Establishing Defenses to the Imposition of the Accuracy-Related Penalty

摘要

This document contains proposed regulations that limit the defenses available to the imposition of the accuracy-related penalty when taxpayers fail to disclose reportable transactions or fail to disclose that they have taken a position on a return based upon a regulation being invalid. By limiting a taxpayer's ability to use an opinion or advice from a tax professional as a basis for a defense, the proposed regulations are intended to promote the disclosure of reportable transactions and positions by taxpayers that conflict with regulations issued by the Secretary. The proposed regulations also clarify the existing regulations with respect to the facts and circumstances that the IRS will consider in determining whether a taxpayer acted with reasonable cause and in good faith in relying on an opinion or advice.