US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

26 U.S.C. § 6851

Termination assessments of income tax

(a)

Authority for making

(1)

In general

If the Secretary finds that a taxpayer designs quickly to depart from the United States or to remove his property therefrom, or to conceal himself or his property therein, or to do any other act (including in the case of a corporation distributing all or a part of its assets in liquidation or otherwise) tending to prejudice or to render wholly or partially ineffectual proceedings to collect the income tax for the current or the immediately preceding taxable year unless such proceeding be brought without delay, the Secretary shall immediately make a determination of tax for the current taxable year or for the preceding taxable year, or both, as the case may be, and notwithstanding any other provision of law, such tax shall become immediately due and payable. The Secretary shall immediately assess the amount of the tax so determined (together with all interest, additional amounts, and additions to the tax provided by law) for the current taxable year or such preceding taxable year, or both, as the case may be, and shall cause notice of such determination and assessment to be given the taxpayer, together with a demand for immediate payment of such tax.

(2)

Computation of tax

In the case of a current taxable year, the Secretary shall determine the tax for the period beginning on the first day of such current taxable year and ending on the date of the determination under paragraph (1) as though such period were a taxable year of the taxpayer, and shall take into account any prior determination made under this subsection with respect to such current taxable year.

(3)

Treatment of amounts collected

Any amounts collected as a result of any assessments under this subsection shall, to the extent thereof, be treated as a payment of tax for such taxable year.

(4)

This section inapplicable where section 6861 applies

This section shall not authorize any assessment of tax for the preceding taxable year which is made after the due date of the taxpayer’s return for such taxable year (determined with regard to any extensions).

(b)

Notice of deficiency

If an assessment of tax is made under the authority of subsection (a), the Secretary shall mail a notice under section 6212(a) for the taxpayer’s full taxable year (determined without regard to any action taken under subsection (a)) with respect to which such assessment was made within 60 days after the later of (i) the due date of the taxpayer’s return for such taxable year (determined with regard to any extensions), or (ii) the date such taxpayer files such return. Such deficiency may be in an amount greater or less than the amount assessed under subsection (a).

(c)

Citizens

In the case of a citizen of the United States or of a possession of the United States about to depart from the United States, the Secretary may, at his discretion, waive any or all of the requirements placed on the taxpayer by this section.

(d)

Departure of alien

Subject to such exceptions as may, by regulations, be prescribed by the Secretary—
(1)
No alien shall depart from the United States unless he first procures from the Secretary a certificate that he has complied with all the obligations imposed upon him by the income tax laws.
(2)
Payment of taxes shall not be enforced by any proceedings under the provisions of this section prior to the expiration of the time otherwise allowed for paying such taxes if, in the case of an alien about to depart from the United States, the Secretary determines that the collection of the tax will not be jeopardized by the departure of the alien.
(e)

Sections 6861(f) and (g) to apply

The provisions of section 6861(f) (relating to collection of unpaid amounts) and 6861(g) (relating to abatement if jeopardy does not exist) shall apply with respect to any assessment made under subsection (a).

(f)

Cross references

(1)
For provisions permitting immediate levy in case of jeopardy, see section 6331(a).
(2)
For provisions relating to the review of jeopardy, see section 7429.

Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 73668A Stat. 833Pub. L. 85–866, title I, § 8772 Stat. 1665Pub. L. 94–455, title XII, § 1204(b)90 Stat. 1696(, ; , , ; , title XIX, § 1906(b)(13)(A), , , 1834.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 94–455, § 1204(b)(1)1976—, substituted “assessments of income tax” for “of taxable year” in section catchline.

Pub. L. 94–455, § 1204(b)(1)Subsec. (a). , revised pars. (1) and (2) to provide that a termination assessment does not end the taxable year for any purpose other than the computation of the amount of tax to be assessed and collected and to set out the method for determining the tax for the current taxable year, and added pars. (3) and (4).

Pub. L. 94–455, § 1204(b)(1)Subsec. (b). , substituted provisions for the mailing of a notice of deficiency for provisions for the reopening of taxable period.

Pub. L. 94–455, § 1906(b)(13)(A)Subsecs. (c), (d). , struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary” wherever appearing.

Pub. L. 94–455, § 1204(b)(2)Subsec. (e). , substituted provisions making section 6861(f) and (g) applicable with respect to assessments under subsec. (a).

Pub. L. 94–455, § 1204(b)(2)Subsec. (f). , added subsec. (f).

Pub. L. 85–8661958—Subsec. (d). designated existing provisions as par. (1), inserted opening provisions, and added par. (2).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1976 Amendment

Pub. L. 94–455, title XII, § 1204(d)90 Stat. 1699Pub. L. 94–528, § 2(a)90 Stat. 2483Pub. L. 99–514, § 2100 Stat. 2095

section 7429 of this title“The amendments made by this section [enacting and amending this section and sections 443, 6091, 6211, 6213, 6863, 7103, and 7421 of this title] apply with respect to action taken under section 6851, 6861, or 6862 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] where the notice and demand takes place after .”
, , , as amended by , , ; , , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1958 Amendment

Pub. L. 85–866section 1(c)(2) of Pub. L. 85–866section 165 of this titleAmendment by effective , see , set out as a note under .