Imposition of penalty
If this section applies to any portion of an underpayment of tax required to be shown on a return, there shall be added to the tax an amount equal to 20 percent of the portion of the underpayment to which this section applies.
Portion of underpayment to which section applies
Negligence
For purposes of this section, the term “negligence” includes any failure to make a reasonable attempt to comply with the provisions of this title, and the term “disregard” includes any careless, reckless, or intentional disregard.
Substantial understatement of income tax
Substantial understatement
In general
Special rule for corporations
Special rule for taxpayers claiming section 199A deduction
In the case of any taxpayer who claims any deduction allowed under section 199A for the taxable year, subparagraph (A) shall be applied by substituting “5 percent” for “10 percent”.
Understatement
In general
Reduction for understatement due to position of taxpayer or disclosed item
Reduction not to apply to tax shelters
In general
Subparagraph (B) shall not apply to any item attributable to a tax shelter.
Tax shelter
Secretarial list
The Secretary may prescribe a list of positions which the Secretary believes do not meet 1 or more of the standards specified in paragraph (2)(B)(i), section 6664(d)(3), and section 6694(a)(1). Such list (and any revisions thereof) shall be published in the Federal Register or the Internal Revenue Bulletin.
Substantial valuation misstatement under chapter 1
In general
Limitation
No penalty shall be imposed by reason of subsection (b)(3) unless the portion of the underpayment for the taxable year attributable to substantial valuation misstatements under chapter 1 exceeds $5,000 ($10,000 in the case of a corporation other than an S corporation or a personal holding company (as defined in section 542)).
Net section 482 transfer price adjustment
In general
The term “net section 482 transfer price adjustment” means, with respect to any taxable year, the net increase in taxable income for the taxable year (determined without regard to any amount carried to such taxable year from another taxable year) resulting from adjustments under section 482 in the price for any property or services (or for the use of property).
Certain adjustments excluded in determining threshold
Special rule
If the regular tax (as defined in section 55(c)) imposed by chapter 1 on the taxpayer is determined by reference to an amount other than taxable income, such amount shall be treated as the taxable income of such taxpayer for purposes of this paragraph.
Coordination with reasonable cause exception
For purposes of section 6664(c) the taxpayer shall not be treated as having reasonable cause for any portion of an underpayment attributable to a net section 482 transfer price adjustment unless such taxpayer meets the requirements of clause (i), (ii), or (iii) of subparagraph (B) with respect to such portion.
Substantial overstatement of pension liabilities
In general
For purposes of this section, there is a substantial overstatement of pension liabilities if the actuarial determination of the liabilities taken into account for purposes of computing the deduction under paragraph (1) or (2) of section 404(a) is 200 percent or more of the amount determined to be the correct amount of such liabilities.
Limitation
No penalty shall be imposed by reason of subsection (b)(4) unless the portion of the underpayment for the taxable year attributable to substantial overstatements of pension liabilities exceeds $1,000.
Substantial estate or gift tax valuation understatement
In general
For purposes of this section, there is a substantial estate or gift tax valuation understatement if the value of any property claimed on any return of tax imposed by subtitle B is 65 percent or less of the amount determined to be the correct amount of such valuation.
Limitation
No penalty shall be imposed by reason of subsection (b)(5) unless the portion of the underpayment attributable to substantial estate or gift tax valuation understatements for the taxable period (or, in the case of the tax imposed by chapter 11, with respect to the estate of the decedent) exceeds $5,000.
Increase in penalty in case of gross valuation misstatements
In general
To the extent that a portion of the underpayment to which this section applies is attributable to one or more gross valuation misstatements, subsection (a) shall be applied with respect to such portion by substituting “40 percent” for “20 percent”.
Gross valuation misstatements
Increase in penalty in case of nondisclosed noneconomic substance transactions
In general
In the case of any portion of an underpayment which is attributable to one or more nondisclosed noneconomic substance transactions, subsection (a) shall be applied with respect to such portion by substituting “40 percent” for “20 percent”.
Nondisclosed noneconomic substance transactions
For purposes of this subsection, the term “nondisclosed noneconomic substance transaction” means any portion of a transaction described in subsection (b)(6) with respect to which the relevant facts affecting the tax treatment are not adequately disclosed in the return nor in a statement attached to the return.
Special rule for amended returns
In no event shall any amendment or supplement to a return of tax be taken into account for purposes of this subsection if the amendment or supplement is filed after the earlier of the date the taxpayer is first contacted by the Secretary regarding the examination of the return or such other date as is specified by the Secretary.
Undisclosed foreign financial asset understatement
In general
For purposes of this section, the term “undisclosed foreign financial asset understatement” means, for any taxable year, the portion of the understatement for such taxable year which is attributable to any transaction involving an undisclosed foreign financial asset.
Undisclosed foreign financial asset
For purposes of this subsection, the term “undisclosed foreign financial asset” means, with respect to any taxable year, any asset with respect to which information was required to be provided under section 6038, 6038B, 6038D, 6046A, or 6048 for such taxable year but was not provided by the taxpayer as required under the provisions of those sections.
Increase in penalty for undisclosed foreign financial asset understatements
In the case of any portion of an underpayment which is attributable to any undisclosed foreign financial asset understatement, subsection (a) shall be applied with respect to such portion by substituting “40 percent” for “20 percent”.
Inconsistent estate basis reporting
For purposes of this section, the term “inconsistent estate basis” means any portion of an underpayment attributable to the failure to comply with section 1014(f).
Increase in penalty in case of overstatement of qualified charitable contributions
In the case of any portion of an underpayment which is attributable to one or more overstatements of the deduction provided in section 170(p), subsection (a) shall be applied with respect to such portion by substituting “50 percent” for “20 percent”.
Substantial understatement of income tax due to disallowance of applicable energy credits
In general
Disallowance of an applicable energy credit
For purposes of this subsection, the term “disallowance of an applicable energy credit” means the disallowance of a credit under section 45X, 45Y, or 48E by reason of overstating the material assistance cost ratio (as determined under section 7701(a)(52)) with respect to any qualified facility, energy storage technology, or facility which produces eligible components.
Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, § 7721(a)103 Stat. 2395 Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, § 11312(a)104 Stat. 1388–454 Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII107 Stat. 505 Pub. L. 103–465, title VII, § 744(a)108 Stat. 5011 Pub. L. 105–34, title X, § 1028(c)111 Stat. 928 Pub. L. 108–357, title VIII118 Stat. 1578 Pub. L. 109–135, title IV119 Stat. 2629 Pub. L. 109–280, title XII, § 1219(a)(1)120 Stat. 1083 Pub. L. 111–147, title V, § 512(a)124 Stat. 110 Pub. L. 111–152, title I, § 1409(b)(1)124 Stat. 1068 Pub. L. 113–295, div. A, title II, § 208(a)128 Stat. 4028 Pub. L. 114–41, title II, § 2004(c)129 Stat. 456 Pub. L. 115–97, title I, § 11011(c)131 Stat. 2070 Pub. L. 115–141, div. T, § 101(a)(2)(A)132 Stat. 1155 Pub. L. 116–260, div. EE, title II, § 212(b)(1)134 Stat. 3067 Pub. L. 117–328, div. T, title VI, § 605(a)(2)(A)136 Stat. 5394 Pub. L. 119–21, title VII, § 70512(j)(1)139 Stat. 268 (Added , , ; amended , (b), , , 1388–455; , §§ 13236(a)–(d), 13251(a), , , 506, 531; , (b), , ; , , ; , §§ 812(b), (d), (e)(1), 819(a), (b), , , 1580, 1584; , §§ 403(x)(1), 412(aaa), , , 2641; , (2), , ; , , ; , (2), , , 1069; , , ; , , ; , , ; , div. U, title I, § 104(a), title IV, § 401(a)(303), (304), , , 1170, 1199; , (2), , ; , (B), , ; , , .)
Editorial Notes
Codification
section 212(b) of div. EE of Pub. L. 116–260section 63 of this titleAnother amended .
Pub. L. 111–152Section 1409(b)(1), (2) of , which directed the amendment of section 6662 without specifying the act to be amended, was executed to this section, which is section 6662 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. See 2010 Amendment notes below.
Pub. L. 109–280Section 1219(a)(1), (2) of , which directed the amendment of section 6662 without specifying the act to be amended, was executed to this section, which is section 6662 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. See 2006 Amendment notes below.
Prior Provisions
Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736 68A Stat. 827 Pub. L. 86–470, § 174 Stat. 132 Pub. L. 91–172, title I, § 101(j)(51)83 Stat. 531 Pub. L. 93–406, title II, § 1016(a)(19)88 Stat. 931 Pub. L. 97–34, title VII, § 722(a)(1)95 Stat. 341 Pub. L. 97–248, title III, § 323(a)96 Stat. 613 Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, § 7721(a)103 Stat. 2395 section 6665 of this titleA prior section 6662, acts , , § 6659; , , ; , , ; , , ; renumbered § 6660, , , ; renumbered § 6662, , , , directed that additions be treated as tax and set procedure for assessing certain additions to tax, prior to repeal by , , , applicable to returns the due date for which (determined without regard to extensions) is after . See .
Amendments
Pub. L. 119–212025—Subsec. (m). added subsec. (m).
Pub. L. 117–328, § 605(a)(2)(A)2022—Subsec. (b)(10). , added par. (10).
Pub. L. 117–328, § 605(a)(2)(B)Subsec. (h)(2)(D). , added subpar. (D).
Pub. L. 116–260, § 212(b)(1)2020—Subsec. (b)(9). , added par. (9).
lPub. L. 116–260, § 212(b)(2)lSubsec. (). , added subsec. ().
Pub. L. 115–141, § 101(a)(2)(A)2018—Subsec. (d)(1)(C). , substituted “any deduction” for “the deduction”.
Pub. L. 115–141, § 401(a)(303)Subsec. (d)(3). , substituted “section 6664(d)(3)” for “section 6664(d)(2)”.
Pub. L. 115–141, § 401(a)(304)Subsecs. (i), (j). , transferred subsec. (i) to appear before subsec. (j).
Pub. L. 115–141, § 104(a)Subsec. (k). , amended subsec. (k) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “For purposes of this section, there is an ‘inconsistent estate basis’ if the basis of property claimed on a return exceeds the basis as determined under section 1014(f).”
Pub. L. 115–972017—Subsec. (d)(1)(C). added subpar. (C).
Pub. L. 114–41, § 2004(c)(1)2015—Subsec. (b)(8). , added par. (8).
Pub. L. 114–41, § 2004(c)(2)Subsec. (k). , added subsec. (k).
Pub. L. 113–295, § 208(a)Pub. L. 111–147, § 512(a)(1)2014—Subsec. (b)(7). , amended directory language of . See 2010 Amendment note below.
Pub. L. 111–152, § 1409(b)(1)2010—Subsec. (b)(6). , added par. (6). See Codification note above.
Pub. L. 111–147, § 512(a)(1)Pub. L. 113–295, § 208(a)Subsec. (b)(7). , as amended by , added par. (7).
Pub. L. 111–152, § 1409(b)(2)Subsec. (i). , added subsec. (i). See Codification note above.
Pub. L. 111–147, § 512(a)(2)Subsec. (j). , added subsec. (j).
Pub. L. 109–280, § 1219(a)(1)(A)2006—Subsec. (e)(1)(A). , substituted “150 percent” for “200 percent”. See Codification note above.
Pub. L. 109–280, § 1219(a)(1)(B)Subsec. (g)(1). , substituted “65 percent” for “50 percent”. See Codification note above.
Pub. L. 109–280, § 1219(a)(2)(A)Subsec. (h)(2)(A)(i), (ii). , amended cls. (i) and (ii) generally. Prior to amendment, cls. (i) and (ii) read as follows:
“(i) ‘400 percent’ for ‘200 percent’ each place it appears,
“(ii) ‘25 percent’ for ‘50 percent’, and”.
See Codification note above.
Pub. L. 109–280, § 1219(a)(2)(B)Subsec. (h)(2)(C). , substituted “ ‘40 percent’ for ‘65 percent’ ” for “ ‘25 percent’ for ‘50 percent’ ”. See Codification note above.
Pub. L. 109–135, § 403(x)(1)2005—Subsec. (b). , inserted at end “Except as provided in paragraph (1) or (2)(B) of section 6662A(e), this section shall not apply to the portion of any underpayment which is attributable to a reportable transaction understatement on which a penalty is imposed under section 6662A.”
Pub. L. 109–135, § 412(aaa)Subsec. (d)(3). , struck out “the” before “1 or more”.
Pub. L. 108–357, § 812(e)(1)2004—, inserted “on underpayments” after “penalty” in section catchline.
Pub. L. 108–357, § 819(a)Subsec. (d)(1)(B). , reenacted heading without change and amended text of subpar. (B) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “In the case of a corporation other than an S corporation or a personal holding company (as defined in section 542), paragraph (1) shall be applied by substituting ‘$10,000’ for ‘$5,000’.”
Pub. L. 108–357, § 812(b)Subsec. (d)(2)(A). , inserted concluding provisions.
Pub. L. 108–357, § 812(d)Subsec. (d)(2)(C). , amended subpar. (C) generally, substituting provisions relating to inapplicability of subpar. (B) to any item attributable to a tax shelter and defining the term “tax shelter” for provisions relating to, in the case of any item of a taxpayer other than a corporation which is attributable to a tax shelter, inapplicability of subpar. (B)(ii) and inapplicability of subpar. (B)(i), unless the taxpayer reasonably believed that the tax treatment of such item by the taxpayer was more likely than not the proper treatment, inapplicability of subpar. (B) to any item of a corporation which is attributable to a tax shelter, and provisions defining the term “tax shelter”.
Pub. L. 108–357, § 819(b)(2)Subsec. (d)(2)(D). , struck out heading and text of subpar. (D). Text read as follows: “The Secretary shall prescribe (and revise not less frequently than annually) a list of positions—
“(i) for which the Secretary believes there is not substantial authority, and
“(ii) which affect a significant number of taxpayers.
Such list (and any revision thereof) shall be published in the Federal Register.”
Pub. L. 108–357, § 819(b)(1)Subsec. (d)(3). , added par. (3).
Pub. L. 105–34, § 1028(c)(1)1997—Subsec. (d)(2)(B). , inserted concluding provisions.
Pub. L. 105–34, § 1028(c)(2)Subsec. (d)(2)(C)(iii). , substituted “a significant purpose” for “the principal purpose” in concluding provisions.
Pub. L. 103–465, § 744(b)(1)1994—Subsec. (d)(2)(C)(i). , substituted “In the case of any item of a taxpayer other than a corporation which is” for “In the case of any item” in introductory provisions.
Pub. L. 103–465, § 744(a)Subsec. (d)(2)(C)(ii). , added cl. (ii). Former cl. (ii) redesignated (iii).
Pub. L. 103–465, § 744(a)Subsec. (d)(2)(C)(iii). , (b)(2), redesignated cl. (ii) as (iii) and substituted “this subparagraph” for “clause (i)” in introductory provisions.
Pub. L. 103–66, § 13251(a)1993—Subsec. (d)(2)(B)(ii). , amended cl. (ii) generally. Prior to amendment, cl. (ii) read as follows: “any item with respect to which the relevant facts affecting the item’s tax treatment are adequately disclosed in the return or in a statement attached to the return.”
Pub. L. 103–66, § 13236(a)Subsec. (e)(1)(B)(ii). , amended cl. (ii) generally. Prior to amendment, cl. (ii) read as follows: “the net section 482 transfer price adjustment for the taxable year exceeds $10,000,000.”
Pub. L. 103–66, § 13236(b)Subsec. (e)(3)(B). , amended heading and text of subpar. (B) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “For purposes of determining whether the $10,000,000 threshold requirement of paragraph (1)(B)(ii) is met, there shall be excluded—
“(i) any portion of the net increase in taxable income referred to in subparagraph (A) which is attributable to any redetermination of a price if it is shown that there was a reasonable cause for the taxpayer’s determination of such price and that the taxpayer acted in good faith with respect to such price, and
“(ii) any portion of such net increase which is attributable to any transaction solely between foreign corporations unless, in the case of any of such corporations, the treatment of such transaction affects the determination of income from sources within the United States or taxable income effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the United States.”
Pub. L. 103–66, § 13236(c)Subsec. (e)(3)(D). , added subpar. (D).
Pub. L. 103–66, § 13236(d)Subsec. (h)(2)(A)(iii). , amended cl. (iii) generally. Prior to amendment, cl. (iii) read as follows: “ ‘$20,000,000’ for ‘$10,000,000’,”.
Pub. L. 101–508, § 11312(b)(1)1990—Subsec. (b)(3). , amended par. (3) generally, substituting “misstatement” for “overstatement”.
Pub. L. 101–508, § 11312(a)Subsec. (e). , substituted “misstatement” for “overstatement” in heading and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows:
In general“(1) .—For purposes of this section, there is a substantial valuation overstatement under chapter 1 if the value of any property (or the adjusted basis of any property) claimed on any return of tax imposed by chapter 1 is 200 percent or more of the amount determined to be the correct amount of such valuation or adjusted basis (as the case may be).
Limitation“(2) .—No penalty shall be imposed by reason of subsection (b)(3) unless the portion of the underpayment for the taxable year attributable to substantial valuation overstatements under chapter 1 exceeds $5,000 ($10,000 in the case of a corporation other than an S corporation or a personal holding company (as defined in section 542)).”
Pub. L. 101–508, § 11312(b)(2)Subsec. (h)(2)(A). , amended subpar. (A) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (A) read as follows: “any substantial valuation overstatement under chapter 1 as determined under subsection (e) by substituting ‘400 percent’ for ‘200 percent’,”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2025 Amendment
Pub. L. 119–21lPub. L. 119–21section 45 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years beginning after , see section 70512()(1) of , set out in a note under .
Effective Date of 2022 Amendment
Pub. L. 117–328section 605(c)(1) of Pub. L. 117–328section 170 of this titleAmendment by applicable to contributions made after , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 2020 Amendment
Pub. L. 116–260section 212(d) of div. EE of Pub. L. 116–260section 62 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years beginning after , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 2018 Amendment
section 101(a)(2)(A) of Pub. L. 115–141section 11011 of Pub. L. 115–97section 101(d) of Pub. L. 115–141section 62 of this titleAmendment by effective as if included in , see , set out as a note under .
Pub. L. 115–141, div. U, title I, § 104(c)132 Stat. 1170
Effective Date of 2017 Amendment
Pub. L. 115–97section 11011(e) of Pub. L. 115–97section 62 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years beginning after , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 2015 Amendment
Pub. L. 114–41section 2004(d) of Pub. L. 114–41section 1014 of this titleAmendment by applicable to property with respect to which an estate tax return is filed after , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 2014 Amendment
Pub. L. 113–295, div. A, title II, § 208(b)128 Stat. 4028
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Pub. L. 111–152, title I, § 1409(e)124 Stat. 1070
In general .—
Underpayments .—
Understatements .—
Refunds and credits .—
Pub. L. 111–147, title V, § 512(b)124 Stat. 111
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Pub. L. 109–280Pub. L. 109–280section 170 of this titleAmendment by applicable to returns filed after , with special rule for certain easements, see section 1219(e)(1), (3) of , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 2005 Amendment
section 403(x)(1) of Pub. L. 109–135Pub. L. 108–357section 403(nn) of Pub. L. 109–135section 26 of this titleAmendment by effective as if included in the provision of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, , to which such amendment relates, see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Pub. L. 108–357, title VIII, § 812(f)118 Stat. 1580 Pub. L. 109–135, title IV, § 403(x)(3)119 Stat. 2629
In general .—
Disqualified opinions .—
Pub. L. 108–357, title VIII, § 819(c)118 Stat. 1585
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Pub. L. 105–34section 1028(e)(2) of Pub. L. 105–34section 6111 of this titleAmendment by applicable to items with respect to transactions entered into after , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Pub. L. 103–465, title VII, § 744(c)108 Stat. 5011
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, § 13236(e)107 Stat. 506
Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, § 13251(b)107 Stat. 531
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, § 11312(c)104 Stat. 1388–455
Effective Date
section 7721(d) of Pub. L. 101–239section 461 of this titleSection applicable to returns the due date for which (determined without regard to extensions) is after , see , set out as an Effective Date of 1989 Amendment note under .