Title 27—Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms--Volume 1
PART 70—PROCEDURE AND ADMINISTRATION
§ 70.183   Administration and disposition of real estate acquired by the United States.
(a) Persons charged with. The appropriate TTB officer shall have charge of all real estate which has been or shall be assigned, set off, or otherwise conveyed by purchase or otherwise to the United States in payment of debts or penalties arising under provisions of 26 U.S.C. enforced and administered by the Bureau or which has been or shall be vested in the United States by mortgage, or other security for payment of such debts, or which has been redeemed by the United States, or which has been or shall be acquired by the United States for payment of or as security for debts arising under provisions of 26 U.S.C. enforced and administered by the Bureau, and of all trusts created for the use of the United States in payment of such debts due the United States.
(b) Sale. The appropriate TTB officer may sell any real estate owned or held by the United States as aforesaid, subject to the following rules:
(1) Property purchased at sale under levy. If the property was acquired as a result of being declared purchased for the United States at a sale under 26 U.S.C. 6335, relating to sale of seized property, the property shall not be sold until after the expiration of 180 days after such sale under levy.
(2) Notice of sale. A notice of sale shall be published in some newspaper published or generally circulated within the county where the property is situated, or a notice shall be posted at the post office nearest the place where the property is situated and in at least two other public places. The notice shall specify the property to be sold and the time, place, manner and conditions of sale. In addition, the appropriate TTB officer may use other methods of advertising and of giving notice of the sale if the appropriate TTB officer believes such methods will enhance the possibility of obtaining a higher price for the property.
(3) Time and place of sale. The time of the sale shall be not less than 20 days from the date of giving public notice of sale under paragraph (b)(2) of this section. The place of sale shall be within the county where the property is situated. However, if the appropriate TTB officer believes a substantially better price may be obtained, the sale may be held outside such county.
(4) Rejection of bids and adjournment of sale. The officer conducting the sale reserves the right to reject any and all bids and withdraw the property from the sale. When it appears to the officer conducting the sale that an adjournment of the sale will best serve the interest of the United States, that officer may order the sale adjourned from time to time. If the sale is adjourned for more than 30 days in the aggregate, public notice of the sale must be given again in accordance with paragraph (b)(2) of this section.
(5) Liquidated damages. The notice shall state whether, in the case of default in payment of the bid price, any amount deposited with the United States will be retained as liquidated damages. In case liquidated damages are provided, the amount thereof shall not exceed $200.
(6) Agreement to bid. The appropriate TTB officer may, before giving notice of sale, solicit offers from prospective bidders and enter into agreements with such persons that they will bid at least a specified amount in case the property is offered for sale. In such cases, the appropriate TTB officer may also require such persons to make deposits to secure the performance of their agreements. Any such deposit, but not more than $200, shall be retained as liquidated damages in case such person fails to bid the specified amount and the property is not sold for as much as the amount specified in such agreement.
(7) Terms. The property shall be offered for sale upon whichever of the following terms is fixed by the appropriate TTB officer in the public notice of sale:
(i) Payments in full upon acceptance of the highest bid, or
(ii) If the price of the property purchased by a successful bidder at the sale is more than $200, an initial payment of $200 or 20 percent of the purchase price, whichever is the greater, and payment of the balance within a specified period, not to exceed one month from the date of the sale.
(8) Method of sale. The property may be sold either:
(i) At public auction, at which open competitive bids shall be received, or
(ii) At public sale under sealed bids.
(9) Sales under sealed bids. The following rules, in addition to the other rules provided in this paragraph (b), shall be applicable to public sales under sealed bids.
(i) Invitation to bidders. Bids shall be solicited through a public notice of sale.
(ii) Form for use by bidders. A bid shall be submitted on a form which will be furnished by the appropriate TTB officer upon request. The form shall be completed in accordance with the instructions thereon.
(iii) Remittance with bid. If the total bid is $200 or less, the full amount of the bid shall be submitted therewith. If the total bid is more than $200, 20 percent of such bid or $200, whichever is greater, shall be submitted therewith. Such remittance shall be by a certified, cashier's, or treasurer's check drawn on any bank or trust company incorporated under the laws of the United States or under the laws of any State, Territory, or possession of the United States, or by a U.S. postal, bank, express, or telegraph money order.
(iv) Time for receiving and opening bids. Each bid shall be submitted in a securely sealed envelope. The bidder shall indicate in the upper left hand corner of the envelope the bidder's name and address and the time and place of sale as announced in the public notice of sale. A bid shall not be considered unless it is received by the officer conducting the sale prior to the opening of the bids. The bids will be opened at the time and place stated in the notice of sale, or at the time fixed in the announcement of the adjournment of the sale.
(v) Consideration of bids. The officer conducting the sale shall have the right to waive any technical defects in a bid. After the opening, examination, and consideration of all bids, the officer conducting the sale shall announce the amount of the highest bid or bids and the name of the successful bidder or bidders, unless in the opinion of the officer a higher price can be obtained for the property than has been bid. In the event the highest bids are equal in amount (and unless in the opinion of the officer conducting the sale a higher price can be obtained for the property than has been bid), the officer shall determine the successful bidder by drawing lots. Any remittance submitted in connection with an unsuccessful bid shall be returned to the bidder at the conclusion of the sale.
(vi) Withdrawal of bid. A bid may be withdrawn on written or telegraphic request received from the bidder prior to the time fixed for opening the bids. A technical defect in a bid confers no right on the bidder for the withdrawal of the bid after it has been opened.
(10) Payment of bid price. All payments for property sold pursuant to this section shall be made by cash or by a certified cashier's or treasurer's check drawn on any bank or trust company incorporated under the laws of the United States or under the laws of any State, Territory, or possession of the United States, or by a U.S. postal, bank, express, or telegraph money order. If payment in full is required upon acceptance of the highest bid, the payment shall be made at such time. If payment in full is not made at such time, the officer conducting the sale may forthwith proceed again to sell the property in the manner provided in paragraph (b)(8) of this section. If deferred payment is permitted, the initial payment shall be made upon acceptance of the bid, and the balance shall be paid on or before the date fixed for payment thereof. Any remittance submitted with a successful sealed bid shall be applied toward the purchase price.
(11) Deed. Upon payment in full of the purchase price, the appropriate TTB officer shall execute a quitclaim deed to the purchaser.
(c) Lease. Until real estate is sold, the appropriate TTB officer may lease such property.
(d) Release to debtor. In cases where real estate has or may become the property of the United States by conveyance or otherwise, in payment of or as security for a debt arising under the laws relating to internal revenue, and such debt shall have been paid, together with the interest thereon (at the rate of 1 percent per month), to the United States within 2 years from the date of the acquisition of such real estate, the appropriate TTB officer may release by deed or otherwise convey such real estate to the debtor from whom it was taken, or to the debtor's heirs or other legal representatives. If property is declared purchased by the United States under 26 U.S.C. 6335, then, for the purpose of this paragraph, the date of such declaration shall be deemed to be the date of acquisition of such real estate.
(e) Accounting. The appropriate TTB officer shall, in accordance with 26 U.S.C. 7809, account for the proceeds of all sales or leases of the property and all expenses connected with the maintenance, sale, or lease of the property.
(f) Authority of appropriate TTB officer. Notwithstanding the other paragraphs of this section, the appropriate TTB officer may, when such officer deems it advisable, take charge of, and assume responsibility for, any real estate to which this section is applicable. In such case, such officer will notify in writing the appropriate TTB officer from whom he or she is taking charge and assuming responsibility. Also, in any case where a single parcel of real estate is situated in an area in which more than one officer has jurisdiction, the appropriate TTB officer may designate in writing one officer who is to be in charge of, and responsible for, the entire property.
§ 70.184   Disposition of perishable goods.
(a) Appraisal of certain seized property. If the appropriate TTB officer determines that any property seized by levy is liable to perish or become greatly reduced in price or value by keeping, or that such property cannot be kept without great expense, the appropriate TTB officer shall appraise the value of such property and return it to the owner if the owner complies with the conditions prescribed in paragraph (b) of this section or, if the owner does not comply with such conditions, dispose of the property in accordance with paragraph (c) of this section.
(b) Return to owner. If the owner of the property can be readily found, the appropriate TTB officer shall give the owner written notice of the appropriate TTB officer's determination of the appraised value of the property. However, if the appropriate TTB officer determines that the circumstances require immediate action, the appropriate TTB officer may give the owner an oral notice of the determination of the appraised value of the property, which notice shall be confirmed in writing prior to sale. The property shall be returned to the owner if, within the time specified in the notice, the owner:
(1) Pays to the appropriate TTB officer an amount equal to the appraised value, or
(2) Gives an acceptable bond as prescribed by 26 U.S.C. 7101 and § 70.281 of this part. Such bond shall be in an amount not less than the appraised value of the property and shall be conditioned upon the payment of such amount at such time as the appropriate TTB officer determines to be appropriate in the circumstances.
(c) Immediate sale. If the owner does not pay the amount of the appraised value of the seized property within the time specified in the notice, or furnish bond as provided in paragraph (b) of this section within such time, the appropriate TTB officer shall as soon as practicable make public sale of the property in accordance with the following terms and conditions:
(1) Notice of sale. If the owner can readily be found, a notice shall be given to the owner. A notice of sale also shall be posted in two public places in the county which the property is to be sold. The notice shall specify the time and place of sale, the property to be sold, and the manner and conditions of sale. The appropriate TTB officer may give such other notice and in such other manner as the appropriate TTB officer deems advisable under the circumstances.
(2) Sale. The property shall be sold at public auction to the higher bidder.
(3) Terms. The purchase price shall be paid in full upon acceptance of the highest bid. The payment shall be made by cash, or by a certified, cashier's or treasurer's check drawn on any bank or trust company incorporated under the laws of the United States or under the laws of any State, Territory, or possession of the United States, or by a U.S. postal, bank, express, or telegraph money order.
§ 70.185   Certificate of sale; deed of real property.
(a) Certificate of sale. In the case of property sold as provided in 26 U.S.C. 6335 (relating to sale of seized property), the appropriate TTB officer shall give to the purchaser a certificate of sale upon payment in full of the purchase price. A certificate of sale of real property shall set forth the real property purchased, for whose taxes the same was sold, the name of the purchaser, and the price paid therefor.
(b) Deed to real property. In case of any real property sold as provided in 26 U.S.C. 6335 and not redeemed in the manner and within the time prescribed in 26 U.S.C. 6337, the appropriate TTB officer shall execute (in accordance with the laws of the State in which the real property is situated pertaining to sales of real property under execution) to the purchaser of such real property at the sale or his assigns, upon surrender of the certificate of sale, a deed of the real property so purchased, reciting the facts set forth in the certificate.
(c) Deed to real property purchased by the United States. If real property is declared purchased by the United States at a sale pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 6335, the appropriate TTB officer shall at the proper time execute a deed therefor and shall, without delay, cause the deed to be duly recorded in the proper registry of deeds.
§ 70.186   Legal effect of certificate of sale of personal property and deed of real property.
(a) Certificate of sale of property other than real property. In all cases of sale pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 6335 of property (other than real property), the certificate of such sale:
(1) As evidence. Shall be prima facie evidence of the right of the officer to make such sale, and conclusive evidence of the regularity of the officer's proceedings in making the sale; and
(2) As conveyance. Shall transfer to the purchaser all right, title, and interest of the party delinquent in and to the property sold; and
(3) As authority for transfer of corporate stock. If such property consists of corporate stocks, shall be notice, when received, to any corporation, company, or association of such transfer, and shall be authority to such corporation, company, or association to record the transfer on its books and records in the same manner as if the stocks were transferred or assigned by the party holding the stock certificate, in lieu of any original or prior certificate, which shall be void, whether canceled or not; and
(4) As receipts. If the subject of sale is securities or other evidence of debt, shall be a good and valid receipt to the person holding the certificate of sale as against any person holding or claiming to hold possession of such securities or other evidences of debt; and
(5) As authority for transfer of title to motor vehicle. If such property consists of a motor vehicle, shall be notice, when received, to any public officer charged with the registration of title to motor vehicles, of such transfer and shall be authority to such officer to record the transfer on his books and records in the same manner as if the certificate of title to such motor vehicle were transferred or assigned by the party holding the certificate of title, in lieu of any original or prior certificate, which shall be null and void, whether canceled or not.
(b) Deed to real property. In the case of the sale of real property pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 6335:
(1) Deed as evidence. The deed of sale given pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 6338 shall be prima facie evidence of the facts therein stated; and
(2) Deed as conveyance of title. If the proceedings of the appropriate TTB officer as set forth have been substantially in accordance with the provisions of law, such deed shall be considered and operate as a conveyance of all the right, title, and interest the party delinquent had in and to the real property thus sold at the time the lien of the United States attached thereto.
(c) Effect of junior encumbrances. A certificate of sale of personal property given or a deed to real property executed pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 6338 discharges the property from all liens, encumbrances, and titles over which the lien of the United States, with respect to which the levy was made, has priority. For example, a mortgage on real property executed after a notice of a Federal tax lien has been filed is extinguished when the appropriate TTB officer executes a deed to the real property to a purchaser thereof at a sale pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 6335 following the seizure of the property by the United States. The proceeds of such a sale are distributed in accordance with priority of the liens, encumbrances, or titles. See 26 U.S.C. 6342(b) and 7426(a)(2) and §§ 70.170 and 70.207(a)(2) of this part with respect to surplus proceeds.
§ 70.187   Records of sale.
(a) Requirement. Each appropriate TTB officer shall make a record of all sales under 26 U.S.C. 6335 of real property situated within his or her jurisdiction and of redemptions of such property. The records shall set forth the tax for which any such sale was made, the dates of seizures and sale, the name of the party assessed and all proceedings in making such sale, the amount of expenses, the names of the purchasers, and the date of the deed. In the case of redemption of the property, the records shall additionally set forth the date of such redemption and of the transfer of the certificate of sale, the amount of the redemption price, and the name of the party to whom such redemption price was paid. The original record shall be retained by the appropriate TTB officer.
(b) Copy as evidence. A copy of such record, or any part thereof, certified by the appropriate TTB officer shall be evidence in any court of the truth of the facts therein stated.
§ 70.188   Expense of levy and sale.
The appropriate TTB officer shall determine the expenses to be allowed in all cases of levy and sale. Such expenses shall include the expenses of protection and preservation of the property during the period subsequent to the levy, as well as the actual expenses incurred in connection with the sale thereof. In case real and personal property (or several tracts of real property) are sold in the aggregate, the appropriate TTB officer shall properly apportion the expenses to the real property (or to each tract).
§ 70.191   Authorization.
(a) In general. A civil action for the collection or recovery of taxes, or of any fine, penalty, or forfeiture (with respect to the provisions of 26 U.S.C. enforced and administered by the Bureau) will be commenced when the appropriate TTB officer, directs that the action be commenced.
(b) Property held by banks. The appropriate TTB officer shall not authorize or sanction any civil action for the collection or recovery of taxes, or of any fine, penalty, or forfeiture, from any deposits held in a foreign office of a bank engaged in the banking business in the United States or a possession of the United States unless the appropriate TTB officer believes:
(1) That the taxpayer is within the jurisdiction of a U.S. court at the time the civil action is authorized or sanctioned and that the bank is in possession of (or obligated with respect to) deposits of the taxpayer in an office of the bank outside the United States or a possession of the United States; or
(2) That the taxpayer is not within the jurisdiction of a U.S. court at the time the civil action is authorized or sanctioned, that the bank is in possession of (or obligated with respect to) deposits of the taxpayer in an office of the bank outside the United States or a possession of the United States, and that such deposits consist, in whole or in part, of funds transferred from the United States or a possession of the United States in order to hinder or delay the collection of a tax imposed by the provisions of 26 U.S.C. enforced and administered by the Bureau.
§ 70.192   Action to enforce lien or to subject property to payment of tax.
(a) Civil actions. In any case where there has been a refusal or neglect to pay any tax (with respect to the provisions of 26 U.S.C. enforced and administered by the Bureau) or to discharge any liability in respect thereof, whether or not levy has been made, the Attorney General or designated delegate at the request of the appropriate TTB officer, may direct a civil action to be filed in any court of the United States to enforce the lien of the United States under the Internal Revenue Code with respect to such tax or liability or to subject any property, of whatever nature, of the delinquent, or in which the delinquent has any right, title or interest, to the payment of such tax or liability. In any such proceeding, at the instance of the United States, the court may appoint a receiver to enforce the lien, or, upon certification by the appropriate TTB officer during the pendency of such proceedings that it is in the public interest, may appoint a receiver with all the powers of a receiver in equity.
(b) Bid by the United States. If property is sold to satisfy a first lien held by the United States, the United States may bid at the sale a sum which does not exceed the amount of its lien and the expenses of the sale. See also 31 U.S.C. 3715.
§ 70.193   Disposition of judgments and moneys recovered.
All judgments and moneys recovered or received for taxes, costs, forfeitures, and penalties (with respect to the provisions of 26 U.S.C. enforced and administered by the Bureau) shall be paid to the Bureau as collections of taxes imposed under the provisions of 26 U.S.C. enforced and administered by the Bureau.
§ 70.202   Intervention.
If the United States is not a party to a civil action or suit, the United States may intervene in such action or suit to assert any lien arising under provisions of 26 U.S.C. enforced and administered by the Bureau on the property which is the subject of such action or suit. The provisions of 28 U.S.C. 2410 (except subsection (b)) and of 28 U.S.C. 1444 shall apply in any case in which the United States intervenes as if the United States had originally been named a defendant in such action or suit. If the application of the United States to intervene is denied, the adjudication in such civil action or suit shall have no effect upon such lien.
§ 70.203   Discharge of liens; scope and application; judicial proceedings.
(a) In general. A tax lien of the United States, or a title derived from the enforcement of a tax lien of the United States, may be discharged or divested under local law only in the manner prescribed in 28 U.S.C. 2410 or in the manner prescribed in 26 U.S.C. 7425. Title 26 U.S.C. 7425(a) contains provisions relating to the discharge of a lien when the United States is not joined as a party in the judicial proceedings described in subsection (a) of 28 U.S.C. 2410. These judicial proceedings are plenary in nature and proceed on formal pleadings. Title 26 U.S.C. 7425(b) contains provisions relating to the discharge of a lien or a title derived from the enforcement of a lien in the event of a nonjudicial sale with respect to the property involved. Title 26 U.S.C. 7425(c) contains special rules relating to the notice of sale requirements contained in 26 U.S.C. 7425(b).
(b) Judicial proceedings —(1) In general. Title 26 U.S.C. 7425(a) provides rules, where the United States is not joined as a party, to determine the effect of a judgment in any civil action or suit described in subsection (a) of 28 U.S.C. 2410 (relating to joinder of the United States in certain proceedings), or a judicial sale pursuant to such a judgment, with respect to property on which the United States has or claims a lien under the provisions of 26 U.S.C. If the United States is improperly named as a party to a judicial proceeding, the effect is the same as if the United States were not joined.
(2) Notice of lien filed when the proceeding is commenced. Where the United States is not properly joined as a party in the court proceeding and a notice of lien has been filed in accordance with 26 U.S.C. 6323(f) or (g) in the place provided by law for such filing at the time the action or suit is commenced, a judgment or judicial sale pursuant to such a judgment shall be made subject to and without disturbing the lien of the United States.
(3) Notice of lien not filed when the proceeding is commenced. Where the United States is not joined as a party in the court proceeding and either a notice of lien has not been filed in accordance with 26 U.S.C. 6323(f) or (g) in the place provided by law for such filing at the time the action or suit is commenced, or the law makes no provision for that filing, a judgment or judicial sale pursuant to such a judgment shall have the same effect with respect to the discharge or divestment of the lien of the United States as may be provided with respect to these matters by the local law of the place where the property is situated.
(4) Proceeds of a judicial sale. If a judicial sale of property pursuant to a judgment in any civil action or suit to which the United States is not a party discharges a lien of the United States arising under the provisions of 26 U.S.C., the United States may claim the proceeds of the sale (exclusive of costs) prior to the time that distribution of the proceeds is ordered. The claim of the United States in such a case is treated as having the same priority with respect to the proceeds as the lien had with respect to the property which was discharged from the lien by the judicial sale.
§ 70.204   Discharge of liens; nonjudicial sales.
(a) In general. Title 26 U.S.C. 7425(b) contains provisions with respect to the effect on the interest of the United States in property in which the United States has or claims a lien, or a title derived from the enforcement of a lien, of a sale made pursuant to:
(1) An instrument creating a lien on the property sold.
(2) A confession of judgment on the obligation secured by an instrument creating a lien on the property sold, or
(3) A statutory lien on the property sold.
For purposes of this section, such a sale is referred to as a “nonjudicial sale.” The term “nonjudicial sale” includes, but is not limited to, the divestment of the taxpayer's interest in property which occurs by operation of law, by public or private sale, by forfeiture, or by termination under provisions contained in a contract for a deed or a conditional sales contract. Under 26 U.S.C. 7425(b)(1), if a notice of lien is filed in accordance with 26 U.S.C. 6323(f) or (g), or the title derived from the enforcement of a lien is recorded as provided by local law, more than 30 days before the date of sale and the appropriate TTB officer is not given notice of the sale (in the manner prescribed in § 70.205 of this part), the sale shall be made subject to and without disturbing the lien or title of the United States. Under 26 U.S.C. 7425(b)(2)(C), in any case in which notice of the sale is given to the appropriate TTB officer not less than 25 days prior to the date of sale (in the manner prescribed in 26 U.S.C. 7425(c)(1)), the sale shall have the same effect with respect to the discharge or divestment of the lien or title as may be provided by local law with respect to other junior liens or other titles derived from the enforcement of junior liens. A nonjudicial sale pursuant to a lien which is junior to a tax lien does not divest the tax lien, even though notice of the nonjudicial sale is given to the appropriate TTB officer. However, under the provisions of 26 U.S.C. 6325(b) and § 70.150 of this part, designated officers may discharge the property from a tax lien, including a tax lien which is senior to another lien upon the property.
(b) Date of sale. In the case of a nonjudicial sale subject to the provisions of 26 U.S.C. 7425(b), in order to compute any period of time determined with reference to the date of sale, the date of sale shall be determined in accordance with the following rules:
(1) In the case of divestment of junior liens on property resulting directly from a public sale, the date of sale is deemed to be the date the public sale is held, regardless of the date under local law on which junior liens on the property are divested or the title to the property is transferred.
(2) In the case of divestment of junior liens on property resulting directly from a private sale, the date of sale is deemed to be the date title to the property is transferred, regardless of the date junior liens on the property are divested under local law, and
(3) In the case of divestment of junior liens on property not resulting directly from a public or private sale, the date of sale is deemed to be the date on which junior liens on the property are divested under local law. For provisions relating to the right of redemption of the United States, see 26 U.S.C. 7425(d) and § 70.206 of this part.
§ 70.205   Discharge of liens; special rules.
(a) Notice of sale requirements —(1) In general. Except in the case of the sale of perishable goods described in paragraph (c) of this section, a notice (as described in paragraph (d) of this section) of a nonjudicial sale shall be given, in writing by registered or certified mail or by personal service, not less than 25 days prior to the date of sale (determined under the provisions of § 70.204(b) of this part), to the appropriate TTB officer. The provisions of 26 U.S.C. 7502 (relating to timely mailing treated as timely filing) and 7503 (relating to time for performance of acts where the last day falls on Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday) apply in the case of notices required to be made under this paragraph.
(2) Postponement of scheduled sale —(i) Where notice of sale is given. In the event that notice of a sale is given in accordance with paragraph (a)(1) of this section, with respect to a scheduled sale which is postponed to a later time or date, the seller of the property is required to give notice of the postponement to the appropriate TTB officer, in the same manner as is required under local law with respect to other secured creditors. For example, assume that in State M local law requires that in the event of a postponement of a scheduled foreclosure sale of real property, an oral announcement of the postponement at the place and time of the scheduled sale constitutes sufficient notice to secured creditors of the postponement. Accordingly, if at the place and time of a scheduled sale in State M an oral announcement of the postponement is made, the Bureau is considered to have notice of the postponement for the purpose of this paragraph (a)(2).
(ii) Where notice of sale is not given. In the event that:
(A) Notice of a nonjudicial sale would not be required under paragraph (a)(1) of this section, if the sale were held on the originally scheduled date,
(B) Because of a postponement of the scheduled sale, more than 30 days elapse between the originally scheduled date of the sale and the date of the sale, and
(C) A notice of lien with respect to the property to be sold is filed more than 30 days before the date of the sale, notice of the sale is required to be given to the appropriate TTB officer in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (a)(1) of this section. In any case in which notice of sale is required to be given with respect to a scheduled sale, and notice of the sale is not given, any postponement of the scheduled sale does not affect the rights of the United States under 26 U.S.C. 7425(b).
(b) Consent to sale —(1) In general. Notwithstanding the notice of sale provisions of paragraph (a) of this section a nonjudicial sale of property shall discharge or divest the property of the lien or title of the United States if the appropriate TTB officer consents to the sale of the property free of the lien or title. Pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 7425(c)(2), where adequate protection is afforded the lien or title of the United States, the appropriate TTB officer may, in that officer's discretion, consent with respect to the sale of property in appropriate cases. Such consent shall be effective only if given in writing and shall be subject to such limitations and conditions as the appropriate TTB officer may require. However, the appropriate TTB officer may not consent to a sale of property under this section after the date of sale, as determined under § 70.204(b) of this part. For provisions relating to releasing a lien or discharging property subject to a tax lien, see 26 U.S.C. 6325 and § 70.150 of this part.
(2) Application for consent. Any person desiring the appropriate TTB officer's consent to sell property free of a tax lien or a title derived from the enforcement of a tax lien of the United States in the property shall submit to the appropriate TTB officer a written application, in triplicate, declaring that it is made under penalties of perjury, and requesting that such consent be given. The application shall contain the information required in the case of a notice of sale, as set forth in paragraph (d)(1) of this section, and, in addition, shall contain a statement of the reasons why the consent is desired.
(c) Sale of perishable goods —(1) In general. A notice (as described in paragraph (d) of this section) of a nonjudicial sale of perishable goods (as defined in paragraph (c)(2) of this section) shall be given in writing, by registered or certified mail or delivered by personal service, at any time before the sale, to the appropriate TTB officer. If a notice of a nonjudicial sale is timely given in the manner described in this paragraph the nonjudicial sale shall discharge or divest the tax lien, or a title derived from the enforcement of a tax lien, of the United States in the property. The provisions of 26 U.S.C. 7502 (relating to timely mailing treated as timely filing) and 7503 (relating to time for performance of acts where the last days falls on Saturday, Sunday, or a legal holiday) apply in the case of notices required to be made under this paragraph. The seller of the perishable goods shall hold the proceeds (exclusive of costs) of the sale as a fund, for not less than 30 days after the date of the sale, subject to the liens and claims of the United States, in the same manner and with the same priority as the liens and claims of the United States had with respect to the property sold. If the seller fails to hold the proceeds of the sale in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph and if the appropriate TTB officer asserts a claim to the proceeds within 30 days after the date of sale, the seller shall be personally liable to the United States for an amount equal to the value of the interest of the United States in the fund. However, even if the proceeds of the sale are not so held by the seller, but all the other provisions of this paragraph are satisfied, the buyer of the property at the sale takes the property free of the liens and claims of the United States. In the event of a postponement of the scheduled sale of perishable goods, the seller is not required to notify the appropriate TTB officer of the postponement. For provisions relating to releasing a lien or discharging property subject to a tax lien, see 26 U.S.C. 6325 and § 70.150 of this part.
(2) Definition of perishable goods. For the purpose of this paragraph, the term “perishable goods” means any tangible personal property which, in the reasonable view of the person selling the property, is liable to perish or become greatly reduced in price or value by keeping, or cannot be kept without great expense.
(d) Forfeiture of land sales contract. For purposes of paragraph (a) of this section, a nonjudicial sale of property includes any forfeiture of a land sales contract.
(e) Content of notice of sale —(1) In general. With respect to a notice of sale described in paragraph (a) or (c) of this section, the notice will be considered adequate if it contains the information described in paragraph (d)(1) (i), (ii), (iii), and (iv) of this section.
(i) The name and address of the person submitting the notice of sale;
(ii) A copy of each Notice of Federal Tax Lien (TTB Form 5651.2) affecting the property to be sold, or the following information as shown on each such Notice of Federal Tax Lien:
(A) The initiating office named thereon,
(B) The name and address of the taxpayer, and
(C) The date and place of filing of the notice;
(iii) With respect to the property to be sold the following information:
(A) A detailed description, including location of the property affected by the notice (in the case of real property, the street address, city, and State and the legal description contained in the title or deed to the property and, if available, a copy of the abstract of title),
(B) The date, time, place, and terms of proposed sale of the property, and
(C) In case of a sale of perishable property described in paragraph (c) of this section, a statement of the reasons why the property is believed to be perishable; and
(iv) The approximate amount of the principal obligation, including interest, secured by the lien sought to be enforced and a description of the other expenses (such as legal expenses, selling costs, etc.) which may be charged against the sale proceeds.
(2) Inadequate notice. Except as otherwise provided in this subparagraph, a notice of sale described in paragraph (a) of this section which does not contain the information described in paragraph (d)(1) of this section shall be considered inadequate by the appropriate TTB officer. If the appropriate TTB officer determines that the notice is inadequate, that officer will give written notification of the items of information which are inadequate to the person who submitted the notice. A notice of sale which does not contain the name and address of the person submitting such notice shall be considered to be inadequate for all purposes without notification of any specific inadequacy. In any case where a notice of sale, does not contain the information required under paragraph (d)(1)(ii) of this section with respect to a Notice of Federal Tax Lien, the appropriate TTB officer may give written notification of such omission without specification of any other inadequacy and such notice of sale shall be considered inadequate for all purposes. In the event the appropriate TTB officer gives notification that the notice of sale is inadequate, a notice complying with the provisions of this section (including the requirement that the notice be given not less than 25 days prior to the sale in the case of a notice described in paragraph (a) of this section) must be given. However, in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (b)(1) of this section, in such a case the appropriate TTB officer may, in that officer's discretion, consent to the sale of the property free of the lien or title of the United States even though notice of the sale is given less than 25 days prior to the sale. In any case where the person who submitted a timely notice which indicates the person's name and address does not receive, more than 5 days prior to the date of the sale, written notification from the appropriate TTB officer that the notice is inadequate, the notice shall be considered adequate for purposes of this section.
(3) Acknowledgment of notice. If a notice of sale described in paragraph (a) or (c) of this section is submitted in duplicate to the appropriate TTB officer with a written request that receipt of the notice be acknowledged and returned to the person giving the notice, this request will be honored by the appropriate TTB officer. The acknowledgment by the appropriate TTB officer will indicate the date and time of the receipt of the notice.
(4) Disclosure of adequacy of notice. The appropriate TTB officer is authorized to disclose, to any person who has a proper interest, whether an adequate notice of sale was given under paragraph (d)(1) of tis section insofar as disclosure is authorized under 26 U.S.C. 6103. Any person desiring this information should submit to the appropriate TTB officer a written request which clearly describes the property sold or to be sold, identifies the applicable notice of lien, gives the reasons for requesting the information, and states the name and address of the person making the request.
§ 70.206   Discharge of liens; redemption by United States.
(a) Right to redeem —(1) In general. In the case of a nonjudicial sale of real property to satisfy a lien prior to the tax lien or a title derived from the enforcement of a tax lien, the appropriate TTB officer may redeem the property within the redemption period (as described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section). The right of redemption of the United States exists under 26 U.S.C. 7425(d) even though a consent to the sale has been made under 26 U.S.C. 7425(c)(2) and § 70.205(b) of this part. For purposes of this section, the term “nonjudicial sale” shall have the same meaning as used in § 70.204(a) of this part.
(2) Redemption period. For purposes of this section, the redemption period shall be:
(i) The period beginning with the date of the sale (as determined under § 70.204(b)) and ending with the 120th day after such date, or
(ii) The period for redemption of real property allowable with respect to other secured creditors, under the local law of the place where the real property is located, whichever expires later.
(3) Limitations. In the event a sale does not ultimately discharge the property from tax lien (whether by reason of local law or the provisions of 26 U.S.C. 7425(b)), the provisions of this section do not apply because the tax lien will continue to attach to the property after the sale. In a case in which the Bureau is not entitled to a notice of sale under 26 U.S.C. 7425(b) and § 70.205 of this part, the United States does not have a right of redemption under 26 U.S.C. 7425(d). However, in such a case, if a tax lien has attached to the property at the time of sale, the United States has the same right of redemption, if any, which is afforded similar creditors under the local law of the place in which the property is situated.
(b) Amount to be paid —(1) In general. In any case in which an appropriate TTB officer exercises the right to redeem real property under 26 U.S.C. 7425(d), the amount to be paid is the sum of the following amounts:
(i) The actual amount paid for the property (as determined under paragraph (b)(2) of this section) being redeemed (which, in the case of a purchaser who is the holder of the lien being foreclosed, shall include the amount of the obligation secured by such lien to the extent legally satisfied by reason of the sale);
(ii) Interest on the amount paid (described in paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section) at the sale by the purchaser of the real property computed at the rate of 6 percent per annum for the period from the date of the sale (as determined under § 70.204(b) of this part) to the date of redemption;
(iii) The amount, if any, equal to the excess of the expenses necessarily incurred to maintain such property (as determined under paragraph (b)(3) of this section) by the purchaser (and the purchaser's successor in interest, if any) over the income from such property realized by the purchaser (and the purchaser's successor in interest, if any) plus a reasonable rental value of such property (to the extent the property is used by or with the consent of the purchaser or the purchaser's successor in interest or is rented at less than its reasonable rental value); and
(iv) The amounts, if any, of a payment made by the purchaser or the purchaser's successor in interest after the foreclosure sale to a holder of a senior lien (to the extent provided under paragraph (b)(4) of this section).
(2) Actual amount paid. (i) The actual amount paid for property by a purchaser, other than holder of the lien being foreclosed, is the amount paid by the purchaser at the sale. For purposes of this paragraph, the amount paid by the purchaser at the sale includes deferred payments upon the bid price. The actual amount paid does not include costs and expenses incurred prior to the foreclosure sale by the purchaser except to the extent such expenses are included in the amount bid and paid for the property. For example, the actual amount paid does not normally include the expenses of the purchaser such as title searches, professional fees, or interest on debt incurred to obtain funds to purchase the property.
(ii) In the case of a purchaser who is the holder of the lien being foreclosed, the actual amount paid is the sum of:
(A) The amount of the obligation secured by such lien to the extent legally satisfied by reason of the sale and
(B) Any additional amount bid and paid at the sale.
(3) Excess expenses incurred by purchaser. (i) Expenses necessarily incurred in connection with the property after the foreclosure sale and before redemption by the United States are taken into account in determining if there are excess expenses payable under paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section. Expenses incurred by the purchaser prior to the foreclosure sale are not considered under paragraph (b)(3) of this section. (See paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section for circumstances under which such expenses may be included in the amount to be paid.) Expenses necessarily incurred in connection with the property include, for example, rental agent commissions, repair and maintenance expenses, utilities expenses, legal fees incurred after the foreclosure sale and prior to redemption in defending the title acquired through the foreclosure sale, and a proportionate amount of casualty insurance premiums and ad valorem taxes. Improvements made to the property are not considered as an expense unless the amounts incurred for such improvements are necessarily incurred to maintain the property.
(ii) At any time prior to the expiration of the redemption period applicable under paragraph (a)(2) of this section, the appropriate TTB officer may, by certified or registered mail or hand delivery, request a written itemized statement of the amount claimed by the purchaser or the purchaser's successor in interest to be payable under paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section. Unless the purchaser or the purchaser's successor in interest furnishes the written itemized statement within 15 days after the request is made by the appropriate TTB officer, it shall be presumed that no amount is payable for expenses in excess of income and the Bureau shall tender only the amount otherwise payable under paragraph (b)(1) of this section. If a purchaser or the purchaser's successor in interest has failed to furnish the written itemized statement within 15 days after the request therefor is made by the appropriate TTB officer, or there is a disagreement as to the amount properly payable under paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section, a payment for excess expenses shall be made after the redemption within a reasonable time following the verification by the appropriate TTB officer of a written itemized statement submitted by the purchaser or the purchaser's successor in interest or the resolution of the disagreement as to the amount properly payable for excess expenses.
(4) Payments made by purchaser or the purchaser's successor in interest to a senior lienor. (i) The amount to be paid upon a redemption by the United States shall include the amount of a payment made by the purchaser or the purchaser's successor in interest to a holder of a senior lien to the extent a request for the reimbursement thereof (made in accordance with paragraph (b)(4)(ii) of this section) is approved as provided under paragraph (b)(4)(iii) of this section. This paragraph applies only to a payment made after the foreclosure sale and before the redemption to a holder of a lien that was, immediately prior to the foreclosure sale, superior to the lien foreclosed. A payment of principal or interest to a senior lienor shall be taken into account. Generally, the portion, if any, of a payment which is to be held in escrow for the payment of an expense, such as hazard insurance or real property taxes, is not considered under this paragraph. However, a payment by the escrow agent of a real property tax or special assessment lien, which was senior to the lien foreclosed, shall be considered to be a payment made by the purchaser or the purchaser's successor in interest for purposes of this paragraph. With respect to real property taxes assessed after the foreclosure sale, see paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this section, relating to excess expenses incurred by the purchaser.
(ii) Before the expiration of the redemption period applicable under paragraph (a)(2) of this section, the appropriate TTB officer shall, in any case where a redemption is contemplated, send notice to the purchaser (or the purchaser's successor in interest of record) by certified or registered mail or hand delivery of the right under paragraph (b)(4) of this section to request reimbursement (payable in the event the right to redeem under 26 U.S.C. 7425(d) is exercised) for a payment made to a senior lienor. No later than 15 days after the notice from the appropriate TTB officer is sent, the request for reimbursement shall be mailed or delivered to the office specified in such notice and shall consist of:
(A) A written itemized statement, signed by the claimant, of the amount claimed with respect to a payment made to a senior lienor, together with the supporting evidence requested in the notice from the appropriate TTB officer, and
(B) A waiver or other document that will be effective upon redemption by the United States to discharge the property from, or transfer to the United States, any interest in or lien on the property that may arise under local law with respect to the payment made to a senior lienor.
(iii) A request for reimbursement submitted in accordance with paragraph (b)(4)(ii) of this section shall be considered to be approved for the total amount claimed by the purchaser, and payable in the event the right to redeem is exercised, unless the appropriate TTB officer sends notice to the claimant, by certified or registered mail or hand delivery, of the denial of the amount claimed within 30 days after receipt of the request of 15 days before expiration of the applicable period for redemption, whichever is later. The notification of denial shall state the grounds for denial. If such notice of denial is given, the request for reimbursement for a payment made to a senior lienor shall be treated as having been withdrawn by the purchaser or the purchaser's successor and the Bureau shall tender only the amount otherwise payable under paragraph (b)(1) of this section. If a request for reimbursement is treated as having been withdrawn under the preceding sentence, payment for amounts described in paragraph (b)(4) of this section may, in the discretion of the appropriate TTB officer, be made after the redemption upon the resolution of the disagreement as to the amount properly payable under paragraph (b)(1)(iv) of this section.
(c) Certificate of redemption —(1) In general. If an appropriate TTB officer exercises the right of redemption of the United States described in paragraph (a) of this section, the appropriate TTB officer shall apply to the officer designated by local law, if any, for the documents necessary to evidence the fact of redemption and to record title to the redeemed property in the name of the United States. If no such officer has been designated by local law, or if the officer designated by local law fails to issue the necessary documents, the appropriate TTB officer is authorized to issue a certificate of redemption for the property redeemed by the United States.
(2) Filing. The appropriate TTB officer shall, without delay, cause either the documents issued by the local officer or the certificate of redemption executed by the appropriate TTB officer to be filed with the local office where certificates of redemption are generally filed. If a certificate of redemption is issued by the appropriate TTB officer and if the State in which the real property redeemed by the United States is situated has no office with which certificates of redemption may be filed, the appropriate TTB officer shall file the certificate of redemption in the office of the clerk of the United States district court for the judicial district in which the redeemed property is situated.
(3) Effect of certificate of redemption. A certificate of redemption executed pursuant to paragraph (c)(1) of this section, shall constitute prima facie evidence of the regularity of the redemption. When a certificate of redemption is recorded, it shall transfer to the United States all the rights, title, and interest in and to the redeemed property acquired by the person, from whom the appropriate TTB officer redeemed the property, by virtue of the sale of the property. Therefore, if under local law the purchaser takes title free of liens junior to the lien of the foreclosing lienholder, the United States takes the title free of such junior liens upon redemption of the property. If a certificate of redemption has been erroneously prepared and filed because the redemption was not effective, the appropriate TTB officer shall issue a document revoking such certificate of redemption and such document shall be conclusively binding upon the United States against a purchaser of the property or a holder of a lien upon the property.
(4) Application for release of right of redemption. Upon application of a party with a proper interest in the real property sold in a nonjudicial sale described in 26 U.S.C. 7425(b) and § 70.204 of this part, which real property is subject to the right of redemption of the United States described in this section, the appropriate TTB officer may, in that officer's discretion, release the right of redemption with respect to the property. The application for the release must be submitted in writing to an appropriate TTB officer and must contain such information as the appropriate TTB officer may require. If the appropriate TTB officer determines that the right of redemption of the United States is without value, no amount shall be required to be paid with respect to the release of the right of redemption.
§ 70.207   Civil actions by persons other than taxpayers.
(a) Actions permitted —(1) Wrongful levy. If a levy has been made on property, or property has been sold pursuant to a levy, any person (other than the person against whom is assessed the tax out of which such levy arose) may bring a civil action against the United States in a district court of the United States based upon such person's claim:
(i) That the person has an interest in, or a lien on, such property which is senior to the interest of the United States; and
(ii) That such property was wrongfully levied upon.
(2) Surplus proceeds. If property has been sold pursuant to levy, any person (other than the person against whom is assessed the tax out of which such levy arose) may bring a civil action against the United States in a district court of the United States based upon the claim that the person:
(i) Has an interest in or lien on such property junior to that of the United States; and
(ii) Is entitled to the surplus proceeds of such sale.
(3) Substituted sale proceeds. Any person who claims to be legally entitled to all or any part of the amount which is held as a fund from the sale of property pursuant to an agreement described in 26 U.S.C. 6325(b)(3) may bring a civil action against the United States in a district court of the United States to obtain the relief provided by 26 U.S.C. 7426(b)(4). It is not necessary that the claimant be a party to the agreement which provides for the substitution of the sale proceeds for the property subject to the lien.
(b) Adjudication —(1) Wrongful levy. If the court determines that property has been wrongfully levied upon, the court may:
(i) Grant an injunction to prohibit the enforcement of such levy or to prohibit a sale of such property if such sale would irreparably injure rights in the property which are superior to the rights of the United States in such property; or
(ii) Order the return of specific property if the United States is in possession of such property; or
(iii) Grant a judgment for the amount of money levied upon, with interest thereon at the overpayment rate established under 26 U.S.C. 6621 from the date that the officer who made the levy receives the money wrongfully levied upon to the date of payment of such judgment, or
(iv) Grant a judgment for an amount not exceeding the amount received by the United States from the sale of such property (which, in the case of property declared purchased by the United States at a sale, shall be the greater of the minimum amount determined pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 6335(e) or the amount received by the United States from the resale of such property), or the fair market value of such property immediately before the levy, with interest thereon at the overpayment rate established under 26 U.S.C. 6621 from the date of the sale of the property to the date of payment of such judgment.
(2) Surplus proceeds. If the court determines that the interest or lien of any party to an action under 26 U.S.C. 7426 was transferred to the proceeds of a sale of the property, the court may grant a judgment in an amount equal to all or any part of the amount of the surplus proceeds of such sale. The term “surplus proceeds” means property remaining after application of the provisions of 26 U.S.C. 6342(a).
(3) Substituted sale proceeds. If the court determines that a party has an interest in or lien on the amount held as a fund pursuant to an agreement described in 26 U.S.C. 6325(b)(3), the court may grant a judgment in an amount equal to all or any part of the amount of such fund.
§ 70.208   Review of jeopardy assessment or jeopardy levy procedures; information to taxpayer.
Not later than 5 days after the day on which an assessment is made under 26 U.S.C. 6862 or when a levy is made less than 30 days after the notice and demand described in 26 U.S.C 6331(a), the officer who authorized the assessment or levy shall provide the taxpayer a written statement setting forth the information upon which that official relies in authorizing such assessment or levy.
§ 70.209   Review of jeopardy assessment or levy procedures; administrative review.
(a) Request for administrative review. Any request for the review of a jeopardy assessment or levy provided for by 26 U.S.C. 7429(a)(2) shall be filed with the officer who authorized the assessment or levy, within 30 days after the statement described in § 70.208 of this part is given to the taxpayer. However, if no statement is given within the 5-day period described in § 70.208, any request for review of the jeopardy assessment shall be filed within 35 days after the date the assessment is made. Such request shall be in writing, shall state fully the reasons for the request, and shall be supported by such evidence as will enable the reviewing officer to make the redetermination described in 26 U.S.C. 7429(a)(3).
(b) Administrative review. In determining whether the assessment or levy is reasonable and the amount assessed appropriate, the reviewing officer shall take into account not only information available at the time the assessment is made but also information which subsequently becomes available.
§ 70.210   Review of jeopardy assessment or levy procedures; judicial action.
(a) Time for bringing judicial action. An action for judicial review described in 26 U.S.C. 7429(b) may be instituted by the taxpayer during the period beginning on the earlier of:
(1) The date of the reviewing officer notifies the taxpayer of the determination described in 26 U.S.C. 7429(a)(3); or
(2) The 16th day after the request described in 26 U.S.C. 7429(a)(2) was made by the taxpayer; and ending on the 90th day thereafter.
(b) Extension of the period for judicial review. The U.S. Government may not seek an extension of the 20-day period described in 26 U.S.C. 7429(b)(2), but it may join with the taxpayer in seeking such an extension.
§ 70.213   Repayments to officers or employees.
The appropriate TTB officer is authorized to repay to any officer or employee of the Bureau the full amount of such sums of money as may be recovered against such officer or employee in any court for any taxes imposed under provisions of 26 U.S.C. enforced and administered by the Bureau collected by such officer or employee with the cost and expense of suit, and all damages and costs recovered against any officer or employee of the Bureau in any suit brought against such officer or employee by reason of anything done in the official performance of duties under the provisions of 26 U.S.C. enforced and administered by the Bureau.
§ 70.221   Period of limitations upon assessment.
(a) The amount of any tax imposed by the Internal Revenue Code (other than a tax collected by means of stamps) shall be assessed within 3 years after the return was filed. For rules applicable in cases where the return is filed prior to the due date thereof, see section 6501(b) of the Internal Revenue Code. In the case of taxes payable by stamps, assessment shall be made at any time after the tax becomes due and before the expiration of 3 years after the date on which any part of the tax was paid. For exceptions and additional rules, see subsections (b) and (c) of section 6501 of the Internal Revenue Code.
(b) No proceeding in court without assessment for the collection of any tax shall be begun after the expiration of the applicable period for the assessment of such tax.
§ 70.222   Time return deemed filed for purposes of determining limitations.
(a) Early Return. Any return filed prior to the last day prescribed by law or regulations for the filing thereof (determined without regard to any extension of time for filing) shall be considered as filed on such last day.
(b) Returns executed by appropriate TTB officers. The execution of a return by an appropriate TTB officer under the authority of section 6020(b) of the Internal Revenue Code does not start the running of the statutory period of limitations on assessment and collection.
§ 70.223   Exceptions to general period of limitations on assessment and collection.
(a) False return. In the case of a false or fraudulent return with intent to evade any tax, the tax may be assessed, or a proceeding in court for the collection of such tax may be begun without assessment, at any time after such false or fraudulent return is filed.
(b) Willful attempt to evade tax. In the case of a willful attempt in any manner to defeat or evade any tax imposed by provisions of 26 U.S.C. enforced and administered by the Bureau, the tax may be assessed, or a proceeding in court for the collection of such tax may be begun without assessment, at any time.
(c) No return. In the case of a failure to file a return, the tax may be assessed, or a proceeding in court for the collection of such tax may be begun without assessment, at any time after the date prescribed for filing the return.
(d) Extension by agreement. The time prescribed by 26 U.S.C. 6501 for the assessment of any tax imposed by provisions of 26 U.S.C. enforced and administered by the Bureau may, prior to the expiration of such time, be extended for any period of time agreed upon in writing by the taxpayer and the appropriate TTB officer. The extension shall become effective when the agreement has been executed by both parties. The period agreed upon may be extended by subsequent agreements in writing made before the expiration of the period previously agreed upon.
§ 70.224   Collection after assessment.
(a) Length of period —(1) General rule. In any case in which a tax has been assessed within the statutory period of limitation properly applicable thereto, a proceeding in court to collect such tax may be begun, or levy for the collection of such tax may be made, within 10 years after the assessment thereof.
(2) Extension by agreement. (i) The 10-year period of limitation on collection after assessment of any tax may, prior to the expiration thereof, be extended for any period of time agreed upon in writing by the taxpayer and the appropriate TTB officer. Whenever necessary to protect the revenue, such officer may also execute a written agreement with the taxpayer to extend the period of limitation. The extension becomes effective upon execution of the agreement by both the taxpayer and such officer.
(ii) The period of limitation on collection after assessment of any tax (including any extension of such period) may be extended after the expiration thereof if there has been a levy on any part of the taxpayer's property prior to such expiration and if the extension is agreed upon in writing prior to a release of the levy under the provisions of 26 U.S.C. 6343. An extension under this paragraph has the same effect as an agreement made prior to the expiration of the period of limitation on collection after assessment, and during the period of the extension collection may be enforced as to all property or rights to property owned by the taxpayer whether or not seized under the levy which was released.
(iii) Any period agreed upon under the provisions of paragraph (a)(1) of this section may be extended by subsequent agreements in writing made before the expiration of the period previously agreed upon.
(3) If a timely proceeding in court for the collection of a tax is commenced, the period during which such tax may be collected by levy shall be extended and shall not expire until the liability for the tax (or a judgment against the taxpayer arising from such liability) is satisfied or becomes unenforceable.
(b) Date when levy is considered made. The date on which a levy on property or rights to property is made is the date on which the notice of seizure provided in 26 U.S.C. 6335(a) is given.
§ 70.225   Suspension of running of period of limitation; assets of taxpayer in control or custody of court.
Where all or substantially all of the assets of a taxpayer are in the control or custody of the court in any proceeding before any court of the United States, or any State of the United States, or the District of Columbia, the period of limitations on collection after assessment prescribed in 26 U.S.C. 6502 is suspended with respect to the outstanding amount due on the assessment for the period such assets are in the control or custody of the court, and for 6 months thereafter.
§ 70.226   Suspension of running of period of limitation; taxpayer outside of United States.
The running of the period of limitations on collection after assessment prescribed in 26 U.S.C. 6502 (relating to collection after assessment) is suspended for the period during which the taxpayer is absent from the United States if such period is a continuous period of absence from the United States extending for 6 months or more. In a case where the running of the period of limitations has been suspended under the first sentence of this paragraph and at the time of the taxpayer's return to the United States the period of limitations would expire before the expiration of 6 months from the date of the taxpayer's return, the period of limitations shall not expire until after 6 months from the date of the taxpayer's return. The taxpayer will be deemed to be absent from the United States for purposes of this section if the taxpayer is generally and substantially absent from the United States, even though the taxpayer makes casual temporary visits during the period.
§ 70.227   Suspension of running of period of limitation; wrongful seizure of property of third party.
The running of the period of limitations on collection after assessment prescribed in 26 U.S.C. 6502 (relating to collection after assessment) shall be suspended for a period equal to a period beginning on the date property (including money) is wrongfully seized or received by an appropriate TTB officer and ending on the date 30 days after the date on which the appropriate TTB officer returns the property pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 6343(b) (relating to authority to return property) or the date 30 days after the date on which a judgment secured pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 7426 (relating to civil actions by persons other than taxpayers) with respect to such property becomes final. The running of the period of limitations on collection after assessment shall be suspended under this section only with respect to the amount of such assessment which is equal to the amount of money or the value of specific property returned.
§ 70.231   Protection for certain interests even though notice filed.
(a) Securities. Even though a notice of a lien imposed by 26 U.S.C. 6321 is filed in accordance with § 70.148 of this part, the lien is not valid with respect to a security (as defined in § 70.143(d) of this part) against:
(1) A purchaser (as defined in § 70.143(f) of this part) of the security who at the time of purchase did not have actual notice or knowledge (as defined in § 70.144(a) of this part) of the existence of the lien;
(2) A holder of a security interest (as defined in § 70.143(a) of this part) in the security who did not have actual notice or knowledge (as defined in § 70.144(a) of this part) of the existence of the lien at the time the security interest came into existence or at the time such security interest was acquired from a previous holder for a consideration in money or money's worth (as defined in § 70.143(a) of this part); or
(3) A transferee of an interest protected under paragraph (a) (1) or (2) of this section to the same extent the lien is invalid against the transferor to the transferee. For purposes of this paragraph, no person can improve that person's position with respect to the lien by reacquiring the interest from an intervening purchaser or holder of a security interest against whom the lien is invalid.
(b) Motor vehicles —(1) In general. Even though a notice of a lien imposed by 26 U.S.C. 6321 is filed in accordance with § 70.148 of this part, the lien is not valid against a purchaser (as defined in § 70.143(f) of this part) of a motor vehicle (as defined in § 70.143(c) of this part) if:
(i) At the time of purchase, the purchaser did not have actual notice or knowledge (as defined in § 70.144(a) of this part) of the existence of the lien, and
(ii) Before the purchaser obtains such notice or knowledge, the purchaser has acquired actual possession of the motor vehicle and has not thereafter relinquished actual possession to the seller or seller's agent.
(2) Cross reference. For provisions relating to additional circumstances in which the lien imposed by 26 U.S.C. 6321 may not be valid against the purchaser of tangible personal property (including a motor vehicle) purchased at retail, see paragraph (c) of this section.
(c) Personal property purchased at retail —(1) In general. Even though a notice of a lien imposed by 26 U.S.C. 6321 is filed (with respect to any tax imposed under the provisions of 26 U.S.C. enforced and administered by the Bureau) in accordance with § 70.148 of this part, the lien is not valid against a purchaser (as defined in § 70.143(f) of this part) of tangible personal property purchased at a retail sale (as defined in paragraph (c)(2) of this section) unless at the time of purchase the purchaser intends the purchase to (or knows that the purchase will) hinder, evade, or defeat the collection of any tax imposed by the provisions of 26 U.S.C. enforced and administered by the Bureau.
(2) Definition of retail sale. For purposes of paragraph (c) of this section, the term “retail sale” means a sale, made in the ordinary course of the seller's trade or business, of tangible personal property of which the seller is the owner. Such term includes a sale in customary retail quantities by a seller who is going out of business, but does not include a bulk sale or an auction sale in which goods are offered in quantities substantially greater than are customary in the ordinary course of the seller's trade or business or an auction sale of goods the owner of which is not in the business of selling such goods.
(d) Personal property purchased in casual sale —(1) In general. Even though a notice of a lien imposed by 26 U.S.C. 6321 is filed in accordance with § 70.148 of this part, the lien is not valid against a purchaser (as defined in § 70.143(f) of this part) of household goods, personal effects, or other tangible personal property of a type described in § 70.241 of this part (which includes wearing apparel, school books, fuel, provisions, furniture, arms for personal use, livestock, and poultry (whether or not the seller is the head of a family); and books and tools of a trade, business, or profession (whether or not the trade, business, or profession of the seller)), purchased, other than for resale, in a casual sale for less than $250 (excluding interest and expenses described in § 70.147 of this part). For purposes of this paragraph, a casual sale is a sale not made in the ordinary course of the seller's trade or business.
(2) Limitation. This paragraph applies only if the purchaser does not have actual notice or knowledge (as defined in § 70.144(a) of this part):
(i) Of the existence of the tax lien, or
(ii) That the sale is one of a series of sales.
(e) Personal property subject to possessory liens. Even though a notice of a lien imposed by 26 U.S.C. 6321 is filed in accordance with § 70.148 of this part, the lien is not valid against a holder of a lien on tangible personal property which under local law secures the reasonable price of the repair or improvement of the property if the property is, and has been, continuously in the possession of the holder of the lien from the time the possessory lien arose. For example, if local law gives an automobile mechanic the right to retain possession of an automobile the mechanic has repaired as security for payment of the repair bill and the mechanic retains continuous possession of the automobile until such lien is satisfied, a tax lien filed in accordance with 26 U.S.C 6323(f)(1) which has attached to the automobile will not be valid to the extent of the reasonable price of the repairs. It is immaterial that the notice of tax lien was filed before the mechanic undertook the work or that the mechanic knew of the lien before undertaking the work.
(f) Real property tax and special assessment liens. Even though a notice of a lien imposed by 26 U.S.C. 6321 is filed in accordance with § 70.148 of this part, the lien is not valid against the holder of another lien upon the real property (regardless of when such other lien arises), if such other lien is entitled under local law to priority over security interests in real property which are prior in time and if such other lien on real property secures payment of:
(1) A tax of general application levied by any taxing authority based upon the value of the property, or
(2) A special assessment imposed directly upon the property by any taxing authority, if the assessment is imposed for the purpose of defraying the cost of any public improvement; or
(3) Charges for utilities or public services furnished to the property by the United States, a State or political subdivision thereof, or an instrumentality of any one or more of the foregoing.
(g) Residential property subject to a mechanic's lien for certain repairs and improvements. Even though a notice of lien imposed by 26 U.S.C. 6321 is filed in accordance with § 70.148 of this part, the lien is not valid against a mechanic's lienor (as defined in § 70.143(b) of this part) who holds a lien for the repair or improvement of a personal residence if:
(1) The residence is occupied by the owner and contains no more than four dwelling units, and
(2) The contract price on the prime contract with the owner for the repair or improvement (excluding interest and expenses described in § 70.147 of this part) is not more than $1,000. For purposes of this paragraph, the amounts of subcontracts under the prime contract with the owner are not to be taken into consideration for purposes of computing the $1,000 prime contract price. It is immaterial that the notice of tax lien was filed before the contractor undertakes the work or that the contractor knew of the lien before undertaking the work.
(h) Attorney's liens —(1) In general. Even though notice of a lien imposed by 26 U.S.C. 6321 is filed in accordance with § 70.148 of this part, the lien is not valid against an attorney who, under local law, holds a lien upon, or a contract enforceable against, a judgment or other amount in settlement of a claim or of a cause of action. The priority afforded an attorney's lien under this paragraph shall not exceed the amount of the attorney's reasonable compensation for obtaining the judgment or procuring the settlement. For purposes of this paragraph, reasonable compensation means the amount customarily allowed under local law for an attorney's service for litigating or settling a similar case or administrative claim. However, reasonable compensation shall be determined on the basis of the facts and circumstances of each individual case. It is immaterial that the notice of tax lien is filed before the attorney undertakes the work or that the attorney knows of the tax lien before undertaking the work. This paragraph does not apply to an attorney's lien which may arise from the defense of a claim or cause of action against a taxpayer except to the extent such lien is held upon a judgment or other amount arising from the adjudication or settlement of a counterclaim in favor of the taxpayer. In case of suits against the taxpayer, see § 70.150(d)(2) of this part for rules relating to the subordination of the tax lien to facilitate tax collection.
(2) Claim or cause of action against the United States. Paragraph (h)(1) of this section does not apply to an attorney's lien with respect to:
(i) Any judgment or other fund resulting from the successful litigation or settlement of an administrative claim or cause of action against the United States to the extent that the United States, under any legal or equitable right, offsets its liability under the judgment or settlement against any liability of the taxpayer to the United States, or
(ii) Any amount credited against any liability of the taxpayer in accordance with 26 U.S.C. 6402.
(i) Certain insurance contracts. Even though a notice of a lien imposed by 26 U.S.C. 6321 (with respect to any tax imposed under the provisions of 26 U.S.C. enforced and administered by the Bureau) is filed in accordance with § 70.148 of this part, the lien is not valid with respect to a life insurance, endowment, or annuity contract, against an organization which is the insurer under the contract, at any time:
(1) Before the insuring organization has actual notice or knowledge (as defined in § 70.144(a) of this part) of the existence of the tax lien.
(2) After the insuring organization has actual notice or knowledge of the lien (as defined in § 70.144(a) of this part) with respect to advances (including contractual interest thereon as provided in § 70.147(a) of this part) required to be made automatically to maintain the contract in force under an agreement entered into before the insuring organization had such actual notice or knowledge, or
(3) After the satisfaction of a levy pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 6332(b), unless and until the appropriate TTB officer delivers to the insuring organization a notice (for example, another notice of levy, a letter, etc. ), executed after the date of such satisfaction, that the lien exists.
(j) Passbook loans —(1) In general. Even though a notice of a lien imposed by 26 U.S.C. 6321 is filed in accordance with § 70.148 of this part, the lien is not valid against an institution described in 26 U.S.C. 581 or 591 to the extent of any loan made by the institution which is secured by a savings deposit, share, or other account evidenced by a passbook (as defined in paragraph (j)(2) of this section) if the institution has been continuously in possession of the passbook from the time the loan is made. This paragraph applies only to a loan made without actual notice or knowledge (as defined in § 70.144(a) of this part) of the existence of the lien. Even though an original passbook loan is made without actual notice or knowledge of the existence of the lien, this paragraph does not apply to any additional loan made after knowledge of the lien is acquired by the institution even if it continues to retain the passbook from the time the original passbook loan is made.
(2) Definition of passbook. For purposes of paragraph (j) of this section, the term “passbook” includes:
(i) Any tangible evidence of a savings deposit, share, or other account which, when in the possession of the bank or other savings institution, will prevent a withdrawal from the account to the extent of the loan balance, and
(ii) Any procedure or system, such as an automatic data processing system, the use of which by the bank or other savings institution will prevent a withdrawal from the account to the extent of the loan balance.
§ 70.232   Protection for commercial transactions financing agreements.
(a) In general. Even though a notice of a lien imposed by 26 U.S.C. 6321 is filed in accordance with § 70.148 of this part, the lien is not valid with respect to a security interest which:
(1) Comes into existence after the tax lien filing.
(2) Is in qualified property covered by the terms of a commercial transactions financing agreement entered into before the tax lien filing, and
(3) Is protected under local law against a judgment lien arising, as of the time of the tax lien filing, out of an unsecured obligation.
(b) Commercial transactions financing agreement. For purposes of this section, the term “commercial transactions financing agreement” means a written agreement entered into by a person in the course of such person's trade or business:
(1) To make loans to the taxpayer (whether or not at the option of the person agreeing to make such loans) to be secured by commercial financing security acquired by the taxpayer in the ordinary course of the taxpayer's trade or business, or
(2) To purchase commercial financing security, other than inventory, acquired by the taxpayer in the ordinary course of the taxpayer's trade or business.
(c) Commercial financing security —(1) In general. The term “commercial financing security” means:
(i) Paper of a kind ordinarily arising in commercial transactions,
(ii) Accounts receivable (as defined in paragraph (c)(2) of this section),
(iii) Mortgages on real property, and
(iv) Inventory.
For purposes of this subparagraph, the term “paper of a kind ordinarily arising in commercial transactions” in general includes any written document customarily used in commercial transactions. For example, such written documents include paper giving contract rights (as defined in paragraph (c)(2) of this section), chattel paper, documents of title to personal property, and negotiable instruments or securities. The term “commercial financing security” does not include general intangibles such as patents or copyrights. A mortgage on real estate (including a deed of trust, contract for sale, and similar instrument) may be commercial financing security if the taxpayer has an interest in the mortgage as a mortgagee or assignee. The term “commercial financing security” does not include a mortgage when the taxpayer is the mortgagor of realty owned by the taxpayer. For purposes of this subparagraph, the term “inventory” includes raw materials and goods in process as well as property held by the taxpayer primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of the taxpayer's trade or business.
(2) Definitions. For purposes of §§ 70.143 and 70.146 of this part, and this section:
(i) A contract right is any right to payment under a contract not yet earned by performance and not evidenced by an instrument or chattel paper, and
(ii) An account receivable is any right to payment for goods sold or leased or for services rendered which is not evidenced by an instrument or chattel paper.
(d) Qualified property. For purposes of paragraph (a) of this section, qualified property consists solely of commercial financing security acquired by the taxpayer-debtor before the 46th day after the date of tax lien filing. Commercial financing security acquired before such day may be qualified property even though it is acquired by the taxpayer after the lender received actual notice or knowledge of the filing of the tax lien. For example, although the receipt of actual notice or knowledge of the filing of the notice of the tax lien has the effect of ending the period within which protected disbursements may be made to the taxpayer, property which is acquired by the taxpayer after the lender receives actual notice or knowledge of such filing and before such 46th day, which otherwise qualifies as commercial financing security, becomes commercial financing security to which the priority of the lender extends for loans made before the lender received the actual notice or knowledge. An account receivable (as defined in paragraph (c)(2)(ii) of this section) is acquired by a taxpayer at the time, and to the extent, a right to payment is earned by performance. Chattel paper, documents of title, negotiable instruments, securities, and mortgages on real estate are acquired by a taxpayer when the taxpayer obtains rights in the paper or mortgage. Inventory is acquired by the taxpayer when title passes to the taxpayer. A contract right (as defined in paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this section) is acquired by a taxpayer when the contract is made. Identifiable proceeds, which arise from the collection or disposition of qualified property by the taxpayer, are considered to be acquired at the time such qualified property is acquired if the secured party has a continuously perfected security interest in the proceeds under local law. The term “proceeds” includes whatever is received when collateral is sold, exchanged, or collected. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “identifiable proceeds” does not include money, checks and the like which have been commingled with other cash proceeds. Property acquired by the taxpayer after the 45th day following tax lien filing, by the expenditure of proceeds, is not qualified property.
(e) Purchaser treated as acquiring security interest. A person who purchases commercial financing security, other than inventory, pursuant to a commercial transactions financing agreement is treated, for purposes of this section, as having acquired a security interest in the commercial financing security. In the case of a bona fide purchase at a discount, a purchaser of commercial financing security who satisfies the requirements of this section has priority over the tax lien to the full extent of the security.
§ 70.233   Protection for real property construction or improvement financing agreements.
(a) In general. Even though a notice of a lien imposed by 26 U.S.C. 6321 is filed in accordance with § 70.148 of this part, the lien is not valid with respect to a security interest which:
(1) Comes into existence after the tax lien filing,
(2) Is on qualified property covered by the terms of a real property construction or improvement financing agreement entered into before the tax lien filing, and
(3) Is protected under local law against a judgment lien arising, as of the time of tax lien filing, out of an unsecured obligation.
(b) Real property construction or improvement financing agreement. For purposes of this section, the term “real property construction or improvement financing agreement” means any written agreement to make cash disbursements (whether or not at the option of the party agreeing to make such disbursements):
(1) To finance the construction, improvement, or demolition of real property if the agreement provides for a security interest in the real property with respect to which the construction, improvement, or demolition has been or is to be made;
(2) To finance a contract to construct or improve, or demolish real property if the agreement provides for a security interest in the proceeds of the contract; or
(3) To finance the raising or harvesting of a farm crop or the raising of livestock or other animals if the agreement provides for a security interest in any property subject to the lien imposed by 26 U.S.C. 6321 at the time of tax lien filing, in the crop raised or harvested, or in the livestock or other animals raised.
(c) Qualified property. For purposes of this section, the term “qualified property” includes only:
(1) In the case of an agreement described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, the real property with respect to which the construction or improvement has been or is to be made;
(2) In the case of an agreement described in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, the proceeds of the contract to construct or improve real property; or
(3) In the case of an agreement described in paragraph (b)(3) of this section, property subject to the lien imposed by 26 U.S.C. 6321 at the time of tax lien filing, the farm crop raised or harvested, or the livestock or other animals raised.
§ 70.234   Protection for obligatory disbursement agreements.
(a) In general. Even though a notice of a lien imposed by 26 U.S.C. 6321 is filed in accordance with § 70.148 of this part, the lien is not valid with respect to security interest which:
(1) Comes into existence after the tax lien filing,
(2) Is in qualified property covered by the terms of an obligatory disbursement agreement entered into before the tax lien filing, and
(3) Is protected under local law against a judgment lien arising, as of the time of tax lien filing, out of an unsecured obligation.
(b) Obligatory disbursement agreement. For purposes of this section, the term “obligatory disbursement agreement” means a written agreement, entered into by a person in the course of the person's trade or business, to make disbursements. An agreement is treated as an obligatory disbursement agreement only with respect to disbursements which are required to be made by reason of the intervention of the rights of a person other than the taxpayer. The obligation to pay must be conditioned upon an event beyond the control of the obligor. For example, the provisions of this section are applicable where an issuing bank obligates itself to honor drafts or other demands for payment on a letter of credit and a bank, in good faith, relies upon that letter of credit in making advances. The provisions of this section are also applicable, for example, where a bonding company obligates itself to make payments to indemnify against loss or liability and, under the terms of the bond, makes a payment with respect to a loss. The priority described in this section is not applicable, for example, in the case of an accommodation endorsement by an endorser who assumes the obligation other than in the course of the endorser's trade or business.
(c) Qualified property. Except as provided under paragraph (d) of this section, the term “qualified property,” for purposes of this section, means property subject to the lien imposed by 26 U.S.C. 6321 at the time of tax lien filing and, to the extent that the acquisition is directly traceable to the obligatory disbursement, property acquired by the taxpayer after tax lien filing.
(d) Special rule for surety agreements. Where the obligatory disbursement agreement is an agreement insuring the performance of a contract of the taxpayer and another person, the term “qualified property” shall be treated as also including:
(1) The proceeds of the contract the performance of which was insured, and
(2) If the contract the performance of which was insured is a contract to construct or improve real property, to produce goods, or to furnish services, any tangible personal property used by the taxpayer in the performance of the insured contract.
§ 70.241   Property exempt from levy.
(a) Enumeration. There shall be exempt from levy:
(1) Wearing apparel and school books. Such items of wearing apparel and such school books as are necessary for the taxpayer or for members of the taxpayer's family. Expensive items of wearing apparel, such as furs, which are luxuries and are not necessary for the taxpayer or for members of the taxpayer's family, are not exempt from levy.
(2) Fuel, provisions, furniture, and personal effects. If the taxpayer is the head of a family, so much of the fuel, provisions, furniture, and personal effects in the taxpayer's household, and of the arms for personal use, livestock, and poultry of the taxpayer, as does not exceed $1,650 in value. For purposes of this provision, an individual who is the only remaining member of a family and who lives alone is not the head of a family.
(3) Books and tools of a trade, business or profession. So many of the books and tools necessary for the trade, business, or profession of an individual taxpayer as do not exceed in the aggregate $1,100 in value.
(4) Unemployment benefits. Any amount payable to an individual with respect to that individual's unemployment (including any portion thereof payable with respect to dependents) under an unemployment compensation law of the United States, of any State, or of the District of Columbia or of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
(5) Undelivered mail. Mail, addressed to any person, which has not been delivered to the addressee.
(6) Certain annuity and pension payments. Annuity or pension payments under the Railroad Retirement Act (45 U.S.C. chapter 9), benefits under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (45 U.S.C. chapter 11), special pension payments received by a person whose name has been entered on the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard Medal of Honor roll (38 U.S.C. 562), and annuities based on retired or retainer pay under 10 U.S.C. chapter 73.
(7) Workmen's compensation. Any amount payable to an individual as workmen's compensation (including any portion thereof payable with respect to dependents) under a workmen's compensation law of the United States, any State, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
(8) Judgments for support of minor children. If the taxpayer is required under any type of order or decree (including an interlocutory decree or a decree of support pendente lite) of a court of competent jurisdiction, entered prior to the day of levy, to contribute to the support of such taxpayer's minor children, so much of the taxpayer's salary, wages, or other income as is necessary to comply with such order or decree. The taxpayer must establish the amount necessary to comply with the order or decree. The appropriate TTB officer is not required to release a levy until such time as that officer is satisfied that the amount to be released from levy will actually be applied in satisfaction of the support obligation. The appropriate TTB officer may make arrangements with a delinquent taxpayer to establish a specific amount of such taxpayer's salary, wage, or other income for each pay period which shall be exempt from levy. Any request for such an arrangement shall be directed to the appropriate TTB officer. Where the taxpayer has more than one source of income sufficient to satisfy the support obligation imposed by the order or decree, the amount exempt from levy may at the discretion of the appropriate TTB officer be allocated entirely to one salary, wage, or source of other income or be apportioned between the several salaries, wages, or other sources of income.
(9) Minimum exemption for wages, salary, and other income. Amounts payable to or received by the taxpayer as wages or salary for personal services, or as other income, to the extent provided in §§ 70.242 through 70.245 of this part.
(10) Certain service-connected disability payments. Any amount payable to an individual as a service-connected (within the meaning of 38 U.S.C. 101(16)) disability benefit under:
(i) 38 U.S.C. chapter 11, subchapter II, III, IV, V, or VI, or
(ii) 38 U.S.C. chapter 13, 21, 23, 31, 32, 34, 35, 37, or 39 shall be exempt from levy.
(11) Certain public assistance payments. Any amount payable to an individual as a recipient of public assistance under:
(i) Title 42 U.S.C. subchapter IV (relating to aid to families with dependent children) or 42 U.S.C. subchapter XVI (relating to supplemental security income for the aged, blind, and disabled), or
(ii) State or local government public assistance or public welfare programs for which eligibility is determined by a needs or income test shall be exempt from levy.
(12) Assistance under job training partnership act. Any amount payable to a participant under the Job Training Partnership Act (29 U.S.C. 1501 et seq. ) from funds appropriated pursuant to such Act shall be exempt from levy.
(13) Principal residence exempt in absence of certain approval or jeopardy. Except to the extent provided in § 70.166 of this part, the principal residence of the taxpayer (within the meaning of 26 U.S.C. 1034) is exempt from levy.
(b) Appraisal. The TTB officer seizing property of the type described in 26 U.S.C. 6334(a) shall appraise and set aside to the owner the amount of such property declared to be exempt. If the taxpayer objects at the time of the seizure to the valuation fixed by the officer making the seizure, such officer shall summon three disinterested individuals who shall make the valuation.
(c) Other property. No other property or rights to property are exempt from levy except the property specifically exempted by 26 U.S.C. 6334(a). No provisions of a State law may exempt property or rights to property from levy for the collection of any Federal tax. Thus, property exempt from execution under State personal or homestead exemption laws is, nevertheless, subject to levy by the United States for collection of its taxes.
§ 70.242   Wages, salary and other income.
(a) In general. Under 26 U.S.C. 6334(a)(9) and (d) certain amounts payable to or received by a taxpayer as wages, salary or other income are exempt from levy. This section described the income of a taxpayer that is eligible for the exemption from levy (paragraph (b) of this section) and how exempt amounts are to be paid to the taxpayer (paragraph (c) of this section). Section 70.243 of this part describes the sum which will be exempt from levy for each of the taxpayer's payroll periods. Payroll periods are described in § 70.244 of this part. Amounts exempt from levy are determined in part by the number of persons claimed by the taxpayer as dependents. Section 70.245 of this part describes the manner in which the taxpayer is to claim any dependent exemptions and the manner in which the employer is to compute the exempt amount and pay the balance to the appropriate TTB officer.
(b) Eligible taxpayer income. Only wages, salary or other income payable to the taxpayer after the levy is made on the payor may be exempt from levy under 26 U.S.C. 6334 (a)(9). No amount of wages, salary or other income which is paid to the taxpayer before levy is made on the payor will be so exempt from levy.
(c) Payment of exempt amounts to taxpayer —(1) From wages, salary or other income not subject to levy. In the case of a taxpayer who has more than one source of wages, salary or other income, the appropriate TTB officer may elect to levy on only one or more such source while leaving other sources of salary or other income free from levy. If those wages, salary or other income which the appropriate TTB officer leaves free from levy equal or exceed the amount to which the taxpayer is entitled as an exemption from levy under 26 U.S.C. 6334(a)(9) and (d) and § 70.243 of this part (and ar not otherwise exempt), then no amount of the taxpayer's wages, salary or other income on which the appropriate TTB officer elects to levy is exempt from levy. The appropriate TTB officer shall notify the employer or other person subject to levy that no amount of the taxpayer's wages, salary or other income is exempt from levy.
(2) From wages, salary or other income subject to levy. If the taxpayer's income upon which the appropriate TTB officer does not levy is less than that amount to which the taxpayer is entitled as an exemption, then an amount determined pursuant to § 70.243 of this part is to be paid to the taxpayer from those wages, salary or other income which are subject to levy. The appropriate TTB officer will designate those wages, salary or other income subject to levy from which such amount will be paid to the taxpayer. The appropriate TTB officer will generally make this designation by delivering to the employer, or other person levied upon, the form upon which the taxpayer is to claim any dependent exemption. The form will accompany the notice of levy. The person receiving the form from the appropriate TTB officer must promptly deliver it to the taxpayer. In the case of some employers having a large number of employees, however, the appropriate TTB officer will send the form upon which an employee is to claim any dependent exemption directly to the employee. In such a case, the notice of levy will indicate that the form for claiming dependent exemptions has been sent to the taxpayer. If a notice of levy is not accompanied by the form for claiming dependent exemptions and does not indicate that the form was sent directly to the taxpayer, then the person levied upon must make payment to the appropriate TTB officer without regard to amounts prescribed by § 70.243 of this part as exempt from levy. If a notice of levy is accompanied by the form for claiming dependent exemptions or indicates that the form was sent directly to the taxpayer, then the person levied upon is to pay over to the taxpayer, amounts determined to be exempt from levy pursuant to § 70.243 and § 70.245 (b) and (c) of this part (relating to the requirement that the taxpayer submit a claim for any dependent exemption). Amounts not exempt from levy are to be paid to the appropriate TTB officer in accordance with the terms of the levy.
§ 70.243   Exempt amount.
Amount payable to the taxpayer as wages, salary, or other income for each payroll period described in § 70.244 of this part are exempt from levy as follows:
(a) If the payroll period is weekly, an amount equal to:
(1) The sum of:
(i) The standard deduction, and
(ii) The aggregate amount of the deductions for personal exemption allowed the taxpayer under 26 U.S.C. 151 in the taxable year in which such levy occurs, divided by
(2) 52.
(b) If the payroll period is not weekly, the amount exempt from levy shall be an amount which as nearly as possible will result in the same total exemption from levy for such individual over a period of time as such individual would have under paragraph (a) of this section if (during such period of time) the individual were paid or received such wages, salary or other income on a regular weekly basis.
§ 70.244   Payroll period.
For purpose of determining the amount of wages, salary or other income exempt from levy under 26 U.S.C. 6334(a)(9):
(a) Regularly used calendar periods. In the case of wages, salary or other income paid to the taxpayer on the basis of an established calendar period regularly used by the employer or other person levied upon for payroll or payment purpose (e.g., daily, weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, or monthly), that period is the taxpayer's payroll period.
(b) Amounts paid on recurrent but irregular basis. In the case of wages, salary, or other income paid to the taxpayer on a recurrent but irregular basis, the first day of the taxpayer's payroll period is that day following the day upon which the wages, salary, or other income were last paid to the taxpayer. The last day of the payroll period is that day upon which the current payment becomes payable to him or her. However, in any case in which:
(1) Amounts are paid to the taxpayer on a recurrent but irregular basis, and
(2) The last payment was paid to the taxpayer more than 60 days before the current payment becomes payable, the current payment will be deemed a one-time payment ( see paragraph (c) of this section).
(c) Nonrecurrent payments. In the case of wages, salary or other income paid to the taxpayer on a one-time basis, the taxpayer's payroll period is deemed to be weekly ( i.e., the 1-week period ending on the day of payment).
§ 70.245   Computation of exempt amount and payment of amounts not exempt from levy to the appropriate TTB officer.
(a) General. Unless advised by the appropriate TTB officer that no part of the money due to the taxpayer is exempt from levy, the employer or other person levied upon will compute the exempt amount, using the formula in § 70.243 of this part and the taxpayer's statement of exemptions and filing status described in paragraph (b) of this section.
(b) Statement of exemptions and filing status. Unless the taxpayer submits a statement of exemptions and filing status to the employer or other person levied upon, the exempt amount will be applied as if the taxpayer were a married individual filing a separate return with only 1 personal exemption. A statement of exemptions and filing status shall be made by either:
(1) Completion of the form provided for this purpose by the Bureau, or
(2) A written statement that:
(i) Gives the taxpayer's filing status for income tax purposes,
(ii) Shows any additional standard deduction if the taxpayer or the taxpayer's spouse is at least 65 and/or blind,
(iii) Identified by name and by relationship to the taxpayer each person for whom a dependent exemption is claimed,
(iv) Is signed by the taxpayer, and
(v) Contains a declaration that it is made under the penalties of perjury.
(c) Time for submission of statement. The taxpayer must submit the statement of exemptions and filing status to the employer or other person levied upon no later than the later of:
(1) The third day before the last day of the payroll period for which the exemption is claimed (that is, the third day before payday), or
(2) If the appropriate TTB officer delivers the forms for the statement of exemption and filing status to the employer or other person levied upon (see § 70.242(c)(2) of this part), the second day after the date the taxpayer receives the form.
(d) Payment of amounts not exempt from levy to the appropriate TTB officer —(1) In General. Wages, Salary, or other income the subject of a levy are payable to the appropriate TTB officer on the date the payor is otherwise obligated to pay the taxpayer ( see § 70.242(c) of this part).
(2) Delayed payment in certain cases. If, however, as described in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, the taxpayer may submit a statement of exemptions and filing status after the third day before payday, amounts payable to the taxpayer on that payday, to the extent not exempt from levy, are payable to the appropriate TTB officer on the third day following the date on which the taxpayer may timely submit the statement of exemptions and filing status under paragraph (c)(2) of this section. For purposes of this rule, the term “day” does not include Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday within the meaning of 26 U.S.C. 7503.
§ 70.251   Periods of limitation on suits by taxpayers.
(a) No suit or proceeding under section 7422(a) of the Internal Revenue Code for the recovery of any internal revenue tax, penalty, or other sum shall be begun until whichever of the following first occurs:
(1) The expiration of 6 months from the date of the filing of the claim for credit or refund, or
(2) A decision is rendered on such claim prior to the expiration of 6 months after the filing thereof. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, no suit or proceeding for the recovery of any tax, penalty, or other sum imposed under the provision of 26 U.S.C. enforced and administered by the Bureau may be brought after the expiration of 2 years from the date of mailing, by either registered or certified mail, by an appropriate TTB officer, to a taxpayer of a statutory notice of disallowance of the part of the claim to which the suit or proceeding relates.
(b) The 2-year period described in paragraph (a) of this section may be extended if an agreement to extend the running of the period of limitations is executed. The agreement must be signed by the taxpayer or by an attorney, agent, trustee, or other fiduciary on behalf of the taxpayer. If the agreement is signed by a person other than the taxpayer, it shall be accompanied by an authenticated copy of the power of attorney or other legal evidence of the authority of such person to act on behalf of the taxpayer. If the taxpayer is a corporation, the agreement should be signed with the corporate name followed by the signature of a duly authorized officer of the corporation. The agreement will not be effective until signed by an appropriate officer.
(c)(1) The taxpayer may sign a waiver of the requirement that the taxpayer be mailed a notice of disallowance. Such waiver is irrevocable and will commence the running of the 2-year period described in paragraph (a) of this section on the date the waiver is filed. The waiver shall set forth:
(i) The type of tax and the taxable period covered by the taxpayer's claim for refund;
(ii) The amount of the claim;
(iii) The amount of the claim disallowed;
(iv) A statement that the taxpayer agrees the filing of the waiver will commence the running of the 2-year period provided for in section 6532(a)(1) as if a notice of disallowance had been sent the taxpayer by either registered or certified mail.
(2) The filing of such a waiver prior to the expiration of 6 months from the date the claim was filed does not permit the filing of a suit for refund prior to the time specified in section 6532(a)(1) and paragraph (a) of this section.
(d) Any consideration, reconsideration, or other action with respect to a claim after the mailing, by either registered or certified mail, of a notice of disallowance or after the execution of a waiver referred to in paragraph (c) of this section, shall not extend the period for bringing suit or other proceeding under section 7422(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.
§ 70.252   Periods of limitation on suits by the United States.
The United States may not recover any erroneous refund by civil action under section 7405 of the Internal Revenue Code unless such action is begun within 2 years after the making of such refund. However, if any part of the refund was induced by fraud or misrepresentation of a material fact, the action to recover the erroneous refund may be brought at any time within 5 years from the date the refund was made.
§ 70.253   Periods of limitation on suits by persons other than taxpayers.
(a) General rule. No suit or proceeding, except as otherwise provided in 26 U.S.C. 6532(c)(2) and paragraph (b) of this section, under 26 U.S.C. 7426 and § 70.207 of this part relating to civil actions by persons other than taxpayers, shall be begun after the expiration of 9 months from the date of levy or agreement under 26 U.S.C. 6325(b)(3) giving rise to such action.
(b) Period when claim is filed. The 9-month period described in 26 U.S.C. 6532(c)(1) and paragraph (a) of this section shall be extended to the shorter of
(1) 12 months from the date of filing by a third party of a written request under § 70.167(b)(2) of this part for the return of property wrongfully levied upon, or
(2) 6 months from the date of mailing by registered or certified mail by the appropriate TTB officer to the party claimant of a notice of disallowance of the part of the request to which the action relates. A request which, under § 70.167(b)(3) of this part, is not considered adequate does not extend the 9-month period described in paragraph (a) of this section.
§ 70.261   Period of limitation on filing claim.
(a) In the case of any tax (other than a tax payable by stamp):
(1) If a return is filed, a claim for credit or refund of an overpayment must be filed by the taxpayer within 3 years from the time the return was filed or within 2 years from the time the tax was paid, whichever of such periods expires the later.
(2) If no return is filed, the claim for credit or refund of an overpayment must be filed by the taxpayer within 2 years from the time the tax was paid.
(b) In the case of any tax payable by means of a stamp, a claim for credit or refund of an overpayment of such tax must be filed by the taxpayer within 3 years from the time the tax was paid. For provisions relating to redemption of unused stamps, see section 6805 of the Internal Revenue Code.
(c) For limitations on allowance of credit or refund, special rules, and exceptions, see subsections (b) and (c) of section 6511 of the Internal Revenue Code. For rules as to time return is deemed filed and tax considered paid, see section 6513 of the Internal Revenue Code.
§ 70.262   Limitations on allowance of credits and refunds.
(a) Effect of filing claim. Unless a claim for credit or refund of an overpayment is filed within the period of limitation prescribed in section 6511(a), no credit or refund shall be allowed or made after the expiration of such period.
(b) Limit on amount to be credited or refunded. In the case of any tax (other than a tax payable by stamp):
(1) If a return was filed, and a claim is filed within 3 years from the time the return was filed, the amount of the credit or refund shall not exceed the portion of the tax paid within the period, immediately preceding the filing of the claim, equal to 3 years plus the period of any extension of time for filing the return.
(2) If a return was filed, and a claim is filed after the 3 year period described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, but within 2 years from the time the tax was paid, the amount of the credit or refund shall not exceed the portion of the tax paid within the 2 years immediately preceding the filing of the claim.
(3) If no return was filed, but a claim is filed, the amount of the credit or refund shall not exceed the portion of the tax paid within the 2 years immediately preceding the filing of the claim.
(4) If no claim is filed, the amount of the credit or refund allowed or made shall not exceed the amount that would have been allowable under the preceding subparagraphs if a claim had been filed on the date the credit or refund is allowed.
(c) In the case of a tax payable by stamp. (1) If a claim is filed, the amount of the credit or refund shall not exceed the portion of the tax paid within the 3 years immediately preceding the filing of the claim.
(2) If no claim is filed, the amount of the credit or refund allowed or made shall not exceed the portion of the tax paid within the 3 years immediately preceding the allowance of the credit or refund. For provisions relating to redemption of unused stamps, see section 6805 of the Internal Revenue Code.
§ 70.263   Special rules applicable in case of extension of time by agreement.
(a) Scope. If, within the period prescribed in section 6511(a) of the Internal Revenue Code for the filing of a claim for credit or refund, an agreement extending the period for assessment of a tax has been made in accordance with the provisions of section 6501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code, the special rules provided in this section become applicable. This section shall not apply to any claim filed, or credit or refund allowed if no claim is filed, either (1) prior to the execution of an agreement extending the period in which assessment may be made, or (2) more than 6 months after the expiration of the period within which an assessment may be made pursuant to the agreement or any extension thereof.
(b) Period in which claim may be filed. Claim for credit or refund of an overpayment may be filed, or credit or refund may be allowed if no claim is filed, at any time within which an assessment may be made pursuant to an agreement, or any extension thereof, under section 6501(c)(4), and for 6 months thereafter.
(c) Limit on amount to be credited or refunded. (1) If a claim is filed within the time prescribed in paragraph (b) of this section, the amount of the credit or refund allowed or made shall not exceed the portion of the tax paid after the execution of the agreement and before the filing of the claim, plus the amount that could have been properly credited or refunded under the provisions of section 6511(b)(2) if a claim had been filed on the date of the execution of the agreement.
(2) If no claim is filed, the amount of credit or refund allowed or made within the time prescribed in paragraph (b) of this section shall not exceed the portion of the tax paid after the execution of the agreement and before the making of the credit or refund, plus the amount that could have been properly credited or refunded under the provisions of section 6511(b)(2) if a claim had been filed on the date of the execution of the agreement.
(d) Effective date of agreement. The agreement referred to in this section shall become effective when signed by the taxpayer and the appropriate TTB officer.
§ 70.264   Time return deemed filed and tax considered paid.
For purposes of section 6511 of the Internal Revenue Code, a return filed before the last day prescribed by law or regulations for the filing thereof shall be considered as filed on such last day. For purposes of section 6511(b) (2) and (c), payment of any portion of the tax made before the last day prescribed for payment shall be considered made on such last day. An extension of time for filing a return or for paying any tax shall not be given any effect in determining under this section the last day prescribed for filing a return or paying any tax.
§ 70.265   Credits or refunds after period of limitation.
(a) A refund of any portion of any internal revenue tax (or any interest, additional amount, addition to the tax, or assessable penalty) shall be considered erroneous and a credit of any such portion shall be considered void:
(1) If made after the expiration of the period of limitation prescribed by section 6511 of the Internal Revenue Code for filing claim therefor, unless prior to the expiration of such period claim was filed, or
(2) In the case of a timely claim, if the credit or refund was made after the expiration of the period of limitation prescribed by section 6532(a) for the filing of suit, unless prior to the expiration of such period, suit was begun.
(b) For procedure by the United States to recover erroneous refunds, see sections 6532(b) and 7405 of the Internal Revenue Code.
§ 70.266   Credit against barred liability.
Any credit against a liability in respect of any taxable year shall be void if the collection of such liability would be barred by the applicable statute of limitations at the time such credit is made.
§ 70.271   Procedure in the case of transferred assets.
(a) Method of collection. (1) The liability, at law or in equity, of a transferee of property of any person liable in respect of any tax imposed under provisions of 26 U.S.C. enforced and administered by the Bureau, in any case where the liability of the transferee arises on the liquidation of a corporation or partnership, or a corporate reorganization within the meaning of 26 U.S.C. 368(a), shall be assessed against such transferee and paid and collected in the same manner and subject to the same provisions and limitations as in the case of the tax with respect to which such liability is incurred, except as hereinafter provided.
(2) Applicable provisions. The provisions of 26 U.S.C. made applicable by 26 U.S.C. 6901(a) to the liability of a transferee referred to in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, include the provisions relating to:
(i) Delinquency in payment after notice and demand and the amount of interest attaching because of such delinquency;
(ii) The authorization of distraint and proceedings in court for collection; and
(iii) The prohibition of claims and suits for refund.
(b) Definition of transferee. As used in this section, the term “transferee” includes the shareholder of a dissolved corporation, the assignee or donee of an insolvent person, the successor of a corporation, a party to a reorganization as defined in 26 U.S.C. 368, and all other classes of distributees.
(c) Period of limitations on assessment. The period of limitations for assessment of the liability of a transferee is as follows:
(1) Initial transferee. In the case of the liability of an initial transferee, 1 year after the expiration of the period of limitations for assessment against the transferor.
(2) Transferee of transferee. In the case of the liability of a transferee of a transferee, 1 year after the expiration of the period of limitations for assessment against the preceding transferee, or 3 years after the expiration of the period of limitations for assessment against the taxpayer, whichever of such periods first expires.
(3) Court proceeding against taxpayer or last preceding transferee. If, before the expiration of the period specified in paragraph (c)(1) or (2) of this section, (whichever is applicable), a court proceeding against the taxpayer or last preceding transferee for the collection of the tax or liability in respect thereof, respectively, has been begun within the period of limitation for the commencement of such proceeding, then within 1 year after the return of execution in such proceeding.
(d) Extension by agreement —(1) Extension of time for assessment. The time prescribed by 26 U.S.C. 6901 for the assessment of the liability of a transferee may, prior to the expiration of such time, be extended for any period of time agreed upon in writing by the transferee and the appropriate TTB officer. The extension shall become effective when the agreement has been executed by both parties. The period agreed upon may be extended by subsequent agreements in writing made before the expiration of the period previously agreed upon.
(2) Extension of times for credit or refund. (i) For the purposes of determining the period of limitations on credit or refund to the transferee of overpayments made by such transferee or overpayments made by the taxpayer to which such transferee may be legally entitled to credit or refund, an agreement and any extension thereof referred to in paragraph (d)(1) of this section, shall be deemed an agreement and extension thereof for purposes of 26 U.S.C. 6511(c) (relating to limitations on credit or refund in case of extension of time by agreement).
(ii) For the purpose of determining the limit specified in 26 U.S.C. 6511(c)(2) on the amount of the credit or refund, if the agreement is executed after the expiration of the period of limitations for assessment against the taxpayer with reference to whom the liability of such transferee arises, the periods specified in 26 U.S.C. 6511(b)(2) shall be increased by the period from the date of such expiration to the date the agreement is executed.
(e) Period of assessment against taxpayer. For the purpose of determining the period of limitations for assessment against a transferee, if the taxpayer is deceased, or, in the case of a corporation, has terminated its existence, the period of limitations for assessment against the taxpayer shall be the period that would be in effect had the termination of existence not occurred.
§ 70.281   Form of bond and security required.
(a) In general. Any person required to furnish a bond under the provisions of this part shall execute such bond:
(1) On the appropriate form prescribed by the Bureau and
(2) With satisfactory surety.
For provisions as to what will be considered “satisfactory surety”, see paragraph (b) of this section. The bonds referred to in this paragraph shall be drawn in favor of the United States.
(b) Satisfactory surety —(1) Approved surety company or bonds or notes of the United States. For purposes of paragraph (a) of this section, a bond shall be considered executed with satisfactory surety if:
(i) It is executed by a surety company holding a certificate of authority from the Secretary as an acceptable surety on Federal bonds; or
(ii) It is secured by bonds or notes of the United States as provided in by 31 U.S.C. 9303.
(2) Other surety. Unless otherwise expressly provided in 26 U.S.C. or this part, a bond may, in the discretion of the appropriate TTB officer, be considered executed with satisfactory surety if, in lieu of being executed or secured as provided in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, it is:
(i) Executed by a corporate surety (other than a surety company) provided such corporate surety establishes that it is within its corporate powers to act as surety for another corporation or an individual;
(ii) Executed by two or more individual sureties, provided such individual sureties meet the conditions contained in paragraph (b)(3) of this section;
(iii) Secured by a mortgage on real or personal property;
(iv) Secured by a certified, cashier's, or treasurer's check drawn on any bank or trust company incorporated under the laws of the United States or any State, Territory, or possession of the United States, or by a U.S. postal, bank, express or telegraph money order;
(v) Secured by corporate bonds or stocks, or by bonds issued by a State or political subdivision thereof, of recognized stability; or
(vi) Secured by any other acceptable collateral. Collateral shall be deposited with the appropriate TTB officer or, in that officer's discretion, with a responsible financial institution acting as escrow agent.
(3) Conditions to be met by individual sureties. If a bond is executed by two or more individual sureties, the following conditions must be met by each such individual surety:
(i) The surety must reside within the State in which the principal place of business or legal residence of the primary obligor is located;
(ii) The surety must have property subject to execution of a current market value, above all encumbrances, equal to at least the penalty of the bond;
(iii) All real property which the surety offers as security must be located in the State in which the principal place of business or legal residence of the primary obligor is located;
(iv) The surety must agree not to mortgage, or otherwise encumber, any property offered as security while the bond continues in effect without first securing the permission of the officer with whom the bond is filed; and
(v) The surety must file with the bond, and annually thereafter so long as the bond continues in effect, an affidavit as to the adequacy of the security, executed on the appropriate form furnished by the appropriate TTB officer.
(4) Adequacy of surety. No surety or security shall be accepted if it does not adequately protect the interest of the United States.
§ 70.282   Single bond in lieu of multiple bonds.
In the case of bonds required under this part, a single bond will not be accepted in lieu of two or more bonds.
§ 70.301   Reproduction of returns and other documents.
(a) In general. The appropriate TTB officer may contract with any Federal agency or any person to have such agency or person process films and other photoimpressions of any return, statement, document, or of any card, record, or other matter required under the provisions of 26 U.S.C. enforced and administered by the Bureau, and make reproductions from such films and photoimpressions.
(b) Safeguards —(1) By private contractor. Any person entering into a contract with the Bureau for the performance of any of the services described in paragraph (a) of this section shall agree to comply, and to assume responsibility for compliance by that person's employees, with the following requirements:
(i) The films or photoimpressions, and reproductions made therefrom, shall be used only for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of the contract, and information contained in such material shall be treated as confidential and shall not be divulged or made known in any manner to any person except as may be necessary in the performance of the contract;
(ii) All the services shall be performed under the supervision of the person with whom the contract is made or that person's responsible employees;
(iii) All material received for processing and all processed and reproduced material shall be kept in a locked and fireproof compartment in a secure place when not being worked upon;
(iv) All spoilage of reproductions made from the film or photoimpressions supplied to the contractor shall be destroyed, and a statement under the penalties of perjury shall be submitted to the Bureau that such destruction has been accomplished; and
(v) All film, photoimpressions, and reproductions made therefrom, shall be transmitted to the Bureau by personal delivery, first-class mail, parcel post, or express.
(2) By Federal agency. Any Federal agency entering into a contract with the Bureau for the performance of any services described in paragraph (a) of this section, shall treat as confidential all material processed or reproduced pursuant to such contract.
(3) Inspection. The Bureau shall have the right to send its officers and employees into the office and plants of Federal agencies and other contractors for inspection of the facilities and operations provided for the performance of any work contracted or to be contracted for under this section.
(4) Criminal sanctions. For penalty provisions relating to the unauthorized use and disclosure of information in violation of the provisions of this section, see 26 U.S.C. 7213(c).
§ 70.302   Fees and costs for witnesses.
(a) Introduction. Title 26 U.S.C. 7610 provides that the Bureau may make payments to certain persons who are summoned to give information to the Bureau under 26 U.S.C. 7602 and § 70.22 of this part. Under 26 U.S.C. 7610 witnesses generally will not be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred but instead will be paid in accordance with the payment rates established by regulations. Paragraph (b) of this section contains elaborations of certain terms found in 26 U.S.C. 7610 and definitions of other terms used in the regulations under 26 U.S.C. 7610 (a) and (b); and paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section contain rules and rates applicable to payments under 26 U.S.C. 7610.
(b) Definitions —(1) Directly incurred costs. Directly incurred costs are costs incurred solely, immediately, and necessarily as a consequence of searching for, reproducing, or transporting records in order to comply with a summons. They do not include a proportionate allocation of fixed costs, such as overhead, equipment depreciation, etc. However, where a third party's records are stored at an independent storage facility that charges the third party a search fee to search for, reproduce, or transport particular records requested, these fees are considered to be directly incurred by the summoned third party.
(2) Reproduction cost. Reproduction costs are costs incurred in making copies or duplicates of summoned documents, transcripts, and other similar material.
(3) Search costs. Search costs include only the total cost of personnel time directly incurred in searching for records or information and the cost of retrieving information stored by computer. Salaries of persons locating and retrieving summoned material are not included in search costs. Also, search costs do not include salaries, fees, or similar expenditures for analysis of material or for managerial or legal advice, expertise, or research, or time spent for these activities.
(4) Third party. A third party is any person served with a summons, other than a person with respect to whose liability a summons is issued, or an officer, employee, agent, accountant, or attorney of that person.
(5) Third party records. Third party records are books, papers, records, or other data in which the person with respect to whose liability a summons is issued does not have a proprietary interest at the time the summons is served.
(6) Transportation costs. Transportation costs include only costs incurred to transport personnel to search for records or information requested and costs incurred solely by the need to transport the summoned material to the place of examination. These costs do not include the cost of transporting the summoned witness for appearance at the place of examination. See paragraph (c)(2) of this section for payment of travel expenses.
(c) Conditions and rates of payments —(1) Basis for payment. Payment for search, reproduction, and transportation costs will be made only to third parties served with a summons to produce third party records or information and only for material requested by the summons. Payment will be made only for those costs both directly incurred and reasonably necessary. No payment will be made until the third party has satisfactorily complied with the summons and has submitted an itemized bill or invoice showing specific details concerning the costs to the Bureau employee before whom the third party was summoned. If a third party charges any other person for any cost for which the third party is seeking payment from the Bureau, the amount charged to the other person must be subtracted from the amount the Bureau must pay.
(2) Payment rates. The following rates are established.
(i) Search costs. (A) For the total amount of personnel time required to locate records or information, $8.50 per person hour.
(B) For retrieval of information stored by computer in the format in which it is normally produced, actual costs, based on computer time and necessary supplies, except that personnel time for computer search is payable only under paragraph (c)(2)(i)(A) of this section.
(ii) Reproduction costs. (A) For copies of documents $.20 per page.
(B) For photographers, films and other materials, actual cost, except that personnel time is payable only under paragraph (a)(2)(i)(A) of this section.
(iii) Transportation costs. For transportation costs, actual cost, except that personnel time is payable only under paragraph (c)(2)(i)(A) of this section.
(d) Appearance fees and allowances —(1) In general. Under 26 U.S.C. 7610(a)(1) and this paragraph, the Bureau shall pay a summoned person certain fees and allowances. No payments will be made until after the party summoned appears and has submitted any necessary receipts or other evidence of costs to the Bureau employee before whom the person was summoned.
(2) Attendance fees. A summoned person shall be paid an attendance fee for each day's attendance. A summoned person shall also be paid the attendance fee for the time necessarily occupied in going to and returning from the place of attendance at the beginning and end of the attendance or at any time during the attendance. The attendance fee is the higher of $30 per day or the amount paid under 28 U.S.C. 1821(b) to witnesses in attendance at courts of the United States at the time of the summoned person's appearance.
(3) Travel allowances. A summoned person who travels by common carrier shall be paid for the actual expenses of travel on the basis of the means of transportation reasonably utilized and the distance necessarily traveled to and from the summoned person's residence by the shortest practical route in going to and returning from the place of attendance. Such a summoned person shall utilize a common carrier at the most economical rate reasonably available. A receipt or other evidence of actual cost shall be furnished. A travel allowance equal to the mileage allowance which the Administrator of General Services has prescribed, under 5 U.S.C. 5704, for official travel of employees of the Federal Government shall be paid to each summoned person who travels by privately owned vehicle. Computation of mileage under this paragraph shall be made on the basis of a uniform table of distances adopted by the Administrator of General Services. Toll charges for toll roads, bridges, tunnels and ferries, taxicab fares between places of lodging and carrier terminals, and parking fees (upon presentation of a valid parking receipt) shall be paid in full to a summoned person incurring those expenses.
(4) Subsistence allowances. A subsistence allowance shall be paid to a summoned person (other than a summoned person who is incarcerated) when an overnight stay is required at the place of attendance because the place is so far removed from the residence of the summoned person as to prohibit return thereto from day to day. A subsistence allowance for a summoned person shall be paid in an amount not to exceed the maximum allowance prescribed by the Administrator of General Services, under 5 U.S.C. 5702(a), for official travel in the area of attendance by employees of the Federal Government. An alien who has been paroled into the United States by the Attorney General, under 8 U.S.C. 1182(d)(5)(A), or an alien who either has admitted belonging to a class of aliens who are deportable or has been determined under 8 U.S.C. 1252(b) to be deportable, shall be ineligible to receive the fees or allowances provided for under 26 U.S.C. 7610(a)(1).
§ 70.303   Rules and regulations.
(a) Issuance. The Administrator, with the approval of the Secretary, shall prescribe all needful rules and regulations for the enforcement of provisions of 26 U.S.C. enforced and administered by the Bureau (except where this authority is expressly given by 26 U.S.C. to any other person other than an officer or employee of the Treasury Department), including all rules and regulations as may be necessary by reason of any alteration of law in relation to taxes within the Administrator's jurisdiction.
(b) Retroactivity. The Administrator, with the approval of the Secretary, may prescribe the extent, if any, to which any regulation or Treasury decision relating to the laws within the Administrator's jurisdiction shall be applied without retroactive effect. The Administrator may prescribe the extent, if any, to which any ruling relating to the laws within the Administrator's jurisdiction, issued by or pursuant to authorization from the Administrator, shall be applied without retroactive effect.
(c) Preparation and distribution of regulations, forms, stamps, and other matters. The Administrator, under the direction of the Secretary, shall prepare and distribute all the instructions, regulations, directions, forms, blanks, stamps, and other matters pertaining to the assessment and collection of taxes within the Administrator's jurisdiction.
§ 70.304   Place for filing documents other than returns.
(a) If a document, other than a return, is required to be filed with a TTB office, such document may be hand delivered to such office.
(b) For purposes of this section, a return or document will be considered to be hand carried if it is brought to a TTB supervisor of the TTB office by the person required to file the return or other document, or by the person's agent. Examples of persons who will be considered to be agents, for purposes of the preceding sentence, are: Members of the taxpayer's family, an employee of the taxpayer, the taxpayer's attorney, accountant, or tax advisor, and messengers employed by the taxpayer. A return or document will not be considered to be hand carried if it is sent to the Bureau through the U.S. Mail.
§ 70.305   Timely mailing treated as timely filing.
(a) General rule. Title 26 U.S.C. 7502 provides that, if the requirements of such section are met, a document shall be deemed to be filed on the date of the postmark stamped on the cover in which such document was mailed. Thus, if the cover containing such document bears a timely postmark, the document will be considered filed timely although it is received after the last date, or the last day of the period, prescribed for filing such document. Title 26 U.S.C. 7502 is applicable only to those documents which come within the definition of such term provided by paragraph (b) of this section and only if the document is mailed in accordance with paragraph (c) of this section and is delivered in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section.
(b) Document defined. The term document, as used in this section, means any return, claim, statement, or other document required to be filed within a prescribed period or on or before a prescribed date under authority of any provisions of 26 U.S.C. enforced and administered by the Bureau.
(c) Mailing requirements. (1) Title 26 U.S.C. 7502 is not applicable unless the document is mailed in accordance with the following requirements:
(i) The document must be contained in an envelope or other appropriate wrapper, properly addressed to the agency, officer, or office with which the document is required to be filed.
(ii) The document must be deposited within the prescribed time in the mail in the United States with sufficient postage prepaid. For this purpose, a document is deposited in the mail in the United States when it is deposited with the domestic mail service of the U.S. Postal Service, as defined by the postal regulations (39 CFR Part 2). Title 26 U.S.C. 7502 does not apply to any document which is deposited with the mail service of any other country.
(iii)(A) If the postmark on the envelope or wrapper is made by the U.S. Postal Service, such postmark must bear a date on or before the last date, or the last day of the period, prescribed for filing the document. If the postmark does not bear a date on or before the last date, or the last day of the period, prescribed for filing the document, the document will be considered not to be filed timely, regardless of when the document is deposited in the mail. Accordingly, the sender who relies upon the applicability of 26 U.S.C. 7502 assumes the risk that the postmark will bear a date on or before the last date, or the last day of the period, prescribed for filing the document, but see paragraph (c)(2) of this section, with respect to the use of registered mail or certified mail to avoid this risk. If the postmark on the envelope or wrapper is not legible, the person who is required to file the document has the burden of proving the time when the postmark was made. Furthermore, in case the cover containing a document bearing a timely postmark made by the U.S. Postal Service is received after the time when a document postmarked and mailed at such time would ordinarily be received, the sender may be required to prove that it was timely mailed.
(B) If the postmark on the envelope or wrapper is made other than by the U.S. Postal Service, the postmark so made must bear a date on or before the last date, or the last day of the period, prescribed for filing the document, and the document must be received by the agency, officer, or office with which it is required to be filed not later than the time when a document contained in an envelope or other appropriate wrapper which is properly addressed and mailed and sent by the same class of mail would ordinarily be received if it were postmarked at the same point of origin by the U.S. Postal Service on the last date, or the last day of the period, prescribed for filing the document. However, in case the document is received after the time when a document so mailed and so postmarked by the U.S. Postal Service would ordinarily be received, such document will be treated as having been received at the time when a document so mailed and so postmarked would ordinarily be received, if the person who is required to file the document establishes that it was actually deposited in the mail before the last collection of the mail from the place of deposit which was postmarked (except for the metered mail) by the U.S. Postal Service on or before the last date, or the last day of the period, prescribed for filing the document, that the delay in receiving the document was due to a delay in the transmission of the mail, and the cause of such delay. If the envelope has a postmark made by the U.S. Postal Service in addition to the postmark not so made, the postmark which was not made by the U.S. Postal Service shall be disregarded, and whether the envelope was mailed in accordance with this section shall be determined solely by applying the rules of paragraph (c)(1)(iii)(A) of this section.
(2) If the document is sent by U.S. registered mail, the date of registration of the document shall be treated as the postmark date. If the document is sent by U.S. certified mail and the sender's receipt is postmarked by the postal employee to whom such document is presented, the date of the U.S. postmark on such receipt shall be treated as the postmark date of the document. Accordingly, the risk that the document will not be postmarked on the day that it is deposited in the mail may be overcome by the use of registered mail or certified mail.
(3) As used in this section, the term “the last date, or the last day of the period, prescribed for filing the document” includes any extension of time granted for such filing. Except as provided in 26 U.S.C. 5061 for the filing of returns and payment of a tax under 26 U.S.C. subtitle E, when the last date, or the last day of the period, prescribed for filing the document falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, 26 U.S.C. 7503 is also applicable, so that, in applying the rules of this paragraph, the next succeeding day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, shall be treated as the last date, or the last day of the period, prescribed for filing the document.
(d) Delivery. (1) Title 26 U.S.C. 7502 is not applicable unless the document is delivered by U.S. mail to the agency, officer, or office with which it is required to be filed. However, if the document is sent by registered mail or certified mail, proof that the document was properly registered or that a postmarked certified mail sender's receipt was properly issued therefor, and that the envelope or wrapper was properly addressed to such agency, officer or office shall constitute prima facie evidence that the document was delivered to such agency, officer or office.
(2) Title 26 U.S.C. 7502 is applicable only when the document is delivered after the last date, or the last day of the period, prescribed for filing the document.
(e) Exceptions. This section shall not apply with respect to:
(1) The filing of a document in, or the making of a payment to, any court,
(2) Currency or other medium of payment unless actually received and accounted for, or
(3) Returns, claims, statements, or other documents, or payments, which are required under any provision of 26 U.S.C. enforced and administered by the Bureau or the regulations thereunder to be delivered by any method other than by mailing.
§ 70.306   Time for performance of acts other than payment of tax or filing of any return when the last day falls on Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.
(a) In general. Title 26 U.S.C. 7503 provides that when the last day prescribed under provisions of 26 U.S.C. enforced and administered by the Bureau, for the performance of any act falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, such act shall be considered performed timely if performed on the next succeeding day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. For this purpose, any authorized extension of time shall be included in the determining of the last day for performance of any act. Title 26 U.S.C. 7503 is not applicable to the filing of returns and payment of tax under 26 U.S.C. subtitle E. Title 26 U.S.C. 7503 is applicable only in case an act is required under authority of any provisions of 26 U.S.C. enforced and administered by the Bureau to be performed on or before a prescribed date or within a prescribed period. Title 26 U.S.C. 7503 applies to acts to be performed by the taxpayer (such as the filing of a claim for credit or refund of tax) and acts to be performed by the appropriate TTB officer, (such as, the giving of any notice with respect to, or making any demand for the payment of, any tax; the assessment or collection of any tax). For rules concerning the payment of any tax or the filing of any return required under the authority of 26 U.S.C. 4181 and 4182 relating to firearms and ammunition or subtitle E relating to alcohol, tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes, see 26 U.S.C. 5061, 5703, and 6302 and the regulations covering the specific commodity.
(b) Legal holidays. (1) For the purpose of 26 U.S.C. 7503, the term “legal holiday” includes the legal holidays in the District of Columbia. Such legal holidays found in 5 U.S.C. 6103(a), as enacted and made effective by the Act of November 2, 1983 (97 Stat. 917), are:
(i) January 1, New Year's Day,
(ii) Third Monday in January, Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.,
(iii) January 20, when such day is Inauguration Day,
(iv) Third Monday in February, Washington's Birthday,
(v) Last Monday in May, Memorial Day,
(vi) July 4, Independence Day,
(vii) First Monday in September, Labor Day,
(viii) Second Monday in October, Columbus Day,
(ix) November 11, Veterans' Day,
(x) Fourth Thursday in November, Thanksgiving Day, and
(xi) December 25, Christmas Day.
(2) In the case of any statement or other document required to be filed, or any other act required under the authority of provisions of 26 U.S.C. enforced and administered by the Bureau to be performed at any office of the Bureau or any other office or agency of the United States, located outside the District of Columbia, the term “legal holiday” includes, in addition to the legal holidays enumerated in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, any statewide legal holiday of the State where the act is required to be performed. If the act is performed in accordance with law at an office of the Bureau or any other office or agency of the United States located in a Territory or possession of the United States, the term “legal holiday” includes, in addition to the legal holidays described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, any legal holiday which is recognized throughout the Territory or possession in which the office is located.
§ 70.311   Authority for establishment, alteration, and distribution of stamps, marks, or labels.
The appropriate TTB officer may establish, and from time to time alter, renew, replace, or change the form, style, character, material, and device of any stamp, mark, or label under any provision of the law relating to Subtitle E of the Internal Revenue Code (or to any provision of Subtitle F which relates to Subtitle E).
§ 70.321   Registration of persons paying a special tax.
(a) Persons required to register. Every person engaged in a trade or business in respect of which a special tax is imposed by one of the following sections of the Internal Revenue Code is required to register with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.
(1)-(5) [Reserved]
(6) Section 5731 (relating to special tax on manufacturers of tobacco products, manufacturers of cigarette papers and tubes, and export warehouse proprietors); or
(7) Section 5802 (relating to importers, manufacturers and dealers of National Firearms Act weapons).
(b) Procedure for registration. The registration required of a person by reason of the person being engaged in a trade or business, in respect of which one of the special taxes listed in paragraph (a) of this section is imposed, shall be accomplished by timely executing and filing, in accordance with the instructions relating thereto, TTB Form 5630.5, Special Tax Registration and Return.
§ 70.331   Fraudulent returns, statements, or other documents.
Any person who willfully delivers or discloses to any officer or employee of the Bureau any list, return, account, statement, or other document, known by him to be fraudulent or to be false as to any material matter, shall be fined not more than $10,000 ($50,000 in the case of a corporation) or imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both.
§ 70.332   Unauthorized use or sale of stamps.
Any person who buys, sells, offers for sale, uses, transfers, takes or gives in exchange, or pledges or gives in pledge, except as authorized in the Internal Revenue Code or in regulations made pursuant thereto, any stamp, coupon, ticket, book, or other device prescribed by the Administrator under provisions of 26 U.S.C. enforced and administered by the Bureau for the collection or payment of any tax imposed thereunder, shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not more than $1,000, or imprisoned not more than 6 months, or both.
§ 70.333   Offenses by officers and employees of the United States.
Any officer or employee of the United States acting in connection with any provisions of 26 U.S.C. enforced and administered by the Bureau required to make a written report under the provisions of 26 U.S.C. 7214(a)(8) shall submit such report to the appropriate TTB officer.
§ 70.411   Imposition of taxes, qualification requirements, and regulations.
(a) Imposition of taxes. Subchapter A of Chapter 51 of the IRC imposes taxes on distilled spirits (including alcohol), wine and beer.
(b) Qualification requirements. Distillers, winemakers, brewers, warehousemen, rectifiers, bottlers, dealers in specially denatured alcohol, users of tax-free and specially denatured alcohol, and wholesalers and importers of liquors, are required to qualify with TTB usually by filing notice or application and bond with, and procuring permit from, the appropriate TTB officer. Dealers in alcohol products fit for beverage use and manufacturers of nonbeverage products who claim drawback under section 5114 of the Internal Revenue Code must register. Detailed information respecting such qualification and registration, including the forms to be used and the procedure to be followed, is contained in the respective regulations described in paragraph (c) of this section.
(c) Regulations. The procedural requirements with respect to matters relating to distilled spirits, wines, and beer which are within the jurisdiction of TTB are published in the regulations described in this paragraph. These regulations contain full information as to the general course and method by which the functions concerning liquors are channeled and determined, including the nature and requirements of formal and informal procedures, the forms, records, reports, and other documents required, and the contents of applications, notices, registrations, permits, bonds, and other documents. Forms prescribed by this part are available as provided in § 70.2(b). The following is a brief description of the several regulations arranged according to the principal subjects and operations concerned:
(1) Establishment and operation of distilled spirits plants. Part 19 of title 27 CFR contains the regulations relating to the location, qualification, construction, arrangement, equipment, and operations (including activities incident thereto) of distilled spirits plants for the production and/or warehousing (including denaturation), and bottling (including bottling in bond) of distilled spirits. Part 19 also contains the regulations relating to distilled spirits for fuel use and the production of vinegar by the vaporizing process.
(2) Miscellaneous liquor transactions. Part 29 of 27 CFR contains miscellaneous regulations relative to the manufacture, removal, and use of stills and condensers, and to the notice, registration, and recordkeeping requirements therefor.
(3) [Reserved]
(4) Gauging of distilled spirits. Part 30 of title 27 CFR contains the regulations that prescribe the gauging instruments, and methods or techniques to be used in measuring distilled spirits (including denatured spirits). Tables are provided for use in making the necessary computation from gauge data.
(5) Rules of practice in permit proceedings. Part 71 of title 27 CFR contains the rules governing the procedure and practice in connection with the disapproval of applications for basic permits, and for the issuance of citations for the suspension, revocation, and annulment of such permits under sections 3 and 4 of the Federal Alcohol Administration Act (27 U.S.C. 201 et seq. ), and disapproval, suspension, and revocation of industrial use, operating, withdrawal, and tobacco permits under the Internal Revenue Code. Such rules also govern, insofar as applicable, any adversary proceeding involving adjudication required by statute to oe determined on the record, after opportunity for hearing, under laws administered by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.
(6) Basic permit requirements under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act. 27 CFR part 1, subpart C, issued pursuant to the Federal Alcohol Administration Act, as amended, contains the requirements relative to the issuance under the Act of basic permits to producers, rectifiers, blenders, bottlers, warehousemen, importers, and wholesalers of distilled spirits, wine, or beer, and the amendment, duration, revocation, suspension, or annulment of such permits.
(7) Bulk sales and bottling of distilled spirits. 27 CFR part 1, subpart E, issued under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act, as amended, contains the requirements relative to bulk sales and bottling of distilled spirits under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act, including the terms of warehouse receipts for distilled spirits in bulk.
(8) Labeling and advertising of distilled spirits. 27 CFR part 5, issued under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act, as amended, contains the requirements relative to the labeling and advertising of distilled spirits under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act, including standards of identity for distilled spirits, standards of fill for bottles of distilled spirits, withdrawal of bottled imported distilled spirits from customs custody, and the issuance of certificates of label approval and certificates of exemption from label approval.
(9) American viticultural areas. Part 9 of title 27 CFR contains the regulations that relate to American viticultural areas. The viticultural areas described in these regulations are approved for use as appellations of origin in accordance with 27 CFR part 4.
(10) Production and removal of wine. Part 24 of title 27 CFR contains the regulations relative to the establishment and operation of bonded wine cellars, including bonded wineries, for the production, cellar treatment, and storage of wines, including amelioration, sweetening, addition of volatile fruit flavor concentrates, addition of wine spirits (including distillates containing aldehydes), blending, and other cellar treatment; removals; taxpayment; return of taxpaid wine; use of wine for distilling material and manufacture of vinegar; and record and report requirements.
(11) Bottling or Packaging of taxpaid wine. Part 24 of title 27 CFR contains the regulations relative to the establishment, qualification, and operations of taxpaid wine bottling houses on premises other than those of a plant operated under part 19 of title 27 CFR, and to the bottling and packaging of taxpaid United States and foreign wines at such premises.
(12) Nonindustrial use of distilled spirits and wine. 27 CFR part 1, subpart D, issued under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act, as amended, specifies what uses of distilled spirits and wine are considered “nonindustrial,” as that term is used in section 17 of the Federal Alcohol Administration Act.
(13) Labeling and advertising of wine. 27 CFR part 4, issued under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act, as amended, contains the requirements relative to the labeling and advertising of wine under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act, including standards of identity for wine, standards of fill for containers of wine, the withdrawal of imported wine from customs custody, and the issuance of certificates of label approval and certificates of exemption from label approval.
(14) Establishment and operations of breweries and experimental breweries. Part 25 of title 27 CFR contains the regulations relating to the production (including concentration and reconstitution incident thereto) and removal of beer and cereal beverages. The regulations cover the location, construction, equipment, and operations of breweries; and the qualification of such establishments, including the ownership, control, and management thereof, and the establishment and operations of experimental breweries.
(15) Labeling and advertising of malt beverages. 27 CFR part 7, issued under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act, as amended, contains the requirements relative to the labeling and advertising of malt beverages (beer) under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act, including withdrawal of imported malt beverages from customs custody, and the issuance of certificates of label approval.
(16) Liquor dealers. Part 31 of title 27 CFR contains the regulations relative to the registration requirement imposed on wholesale and retail dealers in liquors and wholesale and retail dealers in beer; restrictions on purchases of distilled spirits; reuse or refilling of liquor bottles; sale or possession of refilled or used liquor bottles; repackaging of alcohol for industrial use; recordkeeping and reporting requirements; and provisions relating to entry of premises and inspection of records.
(17) Drawback of tax on spirits used in nonbeverage products. Part 17 of title 27 CFR contains the regulations which relate to obtaining drawback of internal revenue tax on distilled spirits used in the manufacture or production of medicines, medicinal preparations, food products, flavors, or flavoring extracts, which are unfit for beverage purposes.
(18) Production of volatile fruit-flavor concentrates. Part 18 of title 27 CFR contains the regulations relating to the manufacture, removal, sale, storage, transfer in bond, transportation, recordkeeping and reporting requirements, and use of volatile fruit flavor concentrates. It includes provisions regarding the location, qualification, use, and operations of concentrate plants.
(19) Tied-House. 27 CFR part 6, issued under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act, as amended, specifies practices which are prohibited by subsection (b) of section 5 of the Act and provides the exception to these prohibitions. This part applies only to transactions between industry members and retailers.
(20) Exclusive outlets. 27 CFR part 8, issued under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act, as amended, specifies practices which are prohibited by subsection (a) of section 5 of the Act. This part applies only to transactions between industry members and retailers.
(21) Commercial bribery. 27 CFR part 10, issued under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act, as amended, specifies practices which are prohibited by subsection (c) of section 5 of the Act. This part applies to transactions between industry members and employees, officers, or representatives of trade buyers.
(22) Consignment sales. 27 CFR part 11, issued under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act, as amended, specifies sales arrangements prohibited by subsection (d) of section 5 of the Act and contains guidelines concerning the return of distilled spirits, wines, and malt beverages from a trade buyer. The regulations in this part apply to transactions between industry members and trade buyers.
(23) Distribution and use of denatured alcohol and rum. Part 20 of title 27 CFR contains the regulations relating to the procurement, use, disposition, and recovery of denatured alcohol, specially denatured rum, and articles containing denatured spirits; and includes requirements in respect to industrial use and withdrawal permits; and the packaging, labeling, sales, rebottling, and reprocessing of articles containing specially denatured spirits.
(24) Formulas for denatured alcohol and rum. Part 21 of title 27 CFR contains the regulations relating to the formulation of completely denatured alcohol, specially denatured alcohol, and specially denatured rum; to the use of specially denatured spirits; and to the specifications for denaturants. The procedural requirements relative to the production of denatured alcohol and specially denatured rum are prescribed in part 19 of title 27 CFR, and those relative to the distribution and use of denatured alcohol and specially denatured rum are prescribed in part 20 of title 27 CFR.
(25) Distribution and use of tax-free alcohol. Part 22 of title 27 CFR contains the regulations relating to tax-free alcohol and covers the procurement, storage, use, and recovery of such alcohol; and included requirements in respect to industrial use and withdrawal permits.
(26) Liquors and articles from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Part 26 of title 27 CFR contains the regulations relating to the production, bonded warehousing, and withdrawal of distilled spirits, and denatured spirits, and the manufacture of articles in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands to be brought into the United States free of tax and the collection of internal revenue taxes on taxable alcoholic products coming into the United States from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Regulations respecting spirits produced in Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands and brought into the United States and transferred from customs custody to distilled spirits plants are also contained in this part.
(27) Importation of liquors. Part 27 of title 27 CFR contains the substantive and procedural requirements relative to the importation of distilled spirits, wines, and beer into the United States from foreign countries including commodity taxes, permits, marking, branding, and labeling of containers and packages.
(28) Exportation of liquors. Part 28 of title 27 CFR contains the regulations relating to exportation including, where applicable, lading for use on vessels and aircraft, transfer to a foreign-trade zone, or transfer to a manufacturing bonded warehouse, Class 6, of distilled spirits (including specially denatured spirits), beer (including beer concentrate), and wine, and transfer of distilled spirits and wine for deposit in a customs bonded warehouse, whether without payment of tax, free of tax, or with benefit of drawback. It includes requirements with respect to removal, shipment, lading, deposit, evidence of exportation, losses, claims, and bonds.
§ 70.412   Excise taxes.
(a) Collection. Taxes on distilled spirits, wines, and beer are paid by returns. Depending on the circumstances, the person responsible for paying the taxes may be eligible to file semimonthly, quarterly, or annual returns, with proper remittances, to cover the taxes incurred on distilled spirits, wines, and beer during the semimonthly, quarterly, or annual period. Payment must accompany the return unless required to be made by electronic fund transfer (EFT). If the taxpayer is not qualified to defer taxpayment, or has been placed on a prepayment basis, the taxpayer must prepay the tax on the distilled spirits, wines, or beer. Distilled spirits, wines, and beer tax returns are filed in accordance with the instruction on the return forms, which are furnished to industry members by TTB. Detailed information respecting the payment of tax on liquors, including the forms to be used and procedures to be followed, is contained in the respective regulations described in § 70.411(c).
(b) Assessment. If additional or delinquent tax liability is disclosed by an investigation, or by an examination of records, of a qualified plant or permittee, a notice (except where delay may jeopardize collection of the tax, or where the amount involved is nominal or the result of an evident mathematical error) is sent to the taxpayer advising of the basis and amount of the liability and affording the taxpayer an opportunity to submit a protest, with supporting facts, or to request a conference.
§ 70.413   Claims.
(a) Claims for remission. When distilled spirits (including distilling material and denatured spirits), wine, or beer on which the tax has not been paid or determined is lost, and the person liable for payment of the tax thereon desires to be relieved from such liability, such person may file claim on Form 5620.8 for remission of tax on the quantity that was lost. The appropriate TTB officer may, in any event, require such a claim to be filed, and will require it if circumstances indicate that the loss was caused by theft or, in the case of distilled spirits (including distilling material), unauthorized voluntary destruction. On receipt of a claim the appropriate TTB officer makes a factual determination, and notifies the claimant of allowance or rejection of the claim. If the claim is rejected, and circumstances so warrant, the appropriate TTB officer will take appropriate steps to collect the tax.
(b) Claims for abatement. When the tax on distilled spirits, wines, or beer is assessed and the taxpayer thinks that the tax is not due under the law, such taxpayer may file a claim for abatement of the tax on TTB Form 5620.8 with the officer who made demand for the tax. Such officer may call upon the taxpayer to file a bond in double the amount of the tax in order to insure collection of the tax if the claim is rejected. When the claim is acted upon, the taxpayer is notified of the allowance or rejection of the claim. If the claim is rejected, such officer, will initiate action to collect the tax.
(c) Claims for refund —(1) Taxes illegally, erroneously, or excessively collected. A claim for refund of taxes illegally, erroneously, or excessively collected may be filed by the taxpayer with the officer who collected the tax. Such claim must be filed within three years (two years under certain circumstances) after the date of payment of the tax. If the claim is rejected, the taxpayer is notified of the rejection by registered or certified mail, and the taxpayer may then bring suit in the U.S. District Court or the Court of Claims for recovery of the tax. Such suits must be filed generally within two years from the date of mailing of the rejection notice. If the claim is allowed, a check for the amount of the refund and allowable interest is forwarded to the taxpayer; however, if there are other unpaid taxes outstanding against the taxpayer, the overpayment may be applied to the outstanding taxes and the balance, if any, refunded.
(2) Taxes on liquors lost, destroyed, returned to bond, or taken as samples by the United States. A taxpayer may, subject to the conditions in the appropriate regulations, file claim on Form 5620.8 for refund of tax paid on:
(i) Spirits returned to bonded premises, lost by accident or disaster, or taken as samples by the United States, or
(ii) Wine returned to bond or lost by disaster, or
(iii) Beer returned to a brewery or voluntarily destroyed, or lost, whether by theft or otherwise, or destroyed or otherwise rendered unmerchantable by fire, casualty, or act of God. If the claim is allowed, a check for the amount of the refund is forwarded to the claimant; except, that where there are any unpaid taxes outstanding against the claimant, the refund may be applied to the outstanding taxes and a check for the balance, if any, forwarded to the claimant. If the claim is rejected, a copy of the claim giving the reasons for rejection is forwarded to the claimant.
(d) Claims for allowance, credit, or relief. A qualified permittee, manufacturer, or proprietor may, subject to the conditions in the appropriate regulations, file claim on Form 5620.8 for allowance of loss, credit of tax, or relief from tax liability, as applicable, on
(1) Spirits returned to bonded premises, lost or destroyed on bonded premises, or in transit thereto, or lost by accident or disaster;
(2) Wine lost or destroyed on bonded premises or in transit thereto and wine returned to bond;
(3) Beer returned to a brewery or voluntarily destroyed, or lost, whether by theft or otherwise, or destroyed or otherwise rendered unmerchantable by fire, casualty, or act of God;
(4) Denatured spirits lost or destroyed in bond, or lost on the premises of a qualified dealer or user or in transit to such premises; and
(5) Tax-free spirits lost on the premises of a qualified user or in transit to such premises.
(e) Claims for payment-disaster losses. When distilled spirits, wines, rectified products, or beer held or intended for sale is lost, rendered unmarketable, or condemned by a duly authorized official by reason of a “major disaster” as determined by the President of the United States, the person holding such product for sale at that time may, subject to the conditions in the appropriate regulations, file a claim on form TTB F 5620.8 for payment of an amount equal to the internal revenue taxes paid or determined and any customs duties paid thereon. Claims must be filed within 6 months from the date on which the President makes the determination that the disaster has occurred. The determination date is construed to mean the date the Director, Office of Emergency Preparedness, identifies the specific disaster area.
§ 70.414   Preparation and filing of claims.
(a) Distilled spirits at distilled spirits plants. Procedural instructions in respect of claims for remission, abatement, credit, or refund of tax on spirits (including denatured spirits) lost or destroyed on or lost in transit to, or on spirits returned to, the premises of a distilled spirits plant are contained in Part 19 of Title 27 CFR. It is not necessary to file a claim for credit of tax on taxpaid samples taken by appropriate TTB officers from distilled spirits plants, as the appropriate TTB officer will allow credit, without claim, for tax on such samples.
(b) Specially denatured spirits. Procedural instructions in respect of claims for allowance of loss on specially denatured spirits lost on the premises of a dealer or user, or while in transit to such premises, are contained in part 20 of title 27 CFR.
(c) Tax-free alcohol. Procedural instructions in respect of claims for allowance of loss on tax-free alcohol lost on the premises of a qualified user, or while in transit to such premises, are contained in part 22 of title 27 CFR.
(d) Wine spirits and wine at bonded wine cellar. Procedural instructions in respect of claims for:
(1) Remission of tax on wine spirits lost on the premises of a bonded wine cellar or in transit thereto,
(2) Allowance of losses of wine in bond, and
(3) Credit or refund of tax paid on wine returned to bond are contained in part 24 of title 27 CFR.
(e) Beer. Procedural instructions in respect of claims for refund or credit of tax which has been paid (or allowance, credit, or relief of tax liability if the tax has not been paid) on domestic beer returned to a brewery or voluntarily destroyed; or lost, whether by theft or otherwise, or destroyed or otherwise rendered unmerchantable by fire, casualty, or act of God are contained in part 25 of title 27 CFR.
(f) Distilled spirits, wines, or beer for export. Procedural instructions in respect of claims for:
(1) Drawback of internal revenue tax on distilled spirits, wines, or beer for export, use as supplies on certain vessels or aircraft, or deposit in a foreign-trade zone, or deposit of distilled spirits or wine in a customs bonded warehouse, and
(2) Remission of tax on distilled spirits, specially denatured spirits, wines, or beer, withdrawn without payment or free of tax and lost during transportation to the port of export, customs bonded warehouse (distilled spirits and wine only), manufacturing bonded warehouse, vessel or aircraft, or foreign-trade zone, as applicable, are contained in part 28 of title 27 CFR. Procedural instructions as to claims respecting export with benefit of drawback of tax on domestic distilled spirits products containing spirits from Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands are contained in parts 19 and 28 of title 27 CFR.
(g) Miscellaneous. Procedural instructions are contained in 27 CFR Part 70, subparts F and G in respect of claims for—
(1) Refund or credit of tax on distilled spirits, wines or beer where such refund or credit is claimed on the grounds that tax was assessed or collected erroneously, illegally, without authority, or in any manner wrongfully, or on the grounds that such amount was excessive, and where such refund or credit is subject to the limitations imposed by section 6423 of the Internal Revenue Code.
(2) Payment of an amount equal to the internal revenue tax paid or determined and customs duties paid on distilled spirits, wines, rectified products, and beer previously withdrawn, which were lost, rendered unmarketable, or condemned by a duly authorized official by reason of a major disaster occurring in the United States after June 30, 1959.
(h) [Reserved]
(i) Low wines at vinegar plants. Procedural instructions in respect of claims for remission of tax on low wines (distilled spirits) lost at vinegar plants producing vinegar by the vaporizing process are contained in part 19 of title 27 CFR.
(j) Distilled spirits used in nonbeverage products. Procedural instructions in respect of claims for drawback of excise tax, submitted by persons using distilled spirits in the manufacture of medicines, medicinal preparations, food products, flavors, flavoring extracts, or perfume, which are unfit for beverage purposes, are contained in part 17 of title 27 CFR.
(k) Reopening claims. A claimant who wishes to have a rejected claim reopened must, within the applicable statutory period of limitations, submit a written application to the officer who originally rejected the claim for reconsideration of the claim. Such application must show that the additional evidence to be presented is new and material, and that such evidence was unknown to the claimant, or unobtainable by the claimant, when the claim was previously under consideration.
(l) Claimant's rights under law and regulations. Before final action has been taken on a claim, a claimant who, by reason of an oversight, misunderstanding of law and regulations, miscalculation, or other cause, did not claim the full amount of abatement, refund, credit, or drawback, as the case may be, of tax to which the claimant is legitimately entitled, may amend a valid claim, and statements filed in support thereof, in instances where such a claim is deficient in establishing the claimants eligibility to the rights extended to such claimant under law and regulations.
§ 70.415   Offers in compromise.
Procedure in the case of offers in compromise of liabilities under 26 U.S.C. chapter 51 and of penalties for violation of the Federal Alcohol Administration Act, is set forth in §§ 70.482 through 70.484.
§ 70.416   Application for approval of interlocking directors and officers under section 8 of the Federal Alcohol Administration Act.
Any person who is an officer or director of a corporation now engaged in business as a distiller, rectifier, or blender of distilled spirits, or of an affiliate thereof, who desires to take office in other companies similarly engaged, must obtain permission to do so from the appropriate TTB officer. Applications for such permission to take office must be prepared and filed in accordance with instructions available from the appropriate TTB officer.
§ 70.417   Rulings.
The procedure for rulings in alcohol tax matters is set forth in § 70.471.
§ 70.418   Conferences.
Any person desiring a conference with TTB, relative to any matter arising in connection with such person's operations, will be accorded such a conference upon request. No formal requirements are prescribed for such conference.
§ 70.419   Representatives.
Title 31 CFR part 8 is applicable to all representatives of the taxpayer, for any conference with TTB.
§ 70.420   Forms.
For forms to be used, see § 70.411(c).
§ 70.421   Alcohol dealer registration.
Every person who sells, or offers for sale, any alcohol product (distilled spirits, wines, or beer) fit for beverage use must register with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. The specific requirements are contained in the following regulations:
(a) For proprietors of distilled spirits plants, parts 19 and 31 of this chapter;
(b) For bonded wineries, bonded wine cellars, bonded wine warehouses, and taxpaid wine bottling houses, parts 24 and 31 of this chapter;
(c) For brewers, parts 25 and 31 of this chapter;
(d) For persons bringing distilled spirits, wines, or beer from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands to the United States, parts 26 and 31 of this chapter;
(e) For importers of distilled spirits, wines, or beer, parts 27 and 31 of this chapter; and
(f) For wholesalers and retailers of distilled spirits, wines, or beer, part 31 of this chapter.
§ 70.422   Registration of manufacturers of nonbeverage products.
For provisions regarding the registration of persons claiming drawback on distilled spirits used in the manufacture of certain nonbeverage products, see part 17 of this chapter.
§ 70.431   Imposition of taxes; regulations.
(a) Taxes. Subchapter A of chapter 52 of the IRC imposes taxes on tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes manufactured in or imported into the United States. Occupational taxes are imposed by manufacturers of tobacco products, manufacturers of cigarette papers and tubes, and export warehouse proprietors. Subchapter D of chapter 78 of the Internal Revenue Code imposes a tax (equal to the internal revenue tax imposed in the United States upon the like articles of merchandise of domestic manufacture) on tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes of Puerto Rican and Virgin Islands manufacture brought into the United States and withdrawn for consumption or sale.
(b) Regulations. The procedural requirements with respect to matters relating to tobacco products, cigarette papers and tubes, and processed tobacco are contained in the regulations listed below:
(1) Part 71 of title 27 CFR relates to the procedure and practice in connection with the disapproval of applications for permits, and the suspension and revocation of permits, under chapter 52 of the Internal Revenue Code.
(2) Part 40 of title 27 CFR relates to the manufacture of tobacco products, cigarette papers and tubes, and processed tobacco, the payment of internal revenue taxes imposed by chapter 52 of the Internal Revenue Code on manufacturers of tobacco products and of cigarette papers and tubes, and the qualification of and operations by manufacturers of tobacco products, cigarette papers and tubes, and processed tobacco.
(3) Part 41 of title 27 CFR relates to tobacco products, cigarette papers and tubes, and processed tobacco imported into the United States from a foreign country or brought into the United States from Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, or a possession of the United States; the removal of cigars from a customs bonded manufacturing warehouse, Class 6; and the release of tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes from customs custody, without payment of internal revenue tax or customs duty attributable to the internal revenue tax.
(4) [Reserved]
(5) Part 44 of title 27 CFR relates to the exportation (including supplies for vessels and aircraft and transfers to a foreign-trade zone) of tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes, without payment of tax, or with benefit of drawback of tax, and the qualification of and operations by export warehouse proprietors.
(6) Part 45 of title 27 CFR relates to the removal of tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes, without payment of tax, for use of the United States.
(7) Part 46 of title 27 CFR relates to the provisions of a miscellaneous nature or not of continuing application. Included are regulations relating to:
(i) Limitations imposed by section 6423 of the Internal Revenue Code on the refund or credit of tax paid or collected on tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes;
(ii) Losses of tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes caused by disasters occurring in the United States on or after September 3, 1958;
(iii) Purchase, receipt, possession, offering for sale, or sale or other disposition of tobacco products by dealers in such products; and
(iv) Liability for special (occupational) tax, filing special tax returns, issuance and examination of special tax stamps, and notification of changes to special tax stamps.
§ 70.432   Qualification and bonding requirements.
(a) Manufacturers of tobacco products and proprietors of export warehouses. Every person, before commencing business as a manufacturer of tobacco products or as a proprietor of an export warehouse, is required to qualify with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau by making application for a permit and filing bond and other required documents and obtaining a permit.
(b) Manufacturers of cigarette papers and tubes. Every person, before commencing business as a manufacturer of cigarette papers and tubes, is required to qualify with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau by filing bond and other required documents.
(c) Puerto Rican manufacturers of tobacco products. Every manufacturer of tobacco products in Puerto Rico who desires to defer payment in Puerto Rico of the internal revenue tax imposed by section 7652(a) of the Internal Revenue Code on tobacco products of Puerto Rican manufacture coming into the United States must file a bond with the appropriate TTB officer. Such bond is conditioned on the principal's paying, at the time and in the manner prescribed in the regulations, the full amount of tax computed on the tobacco products which are released for shipment to the United States. No bond is required if the tax is prepaid.
(d) Proprietors of customs warehouses. Every proprietor of a customs bonded manufacturing warehouse, Class 6, who desires to remove under part 44 tax-exempt cigars for exportation (including supplies for vessels and aircraft), or for delivery for subsequent exportation, is required to file a bond. However, removal of cigars for sale or consumption in the United States is subject to customs regulations.
(e) Drawback of tax. Taxpaid tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes may be exported with benefit of drawback of tax. Drawback may be allowed only to the person who paid the tax on such articles and who files a claim and otherwise complies with the provisions contained in the applicable regulations referred to in § 70.431. As a condition precedent to the allowance of any drawback claim, the claimant is required to file a bond in an amount not less than the amount of tax covered in the claim.
(f) General. Detailed information relating to the qualification and bonding requirements, including the forms to be used and the procedure to be followed, is fully set forth in the regulations referred to in § 70.431.
§ 70.433   Collection of taxes.
(a) Tobacco products. Taxes on tobacco products are paid by the manufacturer on the basis of a return. If the manufacturer has filed a proper bond, such manufacturer may defer payment at the time of removal and file semimonthly returns to cover the taxes. If the manufacturer has not filed such a bond or if the manufacturer has defaulted in any way in paying the taxes, the manufacturer is required to file a prepayment return prior to removal of such products, and to continue so doing until the appropriate TTB officer finds that the revenue will not be jeopardized by deferred payment. Tax returns, with remittances, are filed by the domestic manufacturer in accordance with instructions on the appropriate TTB form. Taxes on cigars produced in a customs bonded manufacturing warehouse, Class 6, are paid on the basis of a return to the director of customs in accordance with customs procedures and regulations. Taxes on tobacco products imported or brought into the United States from a foreign country, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, or a possession of the United States are paid by the importer to the director of customs on the basis of a return made on the customs form by which release from customs custody is to be effected. However, taxes on tobacco products manufactured in Puerto Rico and brought into the United States may be prepaid in Puerto Rico on the basis of a return. If a Puerto Rican manufacturer has filed a proper bond, such manufacturer may defer payment at the time of release for shipment to the United States and file a semimonthly return to cover the taxes. If the manufacturer has not filed such a bond or if such manufacturer has defaulted in any way in payment of taxes, the manufacturer must file a prepayment return prior to removal of such products for shipment to the United States, and continue to do so until the appropriate TTB officer finds that the revenue will not be jeopardized by deferred payment. Tax returns, with remittances, are filed by the domestic manufacturer in accordance with instructions on the appropriate TTB form.
(b) Cigarette papers and tubes. Taxes on cigarette papers and tubes are paid by the manufacturer on the basis of a semimonthly return. Such returns, with remittances, are filed in accordance with the instructions on the appropriate TTB form. Taxes on cigarette papers and tubes imported or brought into the United States from a foreign country, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, or a possession of the United States are paid to the director of customs before removal on the basis of a return made on the customs form by which release from customs custody is effected. However, taxes on cigarette papers and tubes of Puerto Rican manufacture which are to be shipped to the United States may be prepaid in Puerto Rico on the basis of a return.
(c) Special tax. Special (occupational) taxes are paid by manufacturers of tobacco products, manufacturers of cigarette papers and tubes, and export warehouse proprietors on the basis of a return. Special tax stamps are issued to denote the payment of special (occupational) taxes.
(d) General. Detailed information about the payment of taxes on tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes, including the forms to be used, records to be kept, and reports and inventories to be filed, is contained in the respective regulations referred to in § 70.431.
§ 70.434   Assessments.
When additional or delinquent tax liability on tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes is disclosed by an investigation or by an examination of the taxpayer's records, a notice (except where delay may jeopardize collection of the tax, or where the amount is nominal or the result of an evident mathematical error) is forwarded to the taxpayer indicating the basis for, and amount of, the liability and affording the taxpayer an opportunity to show cause, in writing, against assessment.
§ 70.435   Claims.
(a) General. Detailed requirements, including the procedure to be followed in the filing of a claim, the form to be used, the supporting documents which must be submitted, the time within which a claim must be filed, and any other limitations or instructions are contained in the applicable regulations referred to in § 70.431.
(b) Abatement of assessment. Abatement of the unpaid portion of an assessment of any tax on tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes, or any liability in respect thereof, may be allowed to the extent that such assessment is excessive in amount, is assessed after expiration of the applicable period of limitation, or is erroneously or illegally assessed.
(c) Allowance of tax. Relief from the payment of tax on tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes may be extended to a manufacturer by approval of a claim for allowance where such articles, after removal from the factory upon determination of tax and prior to the time for payment of such tax, are lost (otherwise than by theft) or destroyed by fire, casualty, or act of God, while in the possession or ownership of the manufacturer who removed such articles, or are withdrawn by the manufacturer from the market.
(d) Remission of tax liability. Remission of the tax liability on tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes may be extended to a manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor liable for the tax, where such articles in bond are lost (otherwise than by theft) or destroyed by fire, casualty, or act of God, while in the possession or ownership of the manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor.
(e) Refund of tax. Taxes paid on tobacco products, cigarette papers and tubes lost (otherwise than by theft) or destroyed by fire, casualty, or act of God, while in the possession or ownership of the manufacturer, importer, or export warehouse proprietor, or withdrawn from the market, may be refunded. Refunds may also be made within certain limitations for overpayments of tax on tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes.
(f) Losses caused by disaster. Payment of an amount equal to the amount of internal revenue taxes paid or determined and customs duties paid on tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes removed from the factory or released from customs custody, which are lost, rendered unmarketable, or condemned by a duly authorized official by reason of a “major disaster” as determined by the President of the United States may be made only if, at the time of the disaster, such articles were being held for sale by the claimant. Claims must be filed within 6 months from the date on which the President makes the determination that the disaster has occurred. The determination date is construed to mean the date the Director, Office of Emergency Preparedness, identifies the specific disaster area.
(g) Drawback of tax. Drawback may be allowed to the person who paid the tax on tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes which are shipped to a foreign country, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, or a possession of the United States.
(h) Credit of tax. Taxes paid on tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes lost (otherwise than by theft) or destroyed by fire, casualty, or act of God, while in the possession or ownership of the manufacturer, or withdrawn from the market, may be credited upon approval of a claim.
(i) Reopening claims. A claimant who wishes to have a rejected claim reopened must, within the applicable statutory period of limitations, submit a written application to the appropriate TTB officer for reconsideration of the claim. Such application must show that the additional evidence to be presented is new and material, and that such evidence was unknown to the claimant, or unobtainable by the claimant, when the claim was previously under consideration.
(j) Claimant's rights under law and regulations. Before final action has been taken on a claim, a claimant who, by reason of an oversight, misunderstanding of law and regulations, miscalculation, or other cause, did not claim the full amount of abatement, refund, credit, or drawback, as the case may be, of tax to which the claimant is legitimately entitled, may amend a valid claim, and statements filed in support thereof, in instances where such a claim is deficient in establishing the claimants eligibility to rights extended under law and regulations.
§ 70.436   Offers in compromise.
Procedure in the case of offers in compromise of liabilities under 26 U.S.C. chapter 52 is set forth in §§ 70.482 through 70.484.
§ 70.437   Rulings.
The procedure for rulings in tobacco tax matters is set forth in § 70.471.
§ 70.438   Forms.
Detailed information as to all forms prescribed for use in connection with tobacco taxes is contained in the regulations referred to in § 70.431(b).
§ 70.441   Applicable laws.
(a) Chapter 53 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 5801-5872), the provisions of which are derived from the National Firearms Act Amendments of 1968 (82 Stat. 1227), imposes a tax on the making and transfer in the United States of machine guns, destructive devices, and certain other types of firearms, and an occupational tax upon every importer and manufacturer of, and dealer in, such firearms. Section 1(b) (2) of the act of August 9, 1939 (52 Stat. 1291; 49 U.S.C. 781-788), makes provision for the seizure and forfeiture of vessels, vehicles, and aircraft which are used to transport, carry, or possess, or to facilitate the same, any firearms with respect to which there has been committed any violation of the National Firearms Act or any regulations issued pursuant thereto.
(b) Title I, State Firearms Control Assistance (18 U.S.C., Chapter 44), of the Gun Control Act of 1968 (82 Stat. 1213), as amended by Pub. L. 99-308 (100 Stat. 449), Pub. L. 99-360 (100 Stat. 766) and Pub. L. 99-408 (100 Stat. 920), provides for the licensing of manufacturers and importers of firearms and ammunition, collectors of firearms, and dealers in firearms, and establishes controls for firearms and ammunition acquisitions and dispositions.
(c) Title I, State Firearms Control Assistance (18 U.S.C. Chapter 44), of the Gun Control Act of 1968 (82 Stat. 1213) as amended by Pub. L. 99-308 (100 Stat. 449) and Pub. L. 99-360 (100 Stat. 766), provides that no person may ship or transport any firearms or ammunition in interstate or foreign commerce, or receive any firearms or ammunition which has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce, or possess any firearms or ammunition in or affecting commerce, who (1) has been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding 1 year, (2) is a fugitive from justice, (3) is an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance (as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. 802), (4) has been adjudicated as a mental defective or has been committed to a mental institution, (5) is an alien illegally or unlawfully in the United States, (6) has been discharged from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions, or (7) having been a citizen of the United States, has renounced citizenship.
(d) Section 38 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2778) and regulations thereunder and 27 CFR part 447 are applicable to the registration and licensing of persons engaged in the business of manufacturing, importing or exporting arms, ammunition, or implements of war. The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to control, in furtherance of world peace and the security and foreign policy of the United States, the import of articles enumerated on the U.S. Munitions Import List.
(e) Title XI, Regulation of Explosives (18 U.S.C. chapter 40) of the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970 (84 Stat. 922) provides for the licensing of manufacturers, importers, and limited manufacturers of, and dealers in, explosives in interstate or foreign commerce, and for issuance of permits for users who buy or transport explosives in interstate or foreign commerce.
(f) Chapter 32 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 4181), imposes a tax upon the sale by the manufacturer, producer, or importer of pistols, revolvers, firearms (other than pistols and revolvers), and shells and cartridges.