General rule
Except as otherwise provided in this section, the text of any written determination and any background file document relating to such written determination shall be open to public inspection at such place as the Secretary may by regulations prescribe.
Definitions
Written determination
In general
The term “written determination” means a ruling, determination letter, technical advice memorandum, or Chief Counsel advice.
Exceptions
Such term shall not include any matter referred to in subparagraph (C) or (D) of section 6103(b)(2).
Background file document
The term “background file document” with respect to a written determination includes the request for that written determination, any written material submitted in support of the request, and any communication (written or otherwise) between the Internal Revenue Service and persons outside the Internal Revenue Service in connection with such written determination (other than any communication between the Department of Justice and the Internal Revenue Service relating to a pending civil or criminal case or investigation) received before issuance of the written determination.
Reference and general written determinations
Reference written determination
The term “reference written determination” means any written determination which has been determined by the Secretary to have significant reference value.
General written determination
The term “general written determination” means any written determination other than a reference written determination.
Exemptions from disclosure
Procedures with regard to third party contacts
Notations
If, before the issuance of a written determination, the Internal Revenue Service receives any communication (written or otherwise) concerning such written determination, any request for such determination, or any other matter involving such written determination from a person other than an employee of the Internal Revenue Service or the person to whom such written determination pertains (or his authorized representative with regard to such written determination), the Internal Revenue Service shall indicate, on the written determination open to public inspection, the category of the person making such communication and the date of such communication.
Exception
Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any communication made by the Chief of Staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation.
Disclosure of identity
In the case of any written determination to which paragraph (1) applies, any person may file a petition in the United States Tax Court or file a complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia for an order requiring that the identity of any person to whom the written determination pertains be disclosed. The court shall order disclosure of such identity if there is evidence in the record from which one could reasonably conclude that an impropriety occurred or undue influence was exercised with respect to such written determination by or on behalf of such person. The court may also direct the Secretary to disclose any portion of any other deletions made in accordance with subsection (c) where such disclosure is in the public interest. If a proceeding is commenced under this paragraph, the person whose identity is subject to being disclosed and the person about whom a notation is made under paragraph (1) shall be notified of the proceeding in accordance with the procedures described in subsection (f)(4)(B) and shall have the right to intervene in the proceeding (anonymously, if appropriate).
Period in which to bring action
No proceeding shall be commenced under paragraph (3) unless a petition is filed before the expiration of 36 months after the first day that the written determination is open to public inspection.
Background file documents
Whenever the Secretary makes a written determination open to public inspection under this section, he shall also make available to any person, but only upon the written request of that person, any background file document relating to the written determination.
Resolution of disputes relating to disclosure
Notice of intention to disclose
Except as otherwise provided by subsection (i), the Secretary shall upon issuance of any written determination, or upon receipt of a request for a background file document, mail a notice of intention to disclose such determination or document to any person to whom the written determination pertains (or a successor in interest, executor, or other person authorized by law to act for or on behalf of such person).
Administrative remedies
Action to restrain disclosure
Creation of remedy
Notice to certain persons
The Secretary shall notify any person to whom a written determination pertains (unless such person is the petitioner) of the filing of a petition under this paragraph with respect to such written determination or related background file document, and any such person may intervene (anonymously, if appropriate) in any proceeding conducted pursuant to this paragraph. The Secretary shall send such notice by registered or certified mail to the last known address of such person within 15 days after such petition is served on the Secretary. No person who has received such a notice may thereafter file any petition under this paragraph with respect to such written determination or background file document with respect to which such notice was received.
Action to obtain additional disclosure
Creation of remedy
section 552(a)(4) of title 5Any person who has exhausted the administrative remedies prescribed pursuant to paragraph (2) with respect to a request for disclosure may file a petition in the United States Tax Court or a complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia for an order requiring that any written determination or background file document (or portion thereof) be made open or available to public inspection. Except where inconsistent with subparagraph (B), the provisions of subparagraphs (C), (D), (E), (F), and (G) of , United States Code, shall apply to any proceeding under this paragraph. The Court shall examine the matter de novo and without regard to a decision of a court under paragraph (3) with respect to such written determination or background file document, and may examine the entire text of such written determination or background file document in order to determine whether such written determination or background file document or any part thereof shall be open or available to public inspection under this section. The burden of proof with respect to the issue of disclosure of any information shall be on the Secretary and any other person seeking to restrain disclosure.
Intervention
If a proceeding is commenced under this paragraph with respect to any written determination or background file document, the Secretary shall, within 15 days after notice of the petition filed under subparagraph (A) is served on him, send notice of the commencement of such proceeding to all persons who are identified by name and address in such written determination or background file document. The Secretary shall send such notice by registered or certified mail to the last known address of such person. Any person to whom such determination or background file document pertains may intervene in the proceeding (anonymously, if appropriate). If such notice is sent, the Secretary shall not be required to defend the action and shall not be liable for public disclosure of the written determination or background file document (or any portion thereof) in accordance with the final decision of the court.
Expedition of determination
The Tax Court shall make a decision with respect to any petition described in paragraph (3) at the earliest practicable date.
Publicity of Tax Court proceedings
Notwithstanding sections 7458 and 7461, the Tax Court may, in order to preserve the anonymity, privacy, or confidentiality of any person under this section, provide by rules adopted under section 7453 that portions of hearings, testimony, evidence, and reports in connection with proceedings under this section may be closed to the public or to inspection by the public.
Time for disclosure
In general
Postponement by order of court
The court may extend the period referred to in paragraph (1)(B) for such time as the court finds necessary to allow the Secretary to comply with its decision.
Postponement of disclosure for up to 90 days
At the written request of the person by whom or on whose behalf the request for the written determination was made, the period referred to in paragraph (1)(A) shall be extended (for not to exceed an additional 90 days) until the day which is 15 days after the date of the Secretary’s determination that the transaction set forth in the written determination has been completed.
Additional 180 days
Special rules for certain written determinations, etc.
Disclosure of prior written determinations and related background file documents
In general
Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a written determination issued pursuant to a request made before , and any background file document relating to such written determination shall be open or available to public inspection in accordance with this section.
Time for disclosure
Order of release
Notice that prior written determinations are open to public inspection
Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (f)(1) and (f)(3)(A), not less than 90 days before making any portion of a written determination described in this subsection open to public inspection, the Secretary shall issue public notice in the Federal Register that such written determination is to be made open to public inspection. The person who received a written determination may, within 75 days after the date of publication of notice under this paragraph, file a petition in the United States Tax Court (anonymously, if appropriate) for a determination with respect to that portion of such written determination which is to be made open to public inspection. The provisions of subsections (f)(3)(B), (5), and (6) shall apply if such a petition is filed. If no petition is filed, the text of any written determination shall be open to public inspection no earlier than 90 days, and no later than 120 days, after notice is published in the Federal Register.
Exclusion
Subsection (d) shall not apply to any written determination described in paragraph (1).
Special rules for disclosure of Chief Counsel advice
Chief Counsel advice defined
In general
Revenue provision defined
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term “revenue provision” means any existing or former internal revenue law, regulation, revenue ruling, revenue procedure, other published or unpublished guidance, or tax treaty, either in general or as applied to specific taxpayers or groups of specific taxpayers.
Additional documents treated as Chief Counsel advice
The Secretary may by regulation provide that this section shall apply to any advice or instruction prepared and issued by the Office of Chief Counsel which is not described in paragraph (1).
Deletions for Chief Counsel advice
Notice of intention to disclose
Nontaxpayer-specific Chief Counsel advice
Taxpayer-specific Chief Counsel advice
In the case of Chief Counsel advice which is written with respect to a specific taxpayer or group of specific taxpayers, the Secretary shall, within 60 days after the issuance of the Chief Counsel advice, mail the notice required by subsection (f)(1) to each such taxpayer. The notice shall include a copy of the Chief Counsel advice on which is indicated the information that the Secretary proposes to delete pursuant to subsection (c)(1). The Secretary may also delete from the copy of the text of the Chief Counsel advice any of the information described in paragraph (3), and shall delete the names, addresses, and other identifying details of taxpayers other than the person to whom the advice pertains, except that the Secretary shall not delete from the copy of the Chief Counsel advice that is furnished to the taxpayer any information of which that taxpayer was the source.
Civil remedies
Civil action
Damages
Special provisions
Fees
Records disposal procedures
Nothing in this section shall prevent the Secretary from disposing of any general written determination or background file document described in subsection (b) in accordance with established records disposition procedures, but such disposal shall, except as provided in the following sentence, occur not earlier than 3 years after such written determination is first made open to public inspection. In the case of any general written determination described in subsection (h), the Secretary may dispose of such determination and any related background file document in accordance with such procedures but such disposal shall not occur earlier than 3 years after such written determination is first made open to public inspection if funds are appropriated for such purpose before , or not earlier than , if funds are not appropriated before such date. The Secretary shall not dispose of any reference written determinations and related background file documents.
Precedential status
Unless the Secretary otherwise establishes by regulations, a written determination may not be used or cited as precedent. The preceding sentence shall not apply to change the precedential status (if any) of written determinations with regard to taxes imposed by subtitle D of this title.
Section not to apply
Exclusive remedy
Except as otherwise provided in this title, or with respect to a discovery order made in connection with a judicial proceeding, the Secretary shall not be required by any Court to make any written determination or background file document open or available to public inspection, or to refrain from disclosure of any such documents.
Pub. L. 94–455, title XII, § 1201(a)90 Stat. 1660Pub. L. 97–164, title I, § 160(a)(9)96 Stat. 48Pub. L. 98–620, title IV, § 402(28)(B)98 Stat. 3359Pub. L. 105–206, title III, § 3509(a)112 Stat. 772Pub. L. 106–170, title V, § 521(a)(2)113 Stat. 1925Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(7) [title III, §§ 304(c), 313(e)]114 Stat. 2763Pub. L. 110–172, § 10(a)121 Stat. 2484Pub. L. 115–141, div. U, title IV, § 401(a)(325)(A)132 Stat. 1199(Added , , ; amended , , ; , , ; –(c), , , 773; , , ; , , , 2763A–634, 2763A–643; , , ; , , .)
Editorial Notes
References in Text
act Feb. 10, 1939, ch. 253 Stat. 1section 1 of this titleThe Internal Revenue Code of 1939, referred to in subsec. (h)(3)(C), is , . Prior to the enactment of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954], the 1939 Code was classified to former Title 26, Internal Revenue Code. For table of comparisons of the 1939 Code to the 1986 Code, see Table I preceding .
Prior Provisions
A prior section 6110 was renumbered 6116 of this title.
Amendments
Pub. L. 115–1412018—Subsec. (j)(1). , which directed amendment of subsec. (j)(1)(B) by substituting “United States Court of Federal Claims” for “United States Claims Court”, was executed by making the substitution in concluding provisions of par. (1), to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
Pub. L. 110–1722007—Subsec. (i)(3). inserted “and related background file documents” after “Chief Counsel advice” in introductory provisions.
Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(7) [title III, § 304(c)(1)]2000—Subsec. (b)(1). , amended heading and text of par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The term ‘written determination’ means a ruling, determination letter, technical advice memorandum, or Chief Counsel advice. Such term shall not include any advance pricing agreement entered into by a taxpayer and the Secretary and any background information related to such agreement or any application for an advance pricing agreement.”
Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(7) [title III, § 313(e)]Subsec. (g)(5)(A). , inserted “, any Chief Counsel advice,” after “technical advice memorandum”.
lPub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(7) [title III, § 304(c)(2)]Subsec. ()(1). , inserted “or 6105” after “6104”.
Pub. L. 106–1701999—Subsec. (b)(1). inserted at end “Such term shall not include any advance pricing agreement entered into by a taxpayer and the Secretary and any background information related to such agreement or any application for an advance pricing agreement.”
Pub. L. 105–206, § 3509(a)1998—Subsec. (b)(1). , substituted “technical advice memorandum, or Chief Counsel advice” for “or technical advice memorandum”.
Pub. L. 105–206, § 3509(c)(1)Subsec. (f)(1). , substituted “Except as otherwise provided by subsection (i), the Secretary” for “The Secretary”.
Pub. L. 105–206, § 3509(b)Subsec. (i). , added subsec. (i). Former subsec. (i) redesignated (j).
Pub. L. 105–206, § 3509(b)Subsec. (j). , redesignated subsec. (i) as (j). Former subsec. (j) redesignated (k).
Pub. L. 105–206, § 3509(c)(2)Subsec. (j)(1)(B), (2). , substituted “subsection (g) or (i)(4)(B)” for “subsection (g)”.
Pub. L. 105–206, § 3509(b)lSubsec. (k). , redesignated subsec. (j) as (k). Former subsec. (k) redesignated ().
Pub. L. 105–206, § 3509(c)(3)Subsec. (k)(1)(B). , substituted “subsection (c)(1) or (i)(3)” for “subsection (c)”.
lPub. L. 105–206, § 3509(b)llSubsecs. (), (m). , redesignated subsecs. (k) and () as () and (m), respectively.
Pub. L. 98–6201984—Subsec. (f)(5). struck out provision that the Court of Appeals had to expedite any review of such decision in every way possible.
Pub. L. 97–1641982—Subsec. (i)(1). substituted “United States Claims Court” for “Court of Claims”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2007 Amendment
Pub. L. 110–172, § 10(b)121 Stat. 2484
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(7) [title III, § 304(d)]114 Stat. 2763
Pub. L. 106–554Pub. L. 105–206Pub. L. 106–554section 6015 of this titleAmendment by section 1(a)(7) [title III, § 313(e)] of effective as if included in the provisions of the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998, , to which such amendment relates, see section 1(a)(7) [title III, § 313(f)] of , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1998 Amendment
Pub. L. 105–206, title III, § 3509(d)112 Stat. 774
In general .—
Transition rules .—
Documents treated as chief counsel advice .—
Chief counsel advice to be available electronically .—
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Pub. L. 98–620section 403 of Pub. L. 98–620section 1657 of Title 28Amendment by not applicable to cases pending on , see , set out as an Effective Date note under , Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Pub. L. 97–164section 402 of Pub. L. 97–164section 171 of Title 28Amendment by effective , see , set out as a note under , Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.
Effective Date
Pub. L. 94–455, title XII, § 1201(e)90 Stat. 1667
Pending Requests
Pub. L. 94–455, title XII, § 1201(b)90 Stat. 1667