Fiscal
Year 2005 Review of Compliance With Legal Guidelines When Conducting Seizures of
Taxpayers’ Property
June
2005
Reference
Number:
2005-30-091
This report has cleared the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration disclosure review process and information determined to be restricted from public release has been redacted from this document.
Redaction Legend:
1 = Tax Return/Return Information
MEMORANDUM
FOR COMMISSIONER, SMALL BUSINESS/SELF-EMPLOYED DIVISION
FROM: Pamela J. Gardiner /s/
Pamela J. Gardiner
Deputy Inspector General for Audit
SUBJECT: Final Audit Report -
Fiscal Year 2005 Review of Compliance With Legal Guidelines When Conducting
Seizures of Taxpayers’ Property (Audit # 200430025)
This report
presents the results of our review of the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS)
compliance with legal guidelines when conducting seizures of taxpayers’
property. The overall objective of
this review was to determine whether seizures conducted by the IRS complied with
the legal provisions set forth in Internal Revenue Code (I.R.C.) Sections (§§)
6330 through 6344 (1994 & Supp. IV 1998) and with the IRS’ own internal
procedures. This audit focused on
determining whether the IRS conducted seizures in compliance with these legal
and internal procedures. It was not
intended to determine whether the decision to seize was appropriate or to
identify the cause of any violations.
In summary,
we found that the IRS did not comply with all legal and internal guidelines when
conducting seizures. Our review of
a random sample of 50 of 375 seizures conducted between July 1, 2003, and June
30, 2004, identified 17 instances in 12 of the seizures in which the IRS did not
fully comply with the I.R.C. While
we did not identify any instances where the taxpayers were adversely affected,
not following legal and internal guidelines could result in abuses of taxpayers’
rights.
In addition, we identified three areas where internal guidelines for conducting seizures can be improved to help prevent possible abuses of taxpayers’ rights. First, the Internal Revenue Manual (IRM) does not provide specific guidelines to address instances where additional property is identified for seizure while the authorized seizure is being conducted. We identified ****1****. Second, we believe the IRS’ policy of limiting the minimum bid of seized property to no more than the taxpayer’s tax liability plus estimated expenses of the seizure and sale does not provide for the equitable preservation of the taxpayer’s interest in the seized property. We identified ****1****.
Since the
specific violations of the I.R.C. we identified this year were the same as those
we reported in last year’s mandatory review of seizures audit report and this
year’s seizures were conducted prior to implementation of the corrective actions
taken in response to that report, we made no recommendations in these
areas. However, we did recommend
the Director, Collection, Small Business/Self-Employed Division, develop
procedures for obtaining seizure approval in situations where revenue officers
identify additional property that can be subject to seizure while carrying out
the prior approved seizure. Also,
the Director should reconsider the IRS policy limiting the minimum bid in all
instances to an amount not to exceed the tax, penalty, interest, lien fees,
expenses of seizure and sale, and other charges, which represent the Federal
Government’s interest in the seized property. Finally, the Director should clarify the
IRM procedures to ensure consistency when charging title search or encumbrance
information report expenses to taxpayers’ accounts.
Management’s
Response: The IRS management agreed with our
recommendations. They advised the
IRM will be updated to include appropriate instructions for obtaining seizure
approval in situations where revenue officers identify additional property that
can be subject to seizure while carrying out the prior approved seizure. They will also evaluate their existing
guidelines to determine if the current minimum bid policy should be
changed. In addition, the IRM will
be updated to include the required instructions for if and when expenses
incurred in obtaining title searches and encumbrance information reports are to
be charged to the taxpayers’ accounts.
Management’s complete response to the draft report is included as
Appendix VIII.
Copies of
this report are also being sent to the IRS managers affected by the report
recommendations. Please contact me
at (202) 622-6510 if you have any questions or Richard Dagliolo, Acting
Assistant Inspector General for Audit (Small Business and Corporate Programs),
at (631) 654-6028.
Appendix
I – Detailed Objective, Scope, and Methodology
Appendix
II – Major Contributors to This Report
Appendix
III – Report Distribution List
Appendix
IV – Outcome Measures
Appendix
V – Synopsis of Selected Legal Provisions for Conducting
Seizures
Appendix
VI – Prior Reports on Compliance With Seizure
Procedures
Appendix
VIII – Management’s Response to the Draft Report
The collection of unpaid tax by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) generally begins with letters to the taxpayer followed by telephone calls and personal contacts by an IRS employee. The employees who make personal contact are referred to as revenue officers. They consider the taxpayer’s ability to pay the tax and discuss alternatives, such as installment payment agreements or offers in compromise. If these actions have been taken and the taxpayer has not fully paid the tax due, the revenue officer has the authority to take the taxpayer’s funds or property for the payment of tax. Taking a taxpayer’s property for unpaid tax is commonly referred to as a “seizure.”
To ensure taxpayers’ rights are protected, the IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998 (RRA 98) amended the seizure provisions in Internal Revenue Code (I.R.C.) Sections (§§) 6330 through 6344 (1994 & Supp. IV 1998). These provisions and the IRS’ internal procedures are very specific regarding how a seizure should be performed. See Appendix V for a synopsis of the applicable legal provisions.
The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration is
required under I.R.C. § 7803(d)(1)(A)(iv) (Supp. IV 1998) to annually evaluate
the IRS’ compliance with these legal seizure provisions to ensure taxpayers’
rights were not violated while conducting seizure actions. We have evaluated the IRS’ compliance
with the seizure provisions since Fiscal Year (FY) 1999. See Appendix VI for a list of all prior
audit reports issued on the IRS’ compliance with seizure
procedures.
Since the enactment of the RRA 98, the number of seizures conducted by the IRS has significantly decreased. Figure 1 illustrates the number of seizures for the past 8 fiscal years.
Figure 1: IRS Seizures by Fiscal
Year
Figure 1 was removed due to its size. To see Figure 1, please go to the Adobe
PDF version of the report on the TIGTA Public Web Page.
We performed this audit in the IRS Small Business/Self-Employed (SB/SE) Division Headquarters in New Carrollton, Maryland, during the period September 2004 through February 2005. This audit focused on determining whether the IRS conducted seizures in compliance with legal provisions and internal procedures. It was not intended to determine whether the decision to seize was appropriate or to identify the cause of any violations. The audit was performed in accordance with Government Auditing Standards. Detailed information on our audit objective, scope, and methodology is presented in Appendix I. Major contributors to the report are listed in Appendix II.
Our review of a random sample of 50 of 375 seizures conducted between July 1, 2003, and June 30, 2004, determined the IRS did not comply with all legal and internal guidelines when conducting seizures. In 12 (24 percent) of the 50 seizures reviewed, we identified 17 instances in which the IRS did not fully comply with the I.R.C. While we did not identify any instances where the taxpayers were adversely affected, not following the legal and internal guidelines could result in abuses of taxpayers’ rights.
The types of I.R.C.
violations we discuss below are the same as those we reported in last year’s
mandatory review of seizures audit report.
Since the seizures we reviewed this year were all conducted prior to
implementation of the corrective actions taken in response to that report, we
are making no additional recommendations in those areas. The corrective actions were
scheduled to be completed between July 26, 2004, and January 15, 2005.
The 17 instances include:
· ****1****.
· Seven where all the required forms relating to the sales of the seized property were not provided to the taxpayers. (I.R.C. § 6340(c))
· Seven where the balance due letters required to be sent to taxpayers after the sales proceeds were applied to liabilities were not provided to the taxpayers or the balances due reported were not correct. (I.R.C. § 6340(c))
· ****1****.
A description of each follows.
The IRS did not
provide the intent to levy notice for every period on the Form
668-B
I.R.C. § 6330(a) requires that a levy may not be made on any property or right to property of any person, unless the IRS has notified that person in writing of his or her right to a hearing before the levy is made. The notice is required for all the taxable periods to which the unpaid tax relates. I.R.C. § 6331(d) also requires that a levy can be made only after the IRS has notified the taxpayer in writing of the intention to make the levy no less than 30 days before the day of the levy.
The Internal Revenue Manual (IRM) requires that, before a seizure can be conducted, a Notice of Intent to Levy and Notice of Your Right to a Hearing (Letter 1058) must have been provided to the taxpayer at least 30 days before the seizure and for each tax period that will be identified on the Form 668-B.
We identified
****1****.
Taxpayers were not provided all the required forms relating to the sale of the seized property
I.R.C. § 6340(a) requires the IRS to keep a record of all sales of property. The record shall set forth the tax for which any such sale was made, the dates of the seizure and sale, the name of the party for which the tax was assessed, and all proceedings in making the sale. I.R.C. § 6340(c) also requires the taxpayer be furnished the record of the sale.
The IRM requires the IRS to maintain a permanent record of all sales conducted under I.R.C. § 6335. The IRM provides a list of the forms that are to be retained in the permanent record and requires copies of the forms be sent to the taxpayer, unless previously provided.
Our review of the 50 seizures included 22 that resulted in a sale of the seized property. There was no indication in 7 of the 22 seizure files that the taxpayers had been provided, as of the time of our review, all of the required forms relating to the sale of the seized property. See Appendix VII for a list of the forms that were not provided to the taxpayers.
The IRM states that the Technical Support function is responsible for maintaining the permanent record of the seizure file and providing the taxpayer with copies of the permanent record.
The IRM also requires the Technical Support function to post review the seizure file upon receipt of the Seized Property Sale Report (Form 2436) to ensure conformity with statutes, regulations, and procedural guidelines of the IRM. The IRS has developed a Post-Seizure Review Checksheet (Form 13361) to assist in the post-review. The IRM requires the Form 13361 (or comparable form) to be completed during the post-review, to ensure all required actions were taken, and to be maintained as part of the seizure file in the Technical Support function. Page 1 of the Form 13361 contains line entries to document when the required forms were mailed to the taxpayers.
A Form 13361 was in the case file for all seven seizures where the taxpayers were not provided all the required forms. There were no entries for the forms that were not mailed to the taxpayers on four of the Forms 13361. The other three Forms 13361 were marked “not applicable” for the forms that were not mailed to the taxpayers.
Taxpayers were not notified of their balances due after the sales proceeds were applied to their liabilities or the balances due reported were not correct
I.R.C. § 6340(c) requires the taxpayer, with respect to whose liability the sale was conducted, to be furnished with the amount from the sale that was applied to the taxpayer’s liability and the remaining balance of the liability.
The IRM requires the Technical Support function to provide the taxpayer a Form 2436 and include a letter explaining the form (which shows how the sales proceeds were applied). The letter should also identify the balance of each account after the application of the proceeds from the sale of seized property.
As previously stated, our review of the 50 seizures included 22 that resulted in a sale of the seized property. The taxpayers were sent the Form 2436 showing how the proceeds were applied in 18 of the 22 seizures. Three other seizures involved recent sales and the Forms 2436 had not been sent at the time of our review. ****1****.
However, ****1****. In another five seizures, the balances due reported to the taxpayers were not correct.
Proceeds resulting from seizures were not properly applied to the taxpayers’ accounts
I.R.C. § 6342(a) requires any money realized by proceedings under this subchapter (whether by seizure or by sale of seized property) shall be applied first against the expenses of the proceedings, then against any unpaid tax imposed by any internal revenue law against the property seized and sold (for example, an excise tax), and finally against the liability in respect to which the levy was made or the sale was conducted (the accounts appearing on the Form 668-B).
The IRM requires the same order for applying the proceeds. It also states that, since the I.R.C. requires funds realized under seizure and sale proceedings be applied first to the expenses of levy and sale, the proceeds should be credited to the taxpayer’s account using a TC 694, Designated Payment of Fees and Collection Costs. If the seizure results in a sale, the proceeds should be recorded on the Form 2436, which should be transmitted to the Accounting Control/Services Operation for application of the proceeds to the taxpayer’s account. Funds obtained from a release or redemption of seized property will be credited to the taxpayer’s account using a general posting document.
As stated previously, seizure expenses were incurred in 37 of the 50 seizures reviewed. Proceeds were realized in 31 of these 37 seizures. ****1****.
We also identified ****1****.
The order in which proceeds are to be applied is not affected by how the seizure is closed – either by sale or by release. Both the I.R.C. and IRM state the order in which the proceeds are applied pertains to any money realized under seizure and sale proceedings, whether by seizure or by sale of seized property.
As previously stated, the IRM requires the Technical Support function to post review the seizure file upon receipt of the Form 2436. The IRS developed Form 13361 to assist in the post-review.
There is no place on the Form 13361 for noting whether the proceeds from the seizure or sale were properly applied. ****1****.
We identified three areas where internal guidelines for conducting seizures can be improved to help prevent possible abuses of taxpayers’ rights. First, while the IRS has established procedures to follow in obtaining approval prior to conducting a seizure, the IRM does not provide specific guidelines to address instances where additional property is identified while the authorized seizure is being conducted. Second, we believe the IRS’ policy of limiting the minimum bid of seized property to no more than the taxpayer’s tax liability plus estimated expenses of the seizure and sale does not provide for the equitable preservation of the taxpayer’s interest in the seized property. Lastly, while the IRS has established procedures for charging seizure- and sale-related expenses to taxpayers’ accounts, the IRM procedures need to be clarified with respect to expenses incurred for obtaining title searches and encumbrance information reports to ensure equitable treatment of taxpayers.
IRM guidelines do not address instances where additional property is identified while seizures are being conducted
The RRA 98 required the IRS to develop and implement procedures under which a determination by an employee to seize any property would, where appropriate, be required to be reviewed by a supervisor before the action is taken. The review process may include a certification that the employee has reviewed the taxpayer’s information and affirmed the action proposed to be taken is appropriate given the taxpayer’s circumstances, the amount due, and the value of the property.
The IRS has
established procedures to follow in obtaining approval prior to conducting a
seizure. When it is determined that
seizure is the appropriate action, the IRM requires the revenue officer to
prepare the Form 668-B and a preseizure checklist designed to document that
certain required preseizure action was taken. The revenue officer should circle on the
preseizure checklist the type of asset to be seized, such as vehicle,
machinery/equipment, real property, etc.
The case file must
contain adequate documentation to justify the seizure action and then be
submitted for approval through the appropriate levels of management. The approval package should contain,
among other things, the preseizure checklist, case history and/or fact sheet, a
draft minimum bid, and any other relevant items.
We identified ****1****.
****1****.
Since seizures of
different types of property have somewhat different preseizure requirements, not
adequately describing the property to be seized may result in procedural
violations and lead to possible abuse of taxpayers’ rights.
The IRS’ policy of limiting the minimum
bid of seized property does not, in some instances, provide for the equitable
preservation of the taxpayer’s interest in the seized
property
I.R.C. § 6335(e) requires that, before the sale of seized property, the IRS shall determine a minimum bid price below which such property shall not be sold.
The IRM states the minimum bid price must be correctly determined to provide for the equitable preservation of both the taxpayer’s and the Federal Government’s interest in the property and provides specific instructions for determining the minimum bid.
The fair market value of the property is the starting point for the calculation of the minimum bid. A property value reduction, not to exceed 25 percent, should then be taken to determine the forced sale value. This reduction is taken to reflect the fact that the sale is a forced sale and is not taking place between a willing seller and a willing buyer. The forced sale value may then be reduced by a maximum of 20 percent to determine the reduced forced sale value. The total of all prior claims against the property should then be subtracted from the reduced forced sale value to arrive at the minimum bid price.
However, according to IRS policy, the minimum bid price, in all instances, will be limited to an amount not to exceed the tax, penalty, interest, lien fees, expenses of seizure and sale, and other charges, which represent the Federal Government’s interest in the seized property.
We identified ****1****.
****1****.
For instance, in this fictitious example, if a piece of vacant real estate with a value of $75,000 was seized, the reduced forced sale value and the minimum bid using the standard formula would be $45,000, assuming there were no outstanding liens. If the taxpayer owed $10,000 and the estimated seizure and sale expenses were $2,000 then the minimum bid under the current policy would be limited to $12,000. Assuming, the property could have been sold for the reduced forced sale value, the taxpayer would lose $33,000 on the sale ($45,000 less $12,000).
Under the current IRS policy, the minimum bid could be set much lower than that determined using the standard minimum bid formula and not necessarily reflect the value of the taxpayer’s ownership interest in the seized property. This IRS policy seems to be contrary to the IRM section that states the minimum bid price must be correctly determined to provide for the equitable preservation of both the taxpayer’s and the Federal Government’s interest in the property.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) expressed a similar concern in a 1999 review of IRS seizures. In its report, the GAO stated, “Under this policy, the minimum price could be set much lower than the formula, using maximum percentage reductions, would allow. The minimum price then would not necessarily reflect the value of the taxpayers’ ownership interest in the seized property.”
The GAO recommended that, to strengthen the sales process for assuring the highest prices are obtained from seized asset sales, the IRS Commissioner should develop guidelines to preclude the use of the amount of delinquency as the minimum price. The Commissioner responded the IRS was “previously required by the IRC to bid in the property for the government, but precluded by the U.S. Code from bidding in property for more than the amount of the tax liability plus costs.” The Commissioner went on to state the IRS Office of Chief Counsel has continued to support that position. However, in light of the GAO recommendation, the Commissioner stated, “we can again raise the issue with Counsel.”
While we agree the IRS can legally set the minimum bid at the amount of the taxpayer’s total liability, we agree with the GAO that the taxpayer’s interests and rights could be better protected.
IRM guidelines
need to be clarified as to when expenses incurred for title search and
encumbrance information reports are to be charged to the taxpayers’
accounts
The I.R.C. and IRM require the revenue officer to make a determination that there will be sufficient net proceeds to apply to the liability prior to recommending a case for seizure. To determine if there will be sufficient net proceeds available, the revenue officer must complete an equity determination, which includes a complete public records search, to identify all recorded encumbrances and interests in the property to be seized. The IRM states that, at local management option, commercial firms may be contracted to provide title search and encumbrance information reports.
I.R.C. § 6341 states the IRS shall determine the expenses to be allowed in all cases of levy and sale. The IRM states it is essential all expenses of sale be debited against the taxpayer’s account so the expenses are satisfied from the proceeds of the sale. The IRM also states the cost of title search and encumbrance information reports “may be charged” to the balance due accounts as an expense. The IRM provides a list of expenses that should be considered as an expense of the seizure and, while not all-inclusive, the list does not include expenses for title search and encumbrance information reports.
IRS management advised us that, based on prior practice, judgment searches, title searches, etc., were viewed as administrative or investigative expenses and not considered related to expenses for seizure. Thus, they were not charged to the taxpayers’ accounts.
Our review determined taxpayers were being inconsistently treated when it came to charging them for these types of expenses. We identified five seizures that contained expenses for title search or encumbrance information reports. ****1****.
The Director, Collection, SB/SE Division, should:
1.
Develop procedures for
obtaining seizure approval in situations where the revenue officers identify
additional property that can be subject to seizure while carrying out the prior
approved seizure.
Management’s
response: SB/SE Division management advised the
IRM will be updated to include the appropriate
instructions.
2.
Reconsider the IRS
policy limiting the minimum bid in all instances to an amount not to exceed the
tax, penalty, interest, lien fees, expenses of seizure and sale, and other
charges, which represent the Federal Government’s interest in the seized
property.
Management’s
response: SB/SE Division management advised they
will evaluate the existing guidelines to determine if the current minimum bid
policy should be changed.
3.
Clarify the IRM
procedures as to if and when expenses incurred in obtaining title searches and
encumbrance information reports are to be charged to taxpayers’
accounts.
Management’s
response: SB/SE Division advised the IRM will be
updated to include the required instructions.
Appendix
I
Detailed Objective, Scope, and
Methodology
The overall objective of this review was to determine whether seizures conducted by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) complied with legal provisions set forth in Internal Revenue Code Sections 6330 through 6344 (1994 & Supp. IV 1998) and with the IRS’ own internal procedures.
To accomplish our objective, we:
I. Obtained documentation of national guidance provided to employees; identified IRS systems, policies, and practices for ensuring compliance with legal provisions and internal procedures related to seizures; and determined how these tools were used.
II. Reviewed a random sample of 50 of the 375 seizures conducted by the IRS from July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2004. The seizures were reviewed to determine compliance with legal provisions and internal procedures and whether the proceeds and applicable expenses of the seizures and sales were properly recorded to taxpayers’ accounts on the IRS’ main computer system. A random sample was used to ensure each of the 375 seizures had an equal chance of being selected.
Appendix
II
Major Contributors to This
Report
Richard Dagliolo,
Acting Assistant Inspector General for Audit (Small Business and Corporate
Programs)
Parker F. Pearson,
Director
Amy L. Coleman,
Audit Manager
James D. Dorrell,
Lead Auditor
Julian E. O’Neal,
Senior Auditor
Janis Zuika,
Auditor
Appendix
III
Commissioner C
Office of the Commissioner – Attn: Chief of Staff C
Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement SE
Deputy Commissioner, Small Business/Self-Employed Division SE:S
Director, Collection, Small Business/Self-Employed Division SE:S:C
Director, Collection Policy, Small Business/Self-Employed Division SE:S:C:CP
Chief Counsel CC
National Taxpayer Advocate TA
Director, Office of Legislative Affairs CL:LA
Director, Office of Program Evaluation and Risk Analysis RAS:O
Office of Management Controls OS:CFO:AR:M
Audit Liaison: Commissioner, Small Business/Self-Employed Division SE:S
Appendix
IV
This
appendix presents detailed information on the measurable impact that our
recommended corrective actions will have on tax administration. These benefits will be incorporated into
our Semiannual Report to the Congress.
Type
and Value of Outcome Measure:
·
Taxpayer
Rights and Entitlements – Potential; 12 taxpayers for whom the Internal Revenue
Service did not comply with legal provisions and internal procedures when
conducting seizures (see page 2).
While we did not identify any instances where the taxpayers were
adversely affected, not following legal and internal guidelines could result in
abuses of taxpayers’ rights.
·
Taxpayer
Rights and Entitlements – Potential; 9 taxpayers for whom internal guidelines
for conducting seizures can be improved to help prevent abuses of taxpayers’
rights (see page 7). (Four of these
nine are also included in the 12 above.)
While we did not identify any instances where the taxpayers were
adversely affected, not following legal and internal guidelines could result in
abuses of taxpayers’ rights.
Methodology
Used to Measure the Reported Benefit:
We
selected a random sample of 50 seizures from a population of 375 seizures
conducted from July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2004. A random sample was used to ensure each
of the 375 seizures had an equal chance of being
selected.
Appendix
V
Internal Revenue Code (I.R.C.) Section (§) 6330 (Supp. IV 1998) requires the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to issue the taxpayer a notice of his or her right to a hearing prior to seizure action. The notice must be (1) given in person, (2) left at the taxpayer’s home or business, or (3) mailed certified-return receipt requested, not less than 30 days before the day of the seizure. The notice must explain in simple terms (1) the amount owed, (2) the right to request a hearing during the 30-day period, and (3) the proposed action by the IRS and the taxpayer’s rights with respect to such action.
The statute of limitations for collection is suspended from the time a taxpayer requests a hearing and while such hearings and appeals are pending, except when the underlying tax liability is not at issue in the appeal and the court determines the IRS has shown good cause not to suspend the seizure. No limitation period may expire before 90 days after a final determination. These procedures do not apply if the collection of tax is at risk.
I.R.C. § 6331 (1994 & Supp. IV 1998) authorizes the IRS to seize a taxpayer’s property for unpaid tax after sending the taxpayer a 30-day notice of intent to levy This section also prohibits seizure (1) during a pending suit for the refund of any payment of a divisible tax, (2) before a thorough investigation of the status of any property subject to seizure, or (3) while either an offer in compromise or an installment agreement is being evaluated and, if necessary, 30 additional days for the taxpayer to appeal the rejection of the offer in compromise or installment agreement.
I.R.C. § 6332 (1994 & Supp. IV 1998) requires a third party in possession of property subject to seizure to surrender such property when a levy notice is received. It contains sanctions against third parties that do not surrender such property when a levy notice is received.
I.R.C. § 6333 (1994 & Supp. IV 1998) requires a third party with control of books or records containing evidence or statements relating to property subject to seizure to exhibit such books or records to the IRS when a levy notice is received.
I.R.C. § 6334 (1994 & Supp. IV 1998) enumerates property exempt from seizure. The exemption amounts are adjusted each year and included $6,890 for the period July 1, 2003, through December 31, 2003, and $7,040 for the period January 1, 2004, through June 30, 2004, for fuel, provisions, furniture, and personal effects, and $3,440 for the period July 1, 2003, through December 31, 2003, and $3,520 for the period January 1, 2004, through June 30, 2004, for books and tools necessary for business purposes. Also, any primary residence, not just the taxpayer’s, is exempt from seizure when the amount owed is $5,000 or less. Seizure of the taxpayer’s principal residence is allowed only with the approval of a United States (U.S.) District Court judge or magistrate. Property used in an individual taxpayer’s business is exempt except with written approval of the Area Office Director, and the seizure may only be approved if other assets are not sufficient to pay the liability.
I.R.C. § 6335 (1994 & Supp. IV 1998) contains procedures for the sale of seized property. Notice must be given to the taxpayer; the property must be advertised in the county newspaper or posted at the nearest post office; and such notices shall specify the time, place, manner, and conditions of sale. It requires the property be sold not less than 10 days or more than 40 days from the time of giving public notice. Finally, this section expressly prohibits selling seized property for less than the minimum bid.
I.R.C. § 6336 (Supp. IV 1998) contains procedures for the accelerated disposition of perishable property. This is property such as fresh food products or any property that requires prohibitive expenses to maintain during the normal sale time period. The property may either be sold quickly or returned to the taxpayer in exchange for payment of a bond.
I.R.C. § 6337 (1994 & Supp. IV 1998) allows the taxpayer to redeem seized property prior to sale by paying the amount due plus the expenses of the seizure. It also allows a taxpayer to redeem real property within 180 days of the sale by paying the successful bidder the purchase price plus 20 percent per annum interest.
I.R.C. § 6338 (1994 & Supp. IV 1998) requires the IRS to give purchasers of seized property a certificate of sale upon full payment of the purchase price. This includes issuing a deed to real property after expiration of the 180-day period required by I.R.C. § 6337. The deed is exchanged for the certificate of sale issued at the time of the sale.
I.R.C. § 6339 (1994 & Supp. IV 1998) provides the legal effect of the certificate of sale for personal property and the transfer deed for real property.
I.R.C. § 6340 (1994 & Supp. IV 1998) requires each Area Office to keep a record of all sales of seized property. This record must include the tax for which such sale was made, the dates of seizure and sale, the name of the party assessed, all proceedings in making such sale, the amount of expenses, the names of the purchasers, and the date of the deed or certificate of sale of personal property. The taxpayer will be furnished (1) the information above except the purchasers’ names, (2) the amount of such sale applied to the taxpayer’s liability, and (3) the remaining balance of such liability.
I.R.C. § 6341 (1994 & Supp. IV 1998) allows expenses for all seizure and sale cases.
I.R.C. § 6342 (1994 & Supp. IV 1998) enumerates how the proceeds of a seizure and sale are to be applied to a taxpayer’s account. Proceeds are applied first to the expenses of the seizure and sale proceedings. Then, any remainder is applied to the taxpayer’s liability.
I.R.C. § 6343 (1994 & Supp. IV 1998)
outlines various conditions under which a seizure may be released and property
returned to the taxpayer. These
conditions include full payment of the liability, determination of a wrongful
seizure, financial hardship, etc.
This section allows a consent agreement between the
I.R.C. § 6344 (1994 & Supp. IV 1998) contains cross-references for I.R.C. §§ 6330 through 6344.
Public Law Number 105-206 (IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998) § 3443 required the IRS to implement a uniform asset disposal mechanism by July 22, 2000, for sales of seized property under I.R.C. § 6335. This mechanism was designed to remove revenue officers from participating in the sales of seized assets.
Appendix
VI
The Internal Revenue Service Needs to Improve Compliance with Legal and Internal Guidelines When Taking Taxpayers’ Property for Unpaid Taxes (Reference Number 199910072, dated September 1999).
The Internal Revenue Service Has Significantly Improved Compliance With Legal and Internal Guidelines When Seizing Taxpayers’ Property (Reference Number 2000-10-114, dated August 2000).
Letter Report: The Internal Revenue Service Complied With Legal and Internal Guidelines When Seizing Property for Payment of Tax (Reference Number 2001-10-061, dated May 2001).
The Internal Revenue Service Has Taken Significant Actions, But Increased Oversight Is Needed to Fully Implement the Uniform Asset Disposal Mechanism (Reference Number 2002-10-005, dated November 2001).
The Internal Revenue Service Continues to Comply With the Law When Seizing Taxpayers’ Property (Reference Number 2002-40-155, dated August 2002).
Fiscal Year 2003 Statutory Audit of Compliance With Seizure Procedures (Reference Number 2003-40-115, dated May 2003).
Legal and Internal Guidelines Were Not Always Followed When Conducting Seizures of Taxpayers’ Property (Reference Number 2004-30-149, dated August 2004).
Appendix
VII
Forms Required to Be Provided to the
Taxpayer for Sale of Seized Property and Number of Instances Not
Provided
Notice
of Encumbrances Against or Interests in
Property Offered for
Certificate
of Sale of Seized Property (Form 2435)
4
cases
****1****
****1****
****1****
Appendix
VIII
The response was
removed due to its size. To see the
response, please go to the Adobe PDF version of the report on the TIGTA Public
Web Page.