including any potential improvements to data, analytics, information sharing, and collaboration between the Internal Revenue Service and other members of the Security Summit,

(B) a detailed description and timeline of any interactions between the Internal Revenue Service and any provider of tax filing options which does not participate in the Security Summit, including—

(i) any specific information or guidelines provided by the Internal Revenue Service to such provider (and vice versa) with respect to each type of tax fraud, including any items described in subclauses (I) through (V) of subparagraph (A)(i), and

(ii) any specific recommendations provided by the Internal Revenue Service to such provider (and vice versa) with respect to identifying, preventing, and resolving tax fraud, including any potential improvements to data, analytics, information sharing, and collaboration between the Internal Revenue Service and such provider, and

(C) with respect to the most recently completed tax filing season—

(i) with respect to each specific type or form of tax fraud that has been identified by the Internal Revenue Service, any relevant data and analysis regarding the amount of such fraud during such tax filing season, including detailed numerical data regarding such fraud in relation to each separate Federal tax return form (including any amended returns) and the manner in which such returns were filed, and

(ii) the total dollar amount of fraudulent claims for refund—

(I) for which any disbursement was erroneously made, and

(II) which were identified and disallowed prior to any disbursement being made.

(3) Publicly available

Data included in the report described in paragraph (1) shall be made available on the public website of the Internal Revenue Service, provided that such data is appropriately redacted by the Secretary.

(c) Complexity report

For purposes of section 4022 of the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998 (26 U.S.C. 7801 note), the submission of the report required under section 7803(c)(2)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall not satisfy the requirement under subsection (a) of section 4022 of such Act to conduct an analysis of the sources of complexity in administration of the Federal tax laws and report the results of such analysis.

(1) In general

The Secretary of the Treasury (or the Secretary's delegate) shall conduct a study on—

(A) combining and simplifying reporting required under section 5314 of title 31, United States Code, and sections 6038, 6038A, 6038B, 6038C, 6038D, 6039F, 6046A, and 6048 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and

(B) eliminating duplicative requests for information from nonresident United States taxpayers.

(2) Consultation

The study conducted under paragraph (1) shall include input from the National Taxpayer Advocate and nonresident United States taxpayers.

(b) Report

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury (or the Secretary's delegate) shall submit to Congress a report on the study conducted under subsection (a), which shall include any actions taken by the Secretary as a result of such study and any recommendations for legislative changes necessary to effectuate the goals described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a).

(1) In general

The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study on the burdens of compliance with Federal tax laws applicable to individuals who are United States persons (as defined in section 7701(a)(30) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) living abroad.

(2) Factors considered

The study conducted under subsection (a) shall identify problems relating to compliance of Federal tax laws for such United States persons, including burdens specific to low-income and moderate-income individuals, related to—

(A) understanding and complying with United States tax obligations, including obligations with respect to—

(i) the duty to file returns and pay taxes while living abroad, including in the absence of tax treaties that otherwise eliminate double taxation of income;

(ii) the filing (including through electronic means) of Federal tax returns and any reports required under section 5314 of title 31, United States Code, in a timely, accurate, and affordable manner;

(iii) foreign retirement plans treated as passive foreign investment companies; and

(iv) foreign currency gains;

(B) receiving and responding to inquiries from the Internal Revenue Service and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network about returns and reports described in subparagraph (A)(ii), and access to services of such agencies with respect to such returns and reports;

(C) access to financial products and services abroad, including local retirement vehicles and bank accounts;

(D) access to affordable tax preparation services for United States income tax obligations; and

(E) compliance burdens that are disproportionate to the amount of tax owed.

(3) Report

Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Secretary of the Treasury and to Congress, and make publicly available, a report on the study conducted under paragraph (1).

(b) Treasury report

Not later than 1 year after the date on which the Comptroller General submits the report under subsection (a)(3), the Secretary of the Treasury shall submit to Congress a report that describes—

(1) actions taken by the Department of the Treasury to address any problems identified by the Comptroller General in such report; and

(2) any legislation necessary to address such problems.

(1) In general

The second sentence of section 988(e)(2) is amended by striking $200 and inserting $1,000.

(2) Inflation adjustment

Section 988(e) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(A) In general

In the case of any taxable year beginning after 2025, the $1,000 amount in paragraph (2) shall be increased by an amount equal to—

(i) such dollar amount, multiplied by

(ii) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, determined by substituting in subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof calendar year 2024 for calendar year 2016.

(B) Rounding

If any amount as adjusted under subparagraph (A) is not a multiple of $50, such dollar amount shall be rounded to the next lowest multiple of $50.

(2) Inflation adjustment

.

(1) In general

Section 165(c) is amended by striking and at the end of paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (3) and inserting a comma, and by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:

(4) foreign currency losses not described in paragraph (1) or (2) with respect to qualified mortgage debt, but only to the extent of any gain recognized during the taxable year on the sale of a qualified residence (as defined in section 163(h)(5)) which is located outside of the United States or any possession of the United States and which secures such qualified mortgage debt, and

(5) losses (not described in paragraph (1) or (2)) from the sale or exchange of a qualified residence (as so defined) which is located outside of the United States or any possession of the United States, but only to the extent of any foreign currency gain recognized during the taxable year with respect to qualified mortgage debt secured by such qualified residence.

(1) In general

.

(2) Qualified mortgage debt

Section 165 is amended by redesignating subsection (m) as subsection (n) and by inserting after subsection (l) the following new subsection:

(2) Qualified mortgage debt

.

(3) Character and source of loss

Section 165(f) is amended to read as follows:

(A) by striking Losses from and inserting the following:

(1) In general

Losses from

(A) , and

(B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(2) Special rule for amounts attributable to qualified mortgage debt

The character and source of any foreign currency loss with respect to qualified mortgage debt which is allowed under section 165(c)(4) shall be the same character and source as the character and source of the gain on the sale of the qualified residence which secures such qualified mortgage debt.

(3) Special rule for losses from the sale or exchange of qualified residences

The character and source of any loss from the sale or exchange of a qualified residence which is allowed under subsection (c)(5) shall be the same character and source as the character and source of the gain of the qualified mortgage debt secured by such qualified residence.

(B) .

(4) Treatment of foreign currency loss deduction

Section 62(a) is amended by inserting after paragraph (21) the following new paragraph:

(22) Certain foreign currency losses

The deduction allowed by section 165(c)(4).

(4) Treatment of foreign currency loss deduction

.

(c) Special rule for home mortgage refinancing transactions

Section 989 is amended by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d) and by inserting after subsection (b) the following new subsection:

(c) Special rule for home mortgage refinancing transactions

In the case of the refinancing of any qualified mortgage debt (as defined in section 165(m)) in a nonfunctional currency—

(1) no foreign currency gain or loss shall be recognized, and

(2) the amount of foreign currency gain or loss on the repayment of such debt shall be determined by reference to the liability of the borrower at the time the debt was originally incurred (as determined under regulations or other guidance prescribed by the Secretary).

(c) Special rule for home mortgage refinancing transactions

.

(d) Election To use average exchange rate with respect to certain foreign currency transactions

Section 989, as amended by subsection (c), is further amended by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e) and by inserting after subsection (c) the following new subsection:

(1) In general

In the case of a qualified individual who makes an election under this subsection—

(A) all transactions during a calendar year which involve an item of qualified income or expense shall be treated as 1 transaction, and

(B) the amount of foreign currency gain or loss attributable to such transaction shall be determined by using the average exchange rate for the calendar year.

(2) Qualified individual

For purposes of this subsection, the term qualified individual has the meaning given such term under section 911(d)(1).

(3) Item of qualified income or expense

For purposes of this subsection, the term item of qualified income or expense means—

(A) foreign earned income (as defined in section 911(b)(1)(A), determined without regard to section 911(b)(1)(B)), and

(B) any other item of income or expense specified by the Secretary in regulations.

(d) Election To use average exchange rate with respect to certain foreign currency transactions

.

(e) Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to transactions in taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(a) In general

Subparagraph (B) of section 904(j)(2) is amended by striking $300 ($600 and inserting $1,000 ($2,000.

(b) Inflation adjustment

Section 904(j) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(A) In general

In the case of any taxable year beginning in a calendar year after 2025, each of the dollar amounts under paragraph (2)(B) shall be increased by an amount equal to—

(i) such dollar amount, multiplied by

(ii) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, determined by substituting in subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof calendar year 2024 for calendar year 2016.

(B) Rounding

If any amount as adjusted under subparagraph (A) is not a multiple of $50, such dollar amount shall be rounded to the next lowest multiple of $50.

(b) Inflation adjustment

.

(c) Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(a) In general

Section 6213(b)(2)(A) is amended by inserting (120 days in the case of a notice addressed to a person outside the United States) after 60 days.

(b) Effective date

The amendment made by this section shall apply to notices sent after the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Section 301. Authorization of subpoenas before hearings to facilitate settlements

Section 7456(a) is amended to read as follows:

(1) Administration of oaths

For the efficient administration of the functions vested in the Tax Court or any division thereof, any judge or special trial judge, the clerk or the clerk’s deputies, as such, or any other employee of the Tax Court designated in writing for the purpose by the chief judge, may administer oaths or affirmations.

(2) Examination

Any judge or special trial judge may examine parties or witnesses.

(3) Subpoena authority

Any judge or special trial judge may require, by subpoena ordered by the Tax Court or any division thereof and signed by the judge or special trial judge (or by the clerk of the Tax Court or by any other employee of the Tax Court when acting as deputy clerk), any of the following:

(A) The attendance and testimony of parties or witnesses.

(B) The production of books, papers, documents, electronically stored information, or tangible things from any place in the United States by any party or witness having custody or control thereof for purposes of discovery or for use of the things produced as evidence in accordance with the rules and orders of the Tax Court.

(3) Subpoena authority

Any such subpoena shall be issued and served, and compliance therewith shall be compelled, as provided in the rules and orders of the Tax Court.

(4) Depositions

Pursuant to rules and orders of the Court, the deposition of a witness may be taken before any designated individual competent to administer oaths under this title. Any deposition testimony shall be reduced to writing by the individual taking the deposition, or under such individual’s direction, and shall be subscribed by the deponent.

Section 301. Authorization of subpoenas before hearings to facilitate settlements

.

Section 302. Clarification of Tax Court authority to order relief from a judgment or order

Section 7481 is amended—

(1) by striking and (d), in subsection (a) and inserting (d), and (e),; and

(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(A) In general

The Tax Court may correct a clerical mistake, or a mistake arising from oversight or omission, whenever one is found in a judgment, order, or other part of the record. The Tax Court may do so on motion or on its own, with or without notice.

(B) Appellate court leave required on appeal

After an appeal has been docketed in the appellate court, and while such appeal is pending, any such mistake may be corrected only with the appellate court’s leave.

(2) Grounds for relief from a final judgment or order

On motion and just terms, the Tax Court may relieve a party or its legal representative from a final judgment or order for any of the following reasons:

(A) Mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect.

(B) Newly discovered evidence that, with reasonable diligence, could not have been discovered in time to move for a new trial under rules prescribed by the Court and that would have a reasonable likelihood of changing the outcome.

(C) Fraud (whether previously called intrinsic or extrinsic), misrepresentation, or misconduct by an opposing party.

(D) The judgment is void.

(E) Any other circumstance where justice so requires.

(A) Timing

A motion under paragraph (2)—

(i) must be made within a reasonable time, and

(ii) in the case of a reason described in subparagraphs (A), (B), or (C), not later than 1 year after the entry of the judgment or order.

(B) Effect on finality

While pending, any such motion does not affect the judgment’s finality or suspend its operation.

(4) Other powers to grant relief

This subsection shall not limit the Tax Court’s power to set aside a judgment for fraud on the Tax Court.

(5) Court of appeals jurisdiction

If the Tax Court provides relief from a judgment or order that is otherwise final under this section, either or both parties may obtain review of such relief by filing a notice of appeal under this subchapter within 90 days of the Court’s judgment or order directing such relief.

(2) .

(b) Authorizing special trial judge

Section 7443A(c) is amended by striking or (6) and inserting (6), or (7).

(c) Contempt authority

Section 7443A is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(f) Incidental powers

A special trial judge appointed under this section shall have the independent power to punish for contempt of the authority of the Tax Court as provided in section 7456(c), except the sentence imposed by such a special trial judge for any contempt shall not exceed the penalties for a Class C misdemeanor as set forth in sections 3571(b)(6) and 3581(b)(8) of title 18, United States Code. This subsection shall not be construed to limit the authority of a special trial judge to order sanctions under any other statute or any rule of the Tax Court prescribed pursuant to section 7453.

(c) Contempt authority

.

(d) Effective date

The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) shall take effect on the date the United States Tax Court adopts rules implementing the consent procedures of section 7443A.

(a) In general

Part II of subchapter C of chapter 76 is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

Section 7467. Disqualification of judge or special trial judge

Section 455 of title 28, United States Code, shall apply to judges, special trial judges, and proceedings of the Tax Court.

(a) In general

.

(b) Clerical amendment

The table of sections for such part is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

(b) Clerical amendment

.

(1) In general

Section 6212(a) is amended—

(A) by striking If the and inserting the following:

(1) Notice

If the

(A) ,

(B) by striking Such notice shall include a notice and inserting the following:

(2) Matters included

Such notice shall include—

(A) a notice

(B) ,

(C) by striking period at the end of the second sentence and inserting, and, and

(D) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(B) in any case in which such deficiency for a taxable year is attributable to the denial of a credit under section 24, 25A, or 32, a statement—

(i) identifying the credit or credits which are denied and providing the grounds for each such denial,

(ii) informing the taxpayer that, unless the denial is overturned on appeal, the taxpayer will not be able to claim such credit for any subsequent taxable year unless the taxpayer provides information required by the Secretary to demonstrate eligibility for the credit, and

(iii) in any case in which the Secretary has made a determination to impose a disallowance period under section 24(g)(1), 25A(b)(4)(A), or 32(k)(1), providing the grounds for such disallowance period (and the length of the disallowance period unless overturned on appeal).

(D) .

(2) Effective date

The amendments made by this subsection shall apply to notices mailed 36 months after the date of enactment of this Act.

(1) In general

Section 6214 is amended by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f) and by inserting after subsection (d) the following new subsection:

(1) In general

The Tax Court shall have jurisdiction—

(A) to redetermine the imposition of any disallowance period with respect to any credit under section 24, 25A, or 32 for the taxable year in which such disallowance period was imposed if the deficiency relates to such taxable year, and

(B) to determine whether any such disallowance period should be imposed if claim therefor is asserted by the Secretary in the answer or an amended answer filed in accordance with the rules of the Tax Court.

(2) Disallowance period

For purposes of this subsection, the term disallowance period has the meaning given such term under section 6751(d).

(1) In general

.

(2) Effective date

The amendments made by this subsection apply to petitions filed on or after the date of enactment of this Act.

(A) In general

In the case of any deficiency which is attributable to an entry on the return claiming a credit under section 24, 25A, or 32 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 for a taxable year in a disallowance period described in subparagraph (B), the Tax Court shall have jurisdiction to redetermine whether the disallowance period was properly imposed.

(B) Disallowance period described

A disallowance period is described in this subparagraph if the notice of the deficiency under section 6212 of such Code for the taxable year with respect to which the determination to impose the disallowance period was made—

(i) did not include the grounds for such disallowance period, and

(ii) was mailed before the date that is 36 months after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(C) Disallowance period

For purposes of this paragraph, the term disallowance period has the meaning given such term under section 6751(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as added by this Act).

(D) Refunds

Notwithstanding section 6512(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, in the case of a petition with respect to a disallowance period described in subparagraph (B), the Tax Court shall have jurisdiction to determine the amount of an overpayment for any taxable year in the disallowance period, and such amount shall, notwithstanding section 6511, when the decision of the Tax Court has become final, be credited or refunded to the taxpayer. If a notice of appeal in respect of the decision of the Tax Court is filed under section 7483 of such Code, the Secretary of the Treasury (or the Secretary's delegate) is authorized to refund or credit the overpayment determined by the Tax Court to the extent the overpayment is not contested on appeal.

(1) In general

Section 7491(c) is amended—

(A) by striking Notwithstanding and inserting the following:

(1) In general

Notwithstanding

(A) .

(B) by striking with respect to the liability and inserting

(B) with respect to—

(A) the liability

(B) ,

(C) by striking the period after title and inserting, and,

(D) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(A) the application of any disallowance period (as defined in section 6751(d)) to any individual.

(D) , and

(E) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(2) Standard of proof for certain disallowance periods

In the case of any court proceeding with respect to any disallowance period described in section 24(g)(1)(B)(ii), 25A(b)(4)(A)(ii)(I), or 32(k)(1)(B)(i), the standard of proof shall be the same standard as required in a proceeding under section 7454(a).

(E) .

(2) Effective date

The amendments made by this subsection shall apply to court proceedings beginning after the date that is 36 months after the date of the enactment of this Act in connection with disallowance periods (as defined in section 6751(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as added by this Act) determined after such date.

(1) Child tax credit

Section 24(g)(1) is amended—

(A) in subparagraph (B), by striking for which there was a final determination that the taxpayer's claim of credit under this section was each place it appears in clauses (i) and (ii) and inserting for which a notice of deficiency has been sent under section 6212(a) which notifies the taxpayer that the taxpayer's claim of credit under this section was denied, or a determination that has become final under section 7481 has been made by the Tax Court to deny such claim,, and

(B) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(C) Allowance of previously denied credits after Tax Court consideration

Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A) and (B), a taxable year shall not be treated as a taxable year in the disallowance period if the Tax Court determines that the disallowance period was not properly imposed for such year pursuant to section 6214(e).

(B) .

(2) American opportunity tax credit

Section 25A(b)(4)(A) is amended—

(A) in clause (ii), by striking for which there was a final determination that the taxpayer's claim of the American Opportunity Credit under this section was each place it appears in subclauses (I) and (II) and inserting for which a notice of deficiency has been sent under section 6212(a) which notifies the taxpayer that the taxpayer's claim of credit under this section was denied, or a determination that has become final under section 7481 has been made by the Tax Court to deny such claim,, and

(B) by adding at the end the following new clause:

(iii) Allowance of previously denied credits after Tax Court consideration

Notwithstanding clauses (i) and (ii), a taxable year shall not be treated as a taxable year in the disallowance period if the Tax Court determines that the disallowance period was not properly imposed for such year pursuant to section 6214(e).

(B) .

(3) Earned income tax credit

Section 32(k)(1) is amended—

(A) in subparagraph (B), by striking for which there was a final determination that the taxpayer's claim of credit under this section was each place it appears in clauses (i) and (ii) and inserting for which a notice of deficiency has been sent under section 6212(a) which notifies the taxpayer that the taxpayer's claim of credit under this section was denied, or a determination that has become final under section 7481 has been made by the Tax Court to deny such claim,, and

(B) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(C) Allowance of previously denied credits after Tax Court consideration

Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A) and (B), a taxable year shall not be treated as a taxable year in the disallowance period if the Tax Court determines that the disallowance period was not properly imposed for such year pursuant to section 6214(e).

(B) .

(4) Suspension of running of limitations period filing of a claim for credit or refund

Section 6511(d) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(9) Special rules relating to disallowance periods

The running of the periods described in subsections (a) and (b)(2) with respect to any claim for a credit allowed under section 24, 25A, or 32 for any taxable year in a disallowance period (as defined in section 6751(d)) shall be suspended during any period in which the imposition of such disallowance period is pending before the Tax Court.

(4) Suspension of running of limitations period filing of a claim for credit or refund

.

(A) In general

The amendments made by paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) shall apply to—

(i) taxable years beginning after the date that is 36 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, and

(ii) disallowance periods (as defined in section 6751(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as added by this Act) in taxable years beginning on or before such date if the notice of deficiency for the taxable year with respect to which the determination to impose such disallowance period was made was sent after such date.

(B) Suspension of running of limitations period

The amendment made by paragraph (4) shall apply to petitions filed after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(a) Review

Section 6015(e)(7) is amended by striking by the Tax Court and shall be based upon and all that follows and inserting a period.

(b) Effective date

The amendment made by this section shall apply to petitions and requests filed or pending on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(c) No inference

Nothing in the amendment made by this section shall be construed to limit the authority or jurisdiction of the Tax Court or any other court to grant relief under section 6015 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or to review any relief granted under such section.

(1) Treatment of deadlines

Section 7451 is amended by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c) and by inserting after subsection (a) the following new subsection:

(b) Treatment of deadlines for certain petitions

The deadlines for filing petitions under sections 6015(e)(1)(A), 6213(a), and 6330(d)(1)(A) shall be considered nonjurisdictional claims-processing rules subject to waiver, forfeiture, estoppel and equitable tolling.

(1) Treatment of deadlines

.

(2) Conforming amendment

Section 7459(d) is amended—

(A) by striking If a petition and inserting the following:

(1) In general

If a petition

(A) ,

(B) by inserting, unless the dismissal is for lack of jurisdiction after determined by the Secretary,

(C) by striking, or unless the dismissal is for lack of jurisdiction, and

(D) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(2) Exception

Paragraph (1) shall not apply with respect to any dismissal which is solely based on a decision of the Tax Court that equitable tolling does not apply to extend the deadline for filing a petition.

(D) .

(b) Tolling of time in certain cases

Section 7451(c), as redesignated by subsection (a), is amended by striking date and inserting day (in whole or in part).

(c) Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to cases pending on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(d) No inference

The amendments made by subsection (a) shall not be construed to create any inference with respect to the treatment of—

(1) any case brought under section 6015(e)(1)(A), 6213(a), or 6330(d)(1)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 for which there is a final determination by the Tax Court before the date of the enactment of this Act, or

(2) any other petition filed with the Tax Court under any other provision of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 before, on, or after such date.

(a) In general

Section 6330(c)(2)(B) is amended by inserting in the Tax Court (other than through a suit for a refund under section 7442(b)) after otherwise have an opportunity to dispute such tax liability.

(b) Underlying tax liability

Section 6330(c)(4) is amended by striking An issue may not be raised and inserting An issue which is not related to the amount or existence of the underlying tax liability may not be raised.

(a) In general

Section 6330(d)(1) is amended—

(1) by striking The person may and inserting the following:

(A) In general

The person may

(1) ,

(2) by inserting and, unless a challenge was precluded under subsection (c), with respect to the determination of any overpayments of tax for the taxable periods or events at issue in the determination after matter, and

(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs:

(B) Determination and enforcement of overpayments

Rules similar to the rules of paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 6512(b) shall apply for purposes of this paragraph.

(i) In general

In the case of any petition under subparagraph (A), no credit or refund shall be allowed or made of any portion of the tax unless the Tax Court determines as part of its decision that such portion was paid—

(I) after the notice described in subsection (a)(1) or section 6320(a)(1) (as the case may be) was given,

(II) within the period which would be applicable under section 6511(b)(2), (c), or (d), if, on the date the notice described in subsection (a)(1) or section 6320(a)(1) (as the case may be) was given, a claim had been filed (whether or not filed) stating the grounds upon which the Tax Court finds that there is an overpayment, or

(III) within the period which would be applicable under section 6511(b)(2), (c), or (d), in respect of any claim for refund filed within the applicable period specified in section 6511 and before the date the notice described in subsection (a)(1) or section 6320(a)(1) (as the case may be) was given—

(aa) which had not been disallowed before that date,

(bb) which had been disallowed before that date and in respect of which a timely suit for refund could have commenced as of that date, or

(cc) in respect of which a suit for refund had been commenced before that date and within the period specified in section 6532.

(III) In a case described in subclause (II) where the date the notice described in subsection (a)(1) or section 6320(a)(1) (as the case may be) is given is during the third year after the due date (determined without regard to any extensions) for filing the return of tax and no return was filed before such date, the applicable period under subsections (a) and (b)(2) of section 6511 shall be 3 years.

(ii) Date notice was given

For purposes of this subparagraph—

(I) if notice was given under subsection (a)(2) or section 6320(a)(2) by mail, the date the notice was given shall be the date such notice was mailed, and

(II) if notice was given under subsection (a)(2) or 6320(a)(2) by leaving such notice at the dwelling or usual place of business of the person, the date the notice was given shall be the date such notice was left.

(3) .

(b) Conforming amendment

Section 6330(e)(1) is amended by inserting section 6511 (relating to limitations on credit or refund), after section 6502 (relating to collection after assessment).

(c) Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to cases pending on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(a) In general

Section 7442 is amended—

(1) by striking The Tax Court and inserting the following:

(a) In general

The Tax Court

(1) , and

(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(A) In general

In addition to any other court authorized by law, the Tax Court shall, subject to section 7422, have jurisdiction over any action, not exceeding the applicable amount, for the recovery of any internal revenue tax alleged to have been erroneously or illegally assessed or collected, or any penalty claimed to have been collected without authority or of any sum alleged to have been excessive or in any manner wrongfully collected under the internal revenue laws to the same extent as the district courts of the United States.

(B) Applicable amount

For purposes of this paragraph, the applicable amount means—

(i) $2,000,000 for any one taxable year, in the case of taxes imposed by subtitle A,

(ii) $2,000,000, in the case of the tax imposed by chapter 11,

(iii) $2,000,000 for any one calendar year, in the case of the tax imposed by chapter 12,

(iv) $2,000,000 for any 1 taxable period (or, if there is no taxable period, taxable event) in the case of any tax imposed by subtitle C, D, or E, and

(v) $2,000,000, in the case of any other amount collected.

(2) Further notice of deficiency

If the Secretary prior to the hearing of a suit brought by a taxpayer under paragraph (1) mails to the taxpayer a notice that a deficiency has been determined in respect of the tax which is the subject matter of the taxpayer's suit, the proceedings in the taxpayer's suit shall be stayed during the period of time in which the taxpayer may file a petition with the Tax Court for a redetermination of the asserted deficiency, and for 60 days thereafter. If the taxpayer files such a petition with the Tax Court, such petition shall be consolidated with the suit brought under paragraph (1).

(2) .

(1) Section 7422(k) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(5) For jurisdiction of the Tax Court, see section 7442(b).

(1) .

(2) Section 7482(b)(1) is amended by striking or at the end of subparagraph (F), by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (G) and inserting, or, and by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(H) in the case of a petition under section 7442(b)—

(i) the legal residence of the petitioner if the petitioner is an individual, and

(ii) the principal place of business or principal office or agency if the petitioner is an entity other than an individual.

(2) .

(3) Section 1346(a) of title 28, United States Code, is amended—

(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking, concurrent with the United States Court of Federal Claims,,

(B) in paragraph (1), by striking Any and inserting Concurrent with the United States Court of Federal Claims and the Tax Court, any, and

(C) in paragraph (2), by striking Any and inserting Concurrent with the United States Court of Federal Claims, any.

(c) Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to actions filed after the date that is 12 months after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(a) In general

Chapter 63 is amended by adding at the end the following new subchapter:

(a) In general

The Secretary may treat the amount of any applicable penalty as a deficiency of tax to which subchapter B applies (and such deficiency may be assessed as provided in such subchapter).

(b) Applicable penalty

For purposes of this section—

(1) In general

The term applicable penalty means any penalty imposed under this title which the Secretary identifies in guidance as not otherwise assessable (determined without regard to this section).

(2) Exception

Such term shall not include any penalty expressly required to be recovered in a civil or criminal action.

(1) Limitation on assessment after notice of deficiency

If the Secretary sends a notice of deficiency with respect to an applicable penalty as provided in section 6212, the Secretary may not thereafter, except as otherwise provided in sections 6213 and 6215, assess such penalty for the same taxable period or with respect to the same act (or failure to act) occurring before the date of such notice unless such notice has been rescinded as provided in section 6212(d).

(2) Additional deficiency letters restricted

If the Secretary has mailed to the taxpayer a notice of deficiency as provided in section 6212(a) with respect to an applicable penalty, and the taxpayer files a petition with the Tax Court within the time prescribed in section 6213(a), the Secretary shall have no right to determine any additional deficiency with respect to an act (or failure to act) to which such petition relates.

(3) Exceptions

Paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not apply to any penalty imposed under section 6038(b)(2), 6038A(d)(2), or 6038D(d)(2).

(4) Coordination with other provisions

Any applicable penalty treated as a deficiency under this section shall be subject to the requirements of sections 6212, 6213, 6214, 6215, 6503, and, as applicable, 6751(b).

(a) In general

.

(b) Conforming amendment

The table of subchapters for chapter 63 is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

(b) Conforming amendment

.

(c) No inference

Nothing in the amendments made by this section shall be construed to create any inference with respect to the treatment of any applicable penalty (as defined in section 6251(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as added by subsection (a)) before the date of the enactment of this Act.

(a) In general

Section 7422, as amended by this Act, is amended by redesignating subsection (k) as subsection (l) and by inserting after subsection (j) the following new subsection:

(1) In general

The district courts of the United States, the United States Court of Federal Claims, and the Tax Court shall not fail to have jurisdiction over any applicable action brought by a taxpayer to determine the correct amount of tax liability of such taxpayer solely because the full amount of such liability has not been paid.

(2) Applicable action

For purposes of this subsection, the term applicable action means any action to determine the correct amount of the tax liability of such taxpayer (or for any refund with respect thereto) with respect to any amount if, as of the date such action is filed—

(A) such amount—

(i) is the subject of an agreement under section 6159 for which all installments the due date for which is on or before the date the action is filed have been paid, or

(ii) has been determined by the Secretary to be not collectible (within the meaning of section 6343(e)), and

(B) there is no pending procedural period with respect to such amount.

(3) Pending procedural period

For purposes of paragraph (2)(B), there is a pending procedural period with respect to an amount if—

(A) a notice has been provided under section 6320 or 6330 with respect to such amount, and

(i) the time period under such notice for requesting a hearing has not expired,

(ii) a hearing has been requested, or

(iii) the period under section 6330(d)(1) for appealing any determination of all issues considered at such a hearing has not expired.

(A) Request for dismissal

The United States (or the Secretary, in the case of a case in the Tax Court) may request the dismissal of an applicable action if the taxpayer is no longer in compliance with an installment agreement under section 6159 or is no longer in currently not collectible status (within the meaning of section 6343(e)).

(B) Court action

In any case in which there is a request for dismissal under subparagraph (A), the court may, with or without taking any evidence or holding a hearing, dismiss the action with leave to refile when either the full amount of such liability has been paid or the conditions in paragraph (2) are met at the time of refiling. In deciding whether to dismiss the action, the court may consider the extent to which the action has proceeded, the extent to which full payment has been made, any burden that may result to the taxpayer, the United States, the Secretary, or the court from such dismissal (including reasons the taxpayer is no longer in compliance with an installment agreement under section 6159), and any other reason relating to the policy of the full payment rule. A dismissal under this paragraph shall not be reviewed by any other court.

(5) Prohibition on collection of disallowed liability

If the court redetermines under paragraph (1) the correct amount of tax liability of the taxpayer, no part of such liability which is disallowed by a decision of such court which has become final may be collected by the Secretary, and amounts paid in excess of the amount determined by the court as correctly paid shall be refunded.

(a) In general

.

(b) Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to actions filed on or after the date that is 12 months after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(a) In general

Section 7463 is amended—

(1) by striking $50,000 each place it appears in subsections (a) and (f) and inserting $100,000, and

(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(1) In general

In the case of any petition or appeal filed in a calendar year beginning after 2026, each of the $100,000 amounts in subsections (a) and (f) shall be increased by an amount equal to—

(A) such dollar amount, multiplied by

(B) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year, determined by substituting calendar year 2025 for calendar year 2016 in subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof.

(2) Rounding

If any increase determined under paragraph (1) is not a multiple of $1,000, such increase shall be rounded to the next lowest multiple of $1,000.

(2) .

(1) The heading for section 7463 is amended by striking Disputes involving $50,000 or less and inserting Small disputes.

(2) The item relating to section 7463 in the table of section for part II of subchapter C of chapter 76 is amended by striking Disputes involving $50,000 or less and inserting Small disputes.

(c) Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to proceedings commencing after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Section 401. NTA authorization to direct hire attorneys

Section 7803(c)(2)(D) is amended—

(1) in clause (i)—

(A) in subclause (I), by striking and at the end,

(B) in subclause (II), by striking the period at the end and inserting; and, and

(C) by adding at the end the following:

(III) appoint counsel in the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate to report directly to the National Taxpayer Advocate or delegate thereof.

(C) , and

(2) by adding at the end the following:

(iii) Counsel

For purposes of clause (i)(III)—

(I) the National Taxpayer Advocate may utilize direct hire authority to recruit and appoint qualified applicants, without regard to any preference requirements,

(II) any counsel appointed pursuant to such clause shall not report to the Chief Counsel for the Internal Revenue Service and shall not represent the Government in litigation,

(III) any legal interpretation of counsel appointed pursuant to such clause shall not be binding on the Secretary, and

(IV) pursuant to section 301(f)(2) of title 31, United States Code, and subsection (b)(2)(A), the Chief Counsel for the Internal Revenue Service shall continue to provide advice to the National Taxpayer Advocate and the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate.

(2) .

(a) In general

Section 7803(c)(2)(D)(i)(II) is amended by striking any employee of any local office of a taxpayer advocate described in subclause (I) and inserting any officer or employee of the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate.

(b) Effective date

The amendment made by this section shall take effect on the date which is 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act.

(a) In general

Section 7803(c) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(A) In general

Upon request, the Commissioner shall provide the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate with access to any of the following:

(i) In the case of any request made by a taxpayer for assistance by the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate which is open and pending—

(I) any return or return information (as such terms are defined in section 6103(b)) which the National Taxpayer Advocate determines is necessary to assist such taxpayer,

(II) any legal advice provided by the staff of the Office of Chief Counsel to any employee of the Internal Revenue Service (including any legal advice prepared in contemplation of litigation) which the National Taxpayer Advocate determines is necessary to assist such taxpayer, regardless of whether such legal advice cannot be disclosed to such taxpayer, and

(III) any meeting between such taxpayer and any employee of the Internal Revenue Service.

(ii) To the extent necessary to perform a full and substantive analysis included in any report described in paragraph (2)(B)—

(I) any relevant document, data, or statistical information, and

(II) any legal advice provided by the staff of the Office of the Chief Counsel to any employee of the Internal Revenue Service (including any legal advice prepared in contemplation of litigation).

(iii) Legal advice from the staff of the Office of Chief Counsel on any matter or issue.

(B) Deadline

Access to any information, advice, or meeting described in subparagraph (A) shall be provided by the Commissioner not later than—

(i) the date which is 2 weeks after the date on which a written request submitted by the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate has been received by the Commissioner, or

(ii) such date as is otherwise agreed to by the Commissioner and the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate.

(C) Meetings

For purposes of subparagraph (A)(i)(III), the Commissioner shall be deemed to have satisfied the requirement under such subparagraph if the Commissioner has extended an invitation to attend the meeting to the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate, without regard to whether such an invitation was declined by any employee of the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate.

(D) Privilege

Any access provided to the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate pursuant to this paragraph with respect to information or legal advice from the staff of the Office of Chief Counsel shall have no effect on any privilege which otherwise applies to such information or legal advice.

(a) In general

.

(b) Annual reports

Section 7803(c)(2)(B)(ii) is amended—

(1) in subclause (XII), by striking and at the end,

(2) in subclause (XIII), by striking the period at the end and inserting; and, and

(3) by adding at the end the following new subclause:

(XIV) identify any failure by the Commissioner to provide access to any information, advice, or meeting described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (6) by the date required under subparagraph (B) of such paragraph.

(3) .

(c) Effective date

The amendment made by this section shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act.

(a) In general

Section 7811 is amended—

(1) by striking subsection (d), and

(2) by redesignating subsections (e) through (g) as subsections (d) through (f), respectively.

(b) Conforming amendment

Section 6306(k)(2) is amended by striking section 7811(g) and inserting section 7811(f).

(c) Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act.

Section 405. Operations to assist taxpayers experiencing hardships during lapse in appropriations

Notwithstanding section 1341(a) of title 31, United States Code, during any lapse in appropriations, the Commissioner and the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate may incur obligations in advance of appropriations for such amounts as may be necessary—

(1) to assist any taxpayer who is or may be experiencing an economic hardship (within the meaning of section 6343(a)(1)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) as a result of any action or inaction by the Internal Revenue Service, and

(2) for the purpose of complying with any Taxpayer Assistance Order issued pursuant to section 7811 of such Code.

(a) In general

Paragraph (1) of section 6696(e) is amended to read as follows:

(1) Return

The term return means—

(A) any return of any tax imposed by this title,

(B) any administrative adjustment request under section 6227,

(C) any partnership adjustment tracking report under section 6226(b)(4)(A), and

(D) any other document purporting to be a return, request, or report described in subparagraphs (A) through (C).

(a) In general

.

(b) Effective date

The amendment made by this section shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act.

(a) In general

Section 6695 is amended—

(1) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:

(A) Penalty

Any person who is a tax return preparer with respect to any return or claim for refund and who fails to furnish an identifying number which complies with section 6109(a)(4)(A) with respect to such return or claim shall pay a penalty of $250 for such failure.

(B) Non-compliance

For purposes of this paragraph, an identifying number shall be deemed to not comply with section 6109(a)(4)(A) if such identifying number—

(i) is assigned to another person,

(ii) does not exist,

(iii) is inactive or expired,

(iv) has been withdrawn,

(v) is suspended or has been revoked, or

(vi) is otherwise invalid for use by the tax return preparer.

(2) Exception

The penalty imposed under paragraph (1) shall not apply if it is shown that such failure is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect.

(3) Limitation

The maximum penalty imposed under this subsection on any person with respect to documents filed during any calendar year shall not exceed $75,000.

(1) ,

(2) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (i),

(3) by inserting after subsection (g) the following new subsection:

(1) In general

Any person who is an electronic return originator with respect to any return or claim for refund who fails to use, with respect to such return or claim, an electronic filing identification number which is assigned to such person by the Secretary, shall pay a penalty of $250 for such failure, unless it is shown that such failure is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect.

(2) Definitions

For purposes of this subsection—

(i) In general

The term electronic return originator means a person who originates the electronic submission of 1 or more returns or claims for refund on behalf of other taxpayers.

(ii) Exceptions

The term electronic return originator shall not include a person merely because such person originates an electronic submission described in clause (i)—

(I) by providing services which are limited to typing, reproduction, or other mechanical assistance to a person described in such subclause,

(II) at the direction of an employer (or of an officer or employee of the employer) by whom such person is regularly and continuously employed,

(III) as a fiduciary, or

(IV) in response to a determination by the Secretary that directly or indirectly affects the tax liability of a taxpayer.

(i) In general

The term electronic filing identification number means an identification number assigned by the Secretary to a person authorized to file returns in electronic format on behalf of other taxpayers.

(ii) Suspension or revocation

In the case of any electronic filing identification number which has been suspended or revoked by the Secretary, such number shall not be deemed valid for purposes of paragraph (1).

(3) , and

(4) in subsection (i)(1), as redesignated by paragraph (2), by striking and (g) and inserting (g), and (h).

(b) Modification of definition of tax return preparer

Section 7701(a)(36) is amended—

(1) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the following:

(A) In general

The term tax return preparer means any person who prepares for compensation, or who employs one or more persons to prepare for compensation, any return of tax imposed by this title, any document purporting to be a return of tax imposed by this title, or any claim for refund of tax imposed by this title. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the preparation of a substantial portion of a return, document purporting to be a return, or claim for refund shall be treated as if it were the preparation of such return, document purporting to be a return, or claim for refund.

(1) , and

(2) in subparagraph (B)—

(A) in clause (ii), by striking return or claim for refund and inserting return, document purporting to be a return, or claim for refund, and

(B) in clause (iii), by striking return or claim for refund and inserting return, document purporting to be a return, or claim for refund.

(1) In general

Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a program to improve voluntary compliance with respect to requirements under subsections (c) and (h) of section 6695 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as amended by this section) and avoid the imposition of penalties under such subsections.

(2) Consultation

The program described in paragraph (1) shall be established by the Secretary following consultation with—

(A) the National Taxpayer Advocate,

(B) qualified low-income taxpayer clinics that have received a grant under section 7526 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and

(C) other relevant stakeholders.

(3) Opportunity to correct

For purposes of the program described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall—

(A) prior to acceptance for processing, identify—

(i) any return or claim for refund which has been electronically submitted and does not include an identifying number which complies with section 6109(a)(4)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and

(ii) any return or claim for refund which has been electronically submitted and does not include an electronic filing identification number (as defined in section 6695(h)(2)(B) of such Code), and

(B) provide an opportunity for the person who submitted such return or claim for refund to avoid imposition of a penalty under subsection (c) or (h) of section 6695 of such Code, as applicable, if the correct identifying number or electronic filing identification number is provided.

(1) In general

Part I of subchapter A of chapter 75 is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

(a) In general

Any tax return preparer who, with respect to any return, document purporting to be a return, or claim for refund willfully fails to furnish an identifying number which complies with section 6109(a)(4)(A) with respect to such return or document or willfully furnishes a preparer tax identification number which is described in section 6695(c)(1)(B) with intent to evade or defeat the application of any requirement under any provision of this title which requires such preparer to obtain and furnish such number, shall, in addition to any other penalties provided by law, be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $50,000 ($100,000 in the case of a corporation), or imprisoned not more than 3 years, or both, together with the costs of prosecution.

(b) Preparer tax identification number

In this section, the term preparer tax identification number means an identifying number described in section 6109(a)(4)(A).

(1) In general

.

(2) Clerical amendment

The table of sections for part I of subchapter A of chapter 75 is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

(2) Clerical amendment

.

(e) Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to returns or claims for refund filed after the date which is 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act.

(a) Other assessable penalties with respect to the preparation of tax returns for other persons

Section 6695, as amended by the preceding provisions of this Act, is amended—

(1) in subsection (a)—

(A) by striking $50 and inserting $250, and

(B) by striking $25,000 and inserting $50,000,

(2) in subsection (b)—

(A) by striking $50 and inserting $250, and

(B) by striking $25,000 and inserting $75,000,

(3) in subsection (d)—

(A) by striking $50 and inserting $250, and

(B) by striking $25,000 and inserting $50,000,

(4) in subsection (e)—

(A) by striking $50 and inserting $250, and

(B) by striking $25,000 and inserting $75,000,

(5) in subsection (g), by striking $500 and inserting $1,000, and

(6) in subsection (i)(1)—

(A) by striking 2014 and inserting 2025, and

(B) by striking calendar year 2013 and inserting calendar year 2024.

(1) In general

Subsection (f) of section 6695 is amended to read as follows:

(1) In general

Any person who is a tax return preparer who misappropriates any payment made in respect of the taxes imposed by this title which is issued to a taxpayer (other than the tax return preparer) shall pay a penalty in an amount determined under paragraph (2).

(2) Penalty

The amount of the penalty determined under this paragraph shall, with respect to each payment described in paragraph (1), be equal to the greater of—

(A) $1,000, or

(B) the full amount of such payment.

(3) Exception

Paragraph (1) shall not apply with respect to the deposit by a bank (within the meaning of section 581) of the full amount of the payment in the taxpayer's account in such bank for the benefit of the taxpayer.

(1) In general

.

(2) Conforming amendment

Section 6695(i)(1) is amended by striking (f), and inserting (f)(2)(A),.

(a) In general

Section 6109 is amended—

(1) in subsection (a), by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following:

(A) In general

Any return, claim for refund, or document purporting to be a return or claim for refund which is prepared by a tax return preparer shall bear such identifying number for securing proper identification of such preparer, their employer, or both, as may be prescribed.

(B) Suspension or revocation

In the case of any identifying number which has been suspended or revoked by the Secretary under subsection (e), such number shall not be deemed valid for purposes of subparagraph (A).

(C) Definitions

For purposes of this section—

(i) Specified practitioner

The term specified practitioner means a certified public accountant, attorney, or enrolled agent—

(I) who is—

(aa) in good standing with the Department of the Treasury and State licensing authorities, and

(bb) authorized to represent persons before the Department of the Treasury under section 330 of title 31, United States Code, and

(II) whose professional license or certification has not been revoked or suspended.

(ii) Return; claim for refund

The terms return and claim for refund have the respective meanings given to such terms by section 6696(e).

(1) , and

(2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following:

(1) In general

The Secretary shall maintain a program for administration of preparer tax identification numbers required under subsection (a)(4), which shall include restrictions on the issuance of such numbers to any individual other than an individual who—

(A) meets the suitability requirements of paragraph (2) and the education requirements of paragraph (3),

(B) meets the state program requirements of paragraph (4), or

(C) is a specified practitioner.

(A) In general

An individual meets the suitability requirements of this paragraph if such individual has demonstrated to the Secretary the individual's suitability to be a tax return preparer by—

(i) providing such information as the Secretary determines necessary, and

(ii) passing a background check, including a review by the Secretary regarding compliance with personal tax obligations.

(B) Conduct demonstrating lack of suitability

For purposes of subparagraph (A), an individual shall be deemed to have failed to demonstrate their suitability to be a tax return preparer if—

(i) any license or registration issued to such individual by a State to prepare tax returns has been suspended or revoked by such State, or

(ii) the Secretary determines that such individual is described in clauses (ii) through (vi) of paragraph (5)(A).

(C) Regulations and guidance

The Secretary shall issue such regulations or other guidance as the Secretary determines necessary to carry out the purposes of this paragraph.

(D) Prohibition on examinations

For purposes of subparagraph (A), except as provided in paragraph (3)(C)(iii), the Secretary may not require an examination as a prerequisite for the assignment or renewal of a preparer tax identification number.

(i) In general

Subject to clause (ii), for purposes of subparagraph (A)(ii), in the case of a class of individuals (as identified by the Secretary) who have passed a background check prior to the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary may deem such class of individuals to have satisfied the requirement under such subparagraph.

(ii) Nonapplication to requirement regarding compliance with personal tax obligations

Clause (i) shall not apply with respect to review by the Secretary under subparagraph (A)(ii) regarding compliance with personal tax obligations.

(A) In general

An individual shall meet the education requirements of this paragraph if such individual completes a specified number of hours of educational programs on ethics, professional responsibility, and tax law (including recently enacted Federal income tax legislation) as required by the Secretary prior to the assignment or renewal of a preparer tax identification number.

(B) Additional educational requirements for renewal

The Secretary may require any individual seeking the renewal of a preparer tax identification number to complete educational programs in addition to those required under subparagraph (A). Any educational programs required under this subparagraph shall be based on—

(i) a review of returns which include the preparer tax identification number of such preparer, and

(ii) any errors identified by the Secretary as part of the review described in clause (i).

(C) Other requirements

For purposes of this paragraph, the Secretary—

(i) may not require a tax return preparer to annually complete more than 18 hours of educational programs,

(ii) shall require that any educational program include written materials which satisfy such standards as are established by the Secretary,

(iii) shall require that any educational program include a method to ensure that the tax return preparer attended the program and sufficiently understood the material presented, and

(iv) may not direct any educational program to be completed through a specific provider.

(D) Notice of failure to timely complete requirements

The Secretary shall provide any tax return preparer who fails to complete the requirements of this paragraph notice of such failure and a 30-day period in which to cure such failure.

(E) Publication of approved courses

The Secretary shall publish, on the public website of the Internal Revenue Service—

(i) a list of educational programs which have been determined by the Secretary to satisfy the requirement under clause (ii) of subparagraph (C) (and, if applicable, the requirement under clause (iii) of such subparagraph), including the providers of such programs, and

(ii) any such requirements as the Secretary deems necessary to impose with respect to any additional programs required under subparagraph (B), provided that such requirements are similar to the requirements provided under section 330 of title 31, United States Code, or regulations prescribed thereunder.

(A) In general

Subject to subparagraph (B), any individual meets the state program requirements of this paragraph if such individual maintains a valid State license or registration issued by a State licensing program or State registration program (including State tax education councils) which includes examination, education, and background check requirements that are comparable to the suitability requirements described in paragraph (2) and the education requirements described in paragraph (3).

(B) Grandfathering of certain programs

For purposes of subparagraph (A), with respect to determining whether a State licensing program or State registration program (including State tax education councils) includes examination, education, and background check requirements which are comparable to the suitability requirements described in paragraph (2) and the education requirements described in paragraph (3), such determination shall be made by the Secretary without regard to whether such requirements were included in such program at the time that such individual was licensed or registered under such program, provided that such requirements are, as of the date that such individual requested assignment or renewal of a preparer tax identification number under this subsection, presently included in such program.

(A) In general

The Secretary may suspend or revoke a preparer tax identification number if, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, the Secretary makes a determination that the tax return preparer—

(i) has not met—

(I) the suitability requirements of paragraph (2) and the education requirements of paragraph (3), or

(II) the state program requirements of paragraph (4),

(ii) is incompetent, as demonstrated by a repeated pattern of errors in returns that were prepared by such preparer which affected the determination of tax liability in such returns,

(iii) is disreputable, as demonstrated by—

(I) giving false or misleading information under paragraph (2)(A)(i),

(II) willful failure to comply with personal tax obligations,

(III) an unpaid tax delinquency—

(aa) which is outstanding for greater than 180 days,

(bb) which is not being actively disputed, and

(cc) which is not—

(AA) subject to an agreement or compromise under section 6159 or 7122,

(BB) classified as currently not collectible (within the meaning of section 6343(e)), or

(CC) subject to a pending application for such an agreement, compromise, or status,

(IV) revocation or suspension of any license or registration issued by a State for the preparation of tax returns,

(V) conviction of any criminal offense—

(aa) involving dishonesty or breach of trust, or

(bb) which is punishable under this title,

(VI) a final determination of liability for a penalty pursuant to section 6694, 6695(h), 6700, 6701, 6702, or 6713,

(VII) subject to an injunction under section 7407 or 7408, or

(VIII) any conduct similar to the conduct described in subclauses (I) through (VII), as provided under regulations prescribed by the Secretary,

(iv) in the case of a person subject to regulation under section 330 of title 31, United States Code, or regulations prescribed thereunder, has violated the requirements under such section or such regulations,

(v) with intent to defraud, willfully and knowingly misleads or threatens—

(I) the person whose return or claim for refund is being prepared, or

(II) a prospective person seeking for a return or claim for refund to be prepared, or

(vi) has engaged in conduct (as identified in regulations or guidance issued by the Secretary) which is similar to the conduct described in clauses (i) through (v) and that the denial, suspension, or revocation of such number would promote compliance with the requirements of this title and effective tax administration.

(i) In general

In addition to, or in lieu of, any suspension or revocation of a preparer tax identification number under subparagraph (A), the Secretary may impose a penalty in any amount not exceeding $5,000.

(ii) Reduction

Any penalty imposed under clause (i) shall be reduced by the amount of any penalty imposed under section 6694, 6695, 6700, 6701, 6702, or 6713 with regard to the same conduct.

(I) In general

In the case of any penalty imposed during any calendar year beginning after 2025, the dollar amount in clause (i) shall be increased by an amount equal to—

(aa) such dollar amount, multiplied by

(bb) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year, determined by substituting calendar year 2024 for calendar year 2016 in subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof.

(II) Rounding

If any amount determined under subclause (I) is not a multiple of $100, such amount shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $100.

(C) Reinstatement

The Secretary shall, through regulations or other guidance, establish procedures to allow any tax return preparer whose preparer tax identification number has been suspended or revoked pursuant to subparagraph (A) to have such number reissued (or, in the case of a suspension, for such suspension to be terminated), provided that such preparer demonstrates, to the satisfaction of the Secretary, that—

(i) the conduct described in such paragraph which was the basis for such suspension or revocation has been sufficiently addressed or resolved (such as through completion of educational programs described in paragraph (3) or reinstatement of a license issued by a State for the preparation of tax returns), and

(ii) effective tax administration would be promoted by terminating the suspension of such number or reissuing such number to such preparer.

(i) In general

After notice and opportunity to respond, the Secretary may suspend the preparer tax identification number of a tax return preparer for a period of not greater than 180 days if the Secretary determines that—

(I) such tax return preparer has engaged in any conduct described in clauses (i) through (vi) of subparagraph (A), and

(II) such suspension is necessary to prevent serious economic harm to taxpayers or serious impairment of effective tax administration, such as to prevent the filing of fraudulent returns or claims for refund.

(ii) Limitation

For purposes of clause (i), if the preparer tax identification number of a tax return preparer has been suspended pursuant to such clause 2 times during any 5-year period, the Secretary may not issue an additional suspension pursuant to such clause with respect to such preparer during such period unless such suspension is subsequent to a determination by the Secretary to suspend or revoke the preparer tax identification number of such preparer pursuant to subparagraph (A).

(E) Regulations

Not later than 24 months after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall issue such regulations or other guidance as the Secretary determines necessary to carry out the purposes of this paragraph, including—

(i) guidelines that identify the particular penalty applicable to any conduct described in subparagraph (A), and

(ii) the manner of notice and opportunity to respond for purposes of subparagraph (D).

(F) No inference

Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to create any inference with respect to the definition or meaning of any term used in section 330 of title 31, United States Code, or regulations prescribed thereunder.

(6) Appeal

In the case of any tax return preparer for whom the Secretary has made a determination—

(A) that such preparer has not met the requirements of paragraphs (2) and (3) or of paragraph (4) and that issuance of a preparer tax identification number should be denied,

(B) under paragraph (5)(A) that the preparer tax identification number for such preparer should be suspended or revoked, or

(C) that a penalty should be imposed pursuant to paragraph (5)(B),

(6) Appeal

such preparer shall be provided with an opportunity to appeal such determination pursuant to procedures (as established by the Secretary through regulations or other guidance) which are similar to the procedures provided under section 330 of title 31, United States Code, and regulations prescribed thereunder.

(A) In general

In the case of any determination—

(i) in which an extended suspension or revocation of a preparer tax identification number is imposed under this subsection, and

(ii) for which all administrative and judicial appeals are exhausted,

(A) In general

not later than 30 days following such determination, the Secretary shall publish such determination on the public website of the Internal Revenue Service, which shall include a statement of the facts and circumstances relating to such determination and the reasons for the determination.

(B) Extended suspension

For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term extended suspension means a suspension issued by the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (5)(A) for a period of greater than 180 days.

(8) Preparer tax identification number

For purposes of this subsection, the term preparer tax identification number means an identifying number described in subsection (a)(4)(A).

(2) .

(b) Determinations regarding practice before the Department

Section 330 of title 31, United States Code, is amended—

(1) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f); and

(2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following:

(e) Disclosure of final determinations

In the case of any determination under subsection (c) or (d)—

(1) in which a suspension, disbarment, or censure, or other penalty is imposed, and

(2) for which all administrative and judicial appeals are exhausted,

(e) Disclosure of final determinations

not later than 30 days following such determination, the Secretary shall publish such determination on a public website, which shall include a statement of the facts and circumstances relating to such determination and the reasons for the determination.

(2) .

(1) In general

Section 6103(k) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(16) Disclosure relating to misconduct by practitioners and tax return preparers

Under such procedures as the Secretary may prescribe, the Secretary may disclose returns and return information to the extent the Secretary determines it is necessary to publish determinations pursuant to section 6109(e)(7) and section 330(e) of title 31, United States Code, provided that such disclosure is redacted to remove—

(A) any name, address, or other identifying information with respect to any persons other than the representative or tax return preparer who is the subject of such determination, and

(B) such other information as the Secretary determines appropriate to protect the privacy of such persons.

(1) In general

.

(2) Conforming amendment

Section 6103(p)(3)(A) is amended by striking or (9) and inserting (9), or (16).

(1) In general

Section 6109(a) is amended by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new paragraph:

(5) Furnishing identifying number for offer-in-compromise

Any offer-in-compromise (as described in section 7122), including any required schedule or statement, which has been prepared by any person for compensation shall include such identifying number as may be prescribed for securing proper identification of such person.

(1) In general

.

(2) Penalty

Section 7122 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(A) Penalty

Any person who prepares an offer-in-compromise (including any required schedule or statement) for compensation and who fails to include an identifying number which complies with section 6109(a)(5) with respect to such offer-in-compromise shall pay a penalty of $250 for such failure.

(B) Non-compliance

For purposes of this paragraph, an identifying number shall be deemed to not comply with section 6109(a)(5) if such identifying number—

(i) is assigned to another person,

(ii) does not exist,

(iii) is inactive or expired,

(iv) has been withdrawn,

(v) is suspended or has been revoked, or

(vi) is otherwise invalid for use by the preparer.

(i) In general

In the case of any documents filed during any calendar year beginning after 2025, the $250 amount in subparagraph (A) shall be increased by an amount equal to—

(I) such dollar amount, multiplied by

(II) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year, determined by substituting calendar year 2024 for calendar year 2016 in subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof.

(ii) Rounding

If any amount determined under clause (i) is not a multiple of $10, such amount shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $10.

(2) Exception

The penalty imposed under paragraph (1) shall not apply if it is shown that such failure is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect.

(A) In general

The maximum penalty imposed under this subsection on any person with respect to documents filed during any calendar year shall not exceed $75,000.

(i) In general

In the case of any penalty imposed during any calendar year beginning after 2025, the $75,000 amount in subparagraph (A) shall be increased by an amount equal to—

(I) such dollar amount, multiplied by

(II) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year, determined by substituting calendar year 2024 for calendar year 2016 in subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof.

(ii) Rounding

If any amount determined under clause (i) is not a multiple of $1,000, such amount shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $1,000.

(4) Other applicable rules

Rules similar to the rules of section 6696 shall apply for purposes of this subsection.

(2) Penalty

.

(1) In general

Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study and submit to Congress a report on the sharing of information between the Secretary and State authorities, as authorized under subsections (d) and (k)(5) of section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, regarding identification numbers issued to paid tax return preparers and return preparer minimum standards.

(2) Increased information sharing

The study and report described in paragraph (1) shall include an analysis of the impact that increased information sharing between Federal and State authorities would have on efforts to enforce minimum standards on paid tax return preparers.

(3) Audit of Internal Revenue Service

Section 6103(i)(8) is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(D) Application to study conducted under Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act

For purposes of this paragraph, the study and report described in section 504(e)(1) of the Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act shall be deemed to be an audit of the Internal Revenue Service.

(3) Audit of Internal Revenue Service

.

(f) Publication of common errors and penalties

Not later than 36 months after the date of the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter, the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue shall publish on the public website of the Internal Revenue Service—

(1) the 10 most frequent errors found on tax returns which were prepared by tax return preparers (as defined in section 7701(a)(36) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) during the most recent calendar year for which data is available, and

(2) with respect to the preceding calendar year, the top 10 reasons that tax return preparers were—

(A) subject to penalties imposed under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or

(B) otherwise disciplined under section 6109 of such Code or section 330 of title 31, United States Code.

(g) Rule of construction

Nothing in this section (or amendment made by this section) shall be construed to require the Secretary to eliminate or terminate any existing program or authority—

(1) which, pursuant to section 330 of title 31, United States Code, permits a tax return preparer to represent a taxpayer before the Department of the Treasury in cases in which such preparer prepared and signed the return of tax, or

(2) for publication of a public database on the website of the Internal Revenue Service of tax return preparers who have satisfied the requirements for issuance of a preparer tax identification number (as defined in section 6109(e)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986).

(1) In general

The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date which is 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

(A) Annual Filing Season Program

In the case of any tax return preparer who, as of the date of enactment of this Act, has received a record of completion with respect to the Annual Filing Season Program established by the Internal Revenue Service, such tax return preparer shall be deemed to have satisfied the education requirements of section 6109(e)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as added by this section) for the calendar year for which such record of completion applies.

(B) Approved courses

In the case of any entity which, as of the date of enactment of this Act, is approved to provide continuing education for purposes of the Annual Filing Season Program established by the Internal Revenue Service, such entity shall be deemed to satisfy the applicable requirements under section 6109(e)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 until the date on which the Secretary has—

(i) issued such regulations or other guidance as the Secretary determines necessary for purposes of establishing standards for educational programs under such section, and

(ii) pursuant to subparagraph (E) of such section, published a list of educational programs which have been determined by the Secretary to satisfy the applicable requirements under such section.

Section 601. Authorization for Office of Appeals to hire attorneys

Subparagraph (B) of section 7803(e)(6) is amended to read as follows:

(B) Hiring of counsel

The Chief of Appeals shall have the authority to appoint counsel in the Internal Revenue Service Independent Office of Appeals to report directly to the Chief of Appeals. Any counsel appointed pursuant to this subparagraph shall not report to the Chief Counsel for the Internal Revenue Service and shall not represent the Government in litigation. Any legal interpretation of counsel appointed pursuant to this subparagraph shall not be binding on the Secretary.

Section 601. Authorization for Office of Appeals to hire attorneys

.

Section 602. Authorization for Office of Appeals to direct hire certain individuals

Section 7803(e)(6) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(C) Authority to appoint individuals not employed by Internal Revenue Service

The Secretary may utilize direct hire authority to recruit and appoint qualified applicants, without regard to any notice or preference requirements, to positions within the Internal Revenue Service Independent Office of Appeals, provided that such applicants are not employees of the Internal Revenue Service engaged in enforcement functions.

Section 602. Authorization for Office of Appeals to direct hire certain individuals

.

(a) In general

Subsection (l) of section 6402 is amended to read as follows:

(1) In general

Not later than the applicable date, the Secretary shall review any claim for refund, make a determination with respect to such claim, and, in the case of a disallowance of such claim (in whole or in part), provide the taxpayer with a detailed written explanation for such disallowance, which shall—

(A) be mailed to the last known address of the taxpayer, and

(B) in the case of any taxpayer entitled to an appeal of such determination, include instructions for appealing such disallowance to the Internal Revenue Service Independent Office of Appeals.

(A) In general

In the case of any claim for refund for which the Secretary fails to satisfy the requirements of paragraph (1) by the applicable date, for purposes of determining interest on any overpayment for any period subsequent to such date, the overpayment rate (as established under section 6621(a)(1)) shall be increased by 1 percentage point.

(B) Limitation

With respect to any claim for refund described in subparagraph (A), the amount of any increase in interest on any overpayment pursuant to such subparagraph shall not exceed $500.

(i) In general

In the case of any claim for refund filed during any calendar year beginning after 2026, the $500 amount in subparagraph (B) shall be increased by an amount equal to—

(I) such dollar amount, multiplied by

(II) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year, determined by substituting calendar year 2024 for calendar year 2016 in subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof.

(ii) Rounding

If any amount determined under clause (i) is not a multiple of $50, such amount shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $50.

(A) In general

Any disallowance of a claim for refund may, within 30 days after the date such disallowance is mailed (or, if mailed to an address outside of the United States, 90 days), be appealed to the Internal Revenue Service Independent Office of Appeals. Notwithstanding paragraph (4) of section 6532(a), during the period in which any such appeal is pending before the Internal Revenue Service Independent Office of Appeals (and for 30 days thereafter), the 2-year period in paragraph (1) of such section for filing suit for refund after disallowance of a claim shall be suspended.

(B) Deemed disallowance

For purposes of subparagraph (A), in the case of any claim for refund for which the Secretary has failed to make a determination with respect to such claim by the date described in paragraph (5)(A), the taxpayer may elect for such claim to be deemed to have been disallowed by the Secretary as of such date.

(A) In general

In the case of any frivolous claim—

(i) paragraphs (1) and (3) shall not apply, and

(ii) not later than the applicable date, written notification of the denial of such claim shall be mailed to the last known address of the taxpayer.

(B) Definition

For purposes of this paragraph, the term frivolous claim means a claim for refund which is based on a position which—

(i) a Federal court has determined to be frivolous, and

(ii) the Secretary has identified as frivolous for purposes of subsection (c) of section 6702.

(5) Applicable date

For purposes of this subsection, the term applicable date means, with respect to any claim for refund—

(A) the date which is 12 months after the date of receipt of such claim by the Secretary, or

(B) such other date as is agreed to by the Secretary and the taxpayer.

(a) In general

.

(b) Effective date

The amendment made by this section shall apply to any claim for refund received after the date which is 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act.

Section 604. Appeals of returned offers

Section 7122(e) is amended—

(1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:

(1) for an independent administrative review of—

(A) any determination that an offer-in-compromise be returned to the taxpayer because such offer-in-compromise is not accepted for processing or is otherwise determined to be nonprocessable before such determination is communicated to the taxpayer, and

(B) any rejection of a proposed offer-in-compromise or installment agreement made by a taxpayer under this section or section 6159 before such rejection is communicated to the taxpayer, and

(1) , and

(2) in paragraph (2), by striking any rejection of such offer or agreement and inserting any determination described in paragraph (1)(A) or any rejection described in paragraph (1)(B).

(a) In general

Section 7803(e) is amended—

(1) in paragraph (3)—

(A) in subparagraph (B), by striking and at the end,

(B) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the end and inserting, and, and

(C) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(D) without exception, evaluates and considers all hazards of litigation in resolving any case referred to the Internal Revenue Service Independent Office of Appeals.

(C) , and

(2) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following new paragraph:

(A) In general

Except as otherwise provided under this title, the resolution process described in paragraph (3) shall be available to all taxpayers with respect to any determination by the Secretary concerning a Federal tax controversy, including—

(i) liability for, or any claim for refund of, any tax,

(ii) liability for, or any claim for refund of, any penalty or addition to tax,

(iii) eligibility for alternatives to collection of a tax liability, such as an agreement or compromise under section 6159 or 7122, or

(iv) any exercise of discretion by the Secretary with respect to any determination described in clauses (i) through (iii).

(B) Exceptions

Subparagraph (A) shall not apply with respect to any appeal—

(i) which is solely based on a challenge to the constitutionality or validity of any law, regulation, notice, revenue ruling, or revenue procedure issued by the Secretary, unless there is a final and unreviewable decision rendered by a Federal court that the relevant provision of such law, regulation, notice, revenue ruling, or revenue procedure which is being challenged is unconstitutional or otherwise invalid,

(ii) which—

(I) is based on a position which—

(aa) a Federal court has determined to be frivolous, and

(bb) the Secretary has identified as frivolous for purposes of subsection (c) of section 6702, or

(II) relates to any penalty imposed under such section with respect to such position,

(iii) which relates to any matter agreed upon pursuant to an agreement under section 7121,

(iv) subject to subparagraph (C), during any period in which—

(I) the Secretary is actively investigating whether to refer the taxpayer to the Attorney General for criminal prosecution,

(II) a recommendation made by the Secretary to the Attorney General for the criminal prosecution of the taxpayer for any offense connected with the administration or enforcement of the internal revenue laws is pending, or

(III) any criminal prosecution of the taxpayer, or of any other person in a case in which the taxpayer is a witness, for any offense connected with the administration or enforcement of the internal revenue laws is pending, or

(v) with respect to any issue in a case which, based on the relevant facts and circumstances of such case, the Chief Counsel for the Internal Revenue Service—

(I) has designated for litigation, and

(II) is prepared to proceed with such litigation in a timely manner.

(C) Exception for certain criminal prosecutions

Subparagraph (B)(iv) shall not apply if the Chief Counsel for the Internal Revenue Service determines that the resolution process described in paragraph (3) would not interfere with the criminal prosecution of a taxpayer.

(D) Federal tax controversy

For purposes of this paragraph, the term Federal tax controversy means a dispute described in paragraph (2) or (3) of section 301.7803–2 of title 26, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of the Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act).

(2) .

(a) In general

Paragraph (4) of section 7623(b) is amended—

(1) by striking appealed to and inserting reviewed by; and

(2) by adding at the end the following: Any review by the Tax Court under the preceding sentence shall be de novo and shall be based on the administrative record established at the time of the original determination and any additional newly discovered or previously unavailable evidence..

(b) Conforming amendment

The heading of paragraph (4) of section 7623(b) is amended by striking Appeal and inserting Review.

(c) Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to petitions under section 7623(b)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 which are pending on, or filed on or after, the date of the enactment of this Act.

(a) In general

Section 255 of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 905) is amended—

(1) by redesignating subsection (k) as subsection (l); and

(2) by inserting after subsection (j) the following:

(k) Awards to whistleblowers

An award authorized under section 7623 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall be exempt from reduction under any order issued under this part.

(2) .

(b) Applicability

The amendment made by this section shall apply to any sequestration order issued under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 900 et seq.) after the date of enactment of this Act.

(a) In general

Paragraph (6) of section 7623(b) is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(D) Whistleblower anonymity before the Tax Court

Notwithstanding sections 7458 and 7461, a whistleblower shall proceed anonymously before the Tax Court for all proceedings under this section absent a finding by the Tax Court that a societal interest exists for disclosing the whistleblower’s identity which exceeds the potential harm disclosure could cause to the whistleblower.

(a) In general

.

(b) Effective date

The amendment made by this section shall apply to petitions filed with the Tax Court which are pending on, or filed on or after, the date of the enactment of this Act.

(a) In general

Section 406(c) of division A of the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 is amended by striking such use, in paragraph (1) and inserting such use (which shall include a list and descriptions of the top tax avoidance schemes, not to exceed 10, disclosed by whistleblowers during such year),.

(b) Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to reports for fiscal years ending after the enactment of this Act.

(a) In general

Section 7623(b) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(A) In general

If the Secretary has not provided notice to an individual described in paragraph (1) of a preliminary award recommendation before the applicable date, the amount of any award under this subsection shall include interest from such date at the overpayment rate under section 6621(a).

(B) Exception

No interest shall accrue under this paragraph after the date on which the Secretary provides notice to the individual of a preliminary award recommendation.

(C) Applicable date

For purposes of this paragraph, the applicable date is the date that is 12 months after the first date on which—

(i) all of the proceeds resulting from actions subject to the award recommendation have been collected, and

(ii) either—

(I) the statutory period for filing a claim or suit for refund has expired, or

(II) the taxpayers subject to the actions and the Secretary have agreed with finality to the tax or other liabilities for the periods at issue, and either the taxpayers have waived the right to file a claim or suit for refund or any claim or suit for refund has been resolved.

(a) In general

.

(1) In general

The amendments made by this section shall take effect 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(2) Special rule

If, as of the date described in paragraph (1)—

(A) the Secretary has not provided notice to the individual of a preliminary award recommendation as described in paragraph (7)(A) of section 7623(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as added by this Act, and

(B) the applicable date provided in paragraph (7)(C) of such section, as so added, has passed,

(2) Special rule

the applicable date for purposes of such paragraph (7)(C) is the date that is 12 months after the date described in paragraph (1).

(a) In general

Section 62(a)(21)(A)(i) is amended by striking 7623(b) and inserting 7623.

(b) Effective date

The amendment made by this section shall apply to taxable years ending after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(a) In general

Chapter 77 is amended by inserting after section 7510 the following new section:

(1) In general

The period during which an applicable individual was unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad, or held hostage abroad, shall be disregarded in determining, under the internal revenue laws, in respect of any tax liability of such individual—

(A) whether any of the acts described in section 7508(a)(1) were performed within the time prescribed thereof (determined without regard to extension under any other provision of this subtitle for periods after the initial date (as determined by the Secretary) on which such individual was unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad or held hostage abroad),

(B) the amount of any interest, penalty, additional amount, or addition to the tax for periods after such date, and

(C) the amount of any credit or refund.

(2) Application to spouse

The provisions of paragraph (1) shall apply to the spouse of any individual entitled to the benefits of such paragraph.

(3) Special rule for overpayments

The rules of section 7508(b) shall apply for purposes of this section.

(1) In general

For purposes of this section, the term applicable individual means any individual who is—

(A) a United States national unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad, as determined under section 302 of the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act (22 U.S.C. 1741), or

(B) a United States national taken hostage abroad, as determined pursuant to the findings of the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell (as described in section 304 of the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act (22 U.S.C. 1741(b))).

(2) Information provided to Treasury

For purposes of identifying individuals described in paragraph (1), not later than January 1, 2027, and annually thereafter—

(A) the Secretary of State shall provide the Secretary with a list of the individuals described in paragraph (1)(A), as well as any other information necessary to identify such individuals, and

(B) the Attorney General, acting through the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell, shall provide the Secretary with a list of the individuals described in paragraph (1)(B), as well as any other information necessary to identify such individuals.

(c) Modification of Treasury databases and information systems

The Secretary shall update, as necessary, any database or information system of the Department of the Treasury in order to ensure that the provisions of subsection (a) are applied with respect to each applicable individual.

(d) Refund and abatement of penalties and fines imposed prior to identification as applicable individual

In the case of any applicable individual—

(1) for whom any interest, penalty, additional amount, or addition to the tax in respect to any tax liability for any taxable year ending during the period described in subsection (a)(1) was assessed or collected, and

(2) who was, subsequent to such assessment or collection, determined to be an individual described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (b)(1),

(d) Refund and abatement of penalties and fines imposed prior to identification as applicable individual

the Secretary shall abate any such assessment and refund any amount collected to such applicable individual in the same manner as any refund of an overpayment of tax under section 6402.

(a) In general

.

(b) Clerical amendment

The table of sections for chapter 77 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 7510 the following new item:

(b) Clerical amendment

.

(c) Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years ending after the date of enactment of this Act.

(a) In general

Section 7511, as added by section 801 of this Act, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(A) Establishment

Not later than January 1, 2027, the Secretary (in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Attorney General) shall establish a program to allow any eligible individual (or the spouse or any dependent (as defined in section 152) of such individual) to apply for a refund or an abatement of any amount described in paragraph (2) (including interest) to the extent such amount was attributable to the applicable period.

(B) Identification of individuals

Not later than January 1, 2027, the Secretary of State and the Attorney General, acting through the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell (as described in section 304 of the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act (22 U.S.C. 1741(b))), shall—

(i) compile a list, based on such information as is available, of individuals who were applicable individuals during the applicable period, and

(ii) provide the list described in clause (i) to the Secretary.

(C) Notice

For purposes of carrying out the program described in subparagraph (A), the Secretary (in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Attorney General) shall, with respect to any individual identified under subparagraph (B), provide notice to such individual—

(i) in the case of an individual who has been released on or before the date of enactment of this subsection, not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this subsection, or

(ii) in the case of an individual who is released after the date of enactment of this subsection, not later than 90 days after the date on which such individual is released,

(C) Notice

that such individual may be eligible for a refund or an abatement of any amount described in paragraph (2) pursuant to the program described in subparagraph (A).

(i) In general

Subject to clause (ii), in the case of any refund described in subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall issue such refund to the eligible individual in the same manner as any refund of an overpayment of tax under section 6402.

(ii) Extension of limitation on time for refund

With respect to any refund under subparagraph (A)—

(I) the 3-year period of limitation prescribed by section 6511(a) shall be extended until the end of the 1-year period beginning on the date that the notice described in subparagraph (C) is provided to the eligible individual, and

(II) any limitation under section 6511(b)(2) shall not apply.

(2) Eligible individual

For purposes of this subsection, the term eligible individual means any applicable individual who, for any taxable year ending during the applicable period, paid or incurred any interest, penalty, additional amount, or addition to the tax in respect to any tax liability for such year of such individual based on a determination that an act described in section 7508(a)(1) which was not performed by the time prescribed therefor (without regard to any extensions).

(3) Applicable period

For purposes of this subsection, the term applicable period means the period—

(A) beginning on January 1, 2021, and

(B) ending on the date of enactment of this subsection.

(a) In general

.

(b) Effective date

The amendment made by this section shall apply to taxable years ending on or before the date of enactment of this Act.

(a) In general

Section 3402(p) is amended by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4) and by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new paragraph:

(A) In general

If, at the time a payment of applicable non-wage remuneration is made to any person, there is a voluntary agreement in effect between the person making and the person receiving the payment that the applicable non-wage remuneration be subject to withholding, then for purposes of this chapter and so much of subtitle F as relates to this chapter, such payment shall be treated as if it were a payment of wages by an employer to an employee.

(B) Applicable non-wage remuneration

For purposes of this subsection, the term applicable non-wage remuneration means remuneration for services performed by an individual which (without regard to this paragraph) does not constitute wages.

(C) Regulations and guidance

Not later than the date that is 18 months after the date of the enactment of this subparagraph, the Secretary shall issue such regulations or other guidance as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the provisions of this section, including such regulations or guidance for determining the amount to be deducted and withheld and the types of payments which are considered to be applicable non-wage remuneration.

(a) In general

.

(a) In general

Section 6651(c) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(A) In general

Subsection (a)(2) shall not apply with respect to an income tax return of an individual if such individual pays, on or before the date prescribed for the payment of the tax with respect to which such return relates (determined with regard to any extension of time for payment), 125 percent of the amount of tax shown on the income tax return of such individual for the immediately preceding taxable year.

(B) Failure to file; short taxable years

Subparagraph (A) shall not apply—

(i) if the individual does not file an income tax return for the taxable year described in subparagraph (A) on or before the date prescribed therefor (determined with regard to any extension of time for filing),

(ii) if the individual did not file an income tax return for the immediately preceding taxable year referred to in subparagraph (A) on or before the date prescribed therefor (determined with regard to any extension of time for filing), or

(iii) if the immediately preceding taxable year referred to in subparagraph (A) was less than 12 months.

(i) Individuals not filing joint returns for the preceding taxable year

In the case of a joint return, if the taxpayer did not file a joint return for the immediately preceding taxable year referred to in subparagraph (A), the amounts shown on the income tax returns of both spouses for such immediately preceding taxable year shall be taken into account under subparagraph (A).

(I) In general

Except as provided in subclause (II) or otherwise provided by the Secretary, if the individual does not file a joint return for the taxable year to which subparagraph (A) applies and filed a joint return for the immediately preceding taxable year on or before the date prescribed therefor (determined with regard to any extension of time for filing), the entire amount of tax shown on such joint return shall be taken into account under subparagraph (A).

(II) Election to recompute preceding year tax

If a taxpayer to whom clause (I) applies elects, in such form and such manner as the Secretary may provide, to recompute the tax for the immediately preceding taxable year as if the taxpayer was a married individual filing a separate return, only the amount shown on such recomputed separate return shall be taken into account under subparagraph (A).

(D) Exception not applicable unless additional payments are made with timely filed return

Subparagraph (A) shall not apply with respect to any period beginning after the date prescribed for filing the income tax return for the taxable year (including extensions thereof).

(a) In general

.

(b) Conforming amendment

The heading of section 6651(c) is amended by striking Rule and inserting Rules.

(c) Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after the date which is 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act.

(a) In general

Section 7502(c) is amended—

(1) in the heading, by inserting and payment after filing,

(2) in paragraph (2)—

(A) in the heading, by striking; electronic filing, and

(B) by striking and electronic filing, and

(3) by adding at the end the following:

(A) In general

In the case of any document or payment which the Secretary has permitted to be filed or made by electronic means, if such document or payment is—

(i) authorized to be submitted by the taxpayer using a permitted electronic means to the agency, officer, or office to which the document was required to be filed (or payment was required to be made) on or before the prescribed date (or within the period required) with respect to such document or payment, and

(ii) received (or, in the case of a payment, received and accounted for) no later than 3 business days after the prescribed date or period required with respect to such document or payment,

(A) In general

the date that such document or payment was authorized to be submitted (as described in clause (i)) shall be deemed to be the date that such document was filed or such payment was made.

(B) Exception

This paragraph shall not apply to any payment if Secretary determines that the taxpayer (or any intermediary used by the taxpayer) used a system designed with a principal purpose of delaying the transfer of funds to the Treasury to derive economic benefit from the period of such delay.

(C) Regulations

Not later than the date which is 1 year after the date of enactment of the Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act, the Secretary shall issue such regulations or other guidance as the Secretary determines necessary to carry out the purposes of this paragraph, including regulations or other guidance describing the records or proof sufficient to demonstrate timely electronic submission.

(b) Effective date

The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply to any document or payment sent on or after the date which is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.

(3) .

(a) In general

Paragraph (1) of section 7602(c) is amended—

(1) by striking and at the end of subparagraph (A),

(2) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C) and by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new subparagraph:

(B) in any case in which the information sought to be obtained from such other persons could reasonably be provided by the taxpayer, identifies the item of information intended to be sought from such persons, and

(2) , and

(3) by amending subparagraph (C), as redesignated by paragraph (2), to read as follows:

(C) provides the taxpayer with reasonable opportunity and a period of not less than 45 days (or more, if the taxpayer requests additional time and shows reasonable cause) to respond, including by providing the information described in subparagraph (B), before contact is made with such other persons.

(3) .

(b) Exception

Section 7602(c)(3) is amended—

(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) as clauses (i), (ii), and (iii), respectively, and by moving such clauses 2 ems to the right,

(2) by striking This subsection and inserting the following:

(A) In general

This subsection

(2) , and

(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(B) Good cause

For purposes of subparagraph (A)(ii), good cause includes a reasonable belief that compliance with this subsection will lead to—

(i) attempts by any person to conceal, remove, destroy, or alter records or assets that may be relevant to any tax examination or collection activity;

(ii) attempts by any person to prevent other persons, through intimidation, bribery, or collusion, from communicating any information that may be relevant to any tax examination or collection activity; or

(iii) attempts by any person to flee, or otherwise avoid testifying or producing records that may be relevant to any tax examination or collection activity.

(3) .

(c) Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to notices provided under section 7602(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 after the date that is 12 months after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(a) In general

Section 6103(l)(13)(D) is amended by adding at the end the following new clause:

(vii) Redisclosure to the congressional budget office

Authorized persons may, upon written request by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to the Secretary of Education, redisclose return information received under subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) to officers and employees of the Congressional Budget Office for the purpose of, but only to the extent necessary in, carrying out the purposes described in subclause (III) of clause (i).

(a) In general

.

(b) Conforming amendment

Section 6103(l)(13)(F) is amended by striking (iv) (v), or (vi) and inserting (iv), (v), (vi), or (vii).

(c) Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to disclosures made after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(d) Reports

The Secretary of Education shall annually submit a written report to the Secretary of the Treasury—

(1) regarding redisclosures of return information under subparagraph (D)(vii) of section 6103(l)(13) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as added by this section), including the number of such redisclosures; and

(2) regarding any unauthorized use, access, or disclosure of return information disclosed under such section.

(a) In general

Section 6011(e) is amended—

(1) by striking the first paragraph (6), as added by section 2301(b) of the Taxpayer First Act, and inserting the following:

(6) Partnerships required to file on magnetic media

Notwithstanding paragraph (2)(A), the Secretary shall require a partnership to file returns on magnetic media if, at the close of the partnership's taxable year—

(A) the partnership has more than 50 partners, or

(B) the value of the partnership’s assets equals or exceeds $1,000,000, as determined under regulations prescribed by the Secretary.

(1) , and

(2) by redesignating the second paragraph (6), as added by section 202(d) of the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019, as paragraph (7).

(b) Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to returns filed on or after January 1 of the first calendar year beginning after the date of enactment of this Act.

(a) In general

Section 6501(c)(1) is amended by inserting by the taxpayer after intent.

(b) Effective date

The amendment made by this section shall apply to assessments made or proceedings begun after the date of enactment of this Act.

(a) In general

Subsection (f) of section 7508A (as added by the Disaster Related Extension of Deadlines Act) is redesignated as subsection (g).

(b) Effective date

The amendment made by this section shall take effect as if included in section 2(a) of the Disaster Related Extension of Deadlines Act.

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