Small Business Taxes & ManagementTM--Copyright 2007, A/N Group, Inc.
Introduction
The IRS has voiced its displeasure with taxpayers who maintain frivolous tax arguments to Congress. Congress has responded with several penalties which the IRS is ready to assess. The courts, too, have taken a dim view of taxpayers who go to the bar just as a delaying tactic. The discussion below outlines the penalties you could encounter for various actions and provides a list of positions the IRS has deemed to be frivolous arguments subject to an enhanced penalty. For additional details go to the IRS Web site at www.irs.gov/taxpros/article/0,,id=159932,00.html
Penalties for Frivolous Positions
Those who act on frivolous positions risk a variety of civil and criminal penalties. Those who adopt these positions may face harsher consequences than those who merely promote them. One Court said, “Like moths to a flame, some people find themselves irresistibly drawn to the tax protester movement’s illusory claim that there is no legal requirement to pay federal income tax. And, like moths, these people sometimes get burned.”
Taxpayers filing returns with frivolous positions may be subject to the accuracy-related penalty under Section 6662 (20% of the underpayment attributable to negligence or disregard of rules or regulations) or the civil fraud penalty under Section 6663 (75% of the underpayment attributable to fraud) or the erroneous claim for refund penalty under Section 6676 (20% of the excessive amount). Additionally, late filed returns setting forth frivolous positions may be subject to an addition to tax under Section 6651(f) for fraudulent failure to timely file an income tax return (triple the amount of the standard failure to file addition to tax under Section 6651(a)(1)). The Tax Court has held that frivolous arguments may be indicative of fraud if made in conjunction with affirmative acts designed to evade paying federal income tax.
The Tax Relief Health Care Act of 2006 amended Section 6702 to allow imposition of a $5,000 penalty for frivolous tax returns and for specified frivolous submissions other than returns, if the purported returns or specified submissions are either based upon a position identified as frivolous by the IRS in a published list or reflect a desire to delay or impede tax administration. The term specified submission means:
This amendment is effective for frivolous returns or specified frivolous submissions made after March 15, 2007, the publication date of Notice 2007-30, identifying the list of frivolous positions.
In the 1980s, Congress showed its concern about taxpayers misusing the courts and obstructing the appeal rights of others when it enacted tougher sanctions for bringing frivolous cases before the courts. Section 6673 allows the courts to impose a penalty of up to $25,000 when they come to any of three conclusions:
Taxpayers who rely on frivolous arguments may also face criminal prosecution for: (1) attempting to evade or defeat tax under section 7201, a felony, for which the penalty is a fine of up to $250,000 and imprisonment for up to 5 years; or (2) making false statements on a return under Section 7206(1), a felony, for which the penalty is a fine of up to $250,000 and imprisonment for up to 3 years.
Persons who promote frivolous arguments and those who assist taxpayers in claiming tax benefits based on such arguments may also face various penalties such as: (1) a $250 penalty under Section 6694 for each return prepared by an income tax return preparer who knew or should have known that the taxpayer’s argument was frivolous (or $1,000 for each return where the return preparer’s actions were willful, intentional or reckless); (2) a $1,000 penalty under Section 6701 for aiding and abetting an understatement of tax; and (3) criminal felony prosecution under Section 7206(2) for which the penalty is up to $250,000 and imprisonment for up to 3 years for assisting or advising about the preparation of a false return or other document under the internal revenue laws.
Further, promoters who fail to comply with court orders run the risk of incarceration for contempt of court. A tax scam promoter named James A. Mattatall was arrested for failing to provide list of the names, addresses, phone numbers, and Social Security numbers of his customers to the Justice Department per the court’s order. Also, a taxpayer named Charles D. Saunders was held in civil contempt, incarcerated and fined $250 a day until he complied with the court’s order directing him to fully comply with a summons from the IRS.
Frivolous Arguments
The Voluntary Nature of the Federal Income Tax System
The Meaning of Income: Taxable Income and Gross Income
The Meaning of Certain Terms Used in the Internal Revenue Code
Constitutional Amendment Claims
Fictional Legal Bases
Copyright 2007 by A/N Group, Inc. This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is distributed with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional service. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. The information is not necessarily a complete summary of all materials on the subject.--ISSN 1089-1536
--Last Update 12/27/07