(1) Magnetic media. The term magnetic media means any magnetic media permitted under applicable regulations, revenue procedures, publications, forms, or instructions. These generally include magnetic tape, tape cartridge, and diskette, as well as other media, such as electronic filing, specifically permitted under the applicable regulations, revenue procedures, publications, forms, or instructions.

(2) Financial institution. The term financial institution has the meaning set forth in section 1471(d)(5) of the Code and the regulations thereunder.

(1) Magnetic media. The term magnetic media means any media permitted under applicable regulations, revenue procedures or publications, or, in the case of returns filed with the Social Security Administration, Social Security Administration publications. These generally include magnetic tape, tape cartridge, and diskette, as well as other media (such as electronic filing) specifically permitted under the applicable regulations, procedures, or publications.

(2) Machine-readable paper form. The term “machine-readable paper form” means -

(3) Person. The term “person” includes any person that is required to file a return that is described in paragraph (b) of this section. Thus, the term “person” includes the United States, a State, the District of Columbia, a foreign government, a political subdivision of a State or of a foreign government, or an international organization. In addition, in the case of an affiliated group of corporations filing a consolidated return, each member of the affiliated group is a separate person.

(1) If the use of Form 1042-S, 1094 series,1095-B, 1095-C, 1098, 1098-E, 1098-T, 1099 series, 5498 series, 8027, W-2G, or other form treated as a form specified in this paragraph (b)(1) is required by the applicable regulations or revenue procedures for the purpose of making an information return, the information required by the form must be submitted on magnetic media, except as otherwise provided in paragraph (c) of this section. Returns on magnetic media must be made in accordance with applicable revenue procedures or publications (see § 601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter). Pursuant to these procedures, the consent of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue (or other authorized officer or employee of the Internal Revenue Service) to a magnetic medium must be obtained by submitting Form 4419 (Application for Filing Information Returns Magnetically/Electronically) prior to submitting a return described in this paragraph (b)(1) on the magnetic medium.

(2) If the use of Form W-2 (Wage and Tax Statement), Form 499R-2/W-2PR (Withholding Statement (Puerto Rico)), Form W-2VI (U.S. Virgin Islands Wage and Tax Statement), Form W-2GU (Guam Wage and Tax Statement), Form W-2AS (American Samoa Wage and Tax Statement), or other form treated as a form specified in this paragraph (b)(2) is required for the purpose of making an information return, the information required by the form must be submitted on magnetic media, except as otherwise provided in paragraph (c) of this section. Returns described in this paragraph (b)(2) must be made in accordance with applicable Social Security Administration procedures or publications (which may be obtained from the local office of the Social Security Administration).

(3) The Commissioner may prescribe by revenue procedure that additional forms are treated, for purposes of this section, as forms specified in paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this section.

(1) Low-volume filers/250-threshold -

(2) Waiver.

(1) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (g)(2) or (3) of this section, this section applies to returns required to be filed after December 31, 1986.

(2) Paragraphs (a)(1), (b)(1), (b)(2), (c)(1)(i), (c)(1)(iii), (c)(1)(iv), (c)(2), (d), (e), and (f) of this section are effective for information returns required to be filed after December 31, 1996. For information returns required to be filed after December 31, 1989, and before January 1, 1997, see section 6011(e).

(3) This section applies to returns on Forms 1098-E, “Student Loan Interest Statement,” and 1098-T, “Tuition Statement,” filed after December 31, 2003.

(1) Magnetic media. The term magnetic media means any magnetic media permitted under applicable regulations, revenue procedures, or publications. These generally include magnetic tape, tape cartridge, and diskette, as well as other media (such as electronic filing) specifically permitted under the applicable regulations, procedures, or publications.

(2) Partnership. The term partnership means a partnership as defined in § 1.761-1(a) of this chapter.

(3) Partner. The term partner means a member of a partnership as defined in section 7701(a)(2).

(4) Partnership return. The term partnership return means a form in Series 1065 (including Form 1065, U.S. Partnership Return of Income, and Form 1065-B, U.S. Return of Income for Electing Large Partnerships), along with the corresponding Schedules K-1 and all other related forms and schedules that are required to be attached to the Series 1065 form.

(5) Partnerships with more than 100 partners. A partnership has more than 100 partners if, over the course of the partnership's taxable year, the partnership had more than 100 partners, regardless of whether a partner was a partner for the entire year or whether the partnership had over 100 partners on any particular day in the year. For purposes of this paragraph (d)(5), however, only those persons having a direct interest in the partnership must be considered partners for purposes of determining the number of partners during the partnership's taxable year.

(1) A corporation required to file a corporate income tax return on Form 1120, “U.S. Corporation Income Tax Return,” under § 1.6012-2 of this chapter must file its corporate income tax return on magnetic media if the corporation is required by the Internal Revenue Code or regulations to file at least 250 returns during the calendar year. Returns filed on magnetic media must be made in accordance with applicable revenue procedures, publications, forms, or instructions. In prescribing revenue procedures, publications, forms, or instructions, the Commissioner may direct the type of magnetic media filing. (See § 601.601(d)(2) of this chapter.)

(2) All members of a controlled group of corporations must file their corporate income tax returns on magnetic media if the aggregate number of returns required to be filed by the controlled group of corporations is at least 250.

(1) Magnetic media. The term magnetic media means any magnetic media permitted under applicable regulations, revenue procedures, or publications. These generally include magnetic tape, tape cartridge, and diskette, as well as other media, such as electronic filing, specifically permitted under the applicable regulations, procedures, publications, forms, or instructions. (See § 601.601(d)(2) of this chapter).

(2) Corporation. The term corporation means a corporation as defined in section 7701(a)(3).

(3) Controlled group of corporations. The term controlled group of corporations means a group of corporations as defined in section 1563(a).

(4) Corporate income tax return. The term corporate income tax return means a Form 1120, “U.S. Corporation Income Tax Return,” along with all other related forms, schedules, and statements that are required to be attached to the Form 1120, and all members of the Form 1120 series of returns, including amended and superseding returns.

(5) Determination of 250 returns. For purposes of this section, a corporation or controlled group of corporations is required to file at least 250 returns if, during the calendar year ending with or within the taxable year of the corporation or the controlled group, the corporation or the controlled group is required to file at least 250 returns of any type, including information returns (for example, Forms W-2, Forms 1099), income tax returns, employment tax returns, and excise tax returns. In the case of a short year return, a corporation is required to file at least 250 returns if, during the calendar year which includes the short taxable year of the corporation, the corporation is required to file at least 250 returns of any type, including information returns (for example, Forms W-2, Forms 1099), income tax returns, employment tax returns, and excise tax returns. If the corporation is a member of a controlled group, the determination of the number of returns includes all returns required to be filed by all members of the controlled group during the calendar year ending with or within the taxable year of the controlled group.

(1) Magnetic media. For purposes of this section, the term magnetic media has the same meaning as in § 301.6011-2(a)(1).

(2) Individual income tax return. The term individual income tax return means any return of tax imposed by subtitle A on individuals, estates, and trusts.

(3) Specified tax return preparer. The term specified tax return preparer means any person who is a tax return preparer, as defined in section 7701(a)(36) and § 301.7701-15, unless that person reasonably expects to file 10 or fewer individual income tax returns in a calendar year. If a person who is a tax return preparer is a member of a firm, that person is a specified tax return preparer unless the person's firm members in the aggregate reasonably expect to file 10 or fewer individual income tax returns in a calendar year. Solely for the 2011 calendar year, a person will not be considered a specified tax return preparer if that person reasonably expects, or if the person is a member of a firm, the firm's members in the aggregate reasonably expect, to file fewer than 100 individual income tax returns in the 2011 calendar year. Solely for purposes of this section, a person is considered a member of a firm if the person is an employee, agent, member, partner, shareholder, or other equity holder of the firm.

(4) File or Filed.

(1) Undue hardship waiver. The IRS may grant a waiver of the requirement of this section in cases of undue hardship. An undue hardship waiver may be granted upon application by a specified tax return preparer consistent with instructions provided in published guidance and as prescribed in relevant forms and instructions. A determination of undue hardship will be based upon all facts and circumstances. The undue hardship waiver provided to a specified tax return preparer may apply to a series or class of individual income tax returns or for a specified period of time, subject to the terms and conditions regarding the method of filing prescribed in such waiver.

(2) Administrative exemptions. The IRS may provide administrative exemptions from the requirement of this section for certain classes of specified tax return preparers, or regarding certain types of individual income tax returns, as the IRS determines necessary to promote effective and efficient tax administration. The IRS may provide administrative exemptions and any criteria or procedures necessary to claim an administrative exemption through forms, instructions, or other appropriate guidance.

(1) In general. The determination of whether a tax return preparer reasonably expects, or if the preparer is a member of a firm, the firm's members in the aggregate reasonably expect, to file 10 or fewer individual income tax returns (or, in the case of the 2011 calendar year, fewer than 100 individual income tax returns) is made by adding together all of the individual income tax returns the tax return preparer and, if the preparer is a member of a firm, the firm's members reasonably expect to prepare and file in the calendar year. In making this determination, individual income tax returns that the tax return preparer reasonably expects will not be subject to the magnetic media filing requirement under paragraph (a)(4)(ii) of this section or are excluded from the requirement under (c)(2) of this section are not to be counted. Individual income tax returns excluded from the magnetic media filing requirement under paragraph (c)(1) of this section are to be counted for purposes of making this determination.

(2) Time for making determination of reasonable expectations. The determination regarding reasonable expectations is made separately for each calendar year in order to ascertain whether the magnetic media filing requirement applies to a tax return preparer for that year. For each calendar year, the determination of whether a tax return preparer and the preparer's firm reasonably expect to file 10 or fewer individual income tax returns (or, in the case of the 2011 calendar year, fewer than 100 individual income tax returns) is made based on all relevant, objective, and demonstrable facts and circumstances prior to the time the tax return preparer and the preparer's firm first file an individual income tax return during the calendar year.

(1) In general. Except as provided in paragraph (d)(2) of this section, any taxable party (as defined in paragraph (c) of this section) to a prohibited tax shelter transaction (as defined in section 4965(e) and § 53.4965-3 of this chapter) must disclose by statement to each tax-exempt entity (as defined in section 4965(c) and § 53.4965-2 of this chapter) that the taxable party knows or has reason to know is a party to such transaction (as defined in paragraph (b) of this section) that the transaction is a prohibited tax shelter transaction.

(2) Determining whether a taxable party knows or has reason to know. Whether a taxable party knows or has reason to know that a tax-exempt entity is a party to a prohibited tax shelter transaction is based on all the facts and circumstances. If the taxable party knows or has reason to know that a prohibited tax shelter transaction involves a tax-exempt, tax indifferent or tax-favored entity, relevant factors for determining whether the taxable party knows or has reason to know that a specific tax-exempt entity is a party to the transaction include—

(1) In general. For purposes of this section, the term taxable party means—

(2) Special rules —

(1) In general. A taxable party to a prohibited tax shelter transaction must make the disclosure required by this section to each tax-exempt entity that the taxable party knows or has reason to know is a party to the transaction within 60 days after the last to occur of—

(2) Termination of a disclosure obligation. A person shall not be required to provide the disclosure otherwise required by this section if the person does not know or have reason to know that the tax-exempt entity is a party to the transaction within the meaning of paragraph (b) of this section on or before the first date on which the transaction is required to be disclosed by the person under §§ 1.6011-4, 20.6011-4, 25.6011-4, 31.6011-4, 53.6011-4, 54.6011-4, or 56.6011-4 of this chapter.

(3) Disclosure is not required with respect to any prohibited tax shelter transaction entered into by a tax-exempt entity on or before May 17, 2006.

(1) Identifies the type of prohibited tax shelter transaction (including the published guidance citation for a listed transaction); and

(2) States that the tax-exempt entity's involvement in the transaction may subject either it or its entity manager(s) or both to excise taxes under section 4965 and to disclosure obligations under section 6033(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.

(1) In the case of a non-plan entity as defined in § 53.4965-2(b) of this chapter, to—

(2) In the case of a plan entity as defined in § 53.4965-2(c) of this chapter, including a fully self-directed qualified plan, IRA, or other savings arrangement, to any entity manager of the plan entity who approved or otherwise caused the entity to become a party to the prohibited tax shelter transaction.

(1) In general. If any person required by the Internal Revenue Code or by the regulations to make a return fails to make such return, it may be prepared by the Commissioner or other authorized Internal Revenue Officer or employee provided such person consents to disclose all information necessary for the preparation of such return. The return upon being signed by the person required to make it shall be received by the Commissioner as the return of such person.

(2) Responsibility of person for whom return is prepared. A person for whom a return is prepared in accordance with paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall for all legal purposes remain responsible for the correctness of the return to the same extent as if the return had been prepared by him.

(1) In general. If any person required by the Internal Revenue Code or by the regulations to make a return (other than a declaration of estimated tax required under section 6654 or 6655) fails to make such return at the time prescribed therefore, or makes, willfully or otherwise, a false, fraudulent or frivolous return, the Commissioner or other authorized Internal Revenue Officer or employee shall make such return from his own knowledge and from such information as he can obtain through testimony or otherwise. The Commissioner or other authorized Internal Revenue Officer or employee may make the return by gathering information and making computations through electronic, automated or other means to make a determination of the taxpayer's tax liability.

(2) Form of the return. A document (or set of documents) signed by the Commissioner or other authorized Internal Revenue Officer or employee shall be a return for a person described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section if the document (or set of documents) identifies the taxpayer by name and taxpayer identification number, contains sufficient information from which to compute the taxpayer's tax liability, and purports to be a return. A Form 13496, “IRC Section 6020(b) Certification,” or any other form that an authorized Internal Revenue Officer or employee signs and uses to identify a set of documents containing the information set forth in this paragraph as a section 6020(b) return, and the documents identified, constitute a return under section 6020(b). A return may be signed by the name or title of an Internal Revenue Officer or employee being handwritten, stamped, typed, printed or otherwise mechanically affixed to the return, so long as that name or title was placed on the document to signify that the Internal Revenue Officer or employee adopted the document as a return for the taxpayer. The document and signature may be in written or electronic form.

(3) Status of returns. Any return made in accordance with paragraph (b)(1) of this section and signed by the Commissioner or other authorized Internal Revenue Officer or employee shall be good and sufficient for all legal purposes except insofar as any Federal statute expressly provides otherwise. Furthermore, the return shall be treated as the return filed by the taxpayer for purposes of determining the amount of the addition to tax under sections 6651(a)(2) and (3).

(4) Deficiency procedures. For deficiency procedures in the case of income, estate, and gift taxes, see sections 6211 through 6216, inclusive, and §§ 301.6211-1 through 301.6215-1, inclusive.

(5) Employment status procedures. For pre-assessment procedures in employment taxes cases involving worker classification, see section 7436 (proceedings for determination of employment status).

(6) Examples. The application of this paragraph (b) is illustrated by the following examples:

(1) For provisions that a return executed by the Commissioner or other authorized Internal Revenue Officer or employee will not start the running of the period of limitations on assessment and collection, see section 6501(b)(3) and § 301.6501(b)-1(e).

(2) For determining the period of limitations on collection after assessment of a liability on a return executed by the Commissioner or other authorized Internal Revenue Officer or employee, see section 6502 and § 301.6502-1.

(3) For additions to the tax and additional amounts for failure to file returns, see section 6651 and § 301.6651-1, and section 6652 and § 301.6652-1, respectively.

(4) For additions to the tax for failure to pay tax, see section 6651 and § 301.6651-1.

(5) For criminal penalties for willful failure to make returns, see sections 7201, 7202 and 7203.

(6) For criminal penalties for willfully making false or fraudulent returns, see sections 7206 and 7207.

(7) For civil penalties for filing frivolous income tax returns, see section 6702.

(8) For authority to examine books and witnesses, see section 7602 and § 301.7602-1.

(1) Magnetic media. The term magnetic media means any magnetic media permitted under applicable regulations, revenue procedures, or publications. These generally include magnetic tape, tape cartridge, and diskette, as well as other media, such as electronic filing, specifically permitted under the applicable regulations, procedures, publications, forms or instructions. (See § 601.601(d)(2) of this chapter).

(2) Return required under section 6033. The term return required under section 6033 means a Form 990, “Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax,” and Form 990-PF, “Return of Private Foundation or Section 4947(a)(1) Trust Treated as a Private Foundation,” along with all other related forms, schedules, and statements that are required to be attached to the Form 990 or Form 990-PF, and all members of the Form 990 series of returns, including amended and superseding returns.

(3) Determination of 250 returns. For purposes of this section, an organization is required to file at least 250 returns if, during the calendar year ending with or within the taxable year of the organization, the organization is required to file at least 250 returns of any type, including information returns (for example, Forms W-2, Forms 1099), income tax returns, employment tax returns, and excise tax returns. In the case of a short year return, an organization is required to file at least 250 returns if, during the calendar year which includes the short taxable year of the organization, the organization is required to file at least 250 returns of any type, including information returns (for example, Forms W-2, Forms 1099), income tax returns, employment tax returns, and excise tax returns.

(1) Exemption for bankruptcy proceedings.

(2) Proceedings other than bankruptcy. A receiver in a receivership proceeding or a similar fiduciary in any proceeding (including a fiduciary in aid of foreclosure), designated by order of any court of the United States or of any State or Territory or of the District of Columbia as in control of all or substantially all the assets of a debtor or other party to such proceeding shall, on, or within 10 days of, the date of his appointment or authorization to act, give notice thereof in writing to the district director for the internal revenue district in which the debtor, or such other party, is or was required to make returns. Moreover, any fiduciary in aid of foreclosure not appointed by order of any such court, if he takes possession of all or substantially all the assets of the debtor, shall, on, or within 10 days of, the date of his taking possession, give notice thereof in writing to such district director.

(3) Assignment for benefit of creditors. An assignee for the benefit of a creditor or creditors shall, on, or within 10 days of, the date of an assignment, give notice thereof in writing to the district director for the internal revenue district in which the debtor is or was required to make returns. For purposes of this subparagraph, an assignee for the benefit of creditors shall be any person who, by authority of law, by the order of any court, by oral or written agreement, or in any other manner acquires control or possession of or title to all or substantially all the assets of a debtor, and who under such acquisition is authorized to use, reassign, sell, or in any manner dispose of such assets so that the proceeds from the use, sale, or other disposition may be paid to or may inure directly or indirectly to the benefit of a creditor or creditors of such debtor.

(4) Contents of notice —

(1) For criminal penalty for willful failure to supply information, see section 7203.

(2) For criminal penalties for willfully making false or fraudulent statements, see sections 7206 and 7207.

(3) For time for performance of acts where the last day falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, see section 7503 and § 301.7503-1.

(1) Magnetic media. The term magnetic media means any magnetic media permitted under applicable regulations, revenue procedures, or publications. These generally include magnetic tape, tape cartridge, and diskette, as well as other media, such as electronic filing, specifically permitted under the applicable regulations, procedures, publications, forms, or instructions. (See § 601.601(d)(2) of this chapter).

(2) Corporation. The term corporation means a corporation as defined in section 7701(a)(3).

(3) Electing small business corporation return. The term electing small business corporation return means a Form 1120S, “U.S. Income Tax Return for an S Corporation,” along with all other related forms, schedules, and statements that are required to be attached to the Form 1120S, and all members of the Form 1120S series of returns, including amended and superseding returns.

(4) Electing small business corporation. The term electing small business corporation means an S corporation as defined in section 1361(a)(1).

(5) Determination of 250 returns. For purposes of this section, a corporation is required to file at least 250 returns if, during the calendar year ending with or within the taxable year of the corporation, the corporation is required to file at least 250 returns of any type, including information returns (for example, Forms W-2, Forms 1099), income tax returns, employment tax returns, and excise tax returns. In the case of a short year return, a corporation is required to file at least 250 returns if, during the calendar year which includes the short taxable year of the corporation, the corporation is required to file at least 250 returns of any type, including information returns (for example, Forms W-2, Forms 1099), income tax returns, employment tax returns, and excise tax returns.

(1) In general. The information required under paragraph (a) of this section shall include the following information:

(2) Time and manner for furnishing information. A passport applicant must provide the information required by this section with his or her passport application, whether by personal appearance or mail, to the Department of State (including United States Embassies and Consular posts abroad).

(1) In general. If the information required by paragraph (b)(1) of this section is incomplete or incorrect, or the information is not filed in the time and manner described in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, then the passport applicant may be subject to a penalty equal to $500 per application. Before assessing a penalty under this section, the IRS will provide to the passport applicant written notice of the potential assessment of the $500 penalty, requesting the information being sought, and offering the applicant an opportunity to explain why the information was not provided with the passport application. A passport applicant has 60 days from the date of the notice of the potential assessment of the penalty (90 days from such date if the notice is addressed to an applicant outside the United States) to respond to the notice. If the passport applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Commissioner (or the Commissioner's delegate) that the failure is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect, after considering all the surrounding circumstances, then the IRS will not assess the penalty.

(2) Example. The following example illustrates the provisions of paragraph (c) of this section.

(1) In general. The definitions in this paragraph (b) apply for purposes of this section.

(2) Applicable large employer. The term applicable large employer has the same meaning as in section 4980H(c)(2) and § 54.4980H-1(a)(4) of this chapter.

(3) Applicable large employer member. The term applicable large employer member has the same meaning as in § 54.4980H-1(a)(5) of this chapter.

(4) Dependent. The term dependent has the same meaning as in § 54.4980H-1(a)(11) of this chapter.

(5) Eligible employer-sponsored plan. The term eligible employer-sponsored plan has the same meaning as in section 5000A(f)(2) and § 1.5000A-2(c)(1) of this chapter.

(6) Full-time employee. The term full-time employee has the same meaning as in section 4980H and § 54.5980H-1(a)(21) of this chapter, as applied to the determination and calculation of liability under section 4980H(a) and (b) with respect to any individual employee, and not as applied to the determination of status as an applicable large employer, if different.

(7) Governmental unit. The term governmental unit refers to the government of the United States, any State or political subdivision thereof, or any Indian tribal government (as defined in section 7701(a)(40)) or subdivision of an Indian tribal government (as defined in section 7871(d)).

(8) Agency or instrumentality of a governmental unit. [Reserved]

(9) Minimum essential coverage. The term minimum essential coverage has the same meaning as in section 5000A(f) and the regulations issued under that section.

(10) Minimum value. The term minimum value has the same meaning as in section 36B and any applicable regulations.

(11) Person. The term person has the same meaning as in section 7701(a)(1) and applicable regulations.

(1) In general. Each applicable large employer member required to make a return and furnish a related statement to its full-time employees under section 6056 for a calendar year must make a return and furnish the related statement using such form(s) as may be prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service. An applicable large employer member will satisfy its reporting requirements under section 6056 if it files with the Internal Revenue Service a return for each full-time employee using Form 1095-C or another form the IRS designates, and a transmittal form using Form 1094-C or another form the IRS designates, as prescribed in this section and in the instructions to the forms. Each Form 1095-C and the transmittal Form 1094-C will together constitute an information return to be filed with the Internal Revenue Service.

(2) Reporting facilitated by third parties. A separate section 6056 information return must be filed for each applicable large employer member. If more than one section 6056 information return is being filed for an applicable large employer member, there must be one authoritative section 6056 transmittal (Form 1094-C) reporting aggregate employer-level data for all full-time employees of the applicable large employer member, in accordance with forms and instructions. Additionally, there must be only one section 6056 employee statement (Form 1095-C) for each full-time employee with respect to that full-time employee's employment with the applicable large employer member, so that all required information for a particular full-time employee of the applicable large employer member is reflected on a single Form 1095-C.

(1) In general. Except as provided in paragraph (j) of this section (relating to alternative reporting methods for eligible applicable large employer members), every applicable large employer member must make a section 6056 information return with respect to each full-time employee. Each section 6056 information return must show -

(2) Form of the return. A return required under this paragraph (d) may be made on Forms 1094-C and 1095-C or other form(s) designated by the Internal Revenue Service, or a substitute form. A substitute form must include the information required to be reported on Forms 1094-C and 1095-C and must comply with applicable revenue procedures or other published guidance relating to substitute statements. See § 601.601(d)(2) of this chapter.

(1) In general. Except as provided in paragraph (j) of this section, every applicable large employer member required to file a return under section 6056 must furnish to each of its full-time employees identified on the return a written statement showing -

(2) Form of the statement. A statement required under this paragraph (f) may be made either by furnishing to the full-time employee a copy of Form 1095-C or another form the IRS designates as prescribed in this section and in the instructions to such forms, or a substitute statement. A substitute statement must include the information required to be shown on the return filed with the IRS and must comply with requirements in published guidance (see § 601.601(d)(2) of this chapter) relating to substitute statements. An IRS truncated taxpayer identification number may be used as the identifying number for an individual in lieu of the identifying number appearing on the corresponding information return filed with the IRS.

(1) Time for furnishing -

(2) Manner of furnishing. If mailed, the statement must be sent to the full-time employee's last known permanent address or, if no permanent address is known, to the employee's temporary address. For purposes of this paragraph (g), an applicable large employer member's first class mailing to the last known permanent address, or if no permanent address is known, the temporary address, discharges the requirement to furnish the statement. An applicable large employer member may furnish the statement electronically in accordance with § 301.6056-2.

(1) In general. For provisions relating to the penalty for failure to file timely a correct information return required under section 6056, see section 6721 and the regulations under that section. For provisions relating to the penalty for failure to furnish timely a correct statement to full-time employees required under section 6056, see section 6722 and the regulations under that section. See section 6724 and the regulations under that section for rules relating to the waiver of penalties if a failure to file timely or accurately is due to reasonable cause and is not due to willful neglect.

(2) Application of section 6721 and 6722 penalties to section 6056 reporting. For purposes of section 6056 reporting, if the information reported on a return (including a transmittal) or a statement required by this section is incomplete or incorrect as a result of a change in circumstances (such as a retroactive change in coverage), a failure to timely file or furnish a corrected document is a failure to file or furnish a correct return or statement under sections 6721 and 6722.

(1) Certification of qualifying offer. An applicable large employer member is an eligible applicable large employer member and is treated as meeting its reporting obligation under section 6056 if:

(2) Option to report without separate identification of full-time employees if certain conditions related to offers of coverage are satisfied (98 percent offers). An applicable large employer member that otherwise meets its reporting obligation under section 6056 is not required to identify on its section 6056 return whether a particular employee is a full-time employee for one or more calendar months of the reporting year or report the total number of its full-time employees for the reporting year, if it certifies that it offered minimum essential coverage providing minimum value that was affordable under section 4980H to at least 98 percent of the employees (and their dependents) with respect to whom it reports for purposes of section 6056 in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section (regardless of whether the employee is a full-time employee for purposes of section 4980H for a calendar month during the year).

(1) Person appropriately designated. In the case of any applicable large employer member that is a governmental unit or any agency or instrumentality thereof, the person or persons appropriately designated under section 6056(e) for purposes of the filing and furnishing requirements of section 6056 must be part of or related to the same governmental unit as the applicable large employer member. The applicable large employer member must make (or revoke) the designation before the earlier of the deadline for filing the returns or furnishing the statements required by this section. A person that has been appropriately designated under section 6056(e) must file a separate section 6056 return and transmittal for each applicable large employer member for which the person is reporting. The person appropriately designated under section 6056(e) assumes responsibility for the section 6056 requirements on behalf of the applicable large employer member for which the person is designated. Notwithstanding the designation, a separate section 6056 information return must be filed for each applicable large employer member that is a governmental unit. If more than one section 6056 information return is being filed for an applicable large employer member, there must be one authoritative section 6056 transmittal (Form 1094-C) reporting aggregate employer-level data for all full-time employees of the applicable large employer member, in accordance with forms and instructions. In addition, notwithstanding the designation, there must be only one section 6056 employee statement (Form 1095-C) for each full-time employee with respect to that full-time employee's employment with the applicable large employer member, so that all required information for a particular full-time employee of the applicable large employer member is reflected on a single Form 1095-C.

(2) Written designation. The designation under section 6056(e) must be made in writing, must be signed by both the applicable large employer member and the designated person, and must be effective under all applicable laws. The designation must set forth the name, address, and employer identification number of the designated person, and appoint such person as the person responsible for reporting under section 6056 on behalf of the applicable large employer member. The designation must contain information identifying the category of full-time employees (which may be full-time employees eligible for a specified health plan, or in a particular job category, as long as the specific employees covered by the designation can be identified) for which the designated person is responsible for reporting under section 6056 on behalf of the applicable large employer member. If the designated person is responsible for reporting under section 6056 for all full-time employees of an applicable large employer member, the designation must so indicate. The designation must contain language that the designated person agrees and certifies that it is the appropriately designated person under section 6056(e), and an acknowledgement that the designated person is responsible for reporting under section 6056 on behalf of the applicable large employer member and subject to the requirements of section 6056, including for purposes of information reporting requirements under sections 6721, 6722, and 6724. The designation must also set forth the name and employer identification number of the applicable large employer member, identifying the applicable large employer member as the person subject to the requirements of section 4980H. An equivalent applicable statutory or regulatory designation containing the language described in this paragraph (k)(2) will be treated as a written designation for purposes of section 6056(e) and this section. The designation will not be submitted to the IRS and should be maintained under the normal record-retention rules under section 6103.

(3) Application to alternative reporting methods. A person designated under this paragraph (k) may use the alternative reporting method identified in paragraph (j)(1) of this section for the full-time employees for which it is reporting with respect to a particular governmental unit if that particular governmental unit meets the eligibility requirements with respect to those employees, but may use the alternative reporting method identified in paragraph (j)(2) of this section only if the governmental unit on whose behalf it is reporting would itself be eligible to use that alternative reporting method.

(1) In general. An applicable large employer member required by § 301.6056-1 to furnish a statement (furnisher) to a full-time employee (a recipient) as required by section 6056 may furnish the section 6056 employee statement (the statement) in an electronic format in lieu of a paper format, provided that the furnisher meets the requirements of paragraphs (a)(2) through (a)(6) of this section. An applicable large employer member who meets the requirements of paragraphs (a)(2) through (6) of this section is treated as furnishing the statement in a timely manner.

(2) Consent —

(3) Required disclosures —

(4) Format. The electronic version of the statement must contain all required information and comply with applicable revenue procedures relating to substitute statements to recipients.

(5) Notice —

(6) Access period. Statements furnished on a Web site must be retained on the Web site through October 15 of the year following the calendar year to which the statements relate (or the first business day after October 15, if October 15 falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday). The furnisher must maintain access to corrected statements that are posted on the Web site through October 15 of the year following the calendar year to which the statements relate (or the first business day after such October 15, if October 15 falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday) or the date 90 days after the corrected forms are posted, whichever is later.

(7) Paper statements after withdrawal of consent. A furnisher must furnish a paper statement if a recipient withdraws consent to receive a statement electronically and the withdrawal takes effect before the statement is furnished. A paper statement furnished after the statement due date under this paragraph (a)(7) is timely if furnished within 30 days after the date the furnisher receives the withdrawal of consent.

(1) In general. Under section 6057(a), the plan administrator (within the meaning of section 414(g)) of an employee retirement benefit plan must file with the Internal Revenue Service information relating to each plan participant who separates from service covered by the plan and is entitled to a deferred vested retirement benefit under the plan, but is not paid this retirement benefit. Plans subject to this filing requirement are described in subparagraph (3) of this paragraph. Subparagraph (4) describes how the information is to be filed with the Internal Revenue Service. In the case of a plan to which only one employer contributes, the time for filing the information with respect to each separated participant is described in subparagraph (5). In the case of a plan to which more than one employer contributes the time for filing the information with respect to a participant is described in paragraph (b)(2) of this section. Paragraph (b) of this section also provides other rules applicable only to plans to which more than one employer contributes.

(2) Deferred vested retirement benefit. For purposes of this section, a plan participant's deferred retirement benefit is considered a vested benefit if it is vested under the terms of the plan at the close of the plan year described in paragraph (a)(5) or (b)(4) of this section (whichever is applicable) for which information relating to any deferred vested retirement benefit of the participant must be filed. A participant's deferred retirement benefit need not be a nonforfeitable benefit within the meaning of section 411(a) for the filing requirements described in this section to apply. Accordingly, information relating to a participant's deferred vested retirement benefit must be filed as required by this section notwithstanding that the benefit is subject to forfeiture by reason of an event or condition occurring subsequent to the close of the plan year described in paragraph (a)(5) or (b)(4) of this section (whichever is applicable) for which information relating to any deferred vested retirement benefit of the participant must be filed.

(3) Plans subject to filing requirement. The term “employee retirement benefit plan” means a plan to which the vesting standards of section 203 of part 2 of subtitle B of title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (88 Stat. 854) apply for any day in the plan year. (For purposes of this section, “plan year” means the plan year as determined for purposes of the annual return required by section 6058(a)). Accordingly, a plan need not be a qualified plan within the meaning of section 401(a) to be subject to these filing requirements. A plan to which more than one employer contributes must file the report of deferred vested retirement benefits described in this section, but see paragraph (b) of this section for special rules applicable to such a plan. The filing requirements described in this section and § 301.6057-2 (relating to notification of change in plan status) do not apply to a governmental or church plan described in section 414 (d) or (e).

(4) Filing requirements. Information relating to the deferred vested retirement benefit of a plan participant must be filed on schedule SSA as an attachment to the Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan (form 5500 series). Schedule SSA shall be filed on behalf of an employee retirement benefit plan for each plan year for which information relating to the deferred vested retirement benefit of a plan participant is filed under paragraph (a)(5) or (b)(2) of this section. There shall be filed on schedule SSA the name and social security number of the participant, a description of the nature, form, and amount of the deferred vested retirement benefit to which the participant is entitled, and such other information as is required by section 6057(a) or schedule SSA and the accompanying instructions. The form of the benefit reported on schedule SSA shall be the normal form of benefit under the plan, or, if the plan administrator (within the meaning of section 414(g)) considers it more appropriate, any other form of benefit.

(5) Time for reporting deferred vested retirement benefit -

(1) Application. Section 6057 and this section apply to a plan to which more than one employer contributes with the modifications set forth in this paragraph. For purposes of section 6057 and this section, whether or not more than one employer contributes to a plan shall be determined by the number of employers who are required to contribute to the plan. Thus, for example, this paragraph applies to plans maintained by more than one employer which are collectively bargained as described in section 413(a), multiple-employer plans described in section 413(c) and the regulations thereunder, multiemployer plans described in section 414(f), and plans adopted by more than one employer of certain controlled and common control groups described in section 414 (b) and (c).

(2) Time for reporting deferred vested retirement benefit -

(3) Information relating to deferred vested retirement benefit -

(1) In general. The plan administrator of an employee retirement benefit plan described in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, or any other employee retirement benefit plan (including a governmental or church plan), may at its option, file on schedule SSA information relating to the deferred vested retirement benefit of any plan participant who separates at any time from service covered by the plan, including plan participants who separate from service in plan years beginning before 1976.

(2) Deleting previously filed information. If, after information relating to the deferred vested retirement benefit of a plan participant is filed on schedule SSA, the plan participant -

(1) In general. As described in this section, no information relating to the deferred vested retirement benefit of a plan participant is required to be filed on schedule SSA if before the date such schedule SSA is required to be filed, some of the deferred vested retirement benefit is paid to the participant, and information relating to a participant's deferred vested retirement benefit which was previously filed on schedule SSA may be deleted if the participant is paid some of the deferred vested retirement benefit. If payment of the deferred vested retirement benefit ceases before all of the benefit to which the participant is entitled is paid to the participant, information relating to the deferred vested retirement benefit to which the participant remains entitled shall be filed on the schedule SSA filed for the plan year following the last plan year within which a portion of the benefit is paid to the participant.

(2) Exception. Notwithstanding subparagraph (1) of this paragraph, no information relating to the deferred vested retirement benefit to which the participant remains entitled is required to be filed on schedule SSA if, before the date such schedule SSA is required to be filed (including any extension of time for filing granted pursuant to section 6081), the participant

(1) Plans to which only one employer contributes. In the case of a plan to which only one employer contributes, this section is effective for plan years beginning after December 31, 1975, and with respect to a participant who separates from service covered by the plan in plan years beginning after that date.

(2) Plans to which more than one employer contributes. In the case of a plan to which more than one employer contributes, this section is effective for plan years beginning after December 31, 1977, and with respect to a participant who completes two consecutive 1-year breaks in service under the plan in service computation periods beginning after December 31, 1974.

(1) A change in the name of the plan.

(2) A change in the name or address of the plan administrator,

(3) The termination of the plan, or

(4) The merger or consolidation of the plan with another plan or the division of the plan into two or more plans.

(1) Magnetic media. The term magnetic media means electronic filing, as well as other media specifically permitted under applicable regulations, revenue procedures, or publications, forms, instructions, or other guidance on the IRS.gov Internet Web site. See § 601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter.

(2) Registration statement required under section 6057(a). The term registration statement required under section 6057(a) means a Form 8955-SSA (or its successor).

(3) Notification required under section 6057(b). The term notification required under section 6057(b) means either a Form 8955-SSA (or its successor) or a return in the Form 5500 series (or its successor).

(4) Determination of 250 returns -

(1) Annual return. For each funded plan of deferred compensation an annual return must be filed with the Internal Revenue Service. The annual return of the plan is the appropriate Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan (Form 5500 series) as determined under these forms. The annual period for the annual return of the plan shall be either the plan year or the taxable year of the employer maintaining the plan as determined under these forms. These forms are hereinafter referred to as the “forms prescribed by section 6058(a).”

(2) Plans subject to requirements. For purposes of this section, the term “funded plan of deferred compensation” means each pension, annuity, stock bonus, profit-sharing, or other funded plan of deferred compensation described in part 1 of subchapter D of chapter 1. Accordingly, the term includes qualified plans under sections 401(a), 403(a), and 405(a); individual retirement accounts and annuities described in sections 408(a) and 408(b); and custodial accounts under section 403(b)(7). The term also includes: funded plans of deferred compensation which are not qualified plans; funded governmental plans and church plans, whether or not qualified (See sections 414(d) and 414(e)); and plans maintained outside the United States primarily for nonresident aliens (as described in subsection (b)(4) of section 4 of subtitle A of title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; (88 Stat. 840)). The term does not include annuity contracts described in section 403(b)(1) or individual retirement accounts (an individual participant or surviving beneficiary in such account must file under paragraph (d)(2) of this section) and bonds described in sections 408(c) and 409.

(3) Required information. The information required to be furnished on the forms prescribed by section 6058(a) shall include such information concerning the qualification of the plan, the financial condition of the trust, fund, or custodial or fiduciary account which is a part of the plan, and the operation of the plan as shall be required by the forms, applicable accompanying schedules and related instructions applicable to the annual period.

(4) Time of filing. The forms prescribed by section 6058(a) shall be filed in the manner and at the time as required by the forms and related instructions applicable to the annual period.

(1) In general. The annual return required to be filed under section 6058(a) and paragraph (a) of this section for the annual period shall be filed by either the employer maintaining the plan or the plan administrator (as defined in section 414(g)) of the plan for that annual period. Whether the employer or plan administrator files shall be determined under the forms prescribed by section 6058(a) and related instructions applicable to the annual period. Nothing in these forms shall preclude an employer from filing the return on behalf of the plan administrator, or the plan administrator from filing on behalf of the employer.

(2) Definition of employer. For purposes of subparagraph (1) of this paragraph, the term “employer” includes a sole proprietor and a partnership.

(1) Extensions of time for filing. For rules relating to the extension of time for filing, see section 6081 and the regulations thereunder and the instructions on the forms prescribed by section 6058(a).

(2) Amended filing. Any form prescribed by this section may be filed as an amendment to a form previously filed under this section with respect to the same annual period pursuant to the instructions for such forms.

(3) Additional information. In addition to the information otherwise required to be furnished by this section, the district director may require any further information that is considered necessary to determine allowable deductions under section 404, qualification under section 401, or the financial condition and operation of the plan.

(4) Records. Records substantiating all data and information required by this section to be filed must be kept at all times available for inspection by internal revenue officers at the principal office or place of business of the employer or plan administrator.

(5) Relief from filing. Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this section, the Commissioner may, in his discretion, relieve an employer, or plan administrator, from reporting information on the forms prescribed by section 6058(a). This discretion includes the ability to relieve an employer, or plan administrator, from filing the applicable form.

(1) Application. This paragraph, in lieu of paragraph (a) of this section, applies to an individual retirement account described in section 408(a) and an individual retirement annuity described in section 408(b), including such accounts and annuities for which a deduction is allowable under section 220 (spousal individual retirement arrangements).

(2) General rule. For each taxable year beginning after December 31, 1974, every individual who during such taxable year—

(3) Special information returns. If an individual described in subparagraph (2) of this paragraph is not required to file a Form 1040 for such taxable year, such individual shall file a Form 5329 (or any other designated form) with the Internal Revenue Service by the 15th day of the 4th month following the close of such individual's taxable year setting forth in full the information required by that form and the accompanying instructions.

(4) Relief from filing. The Commissioner may, in his discretion, relieve an individual from filing the form prescribed by this paragraph.

(5) Retirement bonds. An individual who purchases, holds, or maintains a retirement bond described in section 409 may be required to file a return under other provisions of the Code.

(1) Section 6058 (a) requirements. The rules with respect to annual returns required under section 6058(a) (the rules in this section, other than paragraph (e) thereof) are effective for plan years beginning after September 2, 1974.

(2) Section 6058(b) requirements. The requirements of section 6058(b) relating to mergers, etc., and paragraph (e) of this section are effective on September 2, 1974, with respect to events described in section 6058(b) occurring on or after such date.

(1) Magnetic media. The term magnetic media means electronic filing, as well as other media specifically permitted under applicable regulations, revenue procedures, or publications, forms, instructions, or other guidance on the IRS.gov Internet Web site. See § 601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter.

(2) Return required under section 6058. The term return required under section 6058 means a return in the Form 5500 series (or its successor).

(3) Determination of 250 returns -

(1) The date of the actuarial valuation applicable to the plan year for which the report is filed (see section 412(c)(9) for rules relating to the frequency with which an actuarial valuation of the plan is required to be made),

(2) A description of the funding method and actuarial assumptions used to determine costs under the plan,

(3) A certification of the contribution necessary to reduce the accumulated funding deficiency (as defined in section 412(a)) to zero,

(4) A statement by the enrolled actuary signing the report that to the best of the actuary's knowledge the report is complete and accurate,

(5) A statement by the enrolled actuary signing the report that in the actuary's opinion the actuarial assumptions used are in the aggregate

(6) Such other information as may be necessary to fully and fairly disclose the actuarial position of the plan, and

(7) Such other information as may be required by Schedule B or the instructions accompanying the Schedule and the Form 5500 series.

(1) A statement that the report is based in part on information provided to the actuary by another person, that such information would customarily not be verified by the actuary, and that the actuary has no reason to doubt the substantial accuracy of the information (taking into account the facts and circumstances that are known or reasonably should be known to the actuary, including the contents of any other actuarial report prepared by the actuary for the plan),

(2) A statement that the report is based in part on information provided by another person, that the actuary believes such information is or may be inaccurate or incomplete, but that the inaccuracies or omissions are not material, the inaccuracies or omissions are not so numerous or flagrant as to suggest that there may be material inaccuracies, and that therefore the actuarial report is substantially accurate and complete and fairly discloses the actuarial position of the plan,

(3) A statement that the report reflects the requirement of a regulation or ruling, and that any statement regarding the actuarial position of the plan is made only in light of such requirement,

(4) A statement that the report reflects an interpretation of a statute, regulation or ruling, that the actuary has no reason to doubt the validity of that interpretation, and that any statement regarding the actuarial position of the plan is made only in light of such interpretation,

(5) A statement that in the opinion of the actuary the report fully reflects the requirements of an applicable statute, but does not conform to the requirements of a regulation or ruling promulgated under the statute that the actuary believes is contrary to the statute, or

(6) A statement furnished to comply with the requirements of paragraph (c)(6) of this section.

A statement otherwise described in a subparagraph of this paragraph (d) shall not be considered to satisfy the requirements of such subparagraph unless the statement identifies, with particularity, that matter to which the statement relates and the facts and circumstances surrounding the statement. In addition, a statement otherwise described in subparagraph (5) of this paragraph (d) shall not be considered to satisfy the requirements of that subparagraph unless the statement indicates whether an accumulated funding deficiency or a contribution that is not wholly deductible may result if the actuary's belief is determined to be incorrect.

(1) Magnetic media. The term magnetic media means electronic filing, as well as other media specifically permitted under applicable regulations, revenue procedures, or publications, forms, instructions, or other guidance on the IRS.gov Internet Web site. See § 601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter.

(2) Actuarial report required under section 6059 -

(3) Determination of 250 returns -

(1) Submit a complete application on Form 7004, “Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File Certain Business Income Tax, Information, and Other Returns,” or in any other manner prescribed by the Commissioner; and

(2) File the application on or before the date prescribed for filing the return with the Internal Revenue Service office designated in the application's instructions.

(1) Persons other than corporations. If a document, other than a return, of a person (other than a corporation) is hand carried, and if the document is otherwise required to be filed with a service center, such document may be filed with any person assigned the responsibility to receive hand-carried returns in the local Internal Revenue Service office that serves the legal residence or principal place of business of such person, or, in the case of an estate, the local Internal Revenue Service office serving the domicile of the decedent at the time of his death. A document may also be filed by hand carrying such document to the appropriate service center, or, in the case of a document required to be filed with an office of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, by hand carrying as specified in regulations of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, see, 27 CFR chapter I, subchapter F.

(2) Corporations. If a document, other than a return, of a corporation is hand carried, and if the document is otherwise required to be filed with a service center, such document may be filed with any person assigned the responsibility to receive hand-carried returns in the local Internal Revenue Service office that serves the principal place of business or principal office or agency of the corporation. A document may also be filed by hand carrying such document to the appropriate service center, or, in the case of a document required to be filed with an office of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, by hand carrying as specified in regulations of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, see, 27 CFR chapter I, subchapter F.

(1) A designation under paragraph (a) of this section may be made with respect to any taxable year at the time of the filing of the return of the tax imposed by chapter 1 for such taxable year, and shall be made either on the first page of the return or on the page bearing the taxpayer's signature, in accordance with the instructions applicable thereto.

(2) With respect to any taxable year beginning after December 31, 1972 for which no designation was made under paragraph (c)(1) of this section, a designation may be made on the form furnished by the Internal Revenue Service for such purpose, filed within 20 and one half months after the due date for the original return for such taxable year. In the case of a joint return where neither spouse made a designation or where only one spouse made a designation, a designation may be made, as provided in this subparagraph, by the spouse or spouses who had not previously made a designation.

(3) A designation once made, whether by an original return or otherwise, may not be revoked.

(1) Method of election. Where any internal revenue form, or the instructions issued with respect to such form, provide that whole dollar amounts shall be reported, any person making a return, declaration, statement, or other document on such form may elect not to use whole dollar amounts by reporting thereon all amounts in full, including cents.

(2) Time of election. The election not to use whole dollar amounts must be made at the time of filing the return, declaration, statement, or other document. Such election may not be revoked after the time prescribed for filing such return, declaration, statement, or other document, including extensions of time granted for such filing. Such election may be made on any return, declaration, statement, or other document which is filed after the time prescribed for filing (including extensions of time), and such an election is irrevocable.

(3) Effect of election. The taxpayer's election shall be binding only on the return, declaration, statement, or other document filed for a taxable year or period, and a new election may be made on the return, declaration, statement, or other document filed for a subsequent taxable year or period. An election by either a husband or a wife not to report whole dollar amounts on a separate income tax return shall be binding on any subsequent joint return filed under the provisions of section 6013(b).

(4) Fractional part of a cent. For treatment of the fractional part of a cent in the payment of taxes, see section 6313 and § 301.6313-1.

(1) General requirements. Pursuant to section 6103(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, the Internal Revenue Service (or an agent or contractor of the Internal Revenue Service) may disclose a taxpayer's return or return information (in written or nonwritten form) to such person or persons as the taxpayer may designate in a request for or consent to such disclosure. A request for or consent to disclosure under this paragraph (b) must be in the form of a separate written document pertaining solely to the authorized disclosure. (For the meaning of separate written document, see paragraph (e)(1) of this section.) The separate written document must be signed (see paragraph (e)(2) of this section) and dated by the taxpayer who filed the return or to whom the return information relates. At the time it is signed and dated by the taxpayer, the written document must also indicate—

(2) Requirement that request or consent be received within one hundred twenty days of when signed and dated. The disclosure of a return or return information authorized by a written request for or written consent to the disclosure shall not be made unless the request or consent is received by the Internal Revenue Service (or an agent or contractor of the Internal Revenue Service) within 120 days following the date upon which the request or consent was signed and dated by the taxpayer.

(1) Written request for information or assistance.

(2) Nonwritten request or consent.

(3) Rules applicable to written and nonwritten requests for information or assistance. A return or return information will be disclosed to the taxpayer's designee as provided by this paragraph only to the extent considered necessary by the Internal Revenue Service to comply with the taxpayer's request or consent. Such disclosures shall not be made unless the request or consent is received by the Internal Revenue Service, its agent or contractor, or a Federal government agency performing a Federal tax administration function in connection with a request for advice or assistance relating to such function. This paragraph (c) does not apply to disclosures to a taxpayer's representative in connection with practice before the Internal Revenue Service (as defined in Treasury Department Circular No. 230, 31 CFR part 10). For disclosures in these cases, see section 6103(e)(6) and §§ 601.501 through 601.508 of this chapter.

(1) Acknowledgment of, and notices regarding, electronically filed returns and other documents. When a taxpayer files returns or other documents or information with the Internal Revenue Service electronically, the taxpayer may consent to the disclosure of return information to the transmitter or other third party, such as the taxpayer's financial institution, necessary to acknowledge that the electronic transmission was received and either accepted or rejected by the Internal Revenue Service, the reason for any rejection, and such other information as the Internal Revenue Service determines is necessary to the operation of the electronic filing program. The consent must inform the taxpayer of the return information that will be transmitted and to whom disclosure will be made.

(2) Combined return filing programs with State tax agencies.

(1) Separate written document.

(2) Method of signing. A request for or consent to disclosure may be signed by any method of signing the Secretary has prescribed pursuant to § 301.6061-1(b) in forms, instructions, or other appropriate guidance.

(3) Permissible designees and public forums. Permissible designees under this section include individuals; trusts; estates; corporations; partnerships; Federal, State, local and foreign government agencies or subunits of such agencies; or the general public. When disclosures are to be made in a public forum, such as in a courtroom or congressional hearing, the request for or consent to disclosure must describe the circumstances surrounding the public disclosure, e.g., congressional hearing, judicial proceeding, media, and the date or dates of the disclosure. When a designee is an individual, this section does not authorize disclosures to other individuals associated with such individual, such as employees of such individual or members of such individual's staff.

(4) Authority to execute a request for or consent to disclosure. Any person who may obtain returns under section 6103(e)(1) through (5), except section 6103(e)(1)(D)(iii), may execute a request for or consent to disclose a return or return information to third parties. For taxpayers that are legal entities, such as corporations and municipal bond issuers, any officer of the entity with authority under applicable State law to legally bind the entity may execute a request for or consent to disclosure. A person described in section 6103(e)(6) (a taxpayer's representative or individual holding a power of attorney) may not execute a request for or consent to disclosure unless the designation of representation or power of attorney specifically delegates such authority. A designee pursuant to this section does not have authority to execute a request for or consent to disclosure permitting the Internal Revenue Service to disclose returns or return information to another person.

(5) No disclosure of return information if impairment. A disclosure of return information shall not be made under this section if the Internal Revenue Service determines that the disclosure would seriously impair Federal tax administration (as defined in section 6103(b)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code).

(1) Returns and return information (including taxpayer return information), as defined in section 6103(b) (1), (2), and (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, shall, to the extent provided by section 6103(h)(2) (A), (B), and (C) and subject to the requirements of section 6103(h)(3), be open to inspection by or disclosure to officers and employees of the Department of Justice (including United States attorneys) personally and directly engaged in, and for their necessary use in, any Federal grand jury proceeding, or preparation for any proceeding (or for their necessary use in an investigation which may result in such a proceeding) before a Federal grand jury or any Federal or State court, in a matter involving tax administration (as defined in section 6103(b)(4)), including any such proceeding (or any such investigation) also involving the enforcement of a related Federal criminal statute which has been referred by the Secretary to the Department of Justice.

(2) Returns and return information (including taxpayer return information) inspected by or disclosed to officers and employees of the Department of Justice as provided in paragraph (a)(1) of this section may also be used by such officers and employees or disclosed by them to other officers and employees (including United States attorneys and supervisory personnel, such as Section Chiefs, Deputy Assistant Attorneys General, Assistant Attorneys General, the Deputy Attorney General, and the Attorney General), of the Department of Justice where necessary—

(1) Returns and return information (including taxpayer return information), as defined in section 6103(b) (1), (2), and (3) of the Code, inspected by or disclosed to officers and employees of the Department of Justice as provided by paragraph (a) of this section may be disclosed by such officers and employees to other persons, including, but not limited to, persons described in paragraph (b)(2), but only to the extent necessary in connection with a Federal grand jury proceeding, or the proper preparation for a proceeding (or in connection with an investigation which may result in such a proceeding), described in paragraph (a). Such disclosures may include, but are not limited to, disclosures—

(2) Among those persons to whom returns and return information may be disclosed by officers and employees of the Department of Justice as provided by paragraph (a)(1) of this section are—

(1) By communicating a preliminary award recommendation or preliminary denial letter to the whistleblower;

(2) By providing the whistleblower with an award report package;

(3) By conducting a meeting with the whistleblower to review documents supporting the preliminary award recommendation; and

(4) By sending an award decision letter, award determination letter, or award denial letter to the whistleblower.

(1) Returns and return information (including taxpayer return information), as defined in section 6103(b) (1), (2), and (3) of the Code, disclosed to officers and employees of the Department of Justice or other Federal agency (as defined in section 6103(b)(9)) as provided by paragraph (a) of this section may be disclosed by such officers and employees to other persons, including, but not limited to, persons described in subparagraph (2) of this paragraph, but only to the extent necessary in connection with a Federal grand jury proceeding, or the proper preparation for a proceeding (or in connection with an investigation which may result in such a proceeding), described in paragraph (a). Such disclosures may include, but are not limited to, disclosures where necessary—

(2) Among those persons to whom returns and return information may be disclosed by officers and employees of the Department of Justice or other Federal agency as provided by subparagraph (1) of this paragraph are—

(1) Officers or employees of the Internal Revenue Service will disclose the following return information reflected on returns of individual taxpayers to officers and employees of the Bureau of the Census for purposes of, but only to the extent necessary in, conducting and preparing, as authorized by chapter 5 of title 13, United States Code, intercensal estimates of population and income for all geographic areas included in the population estimates program and demographic statistics programs, censuses, and related program evaluation:

(2) Officers or employees of the Internal Revenue Service will disclose to officers and employees of the Bureau of the Census for purposes of, but only to the extent necessary in, conducting, as authorized by chapter 5 of title 13, United States Code, demographic, economic, and agricultural statistics programs and censuses and related program evaluation—

(3) Officers or employees of the Internal Revenue Service will disclose the following business-related return information reflected on returns of taxpayers to officers and employees of the Bureau of the Census for purposes of, but only to the extent necessary in, conducting and preparing, as authorized by chapter 5 of title 13, United States Code, demographic and economic statistics programs, censuses, and surveys. (The “returns of taxpayers” include, but are not limited to: Form 941; Form 990 series; Form 1040 series and Schedules C and SE; Form 1065 and all attending schedules and Form 8825; Form 1120 series and all attending schedules and Form 8825; Form 851; Form 1096; and other business returns, schedules and forms that the Internal Revenue Service may issue.):

(4) Officers or employees of the Internal Revenue Service will disclose return information reflected on returns of taxpayers contained in the exempt organization master files of the Internal Revenue Service to officers and employees of the Bureau of the Census for purposes of, but only to the extent necessary in, conducting and preparing, as authorized by chapter 5 of title 13, United States Code, economic censuses. This return information reflected on returns of taxpayers consists of taxpayer identity information (as defined in section 6103(b)(6)), activity codes, and filing requirement code, and monthly corrections of, and additions to, such information.

(5) Subject to the requirements of paragraph (d) of this section and § 301.6103(p)(2)(B)-1, officers or employees of the Social Security Administration to whom the following return information reflected on returns has been disclosed as provided by section 6103(l)(1)(A) or (l)(5) may disclose such information to officers and employees of the Bureau of the Census for necessary purposes described in paragraph (b)(2) or (3) of this section:

(6)

(7) Officers or employees of the Internal Revenue Service will disclose the following return information reflected on Form 1098 “Mortgage Interest Statement” to officers and employees of the Bureau of the Census for purposes of, but only to the extent necessary in, conducting and preparing, as authorized by chapter 5 of title 13, United States Code, demographic statistics programs, censuses, and surveys—

(1) As authorized by law for purposes of, but only to the extent necessary in, conducting and preparing statistical analyses, the Internal Revenue Service will disclose to officers and employees of the Bureau of Economic Analysis all return information, regardless of format or medium and including edited information from the Statistics of Income sample, of designated classes or categories of corporations with respect to the tax imposed by chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code.

(2) [Reserved]

(3) The Internal Revenue Service will disclose the following return information reflected on returns filed by corporations to officers and employees of the Bureau of Economic Analysis:

(1) The particular return information reflected on returns to be disclosed;

(2) The taxable period or date to which such return information reflected on returns relates; and

(3)

(1) Officers or employees of the Internal Revenue Service will disclose the following return information reflected on returns described in this paragraph (b) for individuals, partnerships and corporations with agricultural activity, as determined generally by industry code classification or the filing of returns for such activity, to officers and employees of the Department of Agriculture for purposes of, but only to the extent necessary in, structuring, preparing, and conducting, as authorized by chapter 55 of title 7, United States Code, the census of agriculture.

(2) From Form 1040 “U.S. Individual Income Tax Return”, Form 1041 “U.S. Income Tax Return for Estates and Trusts”, Form 1065 “U.S. Return of Partnership Income” and Form 1065-B “U.S. Return of Income for Electing Large Partnerships” (Schedule F)—

(3) From Form 943, “Employer's Annual Tax Return for Agricultural Employees”—

(4) From Form 1120 series, “U.S. Corporation Income Tax Return”—

(5) From Form 1065 series, “U.S. Return of Partnership Income”—

(1) Disclosure of return information reflected on returns by officers or employees of the Internal Revenue Service as provided by paragraph (b) of this section will be made only upon written request designating, by name and title, the officers and employees of the Department of Agriculture to whom such disclosure is authorized, to the Commissioner of Internal Revenue by the Secretary of Agriculture and describing—

(2)

(1) Pursuant to the provisions of section 6103(k)(6) and subject to the conditions of this section, an internal revenue employee or an Office of Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) employee, in connection with official duties relating to any examination, administrative appeal, collection activity, administrative, civil or criminal investigation, enforcement activity, ruling, negotiated agreement, prefiling activity, or other proceeding or offense under the internal revenue laws or related statutes, or in preparation for any proceeding described in section 6103(h)(2) (or investigation which may result in such a proceeding), may disclose return information, of any taxpayer, to the extent necessary to obtain information relating to such official duties or to accomplish properly any activity connected with such official duties, including, but not limited to—

(2) Disclosure of return information for the purpose of obtaining information to carry out properly the official duties described by this paragraph, or any activity connected with the official duties, is authorized only if the internal revenue or TIGTA employee reasonably believes, under the facts and circumstances, at the time of a disclosure, the information is not otherwise reasonably available, or if the activity connected with the official duties cannot occur properly without the disclosure.

(3) Internal revenue and TIGTA employees may identify themselves, their organizational affiliation (e.g., Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Criminal Investigation (CI) or TIGTA, Office of Investigations (OI)), and the nature of their investigation, when making an oral, written, or electronic contact with a third party witness. Permitted disclosures include, but are not limited to, the use and presentation of any identification media (such as a Federal agency badge, credential, or business card) or the use of an information document request, summons, or correspondence on Federal agency letterhead or which bears a return address or signature block that reveals affiliation with the Federal agency.

(4) This section does not address or affect the requirements under section 7602(c) (relating to contact of third parties).

(1) Disclosure of return information to the extent necessary means a disclosure of return information which an internal revenue or TIGTA employee, based on the facts and circumstances, at the time of the disclosure, reasonably believes is necessary to obtain information to perform properly the official duties described by this section, or to accomplish properly the activities connected with carrying out those official duties. The term necessary in this context does not mean essential or indispensable, but rather appropriate and helpful in obtaining the information sought. Nor does necessary in this context refer to the necessity of conducting an investigation or the appropriateness of the means or methods chosen to conduct the investigation. Section 6103(k)(6) does not limit or restrict internal revenue or TIGTA employees with respect to the decision to initiate or the conduct of an investigation. Disclosures under this paragraph (c)(1), however, may not be made indiscriminately or solely for the benefit of the recipient or as part of a negotiated quid pro quo arrangement. This paragraph (c)(1) is illustrated by the following examples:

(2) Disclosure of return information to accomplish properly an activity connected with official duties means a disclosure of return information to carry out a function associated with official duties generally consistent with established practices and procedures. This paragraph (c)(2) is illustrated by the following example:

(3) Information not otherwise reasonably available means information that an internal revenue or TIGTA employee reasonably believes, under the facts and circumstances, at the time of a disclosure, cannot be obtained in a sufficiently accurate or probative form, or in a timely manner, and without impairing the proper performance of the official duties described by this section, without making the disclosure. This definition does not require or create the presumption or expectation that an internal revenue or TIGTA employee must seek information from a taxpayer or authorized representative prior to contacting a third party witness in an investigation. Neither the Internal Revenue Code, IRS procedures, nor these regulations require repeated contacting of an uncooperative taxpayer. Moreover, an internal revenue or TIGTA employee may make a disclosure to a third party witness to corroborate information provided by a taxpayer. This paragraph (c)(3) is illustrated by the following examples:

(4) Internal revenue employee means, for purposes of this section, an officer or employee of the IRS or Office of Chief Counsel for the IRS, or an officer or employee of a Federal agency responsible for administering and enforcing taxes under Chapters 32 (Part III of Subchapter D), 51, 52, or 53 of the Internal Revenue Code, or investigating tax refund check fraud under 18 U.S.C. 510.

(5) TIGTA employee means an officer or employee of the Office of Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.

(1) Notification of receipt by the Service of an application by a particular taxpayer for a determination of whether a pension, profit-sharing, or stock bonus plan, a trust which is a part of such a plan, or an annuity or bond purchase plan meets the applicable requirements of part I of subchapter D of chapter 1 of the Code;

(2) Notification that a particular application described in subparagraph (1) of this paragraph alleges that certain employees may be excluded from participation by reason of section 410(b)(2) (A) and (B) for the purpose of obtaining the finding necessary for the application of such section;

(3) An application by a particular taxpayer for a determination of whether a pension, profit-sharing, or stock bonus plan, or an annuity or bond purchase plan, meets the applicable requirements of part I of subchapter D of chapter 1 of the Code with respect to a termination or proposed termination of the plan or to a partial termination or proposed partial termination of the plan, and any statement filed as provided by section 6058(b);

(4) Notification that the Service has determined that a plan or trust described in subparagraph (1) or (3) of this paragraph meets or does not meet the applicable requirements of part I of subchapter D of chapter 1 of the Code and has issued a determination letter to such effect to a particular taxpayer or that an application for such a determination has been withdrawn by the taxpayer;

(5) If the Department of Labor or the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation has commented on an application upon which a determination letter described in subparagraph (4) of this paragraph has been issued, a copy of the letter or document issued to the applicant;

(6) Notification to a particular taxpayer that the Service intends to disqualify a pension, profit-sharing, or stock bonus plan, a trust which is a part of such plan, or an annuity or bond purchase plan because such plan or trust does not meet the requirements of section 410(a) or 411 as of the date that such notification is issued;

(7) Notification required by section 3002(a) of the Act of the commencement of any proceeding to determine whether a particular pension, profit-sharing, or stock bonus plan, a trust which is a part of such plan, or an annuity or bond purchase plan meets the requirements of section 410(a) or 411;

(8) Prior to issuance of a notice of deficiency to a particular taxpayer under section 6212, notification that the Service has determined that a deficiency exists under section 6211 with respect to the tax imposed by section 4971 (a) or (b) on such taxpayer, except that if the Service determines that the collection of such tax is in jeopardy within the meaning of section 6861(a), such notification may be disclosed after issuance of the notice of deficiency or jeopardy assessment;

(9) Notification of receipt by the Service of, and action taken with respect to, an application by or on behalf of a particular taxpayer for a waiver of the tax imposed by section 4971 (b);

(10) Prior to issuance of a notice of deficiency to a particular taxpayer under section 6212, notification that a deficiency exists under section 6211 with respect to the tax imposed by section 4975 (a) or (b) on such taxpayer, except that if the Service determines that the collection of such tax is in jeopardy within the meaning of section 6861(a), such notification may be disclosed after issuance of the notice of deficiency or jeopardy assessment;

(11) Notification that the Service has waived the tax imposed by section 4975(b) on a particular taxpayer;

(12) Notification of applicability of section 4975 to a particular pension, profit-sharing, or stock bonus plan, a trust which is a part of such plan, or an annuity or stock purchase plan engaged in prohibited transactions within the meaning of section 4975(c);

(13) Notification to a plan administrator that the Service has determined that a pension, profit-sharing, stock bonus, annuity, or stock purchase plan no longer meets the requirements of section 401(a) or 404(a)(2);

(14) Notification that the Service has determined that there has been a termination or partial termination of a particular pension, profit-sharing, stock bonus, annuity, or stock purchase plan within the meaning of section 411(d)(3);

(15) Notification of the occurrence of an event (other than an event described in subparagraph (13), (14), or (18) of this paragraph) which the Service has determined to indicate that a particular pension, profit-sharing, stock bonus, annuity, or stock purchase plan may not be sound under section 4043(c)(2) of the Act;

(16) Notification that the Service has received and responded to a request on behalf of a particular pension, profit-sharing, or stock bonus plan, a trust which is a part of such plan, or an annuity or stock purchase plan for an extension of time for filing an annual return by such plan or trust;

(17) Notification that the Service has received and responded to a request on behalf of a particular pension, profit-sharing, or stock bonus plan, a trust which is a part of such plan, or an annuity or stock purchase plan to change the annual accounting period of such plan or trust;

(18) Notification that the Service has determined that a particular plan does not meet the requirements of section 412 without regard to whether such plan is one described in section 4021(a)(2) of the Act;

(19) Notification of the results of an investigation by the Service requested by the Department of Labor or the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, or both, with respect to whether the tax described in section 4971 should be imposed on any employer named in such request or whether the tax imposed by section 4975 should be paid by any person named in the request;

(20) Notification of receipt by the Service of an application by a particular taxpayer for exemption under section 4975(c)(2) or of initiation by the Service of an administrative proceeding for such exemption;

(21) Notification of receipt by the Service of, and action taken with respect to, an application by or on behalf of a particular taxpayer for a waiver or variance of the minimum funding standard under section 303 of the Act or section 412(d);

(22) Notification that the Service intends to undertake, is undertaking, or has completed, an examination to determine whether—

(23) Copies of initial pleadings indicating that the Service intends to intervene in a civil action under section 502(h) of the Act;

(24) Notification of receipt by the Service of a request for technical advice as to whether a particular pension, profit-sharing, or stock bonus plan, a trust which is a part of such plan, or an annuity or bond purchase plan should be disqualified because of fiduciary actions subject to part 4 of subtitle B of title I of the Act which may violate the exclusive benefit rule of section 401(a);

(25) Notification of receipt by the National Office of the Service of a request by or on behalf of a particular taxpayer for a ruling, opinion, variance, or waiver under any provision of title I of the Act and a copy of any such ruling, opinion, variance or waiver;

(26) Notification that the Service proposes to take substantive action which would significantly impact on or substantially affect collectively bargained plans and a description of such proposed substantive action; and

(27) Notification of receipt by the Service of, and action taken with respect to, a request by a particular taxpayer for a ruling under section 412(c)(8), 412(e), or 412(f).

Return information disclosed under this paragraph includes the taxpayer identity information (as defined in section 6103(b)(6)) of the plan or trust, the name and address of the sponsor and administrator of the plan or trustee of the trust, and the name and address of the person authorized to represent the plan or trust before the Service. Disclosure of returns or return information as provided by this paragraph will be made only following receipt by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue or his delegate of an annual written request for such disclosure by the Secretary of Labor or his delegate or the Executive Director of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or his delegate describing the categories of returns or return information to be disclosed by the Service and the particular purpose for which the returns or return information is needed in the administration of title I or IV of the Act, and designating by title the officers and employees of the Department of Labor or such corporation to whom such disclosure is authorized.

(1) Returns and return information relating to automatic notification.

(2) Other returns and return information. Subject to the requirements of subparagraph (3)(i) of this paragraph, officers or employees of the Service may disclose to officers and employees of the Department of Labor or the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation returns and return information (other than returns and return information disclosed as provided by paragraph (a) of this section or § 301.6103(l)(2)-1 or § 301.6103(l)(2)-2 for purposes of, but only to the extent necessary in, administration of title I or IV of the Act.

(3) Procedures.

(1) Use by officers and employees of Department of Labor and Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. Returns and return information disclosed to officers and employees of the Department of Labor and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation as provided by this section may be used by such officers and employees for purposes of, but only to the extent necessary in, administration of any provision of title I or IV of the Act, including any preparation for any administrative or judicial proceeding (or investigation which may result in such a proceeding) authorized by, or described in, title I or IV of the Act.

(2) Disclosure by officers and employees of Department of Labor and Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation to, and use by, other persons, including officers and employees of the Department of Justice.

(3) Disclosure in judicial proceedings. A return or return information disclosed to officers and employees of the Department of Labor, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, or the Department of Justice as provided by this section may be entered into evidence by such officers or employees in a civil or criminal judicial proceeding authorized by, or described in, title I or IV of the Act, provided that, in the case of a judicial proceeding described in section 6103(i)(4), the requirements of section 6103(i)(4) have first been met.

(1) Ascertaining the correctness of any entry in audits as provided for in section 509 of the Tariff Act of 1930 or;

(2) Other actions to recover any loss of revenue, or to collect duties, taxes, and fees, determined to be due and owing pursuant to such audits.

(1) The particular items of return information to be disclosed;

(2) The particular taxpayer to whom the return information relates;

(3) The taxable period or date to which the return information relates;

(4) The particular purpose for which each item of return information is needed, including an explanation as to how the requested information is necessary to accomplish that purpose. In addition, the request must designate by title the officers and employees of the Customs Service to whom the disclosure is authorized and certify that the Customs Service has initiated or intends to initiate, under section 509 of the Tariff Act of 1930, an audit of each taxpayer for whom return information is requested or that the taxpayer has a transactional or ownership relationship with the subject of such an audit.

(1) To properly obtain the services of persons having special knowledge or technical skills;

(2) To properly interview, consult, depose, or interrogate or otherwise obtain relevant information from, the taxpayer (or the legal representative of the taxpayer) to whom the return information relates or any witness who may be called to give evidence in the proceeding; or

(3) To properly conduct negotiations concerning, or obtain authorization for, settlement or disposition of the proceeding, in whole or in part, or stipulations of fact in connection with the proceeding.

(1) With respect to each relevant taxpayer for the reference tax year where the amount of social security benefits not included in gross income under section 86 of the Internal Revenue Code of that relevant taxpayer is unavailable:

(2) Adjusted gross income, as defined by section 62 of the Internal Revenue Code, of a relevant taxpayer for the reference tax year, in circumstances where the modified adjusted gross income (MAGI), as defined by section 36B(d)(2)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code, of that relevant taxpayer is unavailable, as well as information indicating that the components of MAGI other than adjusted gross income must be taken into account to determine MAGI;

(3) The amount of social security benefits of the relevant taxpayer that is included in gross income under section 86 of the Internal Revenue Code for the reference tax year;

(4) Information indicating that certain return information of a relevant taxpayer is unavailable for the reference tax year because the relevant taxpayer jointly filed a U.S. Individual Income Tax Return for that year with a spouse who is not a relevant taxpayer listed on the same application;

(5) Information indicating that, although a return for an individual identified on the application as a relevant taxpayer for the reference tax year is available, return information is not being provided because of possible authentication issues with respect to the identity of the relevant taxpayer;

(6) Information indicating that a relevant taxpayer who is identified as a dependent for the tax year in which the premium tax credit under section 36B of the Internal Revenue Code would be claimed, did not have a filing requirement for the reference tax year based upon the U.S. Individual Income Tax Return the relevant taxpayer filed for the reference tax year; and

(7) Information indicating that a relevant taxpayer who received advance payments of the premium tax credit in the reference tax year did not file a tax return for the reference tax year reconciling the advance payments of the premium tax credit with any premium tax credit under section 36B of the Internal Revenue Code available for that year.

(1) Pursuant to the provisions of section 6103(n) of the Internal Revenue Code and subject to the conditions of this section, officers and employees of the Treasury Department, a State tax agency, the Social Security Administration, or the Department of Justice, are authorized to disclose returns and return information (as defined in section 6103(b)) to any person (including, in the case of the Treasury Department, any person described in section 7513(a)), or to an officer or employee of the person, for purposes of tax administration (as defined in section 6103(b)(4)), to the extent necessary in connection with a written contract or agreement for the acquisition of—

(2) Any person, or officer or employee of the person, who receives returns or return information under paragraph (a)(1) of this section, may—

(3) An agent or subcontractor, or officer or employee of the agent or subcontractor, who receives returns or return information under paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section, may further disclose the returns or return information to another officer or employee of the agent or subcontractor whose duties or responsibilities require the returns or return information for a purpose described in this paragraph (a).

(4) Any person, or officer, employee, agent or subcontractor of the person, or officer or employee of the agent or subcontractor, who receives returns or return information under this paragraph (a), may, subject to the provisions of § 301.6103(p)(2)(B)-1 (concerning disclosures by a Federal, State, or local agency, or its agents or contractors), further disclose the returns or return information for a purpose authorized, and subject to all applicable conditions imposed, by section 6103.

(1) Disclosure of returns or return information in connection with a written contract or agreement for the acquisition of property or services described in paragraph (a) of this section will be treated as necessary only if the performance of the contract or agreement cannot otherwise be reasonably, properly, or economically carried out without the disclosure.

(2) Disclosure of returns or return information in connection with a written contract or agreement for the acquisition of property or services described in paragraph (a) of this section shall be made only to the extent necessary to reasonably, properly, or economically perform the contract. For example, disclosure of returns or return information to employees of a contractor for purposes of programming, maintaining, repairing, or testing computer equipment used by the IRS or a State tax agency shall be made only if the services cannot be reasonably, properly, or economically performed without the disclosure. If it is determined that disclosure of returns or return information is necessary, and if the services can be reasonably, properly, or economically performed by disclosure of only parts or portions of a return or if deletion of taxpayer identity information (as defined in section 6103(b)(6)) reflected on a return would not seriously impair the ability of the employees to perform the services, then only the parts or portions of the return, or only the return with taxpayer identity information deleted, may be disclosed.

(1) Returns or return information disclosed to the officer or employee may be used only for a purpose and to the extent authorized by paragraph (a) of this section and that the officer or employee is subject to the civil and criminal penalty provisions of sections 7431, 7213, and 7213A for the unauthorized inspection or disclosure of the returns or return information;

(2) Further inspection of any returns or return information for a purpose or to an extent not authorized by paragraph (a) of this section constitutes a misdemeanor, punishable upon conviction by a fine of as much as $1,000, or imprisonment for as long as 1 year, or both, together with costs of prosecution;

(3) Further disclosure of any returns or return information for a purpose or to an extent not authorized by paragraph (a) of this section constitutes a felony, punishable upon conviction by a fine of as much as $5,000, or imprisonment for as long as 5 years, or both, together with the costs of prosecution;

(4) Further inspection or disclosure of returns or return information by any person who is not an officer or employee of the United States for a purpose or to an extent not authorized by paragraph (a) of this section may result also in an award of civil damages against that person in an amount not less than $1,000 for each act of unauthorized inspection or disclosure; or the sum of actual damages sustained by the plaintiff as a result of the unauthorized inspection or disclosure plus, in the case of a willful inspection or disclosure or an inspection or disclosure that is the result of gross negligence, punitive damages. In addition, costs and reasonable attorneys fees may be awarded; and

(5) A conviction for an offense referenced in paragraph (d)(2) or (3) of this section shall, in addition to any other punishment, result in dismissal from office or discharge from employment if the person convicted is an officer or employee of the United States.

(1) Any person, or agent or subcontractor of the person, who may receive returns or return information under paragraph (a) of this section, shall agree, before disclosure of any returns or return information to the person, agent, or subcontractor, to permit an inspection by the IRS of his, her, or its site or facilities.

(2) Any person, or officer, employee, agent or subcontractor of the person, or officer or employee of the agent or subcontractor, who receives returns or return information under paragraph (a) of this section, shall comply with all applicable conditions and requirements as the IRS may prescribe from time to time (prescribed requirements) for the purposes of protecting the confidentiality of returns and return information and preventing any disclosure or inspection of returns or return information in a manner not authorized by this section.

(3) The terms of any written contract or agreement for the acquisition of property or services as described in paragraph (a) of this section shall provide, or shall be amended to provide, that any person, or officer, employee, agent or subcontractor of the person, or officer or employee of the agent or subcontractor, who receives returns or return information under paragraph (a) of this section, shall comply with the prescribed requirements. Any contract or agreement shall be made available to the IRS before execution of the contract or agreement. For purposes of this paragraph (e)(3), a written contract or agreement shall include any contract or agreement between a person and an agent or subcontractor of the person to provide the property or services described in paragraph (a) of this section.

(4) If the IRS determines that any person, or officer, employee, agent or subcontractor of the person, or officer or employee of the agent or subcontractor, who receives returns or return information under paragraph (a) of this section, has failed to, or does not, satisfy the prescribed requirements, the IRS, consistent with the regulations under section 6103(p)(7), may take any actions it deems necessary to ensure that the prescribed requirements are or will be satisfied, including—

(1) The term Treasury Department includes the IRS, the Office of the Chief Counsel for the IRS, and the Office of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration;

(2) The term State tax agency means an agency, body, or commission described in section 6103(d); and

(3) The term Department of Justice includes offices of the United States Attorneys.

(1) Pursuant to the provisions of sections 6103(n) and 7623 of the Internal Revenue Code and subject to the conditions of this section, an officer or employee of the Treasury Department is authorized to disclose return information (as defined in section 6103(b)(2)) to a whistleblower and, if applicable, the legal representative of the whistleblower, to the extent necessary in connection with a written contract among the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the whistleblower and, if applicable, the legal representative of the whistleblower, for services relating to the detection of violations of the internal revenue laws or related statutes.

(2) The IRS shall have the discretion to determine whether to enter into a written contract pursuant to section 7623 with the whistleblower and, if applicable, the legal representative of the whistleblower, for services described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section.

(1) Disclosure of return information in connection with a written contract for services described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall be made only to the extent the IRS deems it necessary in connection with the reasonable or proper performance of the contract. Disclosures may include, but are not limited to, disclosures to accomplish properly any purpose or activity of the nature described in section 6103(k)(6) and the regulations thereunder.

(2) If the IRS determines that the services of a whistleblower and, if applicable, the legal representative of the whistleblower, as described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, can be performed reasonably or properly by disclosure of only parts or portions of return information, then only the parts or portions of the return information shall be disclosed.

(3) Upon written request by a whistleblower, or a legal representative of a whistleblower, with whom the IRS has entered into a written contract for services as described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, the Director of the Whistleblower Office, or designee of the Director, may inform the whistleblower and, if applicable, the legal representative of the whistleblower, of the status of the whistleblower's claim for award under section 7623, including whether the claim is being evaluated for potential investigative action, or is pending due to an ongoing examination, appeal, collection action, or litigation. The information may be disclosed only if the IRS determines that the disclosure would not seriously impair Federal tax administration.

(4) Return information disclosed to a whistleblower and, if applicable, a legal representative of a whistleblower, under this section, shall not be further disclosed or otherwise used by the whistleblower or a legal representative of a whistleblower, except as expressly authorized in writing by the IRS.

(1) Any whistleblower, or the legal representative of a whistleblower, who receives return information under this section, shall comply with all applicable conditions and requirements as the IRS may prescribe from time to time for the purposes of protecting the confidentiality of the return information and preventing any disclosure or inspection of the return information in a manner not authorized by this section (prescribed requirements).

(2) Any written contract for services as described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall provide that any whistleblower and, if applicable, the legal representative of a whistleblower, who has access to return information under this section, shall comply with the prescribed requirements.

(3) Any whistleblower, or the legal representative of a whistleblower, who may receive return information under this section, shall agree in writing, before any disclosure of return information is made, to permit an inspection of the whistleblower's or the legal representative's premises by the IRS relative to the maintenance of the return information disclosed under these regulations and, upon completion of services as described in the written contract with the IRS, to dispose of all return information by returning the return information, including any and all copies or notes made, to the IRS, or to the extent that it cannot be returned, by destroying the information in a manner consistent with prescribed requirements.

(4) If the IRS determines that any whistleblower, or the legal representative of a whistleblower, who has access to return information under this section, has failed to, or does not, satisfy the prescribed requirements, the IRS, using the procedures described in the regulations under section 6103(p)(7), may take any action it deems necessary to ensure that the prescribed requirements are or will be satisfied, including—

(1) The term Treasury Department includes the IRS and the Office of the Chief Counsel for the IRS.

(2) The term whistleblower means an individual who provides information to the IRS regarding violations of the tax laws or related statutes and submits a claim for an award under section 7623 with respect to the information.

(3) The term legal representative means any individual who is a member in good standing in the bar of the highest court of any state, possession, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, and who has a written power of attorney executed by the whistleblower.

(1) The authorized recipient has allowed an unauthorized inspection or disclosure of returns or return information and that the authorized recipient has not taken adequate corrective action to prevent the recurrence of an unauthorized inspection or disclosure; or

(2) The authorized recipient does not satisfactorily maintain the safeguards prescribed by section 6103(p)(4), and has made no adequate plan to improve its system to maintain the safeguards satisfactorily.

(1) To appeal a preliminary determination described in paragraph (b) of this section, the authorized recipient shall send a written request for a conference to: Commissioner of Internal Revenue (Attention: SE:S:CLD:GLD), 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20224. The request must include a complete description of the authorized recipient's present system of safeguarding returns or return information received by the authorized recipient (and its authorized contractors or agents, if any). The request must state the reason or reasons the authorized recipient believes that such system or practice (including improvements, if any, to such system or practice expected to be made in the near future) is or will be adequate to safeguard returns or return information.

(2) Within 45 days of the receipt of the request made in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (d)(1) of this section, the Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner personally shall hold a conference with representatives of the authorized recipient, after which the Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner shall make a final determination with respect to the appeal.

(1) Favorable rulings and determination letters, including group exemption letters, issued in response to applications for exemption from Federal income tax;

(2) Technical advice memoranda issued with respect to the approval, or subsequent approval, of an application for exemption from Federal income tax;

(3) Letters issued in response to an application for exemption from Federal income tax (including applications for a group exemption letter) that propose a finding that the applicant is not entitled to be exempt from Federal income tax, if the applicant is subsequently determined, on the basis of that application, to be exempt from Federal income tax; and

(4) Any letter or document issued by the Internal Revenue Service relating to an organization's status as an organization described in section 509(a), 4940(d)(2), 4942(j)(3), or 4943(f), including a determination letter that the organization is or is not a private foundation.

(1) Prescribed application form. If a form is prescribed for an organization's application for exemption from Federal income tax, the application includes the form and all documents and statements that the Internal Revenue Service requires to be filed with the form, any amendments or revisions to the original application, or any resubmitted applications where the original application was submitted in draft form or was withdrawn. An application includes an application for reinstatement of tax-exempt status after an organization's tax-exempt status has been revoked pursuant to section 6033(j). An application submitted in draft form or an application submitted and later withdrawn is not considered an application.

(2) No prescribed application form. If no form is prescribed for an organization's application for exemption from Federal income tax, the application includes the submission by letter requesting recognition of tax exemption and any statements or documents as prescribed by Revenue Procedure 2011-9, IRB 2011-2 (January 10, 2011), or any successor guidance describing procedures for application for exempt status pursuant to section 501 and section 521 of the Internal Revenue Code. See § 601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b).

(3) Application for a Group Exemption Letter. The application for a group exemption letter includes the letter submitted by or on behalf of subordinate organizations that seek exempt status pursuant to a group exemption letter and any statements or documents as prescribed by Revenue Procedure 80-27, 1980-1 CB 677 (June 20, 1980), and any successor guidance. See § 601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b).

(4) Notice of status filed under section 527(i). For purposes of this section, documents included in the term “notice of status filed under section 527(i)” include—

(1) The subsection and paragraph of section 501 (or the corresponding provision of any prior revenue law) under which the organization or group has been determined, on the basis of an application open to public inspection, to qualify for exemption from Federal income tax; and

(2) Whether an organization or group is currently recognized as exempt from Federal income tax.

(1) For publication of the notice of the revocation of a determination that an organization is described in section 501(c)(3), see section 7428(c).

(2) For publication of a list including any organization the tax exemption of which is revoked for failure to file required returns or notices for three consecutive years, see section 6033(j).

(3) For publication of notice of suspension of tax exemption of terrorist organizations, see section 501(p).

(1) Employees' plans and individual retirement plans. For purposes of this section, the term “application for a determination letter” includes the documents that an applicant files with respect to a request that the Internal Revenue Service determine the qualification of—

(2) Tax exempt trusts or custodial accounts. The term “application for a determination letter” also includes the documents an applicant files with respect to a request that the Internal Revenue Service determine the exemption from tax under section 501(a) of an organization forming part of a plan or account described in subparagraph (1) of this paragraph, or a custodial account described in section 401(f).

(3) Master, prototype and pattern plans. The term “application for a determination letter” also includes documents which an applicant files with respect to a request for approval of a master, prototype, pattern or other such plan or account.

(4) Prescribed forms and application letters. With respect to an application for a determination letter described in this paragraph (b) for which an application form is prescribed, the application for a determination letter includes the form and all documents and statements required to be filed in connection with the form. With respect to an application for a determination letter for which no application form is prescribed, the application for a determination letter includes the application letter and all documents and statements the Internal Revenue Service requires to be submitted with the application letter.

(1) An incomplete application that is returned without action for proper completion,

(2) An application that is returned without action to the applicant for failure to notify all interested parties in accordance with the regulations under section 7476 (relating to declaratory judgments), and

(3) A request for a ruling as to whether a proposed transaction is a prohibited transaction under section 4975.

(1) The qualification of a pension, profit-sharing or stock bonus plan under section 401(a), an annuity plan under section 403(a), a bond purchase plan under section 405(a), or an individual retirement account or annuity described in section 408 (a), (b) or (c),

(2) The exemption from tax under section 501(a) of an organization forming part of such a plan or account, or a custodial account described in section 401(f), or

(3) The approval of a master, prototype, pattern or other such plan or account.

(1) Determination letters relating to the qualification of a plan, account or annuity described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section (see § 601.201 (o)),

(2) Technical advice memoranda (see § 601.201(n)(9)) relating to the issuance of such determination letters,

(3) Technical advice memoranda relating to the continuing qualification of a plan, account or annuity previously determined to be qualified, or to the qualification of a plan, account or annuity for which no determination letter has been issued,

(4) Letters or documents revoking or modifying any prior favorable determination letter or denying the qualification of a plan, account or annuity for which no determination letter has been issued,

(5) Determination letters relating to the exemption from tax of a trust or custodial account described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section (see § 601.201 (o)(2)(i)(b)), or

(6) Opinion letters relating to the acceptability of the form of any master, prototype or other such plan or account (see § 601.201 (p) and (q)) or notification letters issued with respect to pattern plans.

(1) In general. For purposes of determining whether a plan has fewer than 26 participants, the number of plan participants will be the number indicated on the most recent annual return filed for the plan under section 6058. Where an annual return indicates the number of participants both at the beginning and end of the plan year, the number indicated on the return means the number at the end of the plan year. If no annual return has been filed for the plan, then the number of plan participants will be the number indicated on the most recent application for a determination letter filed for the plan. If, however, the number of plan participants is increased prior to final Internal Revenue Service action on the application, the number of plan participants will be that increased number.

(2) Decreasing number of plan participants. If a plan having 26 or more participants, as indicated on an annual return or application for a determination letter, subsequently files an annual return indicating fewer than 26 plan participants, then material relating to the plan which is issued or received by the Internal Revenue Service after the date the annual return is filed will be open to inspection only by plan participants or their authorized representatives. Similarly, if a plan having 26 or more participants as indicated on an annual return or an application for a determination letter, subsequently files an application for a determination letter which indicates fewer than 26 plan participants, then that application and related material, as well as any other material relating to the plan which is received or issued by the Internal Revenue Service after the date of receipt of that application, will be open to inspection only by plan participants or their authorized representatives. In either case, material open to public inspection pursuant to the number of plan participants indicated on previous annual returns or applications for a determination letter will remain open to public inspection.

(3) Increasing number of plan participants. If a plan having fewer than 26 plan participants, as indicated on an annual return or application for a determination letter, files a subsequent return or application indicating 26 or more plan participants, all the plan's prior applications and other material received or issued by the Internal Revenue Service after September 2, 1974, will be open to public inspection regardless of the number of plan participants indicated on any prior return or application.

(1) Trade secrets, patents, processes, styles of work, or apparatus. An organization whose application for tax exemption is open to public inspection under section 6104(a)(1)(A) and § 301.6104(a)-1 may in writing request the withholding of information contained in the application or supporting documents which relates to any trade secret, patent, process, style of work, or apparatus of the organization. The information will be withheld from public inspection if the Commissioner determines that the disclosure of such information would adversely affect the organization. Requests for withholding information from public inspection should be filed with the office with which the organization files the documents containing the information. The request must clearly identify the material desired to be withheld (the document, page, paragraph, and line) and must state why the information should not be open to public inspection. The organization will be notified of the Commissioner's determination as to whether the information will be withheld from public inspection. If the Commissioner determines that the information will be disclosed, the organization will be given 15 days after notification of the Commissioner's decision to contest that decision before the document is disclosed.

(2) National defense material. The Internal Revenue Service will withhold from public inspection any information which is submitted by an organization whose application for tax exemption is open to inspection under section 6104(a)(1)(A) and § 301.6104(a)-1, if the Commissioner determines that public disclosure would adversely affect the national defense.

(1) Applicant's exclusion of certain information. Except as provided in subparagraph (2) of this paragraph, information that, in the opinion of the applicant, is of the type described in section 6104(a)(1) (C) or (D) should not be included in an application for a determination letter, supporting documents, or any other document open to inspection under section 6104(a)(1)(B). Accordingly, an applicant should not include in an application for a determination letter or supporting documents confidential compensation information as described in subparagraph (4) of this paragraph. Neither should an applicant include information relating to any trade secret, patent, process, style of work or apparatus, the disclosure of which would be adverse to the applicant.

(2) Exception for separate document. The rule that an applicant should exclude from an application for a determination letter or other documents information of the type in section 6104(a)(1) (C) or (D) does not apply—

(3) National defense material. The Internal Revenue Service will withhold from public inspection (including inspection by a plan participant or authorized representative) any information which is included in an application for a determination letter or supporting documents if the Commissioner determines that public disclosure would adversely affect the national defense. The information will be withheld whether or not submitted on a separate document pursuant to subparagraph (2) of this paragraph.

(4) Confidential compensation information. If an application for a determination letter, supporting document, or related letter or document referred to in section 6104(a)(1)(B) and §§ 301.6104(a)-2 and 301.6104(a)-3 contains information (including aggregate figures) from which an individual's compensation (including deferred compensation) may be ascertained, that information is not open to public inspection (including inspection by a plan participant or authorized representative). Confidential compensation information includes the amount of benefit a specific plan participant may expect to receive at normal or early retirement age and the amount of the employer's contributions under the plan that may be allocated to a specific plan participant. However, so long as a plan has more than one participant, the amount of benefit provided under the plan to plan participants, in general, at normal or early retirement age, or the amount of the employer's contributions under the plan that are allocable to plan participants, in general, does not constitute confidential compensation information. Further, a description of the numbers of individuals covered and not covered by a plan, listed by compensation range, does not constitute confidential compensation information.

(1) Tax exempt organizations and pension and other plans; public inspection. Material relating to either tax exempt organizations or pension and other plans that is open to public inspection under section 6104(a)(1) and §§ 301.6104(a)-1 through § 301.6104(a)-3 will be available for inspection only upon request. If inspection at the National Office is desired, a request should be made in writing to the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, Attention: Freedom of Information Reading Room, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, D.C. 20224. Requests for inspection in the office of a district director should be made in writing to the district director's office. The request must describe the material to be inspected in reasonably sufficient detail so that Internal Revenue Service personnel can locate the material. If a tax-exempt organization has more than one application for tax exemption open to public inspection, or if a pension or other plan has more than one application for a determination letter open to public inspection, only the most recent application and related material will be made available for inspection unless the request states otherwise. Further, in the case of a pension or other plan, only Internal Revenue Service documents issued or delivered after the date of the filing of the most recent application for a determination letter will be made available for inspection, unless the request states otherwise.

(2) Pension and other plans; inspection by plan participant or authorized representative. As described in § 301.6104(a)-4, material relating to plans having fewer than 26 participants is only open to inspection by a plan participant or authorized representative. In the case of such a plan, the rules described in subparagraph (1) of this paragraph apply. The request for inspection must include satisfactory evidence that the person requesting inspection is a plan participant (see § 301.6104(a)-4(c)) or an authorized representative of such a plan participant within the meaning of § 301.6104(a)-4(d).

(1) Except as otherwise provided in section 6104 and the regulations thereunder, the information required by section 6033.

(2) The information furnished pursuant to section 6034 (relating to returns by certain trusts) on Form 1041-A.

(3) The information required to be furnished by section 6058.

(1) Names and addresses of contributors. The names and addresses of contributors to an organization other than a private foundation shall not be made available for public inspection under section 6104(b).

(2) Amounts of contributions. The amounts of contributions and bequests to an organization shall be available for public inspection unless the disclosure of such information can reasonably be expected to identify any contributor. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the amounts of contributions and bequests to a private foundation shall be available for public inspection.

(3) Foreign organizations. The names, addresses, and amounts of contributions or bequests of persons who are not citizens of the United States to a foreign organization described in section 4948(b) shall not be made available for public inspection under section 6104(b).

(4) Confidential business information. Confidential business information of contributors to any trust described in section 501(c)(21) (black lung trusts) shall not be available for public inspection under section 6104(b) provided:

(1) Requests for inspection. Information furnished on the public portion of returns (as described in paragraph (a) of this section) shall be available for public inspection only upon request. Requests for public inspection must be in writing to or at any of the offices mentioned in paragraph (c) of this section. Persons submitting requests for inspection must provide the name and address of the organization that filed the return, the type of return, and the year for which the organization filed.

(2) Time and extent of inspection. A person requesting public inspection in the manner specified in subparagraph (1) of this paragraph shall be notified by the Internal Revenue Service when the material he desires to inspect will be made available for his inspection. Information on returns required by sections 6033, 6034, and 6058 will be made available for public inspection at such reasonable and proper times, and under such conditions, that will not interfere with their use by the Internal Revenue Service and will not exclude other persons from inspecting them. In addition the Commissioner, Director of the Service Center, or district director may limit the number of returns to be made available to any person for inspection on a given date. Inspection will be allowed only in the presence of an internal revenue officer or employee and only during the regular hours of business of the Internal Revenue Service office.

(3) Returns available. Returns filed before January 1, 1970, shall be available for public inspection only pursuant to the provisions of section 6104 in effect for such years. The information furnished on all returns filed after December 31, 1969, purusant to the requirements of section 6033, 6034, or 6058, shall be available for public inspection in accordance with the provisions of section 6104.

(4) Copies. Notes may be taken of the material opened for inspection under this section. Copies may be made manually or, if a person provides the equipment, photographically at the place of inspection, subject to reasonable supervision with regard to the facilities and equipment to be employed. Copies of the material opened for inspection will be furnished by the Internal Revenue Service to any person making request therefor. Requests for such copies shall be made in the same manner as requests for inspection (see subparagraph (1) of this paragraph) to the office of the Internal Revenue Service in which such material is available for inspection as provided in paragraph (c) of this section. Copies may also be obtained by written request to the director of any service center. If made at the time of inspection, the request for copies need not be in writing. Any copies furnished will be certified upon request. Any fees the Internal Revenue Service may charge for furnishing copies under this section shall be no more than under the fee schedule promulgated pursuant to section (a)(4)(A)(i) of the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552, by the Commissioner from time to time.

(1) Automatic notification. Upon making a determination described in paragraph (c) of this section, the Internal Revenue Service will notify the Attorney General and the principal tax officer of each of the following States of such determination without application or request by such State officer -

(2) Applications for notification by other State officers. Other officers of States described in subparagraph (1) of this paragraph, and officers of States not described in such subparagraph, may request that they be notified (either generally or with respect to a particular organization or type of organization) of determinations described in paragraph (c) of this section. In such cases, these State officers must show that they are appropriate State officers within the meaning of section 6104(c)(2). The required showing may be made by presenting a letter from the Attorney General of the State setting forth

(3) Manner of notification. A State officer who is entitled to be notified of a determination under this paragraph will be notified by sending him a copy of the communication from the Internal Revenue Service to the organization which informs such organization of the determination.

(1) In general. After a determination described in paragraph (c) of this section has been made, appropriate State officers within the meaning of section 6104(c)(2) may inspect the material described in subparagraph (3) of this paragraph. Such material may be inspected at an office of the Internal Revenue Service which will be designated upon receipt of a request for inspection; the location of such office will be determined with due consideration of the needs of the Internal Revenue Service and the needs of the State officer entitled to inspect.

(2) State officers who may inspect material. Any State officer entitled to be notified of a determination without application (under paragraph (a)(1) of this section) may inspect the material described in subparagraph (3) of this paragraph upon demonstrating that he is so entitled. Any State officer who has in fact been notified by the Internal Revenue Service of a determination may inspect such material without further demonstration, unless it shall be determined by the Internal Revenue Service that such officer was not entitled to be so notified. Other State officers must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Internal Revenue Service that they are entitled to be notified under paragraph (a)(2) of this section before they may inspect such material.

(3) Material which may be inspected.

(4) Statement by State officer. Before any State officer will be permitted to inspect material described in this paragraph, he must submit a statement to the Internal Revenue Service that he intends to use such material solely in fulfilling his functions under State law relating to organizations of the type described in section 501(c)(3); material is made available to State officers under this section in reliance on such statements. For provisions relating to penalties for misuse of information which is made available under section 6104(c) and this section, see 18 U.S.C. 1001.

(1) An organization is refused recognition as an organization described in section 501(c)(3), or has been operated in such a manner that it will not, or will no longer, be recognized as meeting the requirements for exemption under that section, or

(2) A deficiency of tax exists under section 507 or chapter 41 or 42.

For purposes of this paragraph, a determination by the Internal Revenue Service is not final until all administrative review with respect to such determination has been completed. For purposes of this section, a waiver of restrictions on assessment and collection of deficiency in tax is treated as a final determination that a deficiency of tax exists when such waiver has been finally accepted by the Internal Revenue Service. For example, a final determination that a deficiency of tax exists under section 507 or chapter 41 or 42 is made when the organization is sent a notice of deficiency with respect to such tax.

(1) Tax-exempt organization. The term tax-exempt organization means any organization that is described in section 501(c) or section 501(d) and is exempt from taxation under section 501(a). The term tax-exempt organization also includes any nonexempt charitable trust described in section 4947(a)(1) or nonexempt private foundation that is subject to the reporting requirements of section 6033 pursuant to section 6033(d).

(2) Private foundation. The term private foundation means a private foundation as defined in section 509(a) or a nonexempt charitable trust described in section 4947(a)(1) or a nonexempt private foundation subject to the information reporting requirements of section 6033 pursuant to section 6033(d).

(3) Application for tax exemption —

(4) Annual information return —