Code of Federal Regulations · Section
§ 301.9000-2 — -2 Considerations In Responding To A Request Or Demand For Irs Records Or Information
26 C.F.R. § 301.9000-2
(a) Situations in which disclosure shall not be authorized. Authorizing officials shall not permit testimony or disclosure of IRS records or information in response to requests or demands if testimony or disclosure of IRS records or information would—
(1) Violate a Federal statute including, but not limited to, sections 6103 or 6105 of the Internal Revenue Code (Code), the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), or a rule of procedure, such as the grand jury secrecy rule, Fed. R. Crim. P. 6(e);
(2) Violate a specific Federal regulation, including, but not limited to, 31 CFR 103.53;
(3) Reveal classified national security information, unless properly declassified;
(4) Reveal the identity of an informant; or
(5) Reveal investigatory records or information compiled for law enforcement purposes that would permit interference with law enforcement proceedings or would disclose investigative techniques and procedures, the effectiveness of which could thereby be impaired.
(b) Assertion of privileges. Any applicable privilege or protection under law may be asserted in response to a request or demand for testimony or disclosure of IRS records or information, including, but not limited to, the following—
(1) Attorney-client privilege;
(2) Attorney work product doctrine; and
(3) Deliberative process (executive) privilege.
(c) Non-IRS matters. If any person makes a request or demand for IRS records or information in connection with a non-IRS matter, authorizing officials shall take into account the following additional factors in responding to the request or demand—
(1) Whether the requester is a Federal agency, or a state or local government or agency thereof;
(2) Whether the demand was issued by a Federal or state court, administrative agency or other authority;
(3) The potential effect of the case on the administration of the internal revenue laws or any other laws administered by or concerning the IRS;
(4) The importance of the legal issues presented;
(5) Whether the IRS records or information are available from other sources;
(6) The IRS's anticipated commitment of time and anticipated expenditure of funds necessary to comply with the request or demand;
(7) The number of similar requests and their cumulative effect on the expenditure of IRS resources;
(8) Whether the request or demand allows a reasonable time for compliance (generally, at least fifteen business days);
(9) Whether the testimony or disclosure is appropriate under the rules of procedure governing the case or matter in which the request or demand arises;
(10) Whether the request or demand involves expert witness testimony;
(11) Whether the request or demand is for the testimony of an IRS officer, employee or contractor who is without personal knowledge of relevant facts;
(12) Whether the request or demand is for the testimony of a presidential appointee or senior executive and whether the testimony of a lower-level official would suffice;
(13) Whether the procedures in § 301.9000-5 have been followed; and
(14) Any other relevant factors that may be brought to the attention of the authorizing official.
Authorizing Statute
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Confidentiality and disclosure of returns and return information26 U.S.C. § 6103
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Restrictions applicable to deficiencies; petition to Tax Court26 U.S.C. § 6213
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Signing of returns and other documents26 U.S.C. § 6061
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Assessment, collection, and payment26 U.S.C. § 6232
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Period of limitations on making adjustments26 U.S.C. § 6235
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Validity and priority against certain persons26 U.S.C. § 6323
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Definitions26 U.S.C. § 7701
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Partner’s return must be consistent with partnership return26 U.S.C. § 6222
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Alternative to payment of imputed underpayment by partnership26 U.S.C. § 6226
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Notice of qualification as executor or receiver26 U.S.C. § 6036
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Partners bound by actions of partnership26 U.S.C. § 6223
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Abatements26 U.S.C. § 6404
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Commissioner of Internal Revenue; other officials26 U.S.C. § 7803
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Extension of time for filing returns26 U.S.C. § 6081
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Treaty-based return positions26 U.S.C. § 6114
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Timely mailing treated as timely filing and paying26 U.S.C. § 7502
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Interest and penalties26 U.S.C. § 6233
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Certified professional employer organizations26 U.S.C. § 7705
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Accelerated cost recovery system26 U.S.C. § 168
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General requirement of return, statement, or list26 U.S.C. § 6011
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Disclosure of reportable transactions26 U.S.C. § 6111
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Rules and regulations26 U.S.C. § 7805
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Persons required to make returns of income26 U.S.C. § 6012
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Return of S corporation26 U.S.C. § 6037
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Reimbursement to State and local law enforcement agencies26 U.S.C. § 7624
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Determination at partnership level26 U.S.C. § 6221
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Partnership adjustment by Secretary26 U.S.C. § 6225
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Authority to release levy and return property26 U.S.C. § 6343
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Disclosure or use of information by preparers of returns26 U.S.C. § 7216
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Departmental regulations5 U.S.C. § 301
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Tax imposed26 U.S.C. § 1
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Notice of proceedings and adjustment26 U.S.C. § 6231
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Payment of tax by commercially acceptable means26 U.S.C. § 6311
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Sale of seized property26 U.S.C. § 6335
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Procedural requirements26 U.S.C. § 6751
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Low-income housing credit26 U.S.C. § 42
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Special rules26 U.S.C. § 1474
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Returns by exempt organizations26 U.S.C. § 6033
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Definitions and special rules26 U.S.C. § 6241
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Administrative appeal of liens26 U.S.C. § 6326
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Expenses of detection of underpayments and fraud, etc.26 U.S.C. § 7623
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Information concerning resident status26 U.S.C. § 6039E
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Identifying numbers26 U.S.C. § 6109
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Administrative adjustment request by partnership26 U.S.C. § 6227
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Authority to make credits or refunds26 U.S.C. § 6402
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Judicial review of partnership adjustment26 U.S.C. § 6234
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Failure to file notice of redetermination of foreign tax26 U.S.C. § 6689
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Income from discharge of indebtedness26 U.S.C. § 108
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Records maintained on individuals5 U.S.C. § 552a