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Public Law 116-25, Taxpayer First Act (July 1, 2019), GovInfo PLAW-116publ25

Summary

Public Law 116-25, the Taxpayer First Act (H.R. 3151), was approved July 1, 2019 and printed at 133 Stat. 981. Title I, Putting Taxpayers First, establishes the Internal Revenue Service Independent Office of Appeals under a Chief of Appeals who reports to the Commissioner, to resolve federal tax controversies without litigation, and adds provisions on customer service and enforcement. Title II, 21st Century IRS, addresses cybersecurity and identity protection, including a public-private partnership against identity theft refund fraud. Title III includes a bar on rehiring IRS employees involuntarily separated for misconduct.

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Full text

                                                                                       PUBLIC LAW 116–25—JULY 1, 2019                                                  133 STAT. 981




                                                                   Public Law 116–25
                                                                   116th Congress
                                                                                                                An Act
                                                                    To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modernize and improve the Internal                       July 1, 2019
                                                                                        Revenue Service, and for other purposes.                                           [H.R. 3151]
                                                                       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
                                                                   the United States of America in Congress assembled,                                                   Taxpayer First
                                                                                                                                                                         Act.
                                                                   SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; ETC.
                                                                        (a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Taxpayer                                         26 USC 1 note.
                                                                   First Act’’.
                                                                        (b) AMENDMENT OF 1986 CODE.—Except as otherwise expressly
                                                                   provided, whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed
                                                                   in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other
                                                                   provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section
                                                                   or other provision of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
                                                                        (c) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for this Act
                                                                   is as follows:
                                                                   Sec. 1. Short title; etc.
                                                                                             TITLE I—PUTTING TAXPAYERS FIRST
                                                                                       Subtitle A—Independent Appeals Process
                                                                   Sec. 1001. Establishment of Internal Revenue Service Independent Office of Ap-
                                                                              peals.
                                                                                             Subtitle B—Improved Service
                                                                   Sec. 1101. Comprehensive customer service strategy.
                                                                   Sec. 1102. Low-income exception for payments otherwise required in connection
                                                                              with a submission of an offer-in-compromise.
                                                                                             Subtitle C—Sensible Enforcement
                                                                   Sec. 1201. Internal Revenue Service seizure requirements with respect to struc-
                                                                              turing transactions.
                                                                   Sec. 1202. Exclusion of interest received in action to recover property seized by the
                                                                              Internal Revenue Service based on structuring transaction.
                                                                   Sec. 1203. Clarification of equitable relief from joint liability.
                                                                   Sec. 1204. Modification of procedures for issuance of third-party summons.
                                                                   Sec. 1205. Private debt collection and special compliance personnel program.
                                                                   Sec. 1206. Reform of notice of contact of third parties.
                                                                   Sec. 1207. Modification of authority to issue designated summons.
                                                                   Sec. 1208. Limitation on access of non-Internal Revenue Service employees to re-
                                                                              turns and return information.
                                                                                         Subtitle D—Organizational Modernization
                                                                   Sec. 1301. Office of the National Taxpayer Advocate.
                                                                   Sec. 1302. Modernization of Internal Revenue Service organizational structure.
                                                                                               Subtitle E—Other Provisions
                                                                   Sec. 1401. Return preparation programs for applicable taxpayers.




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                                                                   Sec. 1402. Provision of information regarding low-income taxpayer clinics.
                                                                   Sec. 1403. Notice from IRS regarding closure of taxpayer assistance centers.




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                                                                   133 STAT. 982                              PUBLIC LAW 116–25—JULY 1, 2019
                                                                                           Sec. 1404. Rules for seizure and sale of perishable goods restricted to only perish-
                                                                                                      able goods.
                                                                                           Sec. 1405. Whistleblower reforms.
                                                                                           Sec. 1406. Customer service information.
                                                                                           Sec. 1407. Misdirected tax refund deposits.
                                                                                                                          TITLE II—21ST CENTURY IRS
                                                                                                               Subtitle A—Cybersecurity and Identity Protection
                                                                                           Sec. 2001. Public-private partnership to address identity theft refund fraud.
                                                                                           Sec. 2002. Recommendations of Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee
                                                                                                      regarding identity theft refund fraud.
                                                                                           Sec. 2003. Information sharing and analysis center.
                                                                                           Sec. 2004. Compliance by contractors with confidentiality safeguards.
                                                                                           Sec. 2005. Identity protection personal identification numbers.
                                                                                           Sec. 2006. Single point of contact for tax-related identity theft victims.
                                                                                           Sec. 2007. Notification of suspected identity theft.
                                                                                           Sec. 2008. Guidelines for stolen identity refund fraud cases.
                                                                                           Sec. 2009. Increased penalty for improper disclosure or use of information by pre-
                                                                                                      parers of returns.
                                                                                                              Subtitle B—Development of Information Technology
                                                                                           Sec. 2101. Management of Internal Revenue Service information technology.
                                                                                           Sec. 2102. Internet platform for Form 1099 filings.
                                                                                           Sec. 2103. Streamlined critical pay authority for information technology positions.
                                                                                                  Subtitle C—Modernization of Consent-Based Income Verification System
                                                                                           Sec. 2201. Disclosure of taxpayer information for third-party income verification.
                                                                                           Sec. 2202. Limit redisclosures and uses of consent-based disclosures of tax return
                                                                                                      information.
                                                                                                                Subtitle D—Expanded Use of Electronic Systems
                                                                                           Sec. 2301. Electronic filing of returns.
                                                                                           Sec. 2302. Uniform standards for the use of electronic signatures for disclosure au-
                                                                                                      thorizations to, and other authorizations of, practitioners.
                                                                                           Sec. 2303. Payment of taxes by debit and credit cards.
                                                                                           Sec. 2304. Authentication of users of electronic services accounts.
                                                                                                                            Subtitle E—Other Provisions
                                                                                           Sec. 2401. Repeal of provision regarding certain tax compliance procedures and re-
                                                                                                      ports.
                                                                                           Sec. 2402. Comprehensive training strategy.
                                                                                                                 TITLE III—MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
                                                                                                 Subtitle A—Reform of Laws Governing Internal Revenue Service Employees
                                                                                           Sec. 3001. Prohibition on rehiring any employee of the Internal Revenue Service
                                                                                                      who was involuntarily separated from service for misconduct.
                                                                                           Sec. 3002. Notification of unauthorized inspection or disclosure of returns and re-
                                                                                                      turn information.
                                                                                                            Subtitle B—Provisions Relating to Exempt Organizations
                                                                                           Sec. 3101. Mandatory e-filing by exempt organizations.
                                                                                           Sec. 3102. Notice required before revocation of tax-exempt status for failure to file
                                                                                                      return.
                                                                                                                           Subtitle C—Revenue Provision
                                                                                           Sec. 3201. Increase in penalty for failure to file.




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                                                                                                                        TITLE IV—BUDGETARY EFFECTS
                                                                                           Sec. 4001. Determination of budgetary effects.




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                                                                                       PUBLIC LAW 116–25—JULY 1, 2019                                                  133 STAT. 983

                                                                       TITLE I—PUTTING TAXPAYERS FIRST
                                                                     Subtitle A—Independent Appeals Process
                                                                   SEC. 1001. ESTABLISHMENT OF INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE INDE-
                                                                               PENDENT OFFICE OF APPEALS.
                                                                       (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 7803 is amended by adding at the                                          26 USC 7803.
                                                                   end the following new subsection:
                                                                       ‘‘(e) INDEPENDENT OFFICE OF APPEALS.—
                                                                             ‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in the Internal
                                                                       Revenue Service an office to be known as the ‘Internal Revenue
                                                                       Service Independent Office of Appeals’.
                                                                             ‘‘(2) CHIEF OF APPEALS.—
                                                                                   ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Internal Revenue Service Inde-
                                                                             pendent Office of Appeals shall be under the supervision
                                                                             and direction of an official to be known as the ‘Chief of
                                                                             Appeals’. The Chief of Appeals shall report directly to the
                                                                             Commissioner of Internal Revenue and shall be entitled
                                                                             to compensation at the same rate as the highest rate of
                                                                             basic pay established for the Senior Executive Service
                                                                             under section 5382 of title 5, United States Code.
                                                                                   ‘‘(B) APPOINTMENT.—The Chief of Appeals shall be
                                                                             appointed by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue with-
                                                                             out regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code,
                                                                             relating to appointments in the competitive service or the
                                                                             Senior Executive Service.
                                                                                   ‘‘(C) QUALIFICATIONS.—An individual appointed under
                                                                             subparagraph (B) shall have experience and expertise in—
                                                                                         ‘‘(i) administration of, and compliance with, Fed-
                                                                                   eral tax laws,
                                                                                         ‘‘(ii) a broad range of compliance cases, and
                                                                                         ‘‘(iii) management of large service organizations.
                                                                             ‘‘(3) PURPOSES AND DUTIES OF OFFICE.—It shall be the
                                                                       function of the Internal Revenue Service Independent Office
                                                                       of Appeals to resolve Federal tax controversies without litiga-
                                                                       tion on a basis which—
                                                                                   ‘‘(A) is fair and impartial to both the Government and
                                                                             the taxpayer,
                                                                                   ‘‘(B) promotes a consistent application and interpreta-
                                                                             tion of, and voluntary compliance with, the Federal tax
                                                                             laws, and
                                                                                   ‘‘(C) enhances public confidence in the integrity and
                                                                             efficiency of the Internal Revenue Service.
                                                                             ‘‘(4) RIGHT OF APPEAL.—The resolution process described
                                                                       in paragraph (3) shall be generally available to all taxpayers.
                                                                             ‘‘(5) LIMITATION ON DESIGNATION OF CASES AS NOT ELIGIBLE
                                                                       FOR REFERRAL TO INDEPENDENT OFFICE OF APPEALS.—
                                                                                   ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—If any taxpayer which is in receipt                                 Notice.
                                                                             of a notice of deficiency authorized under section 6212
                                                                             requests referral to the Internal Revenue Service Inde-
                                                                             pendent Office of Appeals and such request is denied, the
                                                                             Commissioner of Internal Revenue shall provide such tax-
                                                                             payer a written notice which—




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                                                                                         ‘‘(i) provides a detailed description of the facts
                                                                                   involved, the basis for the decision to deny the request,




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                                                                   133 STAT. 984                              PUBLIC LAW 116–25—JULY 1, 2019

                                                                                                             and a detailed explanation of how the basis of such
                                                                                                             decision applies to such facts, and
                                                                                                                  ‘‘(ii) describes the procedures prescribed under
                                                                                                             subparagraph (C) for protesting the decision to deny
                                                                                                             the request.
                                                                                                             ‘‘(B) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—The Commissioner of
                                                                                                       Internal Revenue shall submit a written report to Congress
                                                                                                       on an annual basis which includes the number of requests
                                                                                                       described in subparagraph (A) which were denied and the
                                                                                                       reasons (described by category) that such requests were
                                                                                                       denied.
                                                                                                             ‘‘(C) PROCEDURES FOR PROTESTING DENIAL OF
                                                                                                       REQUEST.—The Commissioner of Internal Revenue shall
                                                                                                       prescribe procedures for protesting to the Commissioner
                                                                                                       of Internal Revenue a denial of a request described in
                                                                                                       subparagraph (A).
                                                                                                             ‘‘(D) NOT APPLICABLE TO FRIVOLOUS POSITIONS.—This
                                                                                                       paragraph shall not apply to a request for referral to the
                                                                                                       Internal Revenue Service Independent Office of Appeals
                                                                                                       which is denied on the basis that the issue involved is
                                                                                                       a frivolous position (within the meaning of section 6702(c)).
                                                                                                       ‘‘(6) STAFF.—
                                                                                                             ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—All personnel in the Internal Rev-
                                                                                                       enue Service Independent Office of Appeals shall report
                                                                                                       to the Chief of Appeals.
                                                                                                             ‘‘(B) ACCESS TO STAFF OF OFFICE OF THE CHIEF
                                                                                                       COUNSEL.—The Chief of Appeals shall have authority to
                                                                                                       obtain legal assistance and advice from the staff of the
                                                                                                       Office of the Chief Counsel. The Chief Counsel shall ensure,
                                                                                                       to the extent practicable, that such assistance and advice
                                                                                                       is provided by staff of the Office of the Chief Counsel
                                                                                                       who were not involved in the case with respect to which
                                                                                                       such assistance and advice is sought and who are not
                                                                                                       involved in preparing such case for litigation.
                                                                                                       ‘‘(7) ACCESS TO CASE FILES.—
                                                                   Deadline.                                 ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—In any case in which a conference
                                                                                                       with the Internal Revenue Service Independent Office of
                                                                                                       Appeals has been scheduled upon request of a specified
                                                                                                       taxpayer, the Chief of Appeals shall ensure that such tax-
                                                                                                       payer is provided access to the nonprivileged portions of
                                                                                                       the case file on record regarding the disputed issues (other
                                                                                                       than documents provided by the taxpayer to the Internal
                                                                                                       Revenue Service) not later than 10 days before the date
                                                                                                       of such conference.
                                                                   Applicability.                            ‘‘(B) TAXPAYER ELECTION TO EXPEDITE CONFERENCE.—
                                                                                                       If the taxpayer so elects, subparagraph (A) shall be applied
                                                                                                       by substituting ‘the date of such conference’ for ‘10 days
                                                                                                       before the date of such conference’.
                                                                                                             ‘‘(C) SPECIFIED TAXPAYER.—For purposes of this para-
                                                                                                       graph—
                                                                   Definition.                                    ‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘specified taxpayer’
                                                                                                             means—
                                                                                                                        ‘‘(I) in the case of any taxpayer who is a nat-
                                                                                                                  ural person, a taxpayer whose adjusted gross




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                                                                                                                  income does not exceed $400,000 for the taxable
                                                                                                                  year to which the dispute relates, and




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                                                                                       PUBLIC LAW 116–25—JULY 1, 2019                                                  133 STAT. 985

                                                                                             ‘‘(II) in the case of any other taxpayer, a tax-
                                                                                       payer whose gross receipts do not exceed $5 million
                                                                                       for the taxable year to which the dispute relates.
                                                                                       ‘‘(ii) AGGREGATION RULE.—Rules similar to the                                     Applicability.
                                                                                  rules of section 448(c)(2) shall apply for purposes of
                                                                                  clause (i)(II).’’.
                                                                        (b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—
                                                                             (1) The following provisions are each amended by striking
                                                                        ‘‘Internal Revenue Service Office of Appeals’’ and inserting
                                                                        ‘‘Internal Revenue Service Independent Office of Appeals’’:
                                                                                  (A) Section 6015(c)(4)(B)(ii)(I).                                                      26 USC 6015.
                                                                                  (B) Section 6320(b)(1).
                                                                                  (C) Subsections (b)(1) and (d)(3) of section 6330.
                                                                                  (D) Section 6603(d)(3)(B).
                                                                                  (E) Section 6621(c)(2)(A)(i).
                                                                                  (F) Section 7122(e)(2).
                                                                                  (G) Subsections (a), (b)(1), (b)(2), and (c)(1) of section
                                                                             7123.
                                                                                  (H) Subsections (c)(7)(B)(i) and (g)(2)(A) of section 7430.
                                                                                  (I) Section 7522(b)(3).
                                                                                  (J) Section 7612(c)(2)(A).
                                                                             (2) Section 7430(c)(2) is amended by striking ‘‘Internal Rev-
                                                                        enue Service Office of Appeals’’ each place it appears and
                                                                        inserting ‘‘Internal Revenue Service Independent Office of
                                                                        Appeals’’.
                                                                             (3) The heading of section 6330(d)(3) is amended by
                                                                        inserting ‘‘INDEPENDENT’’ after ‘‘IRS’’.
                                                                        (c) OTHER REFERENCES.—Any reference in any provision of                                          26 USC 7803
                                                                   law, or regulation or other guidance, to the Internal Revenue Service                                 note.
                                                                   Office of Appeals shall be treated as a reference to the Internal
                                                                   Revenue Service Independent Office of Appeals.
                                                                        (d) SAVINGS PROVISIONS.—Rules similar to the rules of para-                                      Applicability.
                                                                   graphs (2) through (6) of section 1001(b) of the Internal Revenue                                     26 USC 7803
                                                                   Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998 shall apply for pur-                                     note.
                                                                   poses of this section (and the amendments made by this section).
                                                                        (e) EFFECTIVE DATE.—                                                                             26 USC 7803
                                                                             (1) IN GENERAL.—Except as otherwise provided in this sub-                                   note.
                                                                        section, the amendments made by this section shall take effect
                                                                        on the date of the enactment of this Act.
                                                                             (2) ACCESS TO CASE FILES.—Section 7803(e)(7) of the                                         Applicability.
                                                                        Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as added by subsection (a),                                       Time period.
                                                                        shall apply to conferences occurring after the date which is
                                                                        1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

                                                                                    Subtitle B—Improved Service
                                                                   SEC. 1101. COMPREHENSIVE CUSTOMER SERVICE STRATEGY.                                                   26 USC 7804
                                                                                                                                                                         note.
                                                                        (a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than the date which is 1 year                                          Deadline.
                                                                   after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the
                                                                   Treasury (or the Secretary’s delegate) shall submit to Congress
                                                                   a written comprehensive customer service strategy for the Internal
                                                                   Revenue Service. Such strategy shall include—
                                                                            (1) a plan to provide assistance to taxpayers that is secure,                                Plan.




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                                                                        designed to meet reasonable taxpayer expectations, and adopts
                                                                        appropriate best practices of customer service provided in the




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                                                                   133 STAT. 986                              PUBLIC LAW 116–25—JULY 1, 2019

                                                                                               private sector, including online services, telephone call back
                                                                                               services, and training of employees providing customer services;
                                                                   Assessment.                      (2) a thorough assessment of the services that the Internal
                                                                                               Revenue Service can co-locate with other Federal services or
                                                                                               offer as self-service options;
                                                                   Proposals.                       (3) proposals to improve Internal Revenue Service customer
                                                                   Time periods.               service in the short term (the current and following fiscal
                                                                                               year), medium term (approximately 3 to 5 fiscal years), and
                                                                                               long term (approximately 10 fiscal years);
                                                                   Plan.                            (4) a plan to update guidance and training materials for
                                                                                               customer service employees of the Internal Revenue Service,
                                                                                               including the Internal Revenue Manual, to reflect such strategy;
                                                                                               and
                                                                                                    (5) identified metrics and benchmarks for quantitatively
                                                                                               measuring the progress of the Internal Revenue Service in
                                                                                               implementing such strategy.
                                                                   Deadline.                   (b) UPDATED GUIDANCE AND TRAINING MATERIALS.—Not later
                                                                                           than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the
                                                                                           Secretary of the Treasury (or the Secretary’s delegate) shall make
                                                                                           available the updated guidance and training materials described
                                                                                           in subsection (a)(4) (including the Internal Revenue Manual). Such
                                                                                           updated guidance and training materials (including the Internal
                                                                                           Revenue Manual) shall be written in a manner so as to be easily
                                                                                           understood by customer service employees of the Internal Revenue
                                                                                           Service and shall provide clear instructions.
                                                                                           SEC. 1102. LOW-INCOME EXCEPTION FOR PAYMENTS OTHERWISE
                                                                                                      REQUIRED IN CONNECTION WITH A SUBMISSION OF AN
                                                                                                      OFFER-IN-COMPROMISE.
                                                                   26 USC 7122.                (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 7122(c) is amended by adding at
                                                                                           the end the following new paragraph:
                                                                                                    ‘‘(3) EXCEPTION FOR LOW-INCOME TAXPAYERS.—Paragraph
                                                                                               (1), and any user fee otherwise required in connection with
                                                                                               the submission of an offer-in-compromise, shall not apply to
                                                                                               any offer-in-compromise with respect to a taxpayer who is
                                                                                               an individual with adjusted gross income, as determined for
                                                                                               the most recent taxable year for which such information is
                                                                                               available, which does not exceed 250 percent of the applicable
                                                                                               poverty level (as determined by the Secretary).’’.
                                                                   26 USC 122 note.            (b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by this section
                                                                                           shall apply to offers-in-compromise submitted after the date of
                                                                                           the enactment of this Act.

                                                                                                      Subtitle C—Sensible Enforcement
                                                                                           SEC. 1201. INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE SEIZURE REQUIREMENTS
                                                                                                       WITH RESPECT TO STRUCTURING TRANSACTIONS.
                                                                                                  Section 5317(c)(2) of title 31, United States Code, is amended—
                                                                                                      (1) by striking ‘‘Any property’’ and inserting the following:
                                                                                                           ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Any property’’; and
                                                                                                      (2) by adding at the end the following:
                                                                                                           ‘‘(B) INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE SEIZURE REQUIRE-
                                                                                                      MENTS WITH RESPECT TO STRUCTURING TRANSACTIONS.—
                                                                                                                 ‘‘(i) PROPERTY DERIVED FROM AN ILLEGAL SOURCE.—




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                                                                                                           Property may only be seized by the Internal Revenue
                                                                                                           Service pursuant to subparagraph (A) by reason of




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                                                                                       PUBLIC LAW 116–25—JULY 1, 2019                                                  133 STAT. 987

                                                                                       a claimed violation of section 5324 if the property
                                                                                       to be seized was derived from an illegal source or
                                                                                       the funds were structured for the purpose of concealing
                                                                                       the violation of a criminal law or regulation other
                                                                                       than section 5324.
                                                                                             ‘‘(ii) NOTICE.—Not later than 30 days after prop-                           Deadline.
                                                                                       erty is seized by the Internal Revenue Service pursuant
                                                                                       to subparagraph (A), the Internal Revenue Service
                                                                                       shall—
                                                                                                    ‘‘(I) make a good faith effort to find all persons
                                                                                             with an ownership interest in such property; and
                                                                                                    ‘‘(II) provide each such person so found with
                                                                                             a notice of the seizure and of the person’s rights
                                                                                             under clause (iv).
                                                                                             ‘‘(iii) EXTENSION OF NOTICE UNDER CERTAIN CIR-
                                                                                       CUMSTANCES.—The Internal Revenue Service may
                                                                                       apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for one 30-
                                                                                       day extension of the notice requirement under clause
                                                                                       (ii) if the Internal Revenue Service can establish prob-
                                                                                       able cause of an imminent threat to national security
                                                                                       or personal safety necessitating such extension.
                                                                                             ‘‘(iv) POST-SEIZURE HEARING.—If a person with an                            Time period.
                                                                                       ownership interest in property seized pursuant to
                                                                                       subparagraph (A) by the Internal Revenue Service
                                                                                       requests a hearing by a court of competent jurisdiction
                                                                                       within 30 days after the date on which notice is pro-
                                                                                       vided under subclause (ii), such property shall be
                                                                                       returned unless the court holds an adversarial hearing
                                                                                       and finds within 30 days of such request (or such
                                                                                       longer period as the court may provide, but only on
                                                                                       request of an interested party) that there is probable
                                                                                       cause to believe that there is a violation of section
                                                                                       5324 involving such property and probable cause to
                                                                                       believe that the property to be seized was derived
                                                                                       from an illegal source or the funds were structured
                                                                                       for the purpose of concealing the violation of a criminal
                                                                                       law or regulation other than section 5324.’’.
                                                                   SEC. 1202. EXCLUSION OF INTEREST RECEIVED IN ACTION TO
                                                                              RECOVER PROPERTY SEIZED BY THE INTERNAL REVENUE
                                                                              SERVICE BASED ON STRUCTURING TRANSACTION.
                                                                      (a) IN GENERAL.—Part III of subchapter B of chapter 1 is
                                                                   amended by inserting before section 140 the following new section:
                                                                   ‘‘SEC. 139H. INTEREST RECEIVED IN ACTION TO RECOVER PROPERTY                                          26 USC 139H.
                                                                                 SEIZED BY THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE BASED ON
                                                                                 STRUCTURING TRANSACTION.
                                                                        ‘‘Gross income shall not include any interest received from
                                                                   the Federal Government in connection with an action to recover
                                                                   property seized by the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to section
                                                                   5317(c)(2) of title 31, United States Code, by reason of a claimed
                                                                   violation of section 5324 of such title.’’.




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                                                                   133 STAT. 988                              PUBLIC LAW 116–25—JULY 1, 2019

                                                                                               (b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections for part III
                                                                   26 USC 101 prec.        of subchapter B of chapter 1 is amended by inserting before the
                                                                                           item relating to section 140 the following new item:
                                                                                           ‘‘Sec. 139H. Interest received in action to recover property seized by the Internal
                                                                                                       Revenue Service based on structuring transaction.’’.
                                                                   26 USC 139H                  (c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section
                                                                   note.                   shall apply to interest received on or after the date of the enactment
                                                                                           of this Act.
                                                                                           SEC. 1203. CLARIFICATION OF EQUITABLE RELIEF FROM JOINT
                                                                                                      LIABILITY.
                                                                   26 USC 6015.                (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 6015 is amended—
                                                                                                     (1) in subsection (e), by adding at the end the following
                                                                                               new paragraph:
                                                                                                     ‘‘(7) STANDARD AND SCOPE OF REVIEW.—Any review of a
                                                                                               determination made under this section shall be reviewed de
                                                                                               novo by the Tax Court and shall be based upon—
                                                                                                           ‘‘(A) the administrative record established at the time
                                                                                                     of the determination, and
                                                                                                           ‘‘(B) any additional newly discovered or previously
                                                                                                     unavailable evidence.’’; and
                                                                                                     (2) by amending subsection (f) to read as follows:
                                                                                               ‘‘(f) EQUITABLE RELIEF.—
                                                                                                     ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Under procedures prescribed by the Sec-
                                                                                               retary, if—
                                                                                                           ‘‘(A) taking into account all the facts and cir-
                                                                                                     cumstances, it is inequitable to hold the individual liable
                                                                                                     for any unpaid tax or any deficiency (or any portion of
                                                                                                     either), and
                                                                                                           ‘‘(B) relief is not available to such individual under
                                                                                                     subsection (b) or (c),
                                                                                               the Secretary may relieve such individual of such liability.
                                                                                                     ‘‘(2) LIMITATION.—A request for equitable relief under this
                                                                                               subsection may be made with respect to any portion of any
                                                                                               liability that—
                                                                                                           ‘‘(A) has not been paid, provided that such request
                                                                                                     is made before the expiration of the applicable period of
                                                                                                     limitation under section 6502, or
                                                                                                           ‘‘(B) has been paid, provided that such request is made
                                                                                                     during the period in which the individual could submit
                                                                                                     a timely claim for refund or credit of such payment.’’.
                                                                   26 USC 6015                 (b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section
                                                                   note.                   shall apply to petitions or requests filed or pending on or after
                                                                                           the date of the enactment of this Act.
                                                                                           SEC. 1204. MODIFICATION OF PROCEDURES FOR ISSUANCE OF THIRD-
                                                                                                       PARTY SUMMONS.
                                                                                                (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 7609(f) is amended by adding at
                                                                                           the end the following flush sentence:
                                                                                           ‘‘The Secretary shall not issue any summons described in the pre-
                                                                                           ceding sentence unless the information sought to be obtained is
                                                                                           narrowly tailored to information that pertains to the failure (or
                                                                                           potential failure) of the person or group or class of persons referred
                                                                                           to in paragraph (2) to comply with one or more provisions of




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                                                                                           the internal revenue law which have been identified for purposes
                                                                                           of such paragraph.’’.




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                                                                                       PUBLIC LAW 116–25—JULY 1, 2019                                                  133 STAT. 989

                                                                        (b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section                                          Applicability.
                                                                   shall apply to summonses served after the date that is 45 days                                        Time period.
                                                                                                                                                                         26 USC 7609.
                                                                   after the date of the enactment of this Act.
                                                                   SEC. 1205. PRIVATE DEBT COLLECTION AND SPECIAL COMPLIANCE
                                                                               PERSONNEL PROGRAM.
                                                                       (a) CERTAIN TAX RECEIVABLES NOT ELIGIBLE FOR COLLECTION
                                                                   UNDER TAX COLLECTION CONTRACTS.—Section 6306(d)(3) is                                                 26 USC 6306.
                                                                   amended by striking ‘‘or’’ at the end of subparagraph (C) and
                                                                   by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following new subpara-
                                                                   graphs:
                                                                                 ‘‘(E) a taxpayer substantially all of whose income con-
                                                                            sists of disability insurance benefits under section 223 of
                                                                            the Social Security Act or supplemental security income
                                                                            benefits under title XVI of the Social Security Act (including
                                                                            supplemental security income benefits of the type described
                                                                            in section 1616 of such Act or section 212 of Public Law
                                                                            93–66), or
                                                                                 ‘‘(F) a taxpayer who is an individual with adjusted
                                                                            gross income, as determined for the most recent taxable
                                                                            year for which such information is available, which does
                                                                            not exceed 200 percent of the applicable poverty level (as
                                                                            determined by the Secretary),’’.
                                                                       (b) DETERMINATION OF INACTIVE TAX RECEIVABLES ELIGIBLE
                                                                   FOR COLLECTION UNDER TAX COLLECTION CONTRACTS.—Section
                                                                   6306(c)(2)(A)(ii) is amended by striking ‘‘more than 1⁄3 of the period
                                                                   of the applicable statute of limitation has lapsed’’ and inserting
                                                                   ‘‘more than 2 years has passed since assessment’’.
                                                                       (c) MAXIMUM LENGTH OF INSTALLMENT AGREEMENTS OFFERED
                                                                   UNDER TAX COLLECTION CONTRACTS.—Section 6306(b)(1)(B) is
                                                                   amended by striking ‘‘5 years’’ and inserting ‘‘7 years’’.
                                                                       (d) CLARIFICATION THAT SPECIAL COMPLIANCE PERSONNEL PRO-
                                                                   GRAM ACCOUNT MAY BE USED FOR PROGRAM COSTS.—
                                                                            (1) IN GENERAL.—Section 6307(b) is amended—
                                                                                 (A) in paragraph (2), by striking all that follows ‘‘under
                                                                            such program’’ and inserting a period, and
                                                                                 (B) in paragraph (3), by striking all that follows ‘‘out
                                                                            of such account’’ and inserting ‘‘for other than program
                                                                            costs.’’.
                                                                            (2) COMMUNICATIONS, SOFTWARE, AND TECHNOLOGY COSTS
                                                                       TREATED AS PROGRAM COSTS.—Section 6307(d)(2)(B) is amended
                                                                       by striking ‘‘telecommunications’’ and inserting ‘‘communica-
                                                                       tions, software, technology’’.
                                                                            (3) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 6307(d)(2) is
                                                                       amended by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of subparagraph (A),
                                                                       by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (B) and
                                                                       inserting ‘‘, and’’, and by inserting after subparagraph (B) the
                                                                       following new subparagraph:
                                                                                 ‘‘(C) reimbursement of the Internal Revenue Service
                                                                            or other government agencies for the cost of administering
                                                                            the qualified tax collection program under section 6306.’’.
                                                                       (e) EFFECTIVE DATES.—                                                                             Applicability.
                                                                            (1) IN GENERAL.—Except as otherwise provided in this sub-                                    26 USC 6306
                                                                                                                                                                         note.
                                                                       section, the amendments made by this section shall apply to




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                                                                       tax receivables identified by the Secretary (or the Secretary’s
                                                                       delegate) after December 31, 2020.




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                                                                   133 STAT. 990                              PUBLIC LAW 116–25—JULY 1, 2019

                                                                                                      (2) MAXIMUM LENGTH OF INSTALLMENT AGREEMENTS.—The
                                                                                                  amendment made by subsection (c) shall apply to contracts
                                                                                                  entered into after the date of the enactment of this Act.
                                                                                                      (3) USE OF SPECIAL COMPLIANCE PERSONNEL PROGRAM
                                                                                                  ACCOUNT.—The amendment made by subsection (d) shall apply
                                                                                                  to amounts expended from the special compliance personnel
                                                                                                  program account after the date of the enactment of this Act.
                                                                                           SEC. 1206. REFORM OF NOTICE OF CONTACT OF THIRD PARTIES.
                                                                   26 USC 7602.                 (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 7602(c)(1) is amended to read as
                                                                                           follows:
                                                                   Time period.                      ‘‘(1) GENERAL NOTICE.—An officer or employee of the
                                                                                                Internal Revenue Service may not contact any person other
                                                                                                than the taxpayer with respect to the determination or collec-
                                                                                                tion of the tax liability of such taxpayer unless such contact
                                                                                                occurs during a period (not greater than 1 year) which is
                                                                                                specified in a notice which—
                                                                                                          ‘‘(A) informs the taxpayer that contacts with persons
                                                                                                     other than the taxpayer are intended to be made during
                                                                                                     such period, and
                                                                   Deadline.                              ‘‘(B) except as otherwise provided by the Secretary,
                                                                                                     is provided to the taxpayer not later than 45 days before
                                                                                                     the beginning of such period.
                                                                                                Nothing in the preceding sentence shall prevent the issuance
                                                                                                of notices to the same taxpayer with respect to the same tax
                                                                                                liability with periods specified therein that, in the aggregate,
                                                                                                exceed 1 year. A notice shall not be issued under this paragraph
                                                                                                unless there is an intent at the time such notice is issued
                                                                                                to contact persons other than the taxpayer during the period
                                                                                                specified in such notice. The preceding sentence shall not pre-
                                                                                                vent the issuance of a notice if the requirement of such sentence
                                                                                                is met on the basis of the assumption that the information
                                                                                                sought to be obtained by such contact will not be obtained
                                                                                                by other means before such contact.’’.
                                                                   Applicability.               (b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by this section
                                                                   Time period.            shall apply to notices provided, and contacts of persons made,
                                                                   26 USC 7602
                                                                   note.
                                                                                           after the date which is 45 days after the date of the enactment
                                                                                           of this Act.
                                                                                           SEC. 1207. MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITY TO ISSUE DESIGNATED SUM-
                                                                                                       MONS.
                                                                                                (a) IN GENERAL.—Paragraph (1) of section 6503(j) is amended
                                                                                           by striking ‘‘coordinated examination program’’ and inserting
                                                                                           ‘‘coordinated industry case program’’.
                                                                                                (b) REQUIREMENTS FOR SUMMONS.—Clause (i) of section
                                                                                           6503(j)(2)(A) is amended to read as follows:
                                                                                                              ‘‘(i) the issuance of such summons is preceded by
                                                                                                         a review and written approval of such issuance by
                                                                                                         the Commissioner of the relevant operating division
                                                                                                         of the Internal Revenue Service and the Chief Counsel
                                                                                                         which—
                                                                                                                    ‘‘(I) states facts clearly establishing that the
                                                                                                              Secretary has made reasonable requests for the
                                                                                                              information that is the subject of the summons,




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                                                                                                              and
                                                                                                                    ‘‘(II) is attached to such summons,’’.




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                                                                                       PUBLIC LAW 116–25—JULY 1, 2019                                                  133 STAT. 991

                                                                       (c) ESTABLISHMENT THAT REASONABLE REQUESTS FOR INFORMA-
                                                                   TION WERE MADE.—Subsection (j) of section 6503 is amended by                                          26 USC 6503.
                                                                   adding at the end the following new paragraph:
                                                                             ‘‘(4) ESTABLISHMENT THAT REASONABLE REQUESTS FOR
                                                                        INFORMATION WERE MADE.—In any court proceeding described
                                                                        in paragraph (3), the Secretary shall establish that reasonable
                                                                        requests were made for the information that is the subject
                                                                        of the summons.’’.
                                                                        (d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section                                          Applicability.
                                                                   shall apply to summonses issued after the date which is 45 days                                       Time period.
                                                                   after the date of the enactment of this Act.                                                          26 USC 6503
                                                                                                                                                                         note.
                                                                   SEC. 1208. LIMITATION ON ACCESS OF NON-INTERNAL REVENUE
                                                                              SERVICE EMPLOYEES TO RETURNS AND RETURN
                                                                              INFORMATION.
                                                                       (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 7602 is amended by adding at the
                                                                   end the following new subsection:
                                                                       ‘‘(f) LIMITATION ON ACCESS OF PERSONS OTHER THAN INTERNAL
                                                                   REVENUE SERVICE OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES.—The Secretary shall
                                                                   not, under the authority of section 6103(n), provide any books,
                                                                   papers, records, or other data obtained pursuant to this section
                                                                   to any person authorized under section 6103(n), except when such
                                                                   person requires such information for the sole purpose of providing
                                                                   expert evaluation and assistance to the Internal Revenue Service.
                                                                   No person other than an officer or employee of the Internal Revenue
                                                                   Service or the Office of Chief Counsel may, on behalf of the Sec-
                                                                   retary, question a witness under oath whose testimony was obtained
                                                                   pursuant to this section.’’.
                                                                       (b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by this section—                                           26 USC 7602
                                                                             (1) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this                                  note.
                                                                       Act; and
                                                                             (2) shall not fail to apply to a contract in effect under                                   Applicability.
                                                                       section 6103(n) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 merely
                                                                       because such contract was in effect before the date of the
                                                                       enactment of this Act.

                                                                    Subtitle D—Organizational Modernization
                                                                   SEC. 1301. OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL TAXPAYER ADVOCATE.
                                                                          (a) TAXPAYER ADVOCATE DIRECTIVES.—
                                                                               (1) IN GENERAL.—Section 7803(c) is amended by adding
                                                                          at the end the following new paragraph:
                                                                               ‘‘(5) TAXPAYER ADVOCATE DIRECTIVES.—In the case of any                                    Deadlines.
                                                                          Taxpayer Advocate Directive issued by the National Taxpayer
                                                                          Advocate pursuant to a delegation of authority from the
                                                                          Commissioner of Internal Revenue—
                                                                                     ‘‘(A) the Commissioner or a Deputy Commissioner shall
                                                                               modify, rescind, or ensure compliance with such directive
                                                                               not later than 90 days after the issuance of such directive,
                                                                               and
                                                                                     ‘‘(B) in the case of any directive which is modified
                                                                               or rescinded by a Deputy Commissioner, the National Tax-
                                                                               payer Advocate may (not later than 90 days after such
                                                                               modification or rescission) appeal to the Commissioner,




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                                                                               and the Commissioner shall (not later than 90 days after
                                                                               such appeal is made) ensure compliance with such directive




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                                                                   133 STAT. 992                              PUBLIC LAW 116–25—JULY 1, 2019

                                                                                                     as issued by the National Taxpayer Advocate or provide
                                                                                                     the National Taxpayer Advocate with the reasons for any
                                                                                                     modification or rescission made or upheld by the Commis-
                                                                                                     sioner pursuant to such appeal.’’.
                                                                                                     (2) REPORT TO CERTAIN COMMITTEES OF CONGRESS
                                                                   26 USC 7803.                 REGARDING DIRECTIVES.—Section 7803(c)(2)(B)(ii) is amended
                                                                                                by redesignating subclauses (VIII) through (XI) as subclauses
                                                                                                (IX) through (XII), respectively, and by inserting after subclause
                                                                                                (VII) the following new subclause:
                                                                                                                    ‘‘(VIII) identify any Taxpayer Advocate Direc-
                                                                                                               tive which was not honored by the Internal Rev-
                                                                                                               enue Service in a timely manner, as specified
                                                                                                               under paragraph (5);’’.
                                                                                                (b) NATIONAL TAXPAYER ADVOCATE ANNUAL REPORTS TO CON-
                                                                                           GRESS.—
                                                                                                     (1) INCLUSION OF MOST SERIOUS TAXPAYER PROBLEMS.—
                                                                                                Section 7803(c)(2)(B)(ii)(III) is amended by striking ‘‘at least
                                                                                                20 of the’’ and inserting ‘‘the 10’’.
                                                                                                     (2) COORDINATION WITH TREASURY INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR
                                                                                                TAX ADMINISTRATION.—Section 7803(c)(2) is amended by adding
                                                                                                at the end the following new subparagraph:
                                                                                                          ‘‘(E) COORDINATION WITH TREASURY INSPECTOR GEN-
                                                                                                     ERAL FOR TAX ADMINISTRATION.—Before beginning any
                                                                                                     research or study, the National Taxpayer Advocate shall
                                                                                                     coordinate with the Treasury Inspector General for Tax
                                                                                                     Administration to ensure that the National Taxpayer Advo-
                                                                                                     cate does not duplicate any action that the Treasury
                                                                                                     Inspector General for Tax Administration has already
                                                                                                     undertaken or has a plan to undertake.’’.
                                                                                                     (3) STATISTICAL SUPPORT.—
                                                                                                          (A) IN GENERAL.—Section 6108 is amended by adding
                                                                                                     at the end the following new subsection:
                                                                                                ‘‘(d) STATISTICAL SUPPORT FOR NATIONAL TAXPAYER ADVO-
                                                                                           CATE.—Upon request of the National Taxpayer Advocate, the Sec-
                                                                                           retary shall, to the extent practicable, provide the National Tax-
                                                                                           payer Advocate with statistical support in connection with the
                                                                                           preparation by the National Taxpayer Advocate of the annual report
                                                                                           described in section 7803(c)(2)(B)(ii). Such statistical support shall
                                                                                           include statistical studies, compilations, and the review of informa-
                                                                                           tion provided by the National Taxpayer Advocate for statistical
                                                                                           validity and sound statistical methodology.’’.
                                                                                                          (B) DISCLOSURE OF REVIEW.—Section 7803(c)(2)(B)(ii),
                                                                                                     as amended by subsection (a), is amended by striking ‘‘and’’
                                                                                                     at the end of subclause (XI), by redesignating subclause
                                                                                                     (XII) as subclause (XIII), and by inserting after subclause
                                                                                                     (XI) the following new subclause:
                                                                                                                    ‘‘(XII) with respect to any statistical informa-
                                                                                                               tion included in such report, include a statement
                                                                                                               of whether such statistical information was
                                                                                                               reviewed or provided by the Secretary under sec-
                                                                                                               tion 6108(d) and, if so, whether the Secretary
                                                                                                               determined such information to be statistically
                                                                                                               valid and based on sound statistical methodology;
                                                                                                               and’’.
                                                                                                          (C)           CONFORMING           AMENDMENT.—Section




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                                                                                                     7803(c)(2)(B)(iii) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
                                                                                                     lowing: ‘‘The preceding sentence shall not apply with




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                                                                                       PUBLIC LAW 116–25—JULY 1, 2019                                                  133 STAT. 993

                                                                             respect to statistical information provided to the Secretary
                                                                             for review, or received from the Secretary, under section
                                                                             6108(d).’’.
                                                                        (c) SALARY OF NATIONAL TAXPAYER ADVOCATE.—Section
                                                                   7803(c)(1)(B)(i) is amended by striking ‘‘, or, if the Secretary of                                   26 USC 7803.
                                                                   the Treasury so determines, at a rate fixed under section 9503
                                                                   of such title’’.
                                                                        (d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—                                                                             26 USC 6108
                                                                             (1) IN GENERAL.—Except as otherwise provided in this sub-                                   note.
                                                                        section, the amendments made by this section shall take effect
                                                                        on the date of the enactment of this Act.
                                                                             (2) SALARY OF NATIONAL TAXPAYER ADVOCATE.—The amend-                                        Applicability.
                                                                        ment made by subsection (c) shall apply to compensation paid
                                                                        to individuals appointed as the National Taxpayer Advocate
                                                                        after March 31, 2019.
                                                                   SEC.     1302.     MODERNIZATION OF INTERNAL                            REVENUE         SERVICE       26 USC 7801
                                                                                      ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE.                                                          note.
                                                                        (a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than September 30, 2020, the Sec-                                      Deadline.
                                                                   retary of the Treasury (or the Secretary’s delegate) shall submit                                     Plan.
                                                                   to Congress a comprehensive written plan to redesign the organiza-
                                                                   tion of the Internal Revenue Service. Such plan shall—
                                                                             (1) ensure the successful implementation of the priorities
                                                                        specified by Congress in this Act;
                                                                             (2) prioritize taxpayer services to ensure that all taxpayers
                                                                        easily and readily receive the assistance that they need;
                                                                             (3) streamline the structure of the agency including mini-
                                                                        mizing the duplication of services and responsibilities within
                                                                        the agency;
                                                                             (4) best position the Internal Revenue Service to combat
                                                                        cybersecurity and other threats to the Internal Revenue Service;
                                                                        and
                                                                             (5) address whether the Criminal Investigation Division
                                                                        of the Internal Revenue Service should report directly to the
                                                                        Commissioner of Internal Revenue.
                                                                        (b) REPEAL OF RESTRICTION ON ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
                                                                   OF INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE.—Paragraph (3) of section 1001(a)                                         Termination
                                                                   of the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act                                          date.
                                                                   of 1998 shall cease to apply beginning 1 year after the date on
                                                                   which the plan described in subsection (a) is submitted to Congress.

                                                                                     Subtitle E—Other Provisions
                                                                   SEC. 1401. RETURN PREPARATION PROGRAMS FOR APPLICABLE TAX-
                                                                               PAYERS.
                                                                        (a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 77 is amended by inserting after
                                                                   section 7526 the following new section:
                                                                   ‘‘SEC. 7526A. RETURN PREPARATION PROGRAMS FOR APPLICABLE                                              26 USC 7526A.
                                                                                 TAXPAYERS.
                                                                       ‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE
                                                                   MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM.—The Secretary shall establish a
                                                                   Community Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Matching Grant Pro-
                                                                   gram under which the Secretary may, subject to the availability




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                                                                   of appropriated funds, make grants to provide matching funds for
                                                                   the development, expansion, or continuation of qualified return




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                                                                   133 STAT. 994                              PUBLIC LAW 116–25—JULY 1, 2019

                                                                                           preparation programs assisting applicable taxpayers and members
                                                                                           of underserved populations.
                                                                                               ‘‘(b) USE OF FUNDS.—
                                                                                                     ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Qualified return preparation programs
                                                                                               may use grants received under this section for—
                                                                                                           ‘‘(A) ordinary and necessary costs associated with pro-
                                                                                                     gram operation in accordance with cost principles under
                                                                                                     the applicable Office of Management and Budget circular,
                                                                                                     including—
                                                                                                                 ‘‘(i) wages or salaries of persons coordinating the
                                                                                                           activities of the program,
                                                                                                                 ‘‘(ii) developing training materials, conducting
                                                                                                           training, and performing quality reviews of the returns
                                                                                                           prepared under the program,
                                                                                                                 ‘‘(iii) equipment purchases, and
                                                                                                                 ‘‘(iv) vehicle-related expenses associated with
                                                                                                           remote or rural tax preparation services,
                                                                                                           ‘‘(B) outreach and educational activities described in
                                                                                                     subsection (c)(2)(B), and
                                                                                                           ‘‘(C) services related to financial education and capa-
                                                                                                     bility, asset development, and the establishment of savings
                                                                                                     accounts in connection with tax return preparation.
                                                                                                     ‘‘(2) REQUIREMENT OF MATCHING FUNDS.—A qualified return
                                                                                               preparation program must provide matching funds on a dollar-
                                                                                               for-dollar basis for all grants provided under this section.
                                                                                               Matching funds may include—
                                                                                                           ‘‘(A) the salary (including fringe benefits) of individuals
                                                                                                     performing services for the program,
                                                                                                           ‘‘(B) the cost of equipment used in the program, and
                                                                                                           ‘‘(C) other ordinary and necessary costs associated with
                                                                                                     the program.
                                                                                               Indirect expenses, including general overhead of any entity
                                                                                               administering the program, shall not be counted as matching
                                                                                               funds.
                                                                                               ‘‘(c) APPLICATION.—
                                                                                                     ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Each applicant for a grant under this
                                                                                               section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such
                                                                                               time, in such manner, and containing such information as
                                                                                               the Secretary may reasonably require.
                                                                                                     ‘‘(2) PRIORITY.—In awarding grants under this section, the
                                                                                               Secretary shall give priority to applications which dem-
                                                                                               onstrate—
                                                                                                           ‘‘(A) assistance to applicable taxpayers, with emphasis
                                                                                                     on outreach to, and services for, such taxpayers,
                                                                                                           ‘‘(B) taxpayer outreach and educational activities
                                                                                                     relating to eligibility and availability of income supports
                                                                                                     available through this title, including the earned income
                                                                                                     tax credit, and
                                                                                                           ‘‘(C) specific outreach and focus on one or more under-
                                                                                                     served populations.
                                                                                                     ‘‘(3) AMOUNTS TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.—In determining
                                                                                               matching grants under this section, the Secretary shall only
                                                                                               take into account amounts provided by the qualified return
                                                                                               preparation program for expenses described in subsection (b).
                                                                                               ‘‘(d) PROGRAM ADHERENCE.—




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                                                                   Procedures.                       ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish procedures
                                                                   Time period.                for, and shall conduct not less frequently than once every




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                                                                                       PUBLIC LAW 116–25—JULY 1, 2019                                                  133 STAT. 995

                                                                          5 calendar years during which a qualified return preparation
                                                                          program is operating under a grant under this section, periodic
                                                                          site visits—
                                                                                      ‘‘(A) to ensure the program is carrying out the purposes
                                                                                of this section, and
                                                                                      ‘‘(B) to determine whether the program meets such                                  Determination.
                                                                                program adherence standards as the Secretary shall by
                                                                                regulation or other guidance prescribe.
                                                                                ‘‘(2) ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR GRANT RECIPIENTS NOT
                                                                          MEETING PROGRAM ADHERENCE STANDARDS.—In the case of any
                                                                          qualified return preparation program which—
                                                                                      ‘‘(A) is awarded a grant under this section, and
                                                                                      ‘‘(B) is subsequently determined—
                                                                                            ‘‘(i) not to meet the program adherence standards
                                                                                      described in paragraph (1)(B), or
                                                                                            ‘‘(ii) not to be otherwise carrying out the purposes
                                                                                      of this section,
                                                                          such program shall not be eligible for any additional grants
                                                                          under this section unless such program provides sufficient docu-
                                                                          mentation of corrective measures established to address any
                                                                          such deficiencies determined.
                                                                          ‘‘(e) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this section—
                                                                                ‘‘(1) QUALIFIED RETURN PREPARATION PROGRAM.—The term
                                                                          ‘qualified return preparation program’ means any program—
                                                                                      ‘‘(A) which provides assistance to individuals, not less
                                                                                than 90 percent of whom are applicable taxpayers, in pre-
                                                                                paring and filing Federal income tax returns,
                                                                                      ‘‘(B) which is administered by a qualified entity,
                                                                                      ‘‘(C) in which all volunteers who assist in the prepara-
                                                                                tion of Federal income tax returns meet the training
                                                                                requirements prescribed by the Secretary, and
                                                                                      ‘‘(D) which uses a quality review process which reviews
                                                                                100 percent of all returns.
                                                                                ‘‘(2) QUALIFIED ENTITY.—
                                                                                      ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘qualified entity’ means
                                                                                any entity which—
                                                                                            ‘‘(i) is an eligible organization,
                                                                                            ‘‘(ii) is in compliance with Federal tax filing and
                                                                                      payment requirements,
                                                                                            ‘‘(iii) is not debarred or suspended from Federal
                                                                                      contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements, and
                                                                                            ‘‘(iv) agrees to provide documentation to substan-
                                                                                      tiate any matching funds provided pursuant to the
                                                                                      grant program under this section.
                                                                                      ‘‘(B) ELIGIBLE ORGANIZATION.—The term ‘eligible
                                                                                organization’ means—
                                                                                            ‘‘(i) an institution of higher education which is
                                                                                      described in section 102 (other than subsection (a)(1)(C)
                                                                                      thereof) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
                                                                                      1002), as in effect on the date of the enactment of
                                                                                      this section, and which has not been disqualified from
                                                                                      participating in a program under title IV of such Act,
                                                                                            ‘‘(ii) an organization described in section 501(c)
                                                                                      and exempt from tax under section 501(a),
                                                                                            ‘‘(iii) a local government agency, including—




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                                                                                                   ‘‘(I) a county or municipal government agency,
                                                                                            and




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                                                                   133 STAT. 996                              PUBLIC LAW 116–25—JULY 1, 2019

                                                                                                                           ‘‘(II) an Indian tribe, as defined in section
                                                                                                                     4(13) of the Native American Housing Assistance
                                                                                                                     and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C.
                                                                                                                     4103(13)), including any tribally designated
                                                                                                                     housing entity (as defined in section 4(22) of such
                                                                                                                     Act (25 U.S.C. 4103(22))), tribal subsidiary, sub-
                                                                                                                     division, or other wholly owned tribal entity,
                                                                                                                     ‘‘(iv) a local, State, regional, or national coalition
                                                                                                               (with one lead organization which meets the eligibility
                                                                                                               requirements of clause (i), (ii), or (iii) acting as the
                                                                                                               applicant organization), or
                                                                                                                     ‘‘(v) in the case of applicable taxpayers and mem-
                                                                                                               bers of underserved populations with respect to which
                                                                                                               no organizations described in the preceding clauses
                                                                                                               are available—
                                                                                                                           ‘‘(I) a State government agency, or
                                                                                                                           ‘‘(II) an office providing Cooperative Extension
                                                                                                                     services (as established at the land-grant colleges
                                                                                                                     and universities under the Smith-Lever Act of May
                                                                                                                     8, 1914).
                                                                                                         ‘‘(3) APPLICABLE TAXPAYERS.—The term ‘applicable tax-
                                                                                                  payer’ means a taxpayer whose income for the taxable year
                                                                                                  does not exceed an amount equal to the completed phaseout
                                                                                                  amount under section 32(b) for a married couple filing a joint
                                                                                                  return with three or more qualifying children, as determined
                                                                                                  in a revenue procedure or other published guidance.
                                                                                                         ‘‘(4) UNDERSERVED POPULATION.—The term ‘underserved
                                                                                                  population’ includes populations of persons with disabilities,
                                                                                                  persons with limited English proficiency, Native Americans,
                                                                                                  individuals living in rural areas, members of the Armed Forces
                                                                                                  and their spouses, and the elderly.
                                                                                                  ‘‘(f) SPECIAL RULES AND LIMITATIONS.—
                                                                                                         ‘‘(1) DURATION OF GRANTS.—Upon application of a qualified
                                                                                                  return preparation program, the Secretary is authorized to
                                                                                                  award a multi-year grant not to exceed 3 years.
                                                                                                         ‘‘(2) AGGREGATE LIMITATION.—Unless otherwise provided
                                                                                                  by specific appropriation, the Secretary shall not allocate more
                                                                                                  than $30 million per fiscal year (exclusive of costs of admin-
                                                                                                  istering the program) to grants under this section.
                                                                                                  ‘‘(g) PROMOTION OF PROGRAMS.—
                                                                                                         ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall promote tax prepara-
                                                                                                  tion through qualified return preparation programs through
                                                                                                  the use of mass communications and other means.
                                                                                                         ‘‘(2) PROVISION OF INFORMATION REGARDING QUALIFIED
                                                                                                  RETURN PREPARATION PROGRAMS.—The Secretary may provide
                                                                                                  taxpayers information regarding qualified return preparation
                                                                                                  programs receiving grants under this section.
                                                                                                         ‘‘(3) REFERRALS TO LOW-INCOME TAXPAYER CLINICS.—Quali-
                                                                                                  fied return preparation programs receiving a grant under this
                                                                                                  section are encouraged, in appropriate cases, to—
                                                                                                               ‘‘(A) advise taxpayers of the availability of, and eligi-
                                                                                                         bility requirements for receiving, advice and assistance
                                                                                                         from qualified low-income taxpayer clinics receiving
                                                                                                         funding under section 7526, and




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                                                                                                               ‘‘(B) provide information regarding the location of, and
                                                                                                         contact information for, such clinics.’’.




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                                                                                       PUBLIC LAW 116–25—JULY 1, 2019                                                  133 STAT. 997

                                                                        (b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections for chapter
                                                                   77 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 7526                                    26 USC 7501
                                                                   the following new item:                                                                               prec.

                                                                   ‘‘Sec. 7526A. Return preparation programs for applicable taxpayers.’’.
                                                                   SEC. 1402. PROVISION OF INFORMATION REGARDING LOW-INCOME
                                                                               TAXPAYER CLINICS.
                                                                       (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 7526(c) is amended by adding at
                                                                   the end the following new paragraph:
                                                                            ‘‘(6) PROVISION OF INFORMATION REGARDING QUALIFIED LOW-
                                                                       INCOME TAXPAYER CLINICS.—Notwithstanding any other provi-
                                                                       sion of law, officers and employees of the Department of the
                                                                       Treasury may—
                                                                                  ‘‘(A) advise taxpayers of the availability of, and eligi-
                                                                            bility requirements for receiving, advice and assistance
                                                                            from one or more specific qualified low-income taxpayer
                                                                            clinics receiving funding under this section, and
                                                                                  ‘‘(B) provide information regarding the location of, and
                                                                            contact information for, such clinics.’’.
                                                                       (b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by this section                                            26 USC 7526
                                                                   shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.                                           note.
                                                                   SEC. 1403. NOTICE FROM IRS REGARDING CLOSURE OF TAXPAYER                                              26 USC 7801
                                                                               ASSISTANCE CENTERS.                                                                       note.
                                                                        Not later than 90 days before the date that a proposed closure                                   Deadline.
                                                                   of a Taxpayer Assistance Center would take effect, the Secretary
                                                                   of the Treasury (or the Secretary’s delegate) shall—
                                                                            (1) make publicly available (including by non-electronic                                     Public
                                                                        means) a notice which—                                                                           information.
                                                                                 (A) identifies the Taxpayer Assistance Center proposed
                                                                            for closure and the date of such proposed closure; and
                                                                                 (B) identifies the relevant alternative sources of tax-
                                                                            payer assistance which may be utilized by taxpayers
                                                                            affected by such proposed closure; and
                                                                            (2) submit to Congress a written report that includes—                                       Reports.
                                                                                 (A) the information included in the notice described
                                                                            in paragraph (1);
                                                                                 (B) the reasons for such proposed closure; and
                                                                                 (C) such other information as the Secretary may deter-
                                                                            mine appropriate.
                                                                   SEC. 1404. RULES FOR SEIZURE AND SALE OF PERISHABLE GOODS
                                                                               RESTRICTED TO ONLY PERISHABLE GOODS.
                                                                        (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 6336 is amended by striking ‘‘or
                                                                   become greatly reduced in price or value by keeping, or that such
                                                                   property cannot be kept without great expense’’.
                                                                        (b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by this section                                           26 USC 6336
                                                                   shall apply to property seized after the date of the enactment                                        note.
                                                                   of this Act.
                                                                   SEC. 1405. WHISTLEBLOWER REFORMS.
                                                                      (a) MODIFICATIONS TO DISCLOSURE                                 RULES       FOR    WHISTLE-
                                                                   BLOWERS.—
                                                                          (1) IN GENERAL.—Section 6103(k)         is amended by adding
                                                                          at the end the following new paragraph:
                                                                               ‘‘(13) DISCLOSURE TO WHISTLEBLOWERS.—




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                                                                                    ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may disclose, to any
                                                                               individual providing information relating to any purpose




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                                                                   133 STAT. 998                              PUBLIC LAW 116–25—JULY 1, 2019

                                                                                                    described in paragraph (1) or (2) of section 7623(a), return
                                                                                                    information related to the investigation of any taxpayer
                                                                                                    with respect to whom the individual has provided such
                                                                                                    information, but only to the extent that such disclosure
                                                                                                    is necessary in obtaining information, which is not other-
                                                                                                    wise reasonably available, with respect to the correct deter-
                                                                                                    mination of tax liability for tax, or the amount to be col-
                                                                                                    lected with respect to the enforcement of any other provi-
                                                                                                    sion of this title.
                                                                   Deadlines.                             ‘‘(B) UPDATES ON WHISTLEBLOWER INVESTIGATIONS.—
                                                                                                    The Secretary shall disclose to an individual providing
                                                                                                    information relating to any purpose described in paragraph
                                                                                                    (1) or (2) of section 7623(a) the following:
                                                                                                               ‘‘(i) Not later than 60 days after a case for which
                                                                                                          the individual has provided information has been
                                                                                                          referred for an audit or examination, a notice with
                                                                                                          respect to such referral.
                                                                                                               ‘‘(ii) Not later than 60 days after a taxpayer with
                                                                                                          respect to whom the individual has provided informa-
                                                                                                          tion has made a payment of tax with respect to tax
                                                                                                          liability to which such information relates, a notice
                                                                                                          with respect to such payment.
                                                                                                               ‘‘(iii) Subject to such requirements and conditions
                                                                                                          as are prescribed by the Secretary, upon a written
                                                                                                          request by such individual—
                                                                                                                      ‘‘(I) information on the status and stage of
                                                                                                               any investigation or action related to such informa-
                                                                                                               tion, and
                                                                                                                      ‘‘(II) in the case of a determination of the
                                                                                                               amount of any award under section 7623(b), the
                                                                                                               reasons for such determination.
                                                                                                    Clause (iii) shall not apply to any information if the Sec-
                                                                                                    retary determines that disclosure of such information would
                                                                                                    seriously impair Federal tax administration. Information
                                                                                                    described in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) may be disclosed
                                                                                                    to a designee of the individual providing such information
                                                                                                    in accordance with guidance provided by the Secretary.’’.
                                                                                                    (2) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—
                                                                                                          (A) CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION.—Section
                                                                   26 USC 6103.                     6103(a)(3) is amended by striking ‘‘subsection (k)(10)’’ and
                                                                                                    inserting ‘‘paragraph (10) or (13) of subsection (k)’’.
                                                                                                          (B) PENALTY FOR UNAUTHORIZED DISCLOSURE.—Section
                                                                                                    7213(a)(2) is amended by striking ‘‘(k)(10)’’ and inserting
                                                                                                    ‘‘(k)(10) or (13)’’.
                                                                                                          (C) COORDINATION WITH AUTHORITY TO DISCLOSE FOR
                                                                                                    INVESTIGATIVE PURPOSES.—Section 6103(k)(6) is amended
                                                                                                    by adding at the end the following new sentence: ‘‘This
                                                                                                    paragraph shall not apply to any disclosure to an individual
                                                                                                    providing information relating to any purpose described
                                                                                                    in paragraph (1) or (2) of section 7623(a) which is made
                                                                                                    under paragraph (13)(A).’’.
                                                                                              (b) PROTECTION AGAINST RETALIATION.—Section 7623 is
                                                                                           amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
                                                                                              ‘‘(d) CIVIL ACTION TO PROTECT AGAINST RETALIATION CASES.—
                                                                                                    ‘‘(1) ANTI-RETALIATION WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION FOR




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                                                                                              EMPLOYEES.—No employer, or any officer, employee, contractor,
                                                                                              subcontractor, or agent of such employer, may discharge,




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                                                                                       PUBLIC LAW 116–25—JULY 1, 2019                                                  133 STAT. 999

                                                                          demote, suspend, threaten, harass, or in any other manner
                                                                          discriminate against an employee in the terms and conditions
                                                                          of employment (including through an act in the ordinary course
                                                                          of such employee’s duties) in reprisal for any lawful act done
                                                                          by the employee—
                                                                                    ‘‘(A) to provide information, cause information to be
                                                                              provided, or otherwise assist in an investigation regarding
                                                                              underpayment of tax or any conduct which the employee
                                                                              reasonably believes constitutes a violation of the internal
                                                                              revenue laws or any provision of Federal law relating to
                                                                              tax fraud, when the information or assistance is provided
                                                                              to the Internal Revenue Service, the Secretary of the
                                                                              Treasury, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Adminis-
                                                                              tration, the Comptroller General of the United States, the
                                                                              Department of Justice, the United States Congress, a per-
                                                                              son with supervisory authority over the employee, or any
                                                                              other person working for the employer who has the
                                                                              authority to investigate, discover, or terminate misconduct,
                                                                              or
                                                                                    ‘‘(B) to testify, participate in, or otherwise assist in
                                                                              any administrative or judicial action taken by the Internal
                                                                              Revenue Service relating to an alleged underpayment of
                                                                              tax or any violation of the internal revenue laws or any
                                                                              provision of Federal law relating to tax fraud.
                                                                              ‘‘(2) ENFORCEMENT ACTION.—
                                                                                    ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—A person who alleges discharge or
                                                                              other reprisal by any person in violation of paragraph
                                                                              (1) may seek relief under paragraph (3) by—
                                                                                          ‘‘(i) filing a complaint with the Secretary of Labor,
                                                                                    or
                                                                                          ‘‘(ii) if the Secretary of Labor has not issued a                              Time period.
                                                                                    final decision within 180 days of the filing of the com-
                                                                                    plaint and there is no showing that such delay is
                                                                                    due to the bad faith of the claimant, bringing an action
                                                                                    at law or equity for de novo review in the appropriate
                                                                                    district court of the United States, which shall have
                                                                                    jurisdiction over such an action without regard to the
                                                                                    amount in controversy.
                                                                                    ‘‘(B) PROCEDURE.—
                                                                                          ‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—An action under subparagraph
                                                                                    (A)(i) shall be governed under the rules and procedures
                                                                                    set forth in section 42121(b) of title 49, United States
                                                                                    Code.
                                                                                          ‘‘(ii) EXCEPTION.—Notification made under section
                                                                                    42121(b)(1) of title 49, United States Code, shall be
                                                                                    made to the person named in the complaint and to
                                                                                    the employer.
                                                                                          ‘‘(iii) BURDENS OF PROOF.—An action brought
                                                                                    under subparagraph (A)(ii) shall be governed by the
                                                                                    legal burdens of proof set forth in section 42121(b)
                                                                                    of title 49, United States Code, except that in applying
                                                                                    such section—
                                                                                                 ‘‘(I) ‘behavior described in paragraph (1)’ shall
                                                                                          be substituted for ‘behavior described in para-




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                                                                                          graphs (1) through (4) of subsection (a)’ each place
                                                                                          it appears in paragraph (2)(B) thereof, and




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                                                                   133 STAT. 1000                             PUBLIC LAW 116–25—JULY 1, 2019

                                                                                                                         ‘‘(II) ‘a violation of paragraph (1)’ shall be sub-
                                                                                                                  stituted for ‘a violation of subsection (a)’ each place
                                                                                                                  it appears.
                                                                   Deadline.                                      ‘‘(iv) STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS.—A complaint under
                                                                                                             subparagraph (A)(i) shall be filed not later than 180
                                                                                                             days after the date on which the violation occurs.
                                                                                                                  ‘‘(v) JURY TRIAL.—A party to an action brought
                                                                                                             under subparagraph (A)(ii) shall be entitled to trial
                                                                                                             by jury.
                                                                                                       ‘‘(3) REMEDIES.—
                                                                                                             ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—An employee prevailing in any
                                                                                                       action under paragraph (2)(A) shall be entitled to all relief
                                                                                                       necessary to make the employee whole.
                                                                                                             ‘‘(B) COMPENSATORY DAMAGES.—Relief for any action
                                                                                                       under subparagraph (A) shall include—
                                                                                                                  ‘‘(i) reinstatement with the same seniority status
                                                                                                             that the employee would have had, but for the reprisal,
                                                                                                                  ‘‘(ii) the sum of 200 percent of the amount of back
                                                                                                             pay and 100 percent of all lost benefits, with interest,
                                                                                                             and
                                                                                                                  ‘‘(iii) compensation for any special damages sus-
                                                                                                             tained as a result of the reprisal, including litigation
                                                                                                             costs, expert witness fees, and reasonable attorney fees.
                                                                                                       ‘‘(4) RIGHTS RETAINED BY EMPLOYEE.—Nothing in this sec-
                                                                                                  tion shall be deemed to diminish the rights, privileges, or
                                                                                                  remedies of any employee under any Federal or State law,
                                                                                                  or under any collective bargaining agreement.
                                                                                                       ‘‘(5) NONENFORCEABILITY OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS WAIVING
                                                                                                  RIGHTS AND REMEDIES OR REQUIRING ARBITRATION OF DIS-
                                                                                                  PUTES.—
                                                                                                             ‘‘(A) WAIVER OF RIGHTS AND REMEDIES.—The rights
                                                                                                       and remedies provided for in this subsection may not be
                                                                                                       waived by any agreement, policy form, or condition of
                                                                                                       employment, including by a predispute arbitration agree-
                                                                                                       ment.
                                                                                                             ‘‘(B) PREDISPUTE ARBITRATION AGREEMENTS.—No
                                                                                                       predispute arbitration agreement shall be valid or enforce-
                                                                                                       able, if the agreement requires arbitration of a dispute
                                                                                                       arising under this subsection.’’.
                                                                                                  (c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—
                                                                   26 USC 6103                         (1) IN GENERAL.—The amendments made by subsection
                                                                   note.                          (a) shall apply to disclosures made after the date of the enact-
                                                                                                  ment of this Act.
                                                                   26 USC 7623                         (2) CIVIL PROTECTION.—The amendment made by sub-
                                                                   note.                          section (b) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of
                                                                                                  this Act.
                                                                   26 USC 7801             SEC. 1406. CUSTOMER SERVICE INFORMATION.
                                                                   note.
                                                                                                The Secretary of the Treasury (or the Secretary’s delegate)
                                                                                           shall provide helpful information to taxpayers placed on hold during
                                                                                           a telephone call to any Internal Revenue Service help line, including
                                                                                           the following:
                                                                                                    (1) Information about common tax scams.
                                                                                                    (2) Information on where and how to report tax scams.




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                                                                                                    (3) Additional advice on how taxpayers can protect them-
                                                                                                selves from identity theft and tax scams.




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                                                                                       PUBLIC LAW 116–25—JULY 1, 2019                                             133 STAT. 1001
                                                                   SEC. 1407. MISDIRECTED TAX REFUND DEPOSITS.
                                                                        Section 6402 is amended by adding at the end the following                                       26 USC 6402.
                                                                   new subsection:
                                                                        ‘‘(n) MISDIRECTED DIRECT DEPOSIT REFUND.—Not later than                                          Deadline.
                                                                   the date which is 6 months after the date of the enactment of                                         Regulations.
                                                                   the Taxpayer First Act, the Secretary shall prescribe regulations                                     Procedures.
                                                                   to establish procedures to allow for—
                                                                              ‘‘(1) taxpayers to report instances in which a refund made
                                                                        by the Secretary by electronic funds transfer was not trans-
                                                                        ferred to the account of the taxpayer;
                                                                              ‘‘(2) coordination with financial institutions for the purpose                             Coordination.
                                                                        of—
                                                                                    ‘‘(A) identifying the accounts to which transfers
                                                                              described in paragraph (1) were made; and
                                                                                    ‘‘(B) recovery of the amounts so transferred; and
                                                                              ‘‘(3) the refund to be delivered to the correct account of
                                                                        the taxpayer.’’.

                                                                                    TITLE II—21ST CENTURY IRS
                                                                        Subtitle A—Cybersecurity and Identity
                                                                                     Protection
                                                                   SEC. 2001. PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP TO ADDRESS IDENTITY                                             26 USC 7529
                                                                               THEFT REFUND FRAUD.                                                                       note.
                                                                       The Secretary of the Treasury (or the Secretary’s delegate)
                                                                   shall work collaboratively with the public and private sectors to
                                                                   protect taxpayers from identity theft refund fraud.
                                                                   SEC. 2002. RECOMMENDATIONS OF ELECTRONIC TAX ADMINISTRA-
                                                                               TION ADVISORY COMMITTEE REGARDING IDENTITY
                                                                               THEFT REFUND FRAUD.
                                                                       The Secretary of the Treasury shall ensure that the advisory
                                                                   group convened by the Secretary pursuant to section 2001(b)(2)
                                                                   of the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act
                                                                   of 1998 (commonly known as the Electronic Tax Administration
                                                                   Advisory Committee) studies (including by providing organized
                                                                   public forums) and makes recommendations to the Secretary
                                                                   regarding methods to prevent identity theft and refund fraud.
                                                                   SEC. 2003. INFORMATION SHARING AND ANALYSIS CENTER.
                                                                        (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Treasury (or the Sec-                                       26 USC 7529
                                                                   retary’s delegate) may participate in an information sharing and                                      note.
                                                                   analysis center to centralize, standardize, and enhance data com-
                                                                   pilation and analysis to facilitate sharing actionable data and
                                                                   information with respect to identity theft tax refund fraud.
                                                                        (b) DEVELOPMENT OF PERFORMANCE METRICS.—The Secretary                                            26 USC 7529
                                                                   of the Treasury (or the Secretary’s delegate) shall develop metrics                                   note.
                                                                   for measuring the success of such center in detecting and preventing
                                                                   identity theft tax refund fraud.
                                                                        (c) DISCLOSURE.—
                                                                             (1) IN GENERAL.—Section 6103(k), as amended by this Act,
                                                                        is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
                                                                             ‘‘(14) DISCLOSURE OF RETURN INFORMATION FOR PURPOSES




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                                                                          OF CYBERSECURITY AND THE PREVENTION OF IDENTITY THEFT
                                                                          TAX REFUND FRAUD.—




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                                                                   133 STAT. 1002                             PUBLIC LAW 116–25—JULY 1, 2019

                                                                                                            ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Under such procedures and subject
                                                                                                       to such conditions as the Secretary may prescribe, the
                                                                                                       Secretary may disclose specified return information to
                                                                                                       specified ISAC participants to the extent that the Secretary
                                                                                                       determines such disclosure is in furtherance of effective
                                                                                                       Federal tax administration relating to the detection or
                                                                                                       prevention of identity theft tax refund fraud, validation
                                                                                                       of taxpayer identity, authentication of taxpayer returns,
                                                                                                       or detection or prevention of cybersecurity threats.
                                                                   Definition.                              ‘‘(B) SPECIFIED ISAC PARTICIPANTS.—For purposes of
                                                                                                       this paragraph—
                                                                                                                  ‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘specified ISAC partici-
                                                                                                            pant’ means—
                                                                                                                         ‘‘(I) any person designated by the Secretary
                                                                                                                  as having primary responsibility for a function
                                                                                                                  performed with respect to the information sharing
                                                                                                                  and analysis center described in section 2003(a)
                                                                                                                  of the Taxpayer First Act, and
                                                                                                                         ‘‘(II) any person subject to the requirements
                                                                                                                  of section 7216 and which is a participant in such
                                                                                                                  information sharing and analysis center.
                                                                                                                  ‘‘(ii) INFORMATION SHARING AGREEMENT.—Such
                                                                                                            term shall not include any person unless such person
                                                                                                            has entered into a written agreement with the Sec-
                                                                                                            retary setting forth the terms and conditions for the
                                                                                                            disclosure of information to such person under this
                                                                                                            paragraph, including requirements regarding the
                                                                                                            protection and safeguarding of such information by
                                                                                                            such person.
                                                                   Definition.                              ‘‘(C) SPECIFIED RETURN INFORMATION.—For purposes
                                                                                                       of this paragraph, the term ‘specified return information’
                                                                                                       means—
                                                                                                                  ‘‘(i) in the case of a return which is in connection
                                                                                                            with a case of potential identity theft refund fraud—
                                                                                                                         ‘‘(I) in the case of such return filed electroni-
                                                                                                                  cally, the internet protocol address, device identi-
                                                                                                                  fication, email domain name, speed of completion,
                                                                                                                  method of authentication, refund method, and such
                                                                                                                  other return information related to the electronic
                                                                                                                  filing characteristics of such return as the Sec-
                                                                                                                  retary may identify for purposes of this subclause,
                                                                                                                  and
                                                                                                                         ‘‘(II) in the case of such return prepared by
                                                                                                                  a tax return preparer, identifying information with
                                                                                                                  respect to such tax return preparer, including the
                                                                                                                  preparer taxpayer identification number and elec-
                                                                                                                  tronic filer identification number of such preparer,
                                                                                                                  ‘‘(ii) in the case of a return which is in connection
                                                                                                            with a case of a identity theft refund fraud which
                                                                                                            has been confirmed by the Secretary (pursuant to such
                                                                                                            procedures as the Secretary may provide), the informa-
                                                                                                            tion referred to in subclauses (I) and (II) of clause
                                                                                                            (i), the name and taxpayer identification number of
                                                                                                            the taxpayer as it appears on the return, and any




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                                                                                                            bank account and routing information provided for
                                                                                                            making a refund in connection with such return, and




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                                                                                       PUBLIC LAW 116–25—JULY 1, 2019                                             133 STAT. 1003

                                                                                          ‘‘(iii) in the case of any cybersecurity threat to
                                                                                     the Internal Revenue Service, information similar to
                                                                                     the information described in subclauses (I) and (II)
                                                                                     of clause (i) with respect to such threat.
                                                                                     ‘‘(D) RESTRICTION ON USE OF DISCLOSED INFORMA-
                                                                                TION.—
                                                                                          ‘‘(i) DESIGNATED THIRD PARTIES.—Any return
                                                                                     information received by a person described in subpara-
                                                                                     graph (B)(i)(I) shall be used only for the purposes of
                                                                                     and to the extent necessary in—
                                                                                                 ‘‘(I) performing the function such person is
                                                                                          designated to perform under such subparagraph,
                                                                                                 ‘‘(II) facilitating disclosures authorized under
                                                                                          subparagraph (A) to persons described in subpara-
                                                                                          graph (B)(i)(II), and
                                                                                                 ‘‘(III) facilitating disclosures authorized under
                                                                                          subsection (d) to participants in such information
                                                                                          sharing and analysis center.
                                                                                          ‘‘(ii) RETURN PREPARERS.—Any return information
                                                                                     received by a person described in subparagraph
                                                                                     (B)(i)(II) shall be treated for purposes of section 7216
                                                                                     as information furnished to such person for, or in
                                                                                     connection with, the preparation of a return of the
                                                                                     tax imposed under chapter 1.
                                                                                     ‘‘(E) DATA PROTECTION AND SAFEGUARDS.—Return
                                                                                information disclosed under this paragraph shall be subject
                                                                                to such protections and safeguards as the Secretary may
                                                                                require in regulations or other guidance or in the written
                                                                                agreement referred to in subparagraph (B)(ii). Such written
                                                                                agreement shall include a requirement that any unauthor-
                                                                                ized access to information disclosed under this paragraph,
                                                                                and any breach of any system in which such information
                                                                                is held, be reported to the Treasury Inspector General
                                                                                for Tax Administration.’’.
                                                                                (2) APPLICATION OF CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES.—
                                                                                     (A) Section 6103(a)(3), as amended by this Act, is                                  26 USC 6103.
                                                                                amended by striking ‘‘or (13)’’ and inserting ‘‘, (13), or
                                                                                (14)’’.
                                                                                     (B) Section 7213(a)(2), as amended by this Act, is
                                                                                amended by striking ‘‘or (13)’’ and inserting ‘‘, (13), or
                                                                                (14)’’.
                                                                   SEC. 2004. COMPLIANCE BY CONTRACTORS WITH CONFIDENTIALITY
                                                                               SAFEGUARDS.
                                                                       (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 6103(p) is amended by adding at
                                                                   the end the following new paragraph:
                                                                            ‘‘(9) DISCLOSURE TO CONTRACTORS AND OTHER AGENTS.—
                                                                       Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, no return
                                                                       or return information shall be disclosed to any contractor or
                                                                       other agent of a Federal, State, or local agency unless such
                                                                       agency, to the satisfaction of the Secretary—
                                                                                  ‘‘(A) has requirements in effect which require each
                                                                            such contractor or other agent which would have access
                                                                            to returns or return information to provide safeguards




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                                                                            (within the meaning of paragraph (4)) to protect the con-
                                                                            fidentiality of such returns or return information,




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                                                                   133 STAT. 1004                             PUBLIC LAW 116–25—JULY 1, 2019

                                                                   Review.                               ‘‘(B) agrees to conduct an on-site review every 3 years
                                                                   Time period.                     (or a mid-point review in the case of contracts or agree-
                                                                                                    ments of less than 3 years in duration) of each contractor
                                                                                                    or other agent to determine compliance with such require-
                                                                                                    ments,
                                                                                                         ‘‘(C) submits the findings of the most recent review
                                                                                                    conducted under subparagraph (B) to the Secretary as part
                                                                                                    of the report required by paragraph (4)(E), and
                                                                   Certification.                        ‘‘(D) certifies to the Secretary for the most recent
                                                                                                    annual period that such contractor or other agent is in
                                                                                                    compliance with all such requirements.
                                                                                               The certification required by subparagraph (D) shall include
                                                                                               the name and address of each contractor or other agent, a
                                                                                               description of the contract or agreement with such contractor
                                                                                               or other agent, and the duration of such contract or agreement.
                                                                                               The requirements of this paragraph shall not apply to disclo-
                                                                                               sures pursuant to subsection (n) for purposes of Federal tax
                                                                                               administration.’’.
                                                                   26 USC 6103.                (b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 6103(p)(8)(B) is
                                                                                           amended by inserting ‘‘or paragraph (9)’’ after ‘‘subparagraph (A)’’.
                                                                   26 USC 6103                 (c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section
                                                                   note.                   shall apply to disclosures made after December 31, 2022.
                                                                   26 USC 6109             SEC. 2005. IDENTITY PROTECTION PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION NUM-
                                                                   note.                                BERS.
                                                                                                (a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subsection (b), the Secretary of
                                                                                           the Treasury or the Secretary’s delegate (hereafter referred to in
                                                                                           this section as the ‘‘Secretary’’) shall establish a program to issue,
                                                                                           upon the request of any individual, a number which may be used
                                                                                           in connection with such individual’s social security number (or
                                                                                           other identifying information with respect to such individual as
                                                                                           determined by the Secretary) to assist the Secretary in verifying
                                                                                           such individual’s identity.
                                                                                                (b) REQUIREMENTS.—
                                                                                                     (1) ANNUAL EXPANSION.—For each calendar year beginning
                                                                                                after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary
                                                                                                shall provide numbers through the program described in sub-
                                                                                                section (a) to individuals residing in such States as the Sec-
                                                                                                retary deems appropriate, provided that the total number of
                                                                                                States served by such program during such year is greater
                                                                                                than the total number of States served by such program during
                                                                                                the preceding year.
                                                                   Deadline.                         (2) NATIONWIDE AVAILABILITY.—Not later than 5 years after
                                                                                                the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall
                                                                                                ensure that the program described in subsection (a) is made
                                                                                                available to any individual residing in the United States.
                                                                   26 USC 7529             SEC. 2006. SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT FOR TAX-RELATED IDENTITY
                                                                   note.                                THEFT VICTIMS.
                                                                   Procedures.                 (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Treasury (or the Sec-
                                                                                           retary’s delegate) shall establish and implement procedures to
                                                                                           ensure that any taxpayer whose return has been delayed or other-
                                                                                           wise adversely affected due to tax-related identity theft has a single
                                                                                           point of contact at the Internal Revenue Service throughout the
                                                                   Coordination.           processing of the taxpayer’s case. The single point of contact shall
                                                                                           track the taxpayer’s case to completion and coordinate with other




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                                                                                           Internal Revenue Service employees to resolve case issues as quickly
                                                                                           as possible.




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                                                                                       PUBLIC LAW 116–25—JULY 1, 2019                                             133 STAT. 1005

                                                                          (b) SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT.—
                                                                               (1) IN GENERAL.—For purposes of subsection (a), the single
                                                                          point of contact shall consist of a team or subset of specially
                                                                          trained employees who—
                                                                                    (A) have the ability to work across functions to resolve
                                                                               the issues involved in the taxpayer’s case; and
                                                                                    (B) shall be accountable for handling the case until
                                                                               its resolution.
                                                                               (2) TEAM OR SUBSET.—The employees included within the                                     Procedures.
                                                                          team or subset described in paragraph (1) may change as
                                                                          required to meet the needs of the Internal Revenue Service,
                                                                          provided that procedures have been established to—
                                                                                    (A) ensure continuity of records and case history; and
                                                                                    (B) notify the taxpayer when appropriate.                                            Notification.
                                                                   SEC. 2007. NOTIFICATION OF SUSPECTED IDENTITY THEFT.
                                                                       (a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 77 is amended by adding at the
                                                                   end the following new section:
                                                                   ‘‘SEC. 7529. NOTIFICATION OF SUSPECTED IDENTITY THEFT.                                                26 USC 7529.
                                                                        ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—If the Secretary determines that there has                                     Determination.
                                                                   been or may have been an unauthorized use of the identity of
                                                                   any individual, the Secretary shall, without jeopardizing an inves-
                                                                   tigation relating to tax administration—
                                                                              ‘‘(1) as soon as practicable—
                                                                                    ‘‘(A) notify the individual of such determination,
                                                                                    ‘‘(B) provide instructions on how to file a report with
                                                                              law enforcement regarding the unauthorized use,
                                                                                    ‘‘(C) identify any steps to be taken by the individual
                                                                              to permit law enforcement to access personal information
                                                                              of the individual during the investigation,
                                                                                    ‘‘(D) provide information regarding actions the indi-
                                                                              vidual may take in order to protect the individual from
                                                                              harm relating to the unauthorized use, and
                                                                                    ‘‘(E) offer identity protection measures to the indi-
                                                                              vidual, such as the use of an identity protection personal
                                                                              identification number, and
                                                                              ‘‘(2) at the time the information described in paragraph
                                                                        (1) is provided (or, if not available at such time, as soon as
                                                                        practicable thereafter), issue additional notifications to such
                                                                        individual (or such individual’s designee) regarding—
                                                                                    ‘‘(A) whether an investigation has been initiated in
                                                                              regards to such unauthorized use,
                                                                                    ‘‘(B) whether the investigation substantiated an
                                                                              unauthorized use of the identity of the individual, and
                                                                                    ‘‘(C) whether—
                                                                                          ‘‘(i) any action has been taken against a person
                                                                                    relating to such unauthorized use, or
                                                                                          ‘‘(ii) any referral has been made for criminal
                                                                                    prosecution of such person and, to the extent such
                                                                                    information is available, whether such person has been
                                                                                    criminally charged by indictment or information.
                                                                        ‘‘(b) EMPLOYMENT-RELATED IDENTITY THEFT.—
                                                                              ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—For purposes of this section, the
                                                                        unauthorized use of the identity of an individual includes the




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                                                                        unauthorized use of the identity of the individual to obtain
                                                                        employment.




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                                                                   133 STAT. 1006                             PUBLIC LAW 116–25—JULY 1, 2019

                                                                                                     ‘‘(2) DETERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT-RELATED IDENTITY
                                                                   Review.                        THEFT.—For purposes of this section, in making a determination
                                                                                                as to whether there has been or may have been an unauthorized
                                                                                                use of the identity of an individual to obtain employment,
                                                                                                the Secretary shall review any information—
                                                                                                          ‘‘(A) obtained from a statement described in section
                                                                                                     6051 or an information return relating to compensation
                                                                                                     for services rendered other than as an employee, or
                                                                                                          ‘‘(B) provided to the Internal Revenue Service by the
                                                                                                     Social Security Administration regarding any statement
                                                                                                     described in section 6051,
                                                                                                which indicates that the social security account number pro-
                                                                                                vided on such statement or information return does not cor-
                                                                                                respond with the name provided on such statement or informa-
                                                                                                tion return or the name on the tax return reporting the income
                                                                                                which is included on such statement or information return.’’.
                                                                                                (b) ADDITIONAL MEASURES.—
                                                                   26 USC 7529                       (1) EXAMINATION OF BOTH PAPER AND ELECTRONIC STATE-
                                                                   note.                        MENTS AND RETURNS.—The Secretary of the Treasury (or the
                                                                                                Secretary’s delegate) shall examine the statements, information
                                                                                                returns, and tax returns described in section 7529(b)(2) of the
                                                                                                Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as added by subsection (a))
                                                                                                for any evidence of employment-related identity theft, regard-
                                                                                                less of whether such statements or returns are submitted elec-
                                                                                                tronically or on paper.
                                                                                                     (2) IMPROVEMENT OF EFFECTIVE RETURN PROCESSING PRO-
                                                                                                GRAM WITH SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION.—Section 232 of
                                                                                                the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 432) is amended by inserting
                                                                                                after the third sentence the following: ‘‘For purposes of carrying
                                                                                                out the return processing program described in the preceding
                                                                                                sentence, the Commissioner of Social Security shall request,
                                                                                                not less than annually, such information described in section
                                                                                                7529(b)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as may be
                                                                                                necessary to ensure the accuracy of the records maintained
                                                                                                by the Commissioner of Social Security related to the amounts
                                                                                                of wages paid to, and the amounts of self-employment income
                                                                                                derived by, individuals.’’.
                                                                   Procedures.                       (3) UNDERREPORTING OF INCOME.—The Secretary of the
                                                                   26 USC 7529                  Treasury (or the Secretary’s delegate) shall establish procedures
                                                                   note.                        to ensure that income reported in connection with the unauthor-
                                                                                                ized use of a taxpayer’s identity is not taken into account
                                                                                                in determining any penalty for underreporting of income by
                                                                                                the victim of identity theft.
                                                                                                (c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections for chapter
                                                                   26 USC 7501             77 is amended by adding at the end the following new item:
                                                                   prec.
                                                                                           ‘‘Sec. 7529. Notification of suspected identity theft.’’.
                                                                   Applicability.               (d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section
                                                                   Determinations.         shall apply to determinations made after the date that is 6 months
                                                                   Time period.            after the date of the enactment of this Act.
                                                                   26 USC 7529
                                                                   note.                   SEC. 2008. GUIDELINES FOR STOLEN IDENTITY REFUND FRAUD CASES.
                                                                   26 USC 7529
                                                                   note.                       (a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the
                                                                   Deadline.               enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury (or the Sec-
                                                                   Consultation.
                                                                   Public                  retary’s delegate), in consultation with the National Taxpayer Advo-




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                                                                   information.            cate, shall develop and implement publicly available guidelines
                                                                                           for management of cases involving stolen identity refund fraud




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                                                                                       PUBLIC LAW 116–25—JULY 1, 2019                                             133 STAT. 1007

                                                                   in a manner that reduces the administrative burden on taxpayers
                                                                   who are victims of such fraud.
                                                                       (b) STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES TO BE CONSIDERED.—The
                                                                   guidelines described in subsection (a) may include—
                                                                            (1) standards for—
                                                                                 (A) the average length of time in which a case involving
                                                                            stolen identity refund fraud should be resolved;
                                                                                 (B) the maximum length of time, on average, a tax-
                                                                            payer who is a victim of stolen identity refund fraud and
                                                                            is entitled to a tax refund which has been stolen should
                                                                            have to wait to receive such refund; and
                                                                                 (C) the maximum number of offices and employees
                                                                            within the Internal Revenue Service with whom a taxpayer
                                                                            who is a victim of stolen identity refund fraud should
                                                                            be required to interact in order to resolve a case;
                                                                            (2) standards for opening, assigning, reassigning, or closing
                                                                       a case involving stolen identity refund fraud; and
                                                                            (3) procedures for implementing and accomplishing the
                                                                       standards described in paragraphs (1) and (2), and measures
                                                                       for evaluating such procedures and determining whether such
                                                                       standards have been successfully implemented.
                                                                   SEC. 2009. INCREASED PENALTY FOR IMPROPER DISCLOSURE OR USE
                                                                                OF INFORMATION BY PREPARERS OF RETURNS.
                                                                        (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 6713 is amended—                                                         26 USC 6713.
                                                                              (1) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as subsections
                                                                        (c) and (d), respectively; and
                                                                              (2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new sub-
                                                                        section:
                                                                        ‘‘(b) ENHANCED PENALTY FOR IMPROPER USE OR DISCLOSURE
                                                                   RELATING TO IDENTITY THEFT.—
                                                                              ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In the case of a disclosure or use
                                                                        described in subsection (a) that is made in connection with
                                                                        a crime relating to the misappropriation of another person’s
                                                                        taxpayer identity (as defined in section 6103(b)(6)), whether
                                                                        or not such crime involves any tax filing, subsection (a) shall
                                                                        be applied—
                                                                                   ‘‘(A) by substituting ‘$1,000’ for ‘$250’, and
                                                                                   ‘‘(B) by substituting ‘$50,000’ for ‘$10,000’.
                                                                              ‘‘(2) SEPARATE APPLICATION OF TOTAL PENALTY LIMITA-
                                                                        TION.—The limitation on the total amount of the penalty under
                                                                        subsection (a) shall be applied separately with respect to disclo-
                                                                        sures or uses to which this subsection applies and to which
                                                                        it does not apply.’’.
                                                                        (b) CRIMINAL PENALTY.—Section 7216(a) is amended by striking
                                                                   ‘‘$1,000’’ and inserting ‘‘$1,000 ($100,000 in the case of a disclosure
                                                                   or use to which section 6713(b) applies)’’.
                                                                        (c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section                                          26 USC 6713
                                                                   shall apply to disclosures or uses on or after the date of the                                        note.
                                                                   enactment of this Act.




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                                                                   133 STAT. 1008                             PUBLIC LAW 116–25—JULY 1, 2019

                                                                                                 Subtitle B—Development of Information
                                                                                                              Technology
                                                                                           SEC. 2101. MANAGEMENT OF INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE INFORMA-
                                                                                                       TION TECHNOLOGY.
                                                                                               (a) DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF INTERNAL REVENUE
                                                                                           SERVICE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER.—Section 7803, as amended
                                                                   26 USC 7803.            by section 1001, is amended by adding at the end the following
                                                                                           new subsection:
                                                                                               ‘‘(f) INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE CHIEF INFORMATION
                                                                                           OFFICER.—
                                                                   Appointment.                     ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—There shall be in the Internal Revenue
                                                                                               Service an Internal Revenue Service Chief Information Officer
                                                                                               (hereafter referred to in this subsection as the ‘IRS CIO’) who
                                                                                               shall be appointed by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue.
                                                                                                    ‘‘(2) CENTRALIZED RESPONSIBILITY FOR INTERNAL REVENUE
                                                                                               SERVICE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.—The Commissioner of
                                                                                               Internal Revenue (and the Secretary) shall act through the
                                                                                               IRS CIO with respect to all development, implementation, and
                                                                                               maintenance of information technology for the Internal Revenue
                                                                                               Service. Any reference in this subsection to the IRS CIO which
                                                                                               directs the IRS CIO to take any action, or to assume any
                                                                                               responsibility, shall be treated as a reference to the Commis-
                                                                                               sioner of Internal Revenue acting through the IRS CIO.
                                                                                                    ‘‘(3) GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.—The IRS CIO
                                                                                               shall—
                                                                                                          ‘‘(A) be responsible for the development, implementa-
                                                                                                    tion, and maintenance of information technology for the
                                                                                                    Internal Revenue Service,
                                                                                                          ‘‘(B) ensure that the information technology of the
                                                                                                    Internal Revenue Service is secure and integrated,
                                                                                                          ‘‘(C) maintain operational control of all information
                                                                                                    technology for the Internal Revenue Service,
                                                                                                          ‘‘(D) be the principal advocate for the information tech-
                                                                                                    nology needs of the Internal Revenue Service, and
                                                                   Consultation.                          ‘‘(E) consult with the Chief Procurement Officer of the
                                                                                                    Internal Revenue Service to ensure that the information
                                                                                                    technology acquired for the Internal Revenue Service is
                                                                                                    consistent with—
                                                                                                                ‘‘(i) the goals and requirements specified in sub-
                                                                                                          paragraphs (A) through (D), and
                                                                                                                ‘‘(ii) the strategic plan developed under paragraph
                                                                                                          (4).
                                                                                                    ‘‘(4) STRATEGIC PLAN.—
                                                                                                          ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The IRS CIO shall develop and
                                                                                                    implement a multiyear strategic plan for the information
                                                                                                    technology needs of the Internal Revenue Service. Such
                                                                                                    plan shall—
                                                                                                                ‘‘(i) include performance measurements of such
                                                                                                          technology and of the implementation of such plan,
                                                                                                                ‘‘(ii) include a plan for an integrated enterprise
                                                                                                          architecture of the information technology of the
                                                                                                          Internal Revenue Service,




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                                                                                                                ‘‘(iii) include and take into account the resources
                                                                                                          needed to accomplish such plan,




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                                                                                       PUBLIC LAW 116–25—JULY 1, 2019                                             133 STAT. 1009

                                                                                      ‘‘(iv) take into account planned major acquisitions
                                                                                 of information technology by the Internal Revenue
                                                                                 Service, and
                                                                                      ‘‘(v) align with the needs and strategic plan of
                                                                                 the Internal Revenue Service.
                                                                                 ‘‘(B) PLAN UPDATES.—The IRS CIO shall, not less fre-                                    Time period.
                                                                           quently than annually, review and update the strategic                                        Review.
                                                                           plan under subparagraph (A) (including the plan for an
                                                                           integrated enterprise architecture described in subpara-
                                                                           graph (A)(ii)) to take into account the development of new
                                                                           information technology and the needs of the Internal Rev-
                                                                           enue Service.
                                                                           ‘‘(5) SCOPE OF AUTHORITY.—
                                                                                 ‘‘(A) INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.—For purposes of this                                      Definition.
                                                                           subsection, the term ‘information technology’ has the
                                                                           meaning given such term by section 11101 of title 40,
                                                                           United States Code.
                                                                                 ‘‘(B) INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE.—Any reference in
                                                                           this subsection to the Internal Revenue Service includes
                                                                           a reference to all components of the Internal Revenue
                                                                           Service, including—
                                                                                      ‘‘(i) the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate,
                                                                                      ‘‘(ii) the Criminal Investigation Division of the
                                                                                 Internal Revenue Service, and
                                                                                      ‘‘(iii) except as otherwise provided by the Secretary
                                                                                 with respect to information technology related to mat-
                                                                                 ters described in subsection (b)(3)(B), the Office of the
                                                                                 Chief Counsel.’’.
                                                                      (b) INDEPENDENT VERIFICATION AND VALIDATION OF THE CUS-
                                                                   TOMER ACCOUNT DATA ENGINE 2 AND ENTERPRISE CASE MANAGE-
                                                                   MENT SYSTEM.—
                                                                           (1) IN GENERAL.—The Commissioner of Internal Revenue                                          Contracts.
                                                                      shall enter into a contract with an independent reviewer to
                                                                      verify and validate the implementation plans (including the
                                                                      performance milestones and cost estimates included in such
                                                                      plans) developed for the Customer Account Data Engine 2
                                                                      and the Enterprise Case Management System.
                                                                           (2) DEADLINE FOR COMPLETION.—Such contract shall
                                                                      require that such verification and validation be completed not
                                                                      later than the date which is 1 year after the date of the
                                                                      enactment of this Act.
                                                                           (3) APPLICATION TO PHASES OF CADE 2.—
                                                                                 (A) IN GENERAL.—Paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not
                                                                           apply to phase 1 of the Customer Account Data Engine
                                                                           2 and shall apply separately to each other phase.
                                                                                 (B) DEADLINE FOR COMPLETING PLANS.—Not later than
                                                                           1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the
                                                                           Commissioner of Internal Revenue shall complete the
                                                                           development of plans for all phases of the Customer
                                                                           Account Data Engine 2.
                                                                                 (C) DEADLINE FOR COMPLETION OF VERIFICATION AND
                                                                           VALIDATION OF PLANS.—In the case of any phase after
                                                                           phase 2 of the Customer Account Data Engine 2, paragraph
                                                                           (2) shall be applied by substituting ‘‘the date on which




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                                                                           the plan for such phase was completed’’ for ‘‘the date of
                                                                           the enactment of this Act’’.




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                                                                   133 STAT. 1010                             PUBLIC LAW 116–25—JULY 1, 2019

                                                                   26 USC 7803                (c) COORDINATION OF IRS CIO AND CHIEF PROCUREMENT
                                                                   note.                   OFFICER OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE.—
                                                                                                  (1) IN GENERAL.—The Chief Procurement Officer of the
                                                                                              Internal Revenue Service shall—
                                                                   Notification.                       (A) identify all significant IRS information technology
                                                                                                  acquisitions and provide written notification to the Internal
                                                                                                  Revenue Service Chief Information Officer (hereafter
                                                                                                  referred to in this subsection as the ‘‘IRS CIO’’) of each
                                                                                                  such acquisition in advance of such acquisition, and
                                                                   Consultation.                       (B) regularly consult with the IRS CIO regarding
                                                                                                  acquisitions of information technology for the Internal Rev-
                                                                                                  enue Service, including meeting with the IRS CIO
                                                                                                  regarding such acquisitions upon request.
                                                                                                  (2) SIGNIFICANT IRS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ACQUISI-
                                                                   Definition.                TIONS.—For purposes of this subsection, the term ‘‘significant
                                                                                              IRS information technology acquisitions’’ means—
                                                                                                       (A) any acquisition of information technology for the
                                                                                                  Internal Revenue Service in excess of $1 million; and
                                                                                                       (B) such other acquisitions of information technology
                                                                                                  for the Internal Revenue Service (or categories of such
                                                                                                  acquisitions) as the IRS CIO, in consultation with the
                                                                                                  Chief Procurement Officer of the Internal Revenue Service,
                                                                                                  may identify.
                                                                                                  (3) SCOPE.—Terms used in this subsection which are also
                                                                                              used in section 7803(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
                                                                                              (as added by subsection (a)) shall have the same meaning
                                                                                              as when used in such section.
                                                                   26 USC 6011             SEC. 2102. INTERNET PLATFORM FOR FORM 1099 FILINGS.
                                                                   note.
                                                                   Deadline.                    (a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than January 1, 2023, the Secretary
                                                                                           of the Treasury or the Secretary’s delegate (hereafter referred to
                                                                                           in this section as the ‘‘Secretary’’) shall make available an internet
                                                                                           website or other electronic media, with a user interface and
                                                                                           functionality similar to the Business Services Online Suite of Serv-
                                                                                           ices provided by the Social Security Administration, that provides
                                                                                           access to resources and guidance provided by the Internal Revenue
                                                                                           Service and allows persons to—
                                                                                                     (1) prepare and file Forms 1099;
                                                                                                     (2) prepare Forms 1099 for distribution to recipients other
                                                                                                than the Internal Revenue Service; and
                                                                                                     (3) maintain a record of completed, filed, and distributed
                                                                                                Forms 1099.
                                                                                                (b) ELECTRONIC SERVICES TREATED AS SUPPLEMENTAL; APPLICA-
                                                                                           TION OF SECURITY STANDARDS.—The Secretary shall ensure that
                                                                                           the services described in subsection (a)—
                                                                                                     (1) are a supplement to, and not a replacement for, other
                                                                                                services provided by the Internal Revenue Service to taxpayers;
                                                                                                and
                                                                   Compliance.                       (2) comply with applicable security standards and guide-
                                                                                                lines.
                                                                                           SEC. 2103. STREAMLINED CRITICAL PAY AUTHORITY FOR INFORMA-
                                                                                                       TION TECHNOLOGY POSITIONS.




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                                                                                               (a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter A of chapter 80 is amended by
                                                                                           adding at the end the following new section:




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                                                                                       PUBLIC LAW 116–25—JULY 1, 2019                                             133 STAT. 1011
                                                                   ‘‘SEC. 7812. STREAMLINED CRITICAL PAY AUTHORITY FOR INFORMA-                                          Applicability.
                                                                                 TION TECHNOLOGY POSITIONS.                                                              26 USC 7812.

                                                                       ‘‘In the case of any position which is critical to the functionality
                                                                   of the information technology operations of the Internal Revenue
                                                                   Service—
                                                                             ‘‘(1) section 9503 of title 5, United States Code, shall be
                                                                       applied—
                                                                                   ‘‘(A) by substituting ‘during the period beginning on
                                                                             the date of the enactment of section 7812 of the Internal
                                                                             Revenue Code of 1986, and ending on September 30, 2025’
                                                                             for ‘Before September 30, 2013 in subsection (a)’,
                                                                                   ‘‘(B) without regard to subparagraph (B) of subsection
                                                                             (a)(1), and
                                                                                   ‘‘(C) by substituting ‘the date of the enactment of the
                                                                             Taxpayer First Act’ for ‘June 1, 1998’ in subsection (a)(6),
                                                                             ‘‘(2) section 9504 of such title 5 shall be applied by sub-
                                                                       stituting ‘During the period beginning on the date of the enact-
                                                                       ment of section 7812 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
                                                                       and ending on September 30, 2025’ for ‘Before September 30,
                                                                       2013’ each place it appears in subsections (a) and (b), and
                                                                             ‘‘(3) section 9505 of such title shall be applied—
                                                                                   ‘‘(A) by substituting ‘During the period beginning on
                                                                             the date of the enactment of section 7812 of the Internal
                                                                             Revenue Code of 1986, and ending on September 30, 2025’
                                                                             for ‘Before September 30, 2013’ in subsection (a), and
                                                                                   ‘‘(B) by substituting ‘the information technology oper-
                                                                             ations’ for ‘significant functions’ in subsection (a).’’.
                                                                       (b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections for subchapter
                                                                   A of chapter 80 is amended by adding at the end the following                                         26 USC 7801
                                                                   new item:                                                                                             prec.

                                                                   ‘‘Sec. 7812. Streamlined critical pay authority for information technology posi-
                                                                                tions.’’.

                                                                         Subtitle C—Modernization of Consent-
                                                                           Based Income Verification System
                                                                   SEC. 2201. DISCLOSURE OF TAXPAYER INFORMATION FOR THIRD-                                              26 USC 6103
                                                                               PARTY INCOME VERIFICATION.                                                                note.
                                                                        (a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the close of                                         Deadline.
                                                                   the 2-year period described in subsection (d)(1), the Secretary of
                                                                   the Treasury or the Secretary’s delegate (hereafter referred to in
                                                                   this section as the ‘‘Secretary’’) shall implement a program to ensure
                                                                   that any qualified disclosure—
                                                                             (1) is fully automated and accomplished through the inter-
                                                                        net; and
                                                                             (2) is accomplished in as close to real-time as is practicable.
                                                                        (b) QUALIFIED DISCLOSURE.—For purposes of this section, the                                      Definition.
                                                                   term ‘‘qualified disclosure’’ means a disclosure under section 6103(c)
                                                                   of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 of returns or return informa-
                                                                   tion by the Secretary to a person seeking to verify the income
                                                                   or creditworthiness of a taxpayer who is a borrower in the process
                                                                   of a loan application.
                                                                        (c) APPLICATION OF SECURITY STANDARDS.—The Secretary shall                                       Compliance.




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                                                                   ensure that the program described in subsection (a) complies with
                                                                   applicable security standards and guidelines.




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                                                                   133 STAT. 1012                             PUBLIC LAW 116–25—JULY 1, 2019

                                                                                                  (d) USER FEE.—
                                                                   Time period.                        (1) IN GENERAL.—During the 2-year period beginning on
                                                                                                  the first day of the sixth calendar month beginning after the
                                                                                                  date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall assess
                                                                                                  and collect a fee for qualified disclosures (in addition to any
                                                                                                  other fee assessed and collected for such disclosures) at such
                                                                                                  rates as the Secretary determines are sufficient to cover the
                                                                                                  costs related to implementing the program described in sub-
                                                                                                  section (a), including the costs of any necessary infrastructure
                                                                                                  or technology.
                                                                                                       (2) DEPOSIT OF COLLECTIONS.—Amounts received from fees
                                                                                                  assessed and collected under paragraph (1) shall be deposited
                                                                                                  in, and credited to, an account solely for the purpose of carrying
                                                                                                  out the activities described in subsection (a). Such amounts
                                                                                                  shall be available to carry out such activities without need
                                                                                                  of further appropriation and without fiscal year limitation.
                                                                                           SEC. 2202. LIMIT REDISCLOSURES AND USES OF CONSENT-BASED
                                                                                                       DISCLOSURES OF TAX RETURN INFORMATION.
                                                                   26 USC 6103.                 (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 6103(c) is amended by adding at
                                                                                           the end the following: ‘‘Persons designated by the taxpayer under
                                                                                           this subsection to receive return information shall not use the
                                                                                           information for any purpose other than the express purpose for
                                                                                           which consent was granted and shall not disclose return information
                                                                                           to any other person without the express permission of, or request
                                                                                           by, the taxpayer.’’.
                                                                                                (b) APPLICATION OF PENALTIES.—Section 6103(a)(3) is amended
                                                                                           by inserting ‘‘subsection (c),’’ after ‘‘return information under’’.
                                                                   Applicability.               (c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section
                                                                   Time period.            shall apply to disclosures made after the date which is 180 days
                                                                   26 USC 6103             after the date of the enactment of this Act.
                                                                   note.

                                                                                                 Subtitle D—Expanded Use of Electronic
                                                                                                               Systems
                                                                                           SEC. 2301. ELECTRONIC FILING OF RETURNS.
                                                                                                (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 6011(e)(2)(A) is amended by striking
                                                                                           ‘‘250’’ and inserting ‘‘the applicable number of’’.
                                                                                                (b) APPLICABLE NUMBER.—Section 6011(e) is amended by
                                                                                           striking paragraph (5) and inserting the following new paragraphs:
                                                                                                     ‘‘(5) APPLICABLE NUMBER.—
                                                                                                           ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—For purposes of paragraph (2)(A),
                                                                                                     the applicable number shall be—
                                                                                                                ‘‘(i) except as provided in subparagraph (B), in
                                                                                                           the case of calendar years before 2021, 250,
                                                                                                                ‘‘(ii) in the case of calendar year 2021, 100, and
                                                                                                                ‘‘(iii) in the case of calendar years after 2021, 10.
                                                                                                           ‘‘(B) SPECIAL RULE FOR PARTNERSHIPS FOR 2018, 2019,
                                                                                                     2020, AND 2021.—In the case of a partnership, for any cal-
                                                                                                     endar year before 2022, the applicable number shall be—
                                                                                                                ‘‘(i) in the case of calendar year 2018, 200,
                                                                                                                ‘‘(ii) in the case of calendar year 2019, 150,
                                                                                                                ‘‘(iii) in the case of calendar year 2020, 100, and
                                                                                                                ‘‘(iv) in the case of calendar year 2021, 50.




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                                                                                                     ‘‘(6) PARTNERSHIPS REQUIRED TO FILE ON MAGNETIC
                                                                                                MEDIA.—Notwithstanding paragraph (2)(A), the Secretary shall




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                                                                                       PUBLIC LAW 116–25—JULY 1, 2019                                             133 STAT. 1013

                                                                        require partnerships having more than 100 partners to file
                                                                        returns on magnetic media.’’.
                                                                        (c) RETURNS FILED BY A TAX RETURN PREPARER.—Section
                                                                   6011(e)(3) is amended by adding at the end the following new                                          26 USC 6011.
                                                                   subparagraph:
                                                                                  ‘‘(D) EXCEPTION FOR CERTAIN PREPARERS LOCATED IN
                                                                             AREAS WITHOUT INTERNET ACCESS.—The Secretary may                                            Waiver authority.
                                                                             waive the requirement of subparagraph (A) if the Secretary                                  Determination.
                                                                             determines, on the basis of an application by the tax return
                                                                             preparer, that the preparer cannot meet such requirement
                                                                             by reason of being located in a geographic area which
                                                                             does not have access to internet service (other than dial-
                                                                             up or satellite service).’’.
                                                                        (d) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 6724(c) is amended by
                                                                   striking ‘‘250 information returns (more than 100 information
                                                                   returns in the case of a partnership having more than 100 partners)’’
                                                                   and inserting ‘‘the applicable number (determined under section
                                                                   6011(e)(5) with respect to the calendar year to which such returns
                                                                   relate) of information returns’’.
                                                                        (e) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section                                          26 USC 6011
                                                                   shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.                                           note.

                                                                   SEC. 2302. UNIFORM STANDARDS FOR THE USE OF ELECTRONIC SIGNA-
                                                                                TURES FOR DISCLOSURE AUTHORIZATIONS TO, AND
                                                                                OTHER AUTHORIZATIONS OF, PRACTITIONERS.
                                                                          Section 6061(b)(3) is amended to read as follows:
                                                                              ‘‘(3) PUBLISHED GUIDANCE.—
                                                                                    ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall publish guid-
                                                                              ance as appropriate to define and implement any waiver
                                                                              of the signature requirements or any method adopted under
                                                                              paragraph (1).
                                                                                    ‘‘(B) ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES FOR DISCLOSURE
                                                                              AUTHORIZATIONS TO, AND OTHER AUTHORIZATIONS OF,
                                                                              PRACTITIONERS.—Not later than 6 months after the date                                      Deadline.
                                                                              of the enactment of this subparagraph, the Secretary shall                                 Procedures.
                                                                              publish guidance to establish uniform standards and proce-
                                                                              dures for the acceptance of taxpayers’ signatures appearing
                                                                              in electronic form with respect to any request for disclosure
                                                                              of a taxpayer’s return or return information under section
                                                                              6103(c) to a practitioner or any power of attorney granted
                                                                              by a taxpayer to a practitioner.
                                                                                    ‘‘(C) PRACTITIONER.—For purposes of subparagraph (B),                                Definition.
                                                                              the term ‘practitioner’ means any individual in good
                                                                              standing who is regulated under section 330 of title 31,
                                                                              United States Code.’’.
                                                                   SEC. 2303. PAYMENT OF TAXES BY DEBIT AND CREDIT CARDS.
                                                                       Section 6311(d)(2) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
                                                                   lowing: ‘‘The preceding sentence shall not apply to the extent that
                                                                   the Secretary ensures that any such fee or other consideration
                                                                   is fully recouped by the Secretary in the form of fees paid to
                                                                   the Secretary by persons paying taxes imposed under subtitle A
                                                                   with credit, debit, or charge cards pursuant to such contract. Not-
                                                                   withstanding the preceding sentence, the Secretary shall seek to




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                                                                   minimize the amount of any fee or other consideration that the
                                                                   Secretary pays under any such contract.’’.




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                                                                   133 STAT. 1014                             PUBLIC LAW 116–25—JULY 1, 2019
                                                                   26 USC 6011             SEC. 2304. AUTHENTICATION OF USERS OF ELECTRONIC SERVICES
                                                                   note.                               ACCOUNTS.
                                                                   Effective date.              Beginning 180 days after the date of the enactment of this
                                                                   Time period.            Act, the Secretary of the Treasury (or the Secretary’s delegate)
                                                                                           shall verify the identity of any individual opening an e-Services
                                                                                           account with the Internal Revenue Service before such individual
                                                                                           is able to use the e-Services tools.

                                                                                                            Subtitle E—Other Provisions
                                                                                           SEC. 2401. REPEAL OF PROVISION REGARDING CERTAIN TAX COMPLI-
                                                                                                       ANCE PROCEDURES AND REPORTS.
                                                                                               Section 2004 of the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring
                                                                                           and Reform Act of 1998 (26 U.S.C. 6012 note) is repealed.
                                                                                           SEC. 2402. COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING STRATEGY.
                                                                   Deadline.                    Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this
                                                                   Reports.                Act, the Commissioner of Internal Revenue shall submit to Congress
                                                                   Plans.                  a written report providing a comprehensive training strategy for
                                                                                           employees of the Internal Revenue Service, including—
                                                                   Assessment.                       (1) a plan to streamline current training processes,
                                                                                                including an assessment of the utility of further consolidating
                                                                                                internal training programs, technology, and funding;
                                                                                                     (2) a plan to develop annual training regarding taxpayer
                                                                                                rights, including the role of the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate,
                                                                                                for employees that interface with taxpayers and the direct
                                                                                                managers of such employees;
                                                                                                     (3) a plan to improve technology-based training;
                                                                   Proposals.                        (4) proposals to—
                                                                                                          (A) focus employee training on early, fair, and efficient
                                                                                                     resolution of taxpayer disputes for employees that interface
                                                                                                     with taxpayers and the direct managers of such employees;
                                                                                                     and
                                                                                                          (B) ensure consistency of skill development and
                                                                                                     employee evaluation throughout the Internal Revenue
                                                                                                     Service; and
                                                                   Assessment.                       (5) a thorough assessment of the funding necessary to
                                                                                                implement such strategy.

                                                                                                            TITLE III—MISCELLANEOUS
                                                                                                                   PROVISIONS
                                                                                                 Subtitle A—Reform of Laws Governing
                                                                                                  Internal Revenue Service Employees
                                                                                           SEC. 3001. PROHIBITION ON REHIRING ANY EMPLOYEE OF THE
                                                                                                      INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE WHO WAS INVOLUNTARILY
                                                                                                      SEPARATED FROM SERVICE FOR MISCONDUCT.
                                                                   26 USC 7804.                (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 7804 is amended by adding at the
                                                                                           end the following new subsection:
                                                                                               ‘‘(d) PROHIBITION ON REHIRING EMPLOYEES INVOLUNTARILY
                                                                                           SEPARATED.—The Commissioner may not hire any individual pre-




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                                                                                           viously employed by the Commissioner who was removed for mis-
                                                                                           conduct under this subchapter or chapter 43 or chapter 75 of




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                                                                                       PUBLIC LAW 116–25—JULY 1, 2019                                             133 STAT. 1015

                                                                   title 5, United States Code, or whose employment was terminated
                                                                   under section 1203 of the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring
                                                                   and Reform Act of 1998 (26 U.S.C. 7804 note).’’.
                                                                        (b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by subsection (a)                                         26 USC 7804
                                                                   shall apply with respect to the hiring of employees after the date                                    note.
                                                                   of the enactment of this Act.
                                                                   SEC. 3002. NOTIFICATION OF UNAUTHORIZED INSPECTION OR DISCLO-                                         Determinations.
                                                                                SURE OF RETURNS AND RETURN INFORMATION.
                                                                        (a) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (e) of section 7431 is amended                                        26 USC 7431.
                                                                   by adding at the end the following new sentences: ‘‘The Secretary
                                                                   shall also notify such taxpayer if the Internal Revenue Service
                                                                   or a Federal or State agency (upon notice to the Secretary by
                                                                   such Federal or State agency) proposes an administrative deter-
                                                                   mination as to disciplinary or adverse action against an employee
                                                                   arising from the employee’s unauthorized inspection or disclosure
                                                                   of the taxpayer’s return or return information. The notice described
                                                                   in this subsection shall include the date of the unauthorized inspec-
                                                                   tion or disclosure and the rights of the taxpayer under such adminis-
                                                                   trative determination.’’.
                                                                        (b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by this section                                           Applicability.
                                                                   shall apply to determinations proposed after the date which is                                        Time period.
                                                                   180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.                                                 26 USC 7431
                                                                                                                                                                         note.

                                                                    Subtitle B—Provisions Relating to Exempt
                                                                                 Organizations
                                                                   SEC. 3101. MANDATORY E-FILING BY EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS.
                                                                        (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 6033 is amended by redesignating
                                                                   subsection (n) as subsection (o) and by inserting after subsection
                                                                   (m) the following new subsection:
                                                                        ‘‘(n) MANDATORY ELECTRONIC FILING.—Any organization
                                                                   required to file a return under this section shall file such return
                                                                   in electronic form.’’.
                                                                        (b) OTHER REPORTS AND RETURNS.—
                                                                              (1) POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS.—Section 527(j)(7) is
                                                                        amended by striking ‘‘if the organization has’’ and all that
                                                                        follows through ‘‘such calendar year’’.
                                                                              (2) UNRELATED BUSINESS INCOME TAX RETURNS.—Section
                                                                        6011 is amended by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection
                                                                        (i) and by inserting after subsection (g) the following new
                                                                        subsection:
                                                                        ‘‘(h) MANDATORY E-FILING OF UNRELATED BUSINESS INCOME
                                                                   TAX RETURN.—Any organization required to file an annual return
                                                                   under this section which relates to any tax imposed by section
                                                                   511 shall file such return in electronic form.’’.
                                                                        (c) INSPECTION OF ELECTRONICALLY FILED ANNUAL RETURNS.—
                                                                   Section 6104(b) is amended by adding at the end the following:
                                                                   ‘‘Any annual return required to be filed electronically under section
                                                                   6033(n) shall be made available by the Secretary to the public
                                                                   as soon as practicable in a machine readable format.’’.
                                                                        (d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—                                                                             26 USC 527 note.
                                                                              (1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
                                                                        amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years




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                                                                        beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.
                                                                              (2) TRANSITIONAL RELIEF.—




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                                                                   133 STAT. 1016                             PUBLIC LAW 116–25—JULY 1, 2019

                                                                                                             (A) SMALL ORGANIZATIONS.—
                                                                   Determination.                                  (i) IN GENERAL.—In the case of any small organiza-
                                                                   Time period.                              tions, or any other organizations for which the Sec-
                                                                                                             retary of the Treasury or the Secretary’s delegate (here-
                                                                                                             after referred to in this paragraph as the ‘‘Secretary’’)
                                                                                                             determines the application of the amendments made
                                                                                                             by this section would cause undue burden without
                                                                                                             a delay, the Secretary may delay the application of
                                                                                                             such amendments, but such delay shall not apply to
                                                                                                             any taxable year beginning on or after the date that
                                                                                                             is 2 years after the enactment of this Act.
                                                                   Definition.                                     (ii) SMALL ORGANIZATION.—For purposes of clause
                                                                                                             (i), the term ‘‘small organization’’ means any organiza-
                                                                                                             tion—
                                                                                                                        (I) the gross receipts of which for the taxable
                                                                                                                   year are less than $200,000; and
                                                                                                                        (II) the aggregate gross assets of which at
                                                                                                                   the end of the taxable year are less than $500,000.
                                                                   Time period.                              (B) ORGANIZATIONS FILING FORM 990–T.—In the case
                                                                                                       of any organization described in section 511(a)(2) of the
                                                                                                       Internal Revenue Code of 1986 which is subject to the
                                                                                                       tax imposed by section 511(a)(1) of such Code on its unre-
                                                                                                       lated business taxable income, or any organization required
                                                                                                       to file a return under section 6033 of such Code and include
                                                                                                       information under subsection (e) thereof, the Secretary may
                                                                                                       delay the application of the amendments made by this
                                                                                                       section, but such delay shall not apply to any taxable
                                                                                                       year beginning on or after the date that is 2 years after
                                                                                                       the enactment of this Act.
                                                                                           SEC. 3102. NOTICE REQUIRED BEFORE REVOCATION OF TAX-EXEMPT
                                                                                                       STATUS FOR FAILURE TO FILE RETURN.
                                                                   26 USC 6033.                  (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 6033(j)(1) is amended by striking
                                                                                           ‘‘If an organization’’ and inserting the following:
                                                                   Time period.                           ‘‘(A) NOTICE.—If an organization described in sub-
                                                                                                     section (a)(1) or (i) fails to file the annual return or notice
                                                                                                     required under either subsection for 2 consecutive years,
                                                                                                     the Secretary shall notify the organization—
                                                                                                                ‘‘(i) that the Internal Revenue Service has no
                                                                                                          record of such a return or notice from such organization
                                                                                                          for 2 consecutive years, and
                                                                                                                ‘‘(ii) about the revocation that will occur under
                                                                                                          subparagraph (B) if the organization fails to file such
                                                                                                          a return or notice by the due date for the next such
                                                                                                          return or notice required to be filed.
                                                                                                     The notification under the preceding sentence shall include
                                                                                                     information about how to comply with the filing require-
                                                                                                     ments under subsections (a)(1) and (i).
                                                                                                          ‘‘(B) REVOCATION.—If an organization’’.
                                                                   Applicability.                (b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by this section
                                                                   Time period.            shall apply to failures to file returns or notices for 2 consecutive
                                                                   26 USC 6033             years if the return or notice for the second year is required to
                                                                   note.
                                                                                           be filed after December 31, 2019.




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                                                                                       PUBLIC LAW 116–25—JULY 1, 2019                                             133 STAT. 1017

                                                                                    Subtitle C—Revenue Provision
                                                                   SEC. 3201. INCREASE IN PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO FILE.
                                                                       (a) IN GENERAL.—The second sentence of subsection (a) of sec-
                                                                   tion 6651 is amended by striking ‘‘$205’’ and inserting ‘‘$330’’.                                     26 USC 6651.
                                                                       (b) INFLATION ADJUSTMENT.—Section 6651(j)(1) is amended—
                                                                            (1) by striking ‘‘2014’’ and inserting ‘‘2020’’,
                                                                            (2) by striking ‘‘$205’’ and inserting ‘‘$330’’, and
                                                                            (3) by striking ‘‘2013’’ and inserting ‘‘2019’’.
                                                                       (c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section                                           26 USC 6651
                                                                   shall apply to returns required to be filed after December 31,                                        note.
                                                                   2019.

                                                                             TITLE IV—BUDGETARY EFFECTS
                                                                   SEC. 4001. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.
                                                                        The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying
                                                                   with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined
                                                                   by reference to the latest statement titled ‘‘Budgetary Effects of
                                                                   PAYGO Legislation’’ for this Act, submitted for printing in the
                                                                   Congressional Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Com-
                                                                   mittee, provided that such statement has been submitted prior
                                                                   to the vote on passage.

                                                                      Approved July 1, 2019.




                                                                   LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 3151:
                                                                   CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 165 (2019):
                                                                        June 10, considered and passed House.
                                                                        June 13, considered and passed Senate.
                                                                   DAILY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS (2019):
                                                                        July 1, Presidential statement.




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                                                                                                                    Æ




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