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[House Report 114-68]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

114th Congress   }                                        {      Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session     }                                        {      114-68

======================================================================

 
              TAXPAYER KNOWLEDGE OF IRS INVESTIGATIONS ACT

                                _______
                                

 April 13, 2015.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

Mr. Ryan of Wisconsin, from the Committee on Ways and Means, submitted 
                             the following

                              R E P O R T

                        [To accompany H.R. 1026]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

    The Committee on Ways and Means, to whom was referred the 
bill (H.R. 1026) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to 
permit the release of information regarding the status of 
certain investigations, having considered the same, report 
favorably thereon with an amendment and recommend that the bill 
as amended do pass.

                                CONTENTS

                                                                   Page
 I. SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND............................................2
        A. Purpose and Summary...................................     2
        B. Background and Need for Legislation...................     2
        C. Legislative History...................................     3
II. EXPLANATION OF THE BILL...........................................3
        A. Release of Information Regarding the Status of Certain 
            Investigations (sec. 2 of the bill and sec. 6103(e) 
            of the Code).........................................     3
III.VOTES OF THE COMMITTEE............................................6

IV. BUDGET EFFECTS OF THE BILL........................................6
        A. Committee Estimate of Budgetary Effects...............     6
        B. Statement Regarding New Budget Authority and Tax 
            Expenditures Budget Authority........................     6
        C. Cost Estimate Prepared by the Congressional Budget 
            Office...............................................     7
 V. OTHER MATTERS TO BE DISCUSSED UNDER THE RULES OF THE HOUSE........7
        A. Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations......     7
        B. Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives.     8
        C. Information Relating to Unfunded Mandates.............     8
        D. Applicability of House Rule XXI 5(b)..................     8
        E. Tax Complexity Analysis...............................     8
        F. Congressional Earmarks, Limited Tax Benefits, and 
            Limited Tariff Benefits..............................     9
        G. Duplication of Federal Programs.......................     9
        H. Disclosure of Directed Rule Makings...................     9
VI. CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED.............9
        A. Text of Existing Law Amended or Repealed by the Bill, 
            as Reported..........................................     9
        B. Changes in Existing Law Proposed by the Bill, as 
            Reported.............................................    55

    The amendment is as follows:
    Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

  This Act may be cited as the ``Taxpayer Knowledge of IRS 
Investigations Act''.

SEC. 2. RELEASE OF INFORMATION REGARDING THE STATUS OF CERTAIN 
                    INVESTIGATIONS.

  (a) In General.--Section 6103(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 
is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
          ``(11) Disclosure of information regarding status of 
        investigation of violation of this section.--In the case of a 
        person who provides to the Secretary information indicating a 
        violation of section 7213, 7213A, or 7214 with respect to any 
        return or return information of such person, the Secretary may 
        disclose to such person (or such person's designee)--
                  ``(A) whether an investigation based on the person's 
                provision of such information has been initiated and 
                whether it is open or closed,
                  ``(B) whether any such investigation substantiated 
                such a violation by any individual, and
                  ``(C) whether any action has been taken with respect 
                to such individual (including whether a referral has 
                been made for prosecution of such individual).''.
  (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section shall apply 
to disclosures made on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

                       I. SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND

                         A. Purpose and Summary

    H.R. 1026, reported by the Committee on Ways and Means, 
allows taxpayers that have been victimized by the Internal 
Revenue Service (``IRS'') by the unlawful disclosure of 
taxpayer information to be informed as to whether the IRS 
undertook an investigation and, if so, to whether the complaint 
was substantiated. In addition, H.R. 1026 allows the IRS to 
disclose the victimized taxpayer whether any action was taken 
with regard to the complaint, including whether a referral has 
been made for prosecution of such individual. The bill would be 
effective for relevant disclosures made on or after the date of 
enactment.

                 B. Background and Need for Legislation

    Under current law, it is unlawful for Federal employees to 
disclose certain taxpayer information or inspect taxpayer 
returns or records without authorization. The definition of 
``return information'' includes any document created by the IRS 
to determine liability under the tax code, including an 
investigation of possible violations of taxpayer privacy 
protections. The interaction of these code provisions bars 
taxpayers victimized by the release or unauthorized inspection 
of their confidential information from being informed of any 
investigation because an investigation is treated as return 
information.
    Current law also limits the lawful disclosure of taxpayer 
information by employees of the Treasury Department (including 
the IRS and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax 
Administration (TIGTA)) to certain enumerated circumstances. 
Because of these restrictions, in cases in which a taxpayer 
makes a complaint regarding unlawful disclosure of information, 
current law does not permit the Treasury Department to provide 
the affected taxpayer with information concerning the status or 
resolution of the complaint. The Committee believes that 
taxpayers should have the right to information concerning the 
status or resolution of the complaint.

                         C. Legislative History

Background

    H.R. 1026 was introduced on February 24, 2015, and was 
referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. The same 
legislation, H.R. 2530, passed the House of Representatives in 
the 113th Congress under suspension of the rules by voice vote 
on February 25, 2014.

Committee action

    The Committee on Ways and Means marked up H.R. 1026, the 
``Taxpayer Knowledge of Investigations Act,'' on March 25, 
2015, and ordered the bill, as amended, favorably reported 
(with a quorum being present).

Committee hearings

    The need for reform regarding victims of unauthorized 
disclosure taxpayer information was discussed during multiple 
Committee hearings during the 113th Congress:
     Full Committee Hearing Organizations Targeted by 
Internal Revenue Service for Their Personal Beliefs (June 4, 
2013).
     Full Committee Hearing on the Status of Internal 
Revenue Service's Review of Taxpayer Targeting Practices (June 
27, 2013).

                      II. EXPLANATION OF THE BILL

       A. Release of Information Regarding the Status of Certain 
    Investigations (sec. 2 of the bill and sec. 6103(e) of the Code)

                              PRESENT LAW

Section 6103: Rules and penalties associated with the disclosure of 
        confidential returns and return information

            In general
    Generally, tax returns and return information (``tax 
information'') are confidential and may not be disclosed unless 
authorized in the Code.\1\ Return information includes data 
received, collected or prepared by the Secretary with respect 
to the determination of the existence or possible existence of 
liability of any person under the Code for any tax, penalty, 
interest, fine, forfeiture, or other imposition or offense. 
Information received, collected, or prepared by the Secretary 
with respect to a Title 26 offense is the return information of 
the person being investigated. Thus, generally, the Secretary 
may not disclose the status of an investigation to a person 
alleging a violation of their privacy (i.e., an unauthorized 
disclosure of their return information) or other offense under 
the Code committed by a third party.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \1\Sec. 6103(a).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Exceptions to the general rule
    Section 6103 provides exceptions to the general rule of 
confidentiality, detailing permissible disclosures. Among those 
exceptions are disclosures to specified persons with a 
``material interest'' in the return or return information.\2\ 
For example, upon written request, an individual can obtain 
that individual's return, joint returns are available to either 
spouse with respect to whom the return was filed, and the 
administrator of an estate can obtain the return of an estate. 
Similarly, return information may be disclosed to those 
authorized to receive the return. However, the Secretary may 
withhold return information the disclosure of which the 
Secretary determines would seriously impair Federal tax 
administration.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \2\Sec. 6103(e).
    \3\Sec. 6103(e)(7).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Under section 6103(c), the Secretary may disclose a 
taxpayer's return or return information to such person or 
persons as the taxpayer may designate in a request for or 
consent to such disclosure. There are no restrictions placed on 
the recipient of tax information received pursuant to the 
consent of the taxpayer, and the penalties for unauthorized 
disclosure or inspection (discussed below) do not apply to 
persons receiving tax information pursuant to a taxpayer's 
consent.
            Criminal and civil penalties (sections 7213, 7213(A), and 
                    7431)
    Criminal penalties apply for the unauthorized inspection or 
disclosure of tax information. Willful unauthorized disclosure 
is a felony under section 7213 and the willful unauthorized 
inspection of tax information is a misdemeanor under section 
7213A. Under section 7431, taxpayers may also pursue a civil 
cause of action for disclosures and inspections not authorized 
by section 6103.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \4\Sec. 7431.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Section 7214: Other offenses by officers and employees of the United 
        States

    Section 7214 concerns offenses by officers and employees of 
the United States. It provides, upon conviction, for the 
dismissal from office, a $10,000 fine and/or five years 
imprisonment of any officer or employee:
          1. who is guilty of any extortion or willful 
        oppression under color of law; or
          2. who knowingly demands other or greater sums than 
        are authorized by law, or receives any fee, 
        compensation, or reward, except as by law prescribed, 
        for the performance of any duty; or
          3. who with intent to defeat the application of any 
        provision of this title fails to perform any of the 
        duties of his office or employment; or
          4. who conspires or colludes with any other person to 
        defraud the United States; or
          5. who knowingly makes opportunity for any person to 
        defraud the United States; or
          6. who does or omits to do any act with intent to 
        enable any other person to defraud the United States; 
        or
          7. who makes or signs any fraudulent entry in any 
        book, or makes or signs any fraudulent certificate, 
        return, or statement; or
          8. who, having knowledge or information of the 
        violation of any revenue law by any person, or of fraud 
        committed by any person against the United States under 
        any revenue law, fails to report, in writing, such 
        knowledge or information to the Secretary; or
          9. who demands, or accepts, or attempts to collect, 
        directly or indirectly as payment or gift, or 
        otherwise, any sum of money or other thing of value for 
        the compromise, adjustment, or settlement of any charge 
        or complaint for any violation or alleged violation of 
        law, except as expressly authorized by law so to do.
    In the discretion of the court, up to one-half of the 
amount of fine for a section 7214 violation may be awarded for 
the use of the informer. In addition, the court is to render 
judgment against said officer or employee for the amount of 
damages sustained in favor of the party injured.
    Section 7214 also provides that any internal revenue 
officer or employee interested, directly or indirectly, in the 
manufacture of tobacco, snuff, cigarettes, or in the 
production, rectification or redistillation of distilled 
spirits is to be dismissed from office and each such officer or 
employee so interested in any such manufacture or production, 
rectification, or redistillation of fermented liquors is to be 
fined not more than $5,000.

                           REASONS FOR CHANGE

    The Committee found that IRS employees shared confidential 
tax-exempt status applications and other confidential tax 
information from multiple conservative groups with private 
outside organizations.\5\ The victims of these disclosures have 
been unable to receive basic information about the disposition 
of their grievance against the IRS because the investigation of 
the employee for a violation of section 6103 is classified as 
return information of the employee. It is a felony for an IRS 
official to willfully disclose confidential return information 
unless such disclosure is expressly authorized by section 6103 
or the Internal Revenue Code. The provision permits the release 
of certain information regarding the status of ongoing 
investigations related to the victims of improper disclosure of 
confidential taxpayer information, and certain other offenses, 
by IRS employees.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \5\House Committee on Ways and Means, Hearing on Organizations 
Targeted by the Internal Revenue Service for Their Personal Beliefs 
(June 4, 2013).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                        EXPLANATION OF PROVISION

    The provision amends section 6103(e) to provide that in the 
case of an investigation involving the return or return 
information of an individual alleging a violation of sections 
7213, 7213A or 7214, the Secretary may disclose to the 
complainant (or such person's designee) whether an 
investigation, based on the person's provision of information 
indicating a violation of sections 7213, 7213A or 7214 of the 
Code, has been initiated, is open or is closed. The Secretary 
may disclose whether the investigation substantiated a 
violation of sections 7213, 7213A or 7214 of the Code, and 
whether action has been taken with respect to the individual 
who committed the substantiated violation, including whether 
any referral has been made for prosecution of such individual. 
As under present law section 6103(e), the Secretary is not 
obligated to disclose return information the disclosure of 
which would seriously impair Federal tax administration.

                             EFFECTIVE DATE

    The provision is effective for disclosures made on or after 
the date of enactment.

                      III. VOTES OF THE COMMITTEE

    In compliance with clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, the following statement is made 
concerning the vote of the Committee on Ways and Means in its 
consideration of H.R. 1026, the ``Taxpayer Knowledge of IRS 
Investigations Act,'' on March 25, 2015.
    The Chairman's amendment in the nature of a substitute was 
adopted by a voice vote (with a quorum being present).
    The bill, H.R. 1026, as amended, was ordered favorably 
reported to the House of Representatives by voice vote (with a 
quorum being present).

                     IV. BUDGET EFFECTS OF THE BILL

               A. Committee Estimate of Budgetary Effects

    In compliance with clause 3(d) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, the following statement is made 
concerning the effects on the budget of the bill, H.R. 1026, as 
reported.
    The bill, as reported, is estimated to have no effect on 
Federal budget receipts for fiscal years 2015-2025.
    Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 
of Representatives, the following statement is made by the 
Joint Committee on Taxation with respect to the provisions of 
the bill amending the Internal Revenue Code of 1986: the gross 
budgetary effect (before incorporating macroeconomic effects) 
in any fiscal year is less than 0.25 percent of the current 
projected gross domestic product of the United States for that 
fiscal year; therefore, the bill is not ``major legislation'' 
for purposes of requiring that the estimate include the 
budgetary effects of changes in economic output, employment, 
capital stock and other macroeconomic variables.

B. Statement Regarding New Budget Authority and Tax Expenditures Budget 
                               Authority

    In compliance with clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules 
of the House of Representatives, the Committee states that the 
bill involves no new or increased budget authority. The 
Committee further states that there are no new or increased tax 
expenditures.

      C. Cost Estimate Prepared by the Congressional Budget Office

    In compliance with clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules 
of the House of Representatives, requiring a cost estimate 
prepared by the CBO, the following statement by CBO is 
provided.

                                     U.S. Congress,
                               Congressional Budget Office,
                                     Washington, DC, April 9, 2015.
Hon. Paul Ryan,
Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has 
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 1026, the Taxpayer 
Knowledge of IRS Investigations Act.
    If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be 
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Matthew 
Pickford.
            Sincerely,
                                                Keith Hall,
                                                          Director.
    Enclosure.

H.R. 1026--Taxpayer Knowledge of IRS Investigations Act

    H.R. 1026 would authorize the Internal Revenue Service 
(IRS) to disclose certain information about any internal 
investigations of an agency employee to an individual who made 
a complaint of alleged illegal conduct by that employee. Based 
on information from the IRS, CBO estimates that responding to 
such inquiries would have an insignificant cost. CBO and the 
staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) estimate that 
enacting the bill would not affect direct spending or revenues; 
therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply.
    CBO and JCT have determined that H.R. 1026 contains no 
intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the 
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and would not affect the budgets 
of state, local, or tribal governments.
    The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Matthew 
Pickford. The estimate was approved by Theresa Gullo, Assistant 
Director for Budget Analysis.

     V. OTHER MATTERS TO BE DISCUSSED UNDER THE RULES OF THE HOUSE

          A. Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations

    With respect to clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives (relating to oversight findings), 
the Committee advises that it was as a result of the 
Committee's review of the provisions of H.R. 1026 that the 
Committee concluded that it is appropriate to report the bill, 
as amended, favorably to the House of Representatives with the 
recommendation that the bill do pass.

        B. Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives

    With respect to clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, the Committee advises that the 
bill contains no measure that authorizes funding, so no 
statement of general performance goals and objectives for which 
any measure authorizes funding is required.

              C. Information Relating to Unfunded Mandates

    This information is provided in accordance with section 423 
of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. No. 104-
4). The Committee has determined that the bill does not contain 
Federal mandates on the private sector. The Committee has 
determined that the bill does not impose a Federal 
intergovernmental mandate on State, local, or tribal 
governments.

                D. Applicability of House Rule XXI 5(b)

    Rule XXI 5(b) of the Rules of the House of Representatives 
provides, in part, that ``A bill or joint resolution, 
amendment, or conference report carrying a Federal income tax 
rate increase may not be considered as passed or agreed to 
unless so determined by a vote of not less than three-fifths of 
the Members voting, a quorum being present.'' The Committee has 
carefully reviewed the bill, and states that the bill does not 
involve any Federal income tax rate increases within the 
meaning of the rule.

                       E. Tax Complexity Analysis

    The following statement is made pursuant to clause 3(h)(1) 
of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives. 
Section 4022(b) of the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring 
and Reform Act of 1998 requires the staff of the Joint 
Committee on Taxation (in consultation with the Internal 
Revenue Service and the Treasury Department) to provide a tax 
complexity analysis. The complexity analysis is required for 
all legislation reported by the Senate Committee on Finance, 
the House Committee on Ways and Means, or any committee of 
conference if the legislation includes a provision that 
directly or indirectly amends the Internal Revenue Code and has 
widespread applicability to individuals or small businesses. 
[Pursuant to clause 3(h)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the staff of the Joint Committee on 
Taxation has determined that a complexity analysis is not 
required under section 4022(b) of the IRS Reform Act because 
the bill contains no provisions that amend the Internal Revenue 
Code and that have ``widespread applicability'' to individuals 
or small businesses, within the meaning of the rule.
    Pursuant to clause 3(h)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the staff of the Joint Committee on 
Taxation has determined that a complexity analysis is not 
required under section 4022(b) of the IRS Reform Act because 
the bill contains no provisions that amend the Internal Revenue 
Code and that have ``widespread applicability'' to individuals 
or small businesses, within the meaning of the rule.

  F. Congressional Earmarks, Limited Tax Benefits, and Limited Tariff 
                                Benefits

    With respect to clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the Committee has carefully reviewed 
the provisions of the bill, and states that the provisions of 
the bill do not contain any congressional earmarks, limited tax 
benefits, or limited tariff benefits within the meaning of the 
rule.

                   G. Duplication of Federal Programs

    In compliance with Sec. 3(g)(2) of H. Res. 5 (114th 
Congress), the Committee states that no provision of the bill 
establishes or reauthorizes: (1) a program of the Federal 
Government known to be duplicative of another Federal program, 
(2) a program included in any report from the Government 
Accountability Office to Congress pursuant to section 21 of 
Public Law 111-139, or (3) a program related to a program 
identified in the most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance, published pursuant to the Federal Program 
Information Act (Public Law 95-220, as amended by Public Law 
98-169).

                 H. Disclosure of Directed Rule Makings

    In compliance with Sec. 3(i) of H. Res. 5 (114th Congress), 
the following statement is made concerning directed rule 
makings: The Committee estimates that the bill requires no 
directed rule makings within the meaning of such section.

       VI. CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED

  A. Text of Existing Law Amended or Repealed by the Bill, as Reported

    In compliance with clause 3(e)(1)(A) of rule XIII of the 
Rules of the House of Representatives, the text of each section 
proposed to be amended or repealed by the bill, as reported, is 
shown below:

   Text of Existing Law Amended or Repealed by the Bill, as Reported

  In compliance with clause 3(e)(1)(A) of rule XIII of the 
Rules of the House of Representatives, the text of each section 
proposed to be amended or repealed by the bill, as reported, is 
shown below:

INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

Subtitle F--Procedure and Administration

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

CHAPTER 61--INFORMATION AND RETURNS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

Subchapter B--Miscellaneous Provisions

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 6103. CONFIDENTIALITY AND DISCLOSURE OF RETURNS AND RETURN 
                    INFORMATION.

  (a) General Rule.--Returns and return information shall be 
confidential, and except as authorized by this title--
          (1) no officer or employee of the United States,
          (2) no officer or employee of any State, any local 
        law enforcement agency receiving information under 
        subsection (i)(7)(A), any local child support 
        enforcement agency, or any local agency administering a 
        program listed in subsection (l)(7)(D) who has or had 
        access to returns or return information under this 
        section or section 6104(c), and
          (3) no other person (or officer or employee thereof) 
        who has or had access to returns or return information 
        under subsection (e)(1)(D)(iii), subsection (k)(10), 
        paragraph (6), (10), (12), (16), (19), (20), or (21) of 
        subsection (l), paragraph (2) or (4)(B) of subsection 
        (m), or subsection (n),
shall disclose any return or return information obtained by him 
in any manner in connection with his service as such an officer 
or an employee or otherwise or under the provisions of this 
section. For purposes of this subsection, the term ``officer or 
employee'' includes a former officer or employee.
  (b) Definitions.--For purposes of this section--
          (1) Return.--The term ``return'' means any tax or 
        information return, declaration of estimated tax, or 
        claim for refund required by, or provided for or 
        permitted under, the provisions of this title which is 
        filed with the Secretary by, on behalf of, or with 
        respect to any person, and any amendment or supplement 
        thereto, including supporting schedules, attachments, 
        or lists which are supplemental to, or part of, the 
        return so filed.
          (2) Return information.--The term ``return 
        information'' means--
                  (A) a taxpayer's identity, the nature, 
                source, or amount of his income, payments, 
                receipts, deductions, exemptions, credits, 
                assets, liabilities, net worth, tax liability, 
                tax withheld, deficiencies, overassessments, or 
                tax payments, whether the taxpayer's return 
                was, is being, or will be examined or subject 
                to other investigation or processing, or any 
                other data, received by, recorded by, prepared 
                by, furnished to, or collected by the Secretary 
                with respect to a return or with respect to the 
                determination of the existence, or possible 
                existence, of liability (or the amount thereof) 
                of any person under this title for any tax, 
                penalty, interest, fine, forfeiture, or other 
                imposition, or offense,
                  (B) any part of any written determination or 
                any background file document relating to such 
                written determination (as such terms are 
                defined in section 6110(b)) which is not open 
                to public inspection under section 6110,
                  (C) any advance pricing agreement entered 
                into by a taxpayer and the Secretary and any 
                background information related to such 
                agreement or any application for an advance 
                pricing agreement, and
                  (D) any agreement under section 7121, and any 
                similar agreement, and any background 
                information related to such an agreement or 
                request for such an agreement,
        but such term does not include data in a form which 
        cannot be associated with, or otherwise identify, 
        directly or indirectly, a particular taxpayer. Nothing 
        in the preceding sentence, or in any other provision of 
        law, shall be construed to require the disclosure of 
        standards used or to be used for the selection of 
        returns for examination, or data used or to be used for 
        determining such standards, if the Secretary determines 
        that such disclosure will seriously impair assessment, 
        collection, or enforcement under the internal revenue 
        laws.
          (3) Taxpayer return information.--The term ``taxpayer 
        return information'' means return information as 
        defined in paragraph (2) which is filed with, or 
        furnished to, the Secretary by or on behalf of the 
        taxpayer to whom such return information relates.
          (4) Tax administration.--The term ``tax 
        administration''--
                  (A) means--
                          (i) the administration, management, 
                        conduct, direction, and supervision of 
                        the execution and application of the 
                        internal revenue laws or related 
                        statutes (or equivalent laws and 
                        statutes of a State) and tax 
                        conventions to which the United States 
                        is a party, and
                          (ii) the development and formulation 
                        of Federal tax policy relating to 
                        existing or proposed internal revenue 
                        laws, related statutes, and tax 
                        conventions, and
                  (B) includes assessment, collection, 
                enforcement, litigation, publication, and 
                statistical gathering functions under such 
                laws, statutes, or conventions.
          (5) State.--
                  (A) In general.--The term ``State'' means--
                          (i) any of the 50 States, the 
                        District of Columbia, the Commonwealth 
                        of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, 
                        Guam, American Samoa, and the 
                        Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
                        Islands,
                          (ii) for purposes of subsections 
                        (a)(2), (b)(4), (d)(1), (h)(4), and 
                        (p), any municipality--
                                  (I) with a population in 
                                excess of 250,000 (as 
                                determined under the most 
                                recent decennial United States 
                                census data available),
                                  (II) which imposes a tax on 
                                income or wages, and
                                  (III) with which the 
                                Secretary (in his sole 
                                discretion) has entered into an 
                                agreement regarding disclosure, 
                                and
                          (iii) for purposes of subsections 
                        (a)(2), (b)(4), (d)(1), (h)(4), and 
                        (p), any governmental entity--
                                  (I) which is formed and 
                                operated by a qualified group 
                                of municipalities, and
                                  (II) with which the Secretary 
                                (in his sole discretion) has 
                                entered into an agreement 
                                regarding disclosure.
                  (B) Regional income tax agencies.--For 
                purposes of subparagraph (A)(iii)--
                          (i) Qualified group of 
                        municipalities.--The term ``qualified 
                        group of municipalities'' means, with 
                        respect to any governmental entity, 2 
                        or more municipalities--
                                  (I) each of which imposes a 
                                tax on income or wages,
                                  (II) each of which, under the 
                                authority of a State statute, 
                                administers the laws relating 
                                to the imposition of such taxes 
                                through such entity, and
                                  (III) which collectively have 
                                a population in excess of 
                                250,000 (as determined under 
                                the most recent decennial 
                                United States census data 
                                available).
                          (ii) References to state law, etc.--
                        For purposes of applying subparagraph 
                        (A)(iii) to the subsections referred to 
                        in such subparagraph, any reference in 
                        such subsections to State law, 
                        proceedings, or tax returns shall be 
                        treated as references to the law, 
                        proceedings, or tax returns, as the 
                        case may be, of the municipalities 
                        which form and operate the governmental 
                        entity referred to in such 
                        subparagraph.
                          (iii) Disclosure to contractors and 
                        other agents.--Notwithstanding any 
                        other provision of this section, no 
                        return or return information shall be 
                        disclosed to any contractor or other 
                        agent of a governmental entity referred 
                        to in subparagraph (A)(iii) unless such 
                        entity, to the satisfaction of the 
                        Secretary--
                                  (I) has requirements in 
                                effect which require each such 
                                contractor or other agent which 
                                would have access to returns or 
                                return information to provide 
                                safeguards (within the meaning 
                                of subsection (p)(4)) to 
                                protect the confidentiality of 
                                such returns or return 
                                information,
                                  (II) agrees to conduct an on-
                                site review every 3 years (or a 
                                mid-point review in the case of 
                                contracts or agreements of less 
                                than 3 years in duration) of 
                                each contractor or other agent 
                                to determine compliance with 
                                such requirements,
                                  (III) submits the findings of 
                                the most recent review 
                                conducted under subclause (II) 
                                to the Secretary as part of the 
                                report required by subsection 
                                (p)(4)(E), and
                                  (IV) certifies to the 
                                Secretary for the most recent 
                                annual period that such 
                                contractor or other agent is in 
                                compliance with all such 
                                requirements.
                        The certification required by subclause 
                        (IV) shall include the name and address 
                        of each contractor and other agent, a 
                        description of the contract or 
                        agreement with such contractor or other 
                        agent, and the duration of such 
                        contract or agreement. The requirements 
                        of this clause shall not apply to 
                        disclosures pursuant to subsection (n) 
                        for purposes of Federal tax 
                        administration and a rule similar to 
                        the rule of subsection (p)(8)(B) shall 
                        apply for purposes of this clause.
          (6) Taxpayer identity.--The term ``taxpayer 
        identity'' means the name of a person with respect to 
        whom a return is filed, his mailing address, his 
        taxpayer identifying number (as described in section 
        6109), or a combination thereof.
          (7) Inspection.--The terms ``inspected'' and 
        ``inspection'' mean any examination of a return or 
        return information.
          (8) Disclosure.--The term ``disclosure'' means the 
        making known to any person in any manner whatever a 
        return or return information.
          (9) Federal agency.--The term ``Federal agency'' 
        means an agency within the meaning of section 551(1) of 
        title 5, United States Code.
          (10) Chief executive officer.--The term ``chief 
        executive officer'' means, with respect to any 
        municipality, any elected official and the chief 
        official (even if not elected) of such municipality.
          (11) Terrorist incident, threat, or activity.--The 
        term ``terrorist incident, threat, or activity'' means 
        an incident, threat, or activity involving an act of 
        domestic terrorism (as defined in section 2331(5) of 
        title 18, United States Code) or international 
        terrorism (as defined in section 2331(1) of such 
        title).
  (c) Disclosure of Returns and Return Information to Designee 
of Taxpayer.--The Secretary may, subject to such requirements 
and conditions as he may prescribe by regulations, disclose the 
return of any taxpayer, or return information with respect to 
such taxpayer, to such person or persons as the taxpayer may 
designate in a request for or consent to such disclosure, or to 
any other person at the taxpayer's request to the extent 
necessary to comply with a request for information or 
assistance made by the taxpayer to such other person. However, 
return information shall not be disclosed to such person or 
persons if the Secretary determines that such disclosure would 
seriously impair Federal tax administration.
  (d) Disclosure to State Tax Officials and State and Local Law 
Enforcement Agencies.--
          (1) In general.--Returns and return information with 
        respect to taxes imposed by chapters 1, 2, 6, 11, 12, 
        21, 23, 24, 31, 32, 44, 51, and 52 and subchapter D of 
        chapter 36 shall be open to inspection by, or 
        disclosure to, any State agency, body, or commission, 
        or its legal representative, which is charged under the 
        laws of such State with responsibility for the 
        administration of State tax laws for the purpose of, 
        and only to the extent necessary in, the administration 
        of such laws, including any procedures with respect to 
        locating any person who may be entitled to a refund. 
        Such inspection shall be permitted, or such disclosure 
        made, only upon written request by the head of such 
        agency, body, or commission, and only to the 
        representatives of such agency, body, or commission 
        designated in such written request as the individuals 
        who are to inspect or to receive the returns or return 
        information on behalf of such agency, body, or 
        commission. Such representatives shall not include any 
        individual who is the chief executive officer of such 
        State or who is neither an employee or legal 
        representative of such agency, body, or commission nor 
        a person described in subsection (n). However, such 
        return information shall not be disclosed to the extent 
        that the Secretary determines that such disclosure 
        would identify a confidential informant or seriously 
        impair any civil or criminal tax investigation.
          (2) Disclosure to State audit agencies.--
                  (A) In general.--Any returns or return 
                information obtained under paragraph (1) by any 
                State agency, body, or commission may be open 
                to inspection by, or disclosure to, officers 
                and employees of the State audit agency for the 
                purpose of, and only to the extent necessary 
                in, making an audit of the State agency, body, 
                or commission referred to in paragraph (1).
                  (B) State audit agency.--For purposes of 
                subparagraph (A), the term ``State audit 
                agency'' means any State agency, body, or 
                commission which is charged under the laws of 
                the State with the responsibility of auditing 
                State revenues and programs.
          (3) Exception for reimbursement under section 7624.--
        Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent 
        the Secretary from disclosing to any State or local law 
        enforcement agency which may receive a payment under 
        section 7624 the amount of the recovered taxes with 
        respect to which such a payment may be made.
          (4) Availability and use of death information.--
                  (A) In general.--No returns or return 
                information may be disclosed under paragraph 
                (1) to any agency, body, or commission of any 
                State (or any legal representative thereof) 
                during any period during which a contract 
                meeting the requirements of subparagraph (B) is 
                not in effect between such State and the 
                Secretary of Health and Human Services.
                  (B) Contractual requirements.--A contract 
                meets the requirements of this subparagraph 
                if--
                          (i) such contract requires the State 
                        to furnish the Secretary of Health and 
                        Human Services information concerning 
                        individuals with respect to whom death 
                        certificates (or equivalent documents 
                        maintained by the State or any 
                        subdivision thereof) have been 
                        officially filed with it, and
                          (ii) such contract does not include 
                        any restriction on the use of 
                        information obtained by such Secretary 
                        pursuant to such contract, except that 
                        such contract may provide that such 
                        information is only to be used by the 
                        Secretary (or any other Federal agency) 
                        for purposes of ensuring that Federal 
                        benefits or other payments are not 
                        erroneously paid to deceased 
                        individuals.
                Any information obtained by the Secretary of 
                Health and Human Services under such a contract 
                shall be exempt from disclosure under section 
                552 of title 5, United States Code, and from 
                the requirements of section 552a of such title 
                5.
                  (C) Special exception.--The provisions of 
                subparagraph (A) shall not apply to any State 
                which on July 1, 1993, was not, pursuant to a 
                contract, furnishing the Secretary of Health 
                and Human Services information concerning 
                individuals with respect to whom death 
                certificates (or equivalent documents 
                maintained by the State or any subdivision 
                thereof) have been officially filed with it.
          (5) Disclosure for combined employment tax 
        reporting.--
                  (A) In general.--The Secretary may disclose 
                taxpayer identity information and signatures to 
                any agency, body, or commission of any State 
                for the purpose of carrying out with such 
                agency, body, or commission a combined Federal 
                and State employment tax reporting program 
                approved by the Secretary. Subsections (a)(2) 
                and (p)(4) and sections 7213 and 7213A shall 
                not apply with respect to disclosures or 
                inspections made pursuant to this paragraph.
                  (B) Termination.--The Secretary may not make 
                any disclosure under this paragraph after 
                December 31, 2007.
          (6) Limitation on disclosure regarding regional 
        income tax agencies treated as States.--For purposes of 
        paragraph (1), inspection by or disclosure to an entity 
        described in subsection (b)(5)(A)(iii) shall be for the 
        purpose of, and only to the extent necessary in, the 
        administration of the laws of the member municipalities 
        in such entity relating to the imposition of a tax on 
        income or wages. Such entity may not redisclose any 
        return or return information received pursuant to 
        paragraph (1) to any such member municipality.
  (e) Disclosure to Persons Having Material Interest.--
          (1) In general.--The return of a person shall, upon 
        written request, be open to inspection by or disclosure 
        to--
                  (A) in the case of the return of an 
                individual--
                          (i) that individual,
                          (ii) the spouse of that individual if 
                        the individual and such spouse have 
                        signified their consent to consider a 
                        gift reported on such return as made 
                        one-half by him and one-half by the 
                        spouse pursuant to the provisions of 
                        section 2513; or
                          (iii) the child of that individual 
                        (or such child's legal representative) 
                        to the extent necessary to comply with 
                        the provisions of section 1(g);
                  (B) in the case of an income tax return filed 
                jointly, either of the individuals with respect 
                to whom the return is filed;
                  (C) in the case of the return of a 
                partnership, any person who was a member of 
                such partnership during any part of the period 
                covered by the return;
                  (D) in the case of the return of a 
                corporation or a subsidiary thereof--
                          (i) any person designated by 
                        resolution of its board of directors or 
                        other similar governing body,
                          (ii) any officer or employee of such 
                        corporation upon written request signed 
                        by any principal officer and attested 
                        to by the secretary or other officer,
                          (iii) any bona fide shareholder of 
                        record owning 1 percent or more of the 
                        outstanding stock of such corporation,
                          (iv) if the corporation was an S 
                        corporation, any person who was a 
                        shareholder during any part of the 
                        period covered by such return during 
                        which an election under section 1362(a) 
                        was in effect, or
                          (v) if the corporation has been 
                        dissolved, any person authorized by 
                        applicable State law to act for the 
                        corporation or any person who the 
                        Secretary finds to have a material 
                        interest which will be affected by 
                        information contained therein;
                  (E) in the case of the return of an estate--
                          (i) the administrator, executor, or 
                        trustee of such estate, and
                          (ii) any heir at law, next of kin, or 
                        beneficiary under the will, of the 
                        decedent, but only if the Secretary 
                        finds that such heir at law, next of 
                        kin, or beneficiary has a material 
                        interest which will be affected by 
                        information contained therein; and
                  (F) in the case of the return of a trust--
                          (i) the trustee or trustees, jointly 
                        or separately, and
                          (ii) any beneficiary of such trust, 
                        but only if the Secretary finds that 
                        such beneficiary has a material 
                        interest which will be affected by 
                        information contained therein.
          (2) Incompetency.--If an individual described in 
        paragraph (1) is legally incompetent, the applicable 
        return shall, upon written request, be open to 
        inspection by or disclosure to the committee, trustee, 
        or guardian of his estate.
          (3) Deceased individuals.--The return of a decedent 
        shall, upon written request, be open to inspection by 
        or disclosure to--
                  (A) the administrator, executor, or trustee 
                of his estate, and
                  (B) any heir at law, next of kin, or 
                beneficiary under the will, of such decedent, 
                or a donee of property, but only if the 
                Secretary finds that such heir at law, next of 
                kin, beneficiary, or donee has a material 
                interest which will be affected by information 
                contained therein.
          (4) Title 11 cases and receivership proceedings.--
        If--
                  (A) there is a trustee in a title 11 case in 
                which the debtor is the person with respect to 
                whom the return is filed, or
                  (B) substantially all of the property of the 
                person with respect to whom the return is filed 
                is in the hands of a receiver,
        such return or returns for prior years of such person 
        shall, upon written request, be open to inspection by 
        or disclosure to such trustee or receiver, but only if 
        the Secretary finds that such trustee or receiver, in 
        his fiduciary capacity, has a material interest which 
        will be affected by information contained therein.
          (5) Individual's title 11 case.--
                  (A) In general.--In any case to which section 
                1398 applies (determined without regard to 
                section 1398(b)(1)), any return of the debtor 
                for the taxable year in which the case 
                commenced or any preceding taxable year shall, 
                upon written request, be open to inspection by 
                or disclosure to the trustee in such case.
                  (B) Return of estate available to debtor.--
                Any return of an estate in a case to which 
                section 1398 applies shall, upon written 
                request, be open to inspection by or disclosure 
                to the debtor in such case.
                  (C) Special rule for involuntary cases.--In 
                an involuntary case, no disclosure shall be 
                made under subparagraph (A) until the order for 
                relief has been entered by the court having 
                jurisdiction of such case unless such court 
                finds that such disclosure is appropriate for 
                purposes of determining whether an order for 
                relief should be entered.
          (6) Attorney in fact.--Any return to which this 
        subsection applies shall, upon written request, also be 
        open to inspection by or disclosure to the attorney in 
        fact duly authorized in writing by any of the persons 
        described in paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (8), or 
        (9) to inspect the return or receive the information on 
        his behalf, subject to the conditions provided in such 
        paragraphs.
          (7) Return information.--Return information with 
        respect to any taxpayer may be open to inspection by or 
        disclosure to any person authorized by this subsection 
        to inspect any return of such taxpayer if the Secretary 
        determines that such disclosure would not seriously 
        impair Federal tax administration.
          (8) Disclosure of collection activities with respect 
        to joint return.--If any deficiency of tax with respect 
        to a joint return is assessed and the individuals 
        filing such return are no longer married or no longer 
        reside in the same household, upon request in writing 
        by either of such individuals, the Secretary shall 
        disclose in writing to the individual making the 
        request whether the Secretary has attempted to collect 
        such deficiency from such other individual, the general 
        nature of such collection activities, and the amount 
        collected. The preceding sentence shall not apply to 
        any deficiency which may not be collected by reason of 
        section 6502.
          (9) Disclosure of certain information where more than 
        1 person subject to penalty under section 6672.--If the 
        Secretary determines that a person is liable for a 
        penalty under section 6672(a) with respect to any 
        failure, upon request in writing of such person, the 
        Secretary shall disclose in writing to such person--
                  (A) the name of any other person whom the 
                Secretary has determined to be liable for such 
                penalty with respect to such failure, and
                  (B) whether the Secretary has attempted to 
                collect such penalty from such other person, 
                the general nature of such collection 
                activities, and the amount collected.
          (10) Limitation on certain disclosures under this 
        subsection.--In the case of an inspection or disclosure 
        under this subsection relating to the return of a 
        partnership, S corporation, trust, or an estate, the 
        information inspected or disclosed shall not include 
        any supporting schedule, attachment, or list which 
        includes the taxpayer identity information of a person 
        other than the entity making the return or the person 
        conducting the inspection or to whom the disclosure is 
        made.
  (f) Disclosure to Committees of Congress.--
          (1) Committee on Ways and Means, Committee on 
        Finance, and Joint Committee on Taxation.--Upon written 
        request from the chairman of the Committee on Ways and 
        Means of the House of Representatives, the chairman of 
        the Committee on Finance of the Senate, or the chairman 
        of the Joint Committee on Taxation, the Secretary shall 
        furnish such committee with any return or return 
        information specified in such request, except that any 
        return or return information which can be associated 
        with, or otherwise identify, directly or indirectly, a 
        particular taxpayer shall be furnished to such 
        committee only when sitting in closed executive session 
        unless such taxpayer otherwise consents in writing to 
        such disclosure.
          (2) Chief of Staff of Joint Committee on Taxation.--
        Upon written request by the Chief of Staff of the Joint 
        Committee on Taxation, the Secretary shall furnish him 
        with any return or return information specified in such 
        request. Such Chief of Staff may submit such return or 
        return information to any committee described in 
        paragraph (1), except that any return or return 
        information which can be associated with, or otherwise 
        identify, directly or indirectly, a particular taxpayer 
        shall be furnished to such committee only when sitting 
        in closed executive session unless such taxpayer 
        otherwise consents in writing to such disclosure.
          (3) Other committees.--Pursuant to an action by, and 
        upon written request by the chairman of, a committee of 
        the Senate or the House of Representatives (other than 
        a committee specified in paragraph (1)) specially 
        authorized to inspect any return or return information 
        by a resolution of the Senate or the House of 
        Representatives or, in the case of a joint committee 
        (other than the joint committee specified in paragraph 
        (1)) by concurrent resolution, the Secretary shall 
        furnish such committee, or a duly authorized and 
        designated subcommittee thereof, sitting in closed 
        executive session, with any return or return 
        information which such resolution authorizes the 
        committee or subcommittee to inspect. Any resolution 
        described in this paragraph shall specify the purpose 
        for which the return or return information is to be 
        furnished and that such information cannot reasonably 
        be obtained from any other source.
          (4) Agents of committees and submission of 
        information to Senate or House of Representatives.--
                  (A) Committees described in paragraph (1).--
                Any committee described in paragraph (1) or the 
                Chief of Staff of the Joint Committee on 
                Taxation shall have the authority, acting 
                directly, or by or through such examiners or 
                agents as the chairman of such committee or 
                such chief of staff may designate or appoint, 
                to inspect returns and return information at 
                such time and in such manner as may be 
                determined by such chairman or chief of staff. 
                Any return or return information obtained by or 
                on behalf of such committee pursuant to the 
                provisions of this subsection may be submitted 
                by the committee to the Senate or the House of 
                Representatives, or to both. The Joint 
                Committee on Taxation may also submit such 
                return or return information to any other 
                committee described in paragraph (1), except 
                that any return or return information which can 
                be associated with, or otherwise identify, 
                directly or indirectly, a particular taxpayer 
                shall be furnished to such committee only when 
                sitting in closed executive session unless such 
                taxpayer otherwise consents in writing to such 
                disclosure.
                  (B) Other committees.--Any committee or 
                subcommittee described in paragraph (3) shall 
                have the right, acting directly, or by or 
                through no more than four examiners or agents, 
                designated or appointed in writing in equal 
                numbers by the chairman and ranking minority 
                member of such committee or subcommittee, to 
                inspect returns and return information at such 
                time and in such manner as may be determined by 
                such chairman and ranking minority member. Any 
                return or return information obtained by or on 
                behalf of such committee or subcommittee 
                pursuant to the provisions of this subsection 
                may be submitted by the committee to the Senate 
                or the House of Representatives, or to both, 
                except that any return or return information 
                which can be associated with, or otherwise 
                identify, directly or indirectly, a particular 
                taxpayer, shall be furnished to the Senate or 
                the House of Representatives only when sitting 
                in closed executive session unless such 
                taxpayer otherwise consents in writing to such 
                disclosure.
          (5) Disclosure by whistleblower.--Any person who 
        otherwise has or had access to any return or return 
        information under this section may disclose such return 
        or return information to a committee referred to in 
        paragraph (1) or any individual authorized to receive 
        or inspect information under paragraph (4)(A) if such 
        person believes such return or return information may 
        relate to possible misconduct, maladministration, or 
        taxpayer abuse.
  (g) Disclosure to President and Certain Other Persons.--
          (1) In general.--Upon written request by the 
        President, signed by him personally, the Secretary 
        shall furnish to the President, or to such employee or 
        employees of the White House Office as the President 
        may designate by name in such request, a return or 
        return information with respect to any taxpayer named 
        in such request. Any such request shall state--
                  (A) the name and address of the taxpayer 
                whose return or return information is to be 
                disclosed,
                  (B) the kind of return or return information 
                which is to be disclosed,
                  (C) the taxable period or periods covered by 
                such return or return information, and
                  (D) the specific reason why the inspection or 
                disclosure is requested.
          (2) Disclosure of return information as to 
        Presidential appointees and certain other Federal 
        Government appointees.--The Secretary may disclose to a 
        duly authorized representative of the Executive Office 
        of the President or to the head of any Federal agency, 
        upon written request by the President or head of such 
        agency, or to the Federal Bureau of Investigation on 
        behalf of and upon written request by the President or 
        such head, return information with respect to an 
        individual who is designated as being under 
        consideration for appointment to a position in the 
        executive or judicial branch of the Federal Government. 
        Such return information shall be limited to whether 
        such individual--
                  (A) has filed returns with respect to the 
                taxes imposed under chapter 1 for not more than 
                the immediately preceding 3 years;
                  (B) has failed to pay any tax within 10 days 
                after notice and demand, or has been assessed 
                any penalty under this title for negligence, in 
                the current year or immediately preceding 3 
                years;
                  (C) has been or is under investigation for 
                possible criminal offenses under the internal 
                revenue laws and the results of any such 
                investigation; or
                  (D) has been assessed any civil penalty under 
                this title for fraud.
        Within 3 days of the receipt of any request for any 
        return information with respect to any individual under 
        this paragraph, the Secretary shall notify such 
        individual in writing that such information has been 
        requested under the provisions of this paragraph.
          (3) Restriction on disclosure.--The employees to whom 
        returns and return information are disclosed under this 
        subsection shall not disclose such returns and return 
        information to any other person except the President or 
        the head of such agency without the personal written 
        direction of the President or the head of such agency.
          (4) Restriction on disclosure to certain employees.--
        Disclosure of returns and return information under this 
        subsection shall not be made to any employee whose 
        annual rate of basic pay is less than the annual rate 
        of basic pay specified for positions subject to section 
        5316 of title 5, United States Code.
          (5) Reporting requirements.--Within 30 days after the 
        close of each calendar quarter, the President and the 
        head of any agency requesting returns and return 
        information under this subsection shall each file a 
        report with the Joint Committee on Taxation setting 
        forth the taxpayers with respect to whom such requests 
        were made during such quarter under this subsection, 
        the returns or return information involved, and the 
        reasons for such requests. The President shall not be 
        required to report on any request for returns and 
        return information pertaining to an individual who was 
        an officer or employee of the executive branch of the 
        Federal Government at the time such request was made. 
        Reports filed pursuant to this paragraph shall not be 
        disclosed unless the Joint Committee on Taxation 
        determines that disclosure thereof (including 
        identifying details) would be in the national interest. 
        Such reports shall be maintained by the Joint Committee 
        on Taxation for a period not exceeding 2 years unless, 
        within such period, the Joint Committee on Taxation 
        determines that a disclosure to the Congress is 
        necessary.
  (h) Disclosure to Certain Federal Officers and Employees for 
Purposes of Tax Administration, Etc..--
          (1) Department of the Treasury.--Returns and return 
        information shall, without written request, be open to 
        inspection by or disclosure to officers and employees 
        of the Department of the Treasury whose official duties 
        require such inspection or disclosure for tax 
        administration purposes.
          (2) Department of Justice.--In a matter involving tax 
        administration, a return or return information shall be 
        open to inspection by or disclosure to officers and 
        employees of the Department of Justice (including 
        United States attorneys) personally and directly 
        engaged in, and solely for their use in, any proceeding 
        before a Federal grand jury or preparation for any 
        proceeding (or investigation which may result in such a 
        proceeding) before a Federal grand jury or any Federal 
        or State court, but only if--
                  (A) the taxpayer is or may be a party to the 
                proceeding, or the proceeding arose out of, or 
                in connection with, determining the taxpayer's 
                civil or criminal liability, or the collection 
                of such civil liability in respect of any tax 
                imposed under this title;
                  (B) the treatment of an item reflected on 
                such return is or may be related to the 
                resolution of an issue in the proceeding or 
                investigation; or
                  (C) such return or return information relates 
                or may relate to a transactional relationship 
                between a person who is or may be a party to 
                the proceeding and the taxpayer which affects, 
                or may affect, the resolution of an issue in 
                such proceeding or investigation.
          (3) Form of request.--In any case in which the 
        Secretary is authorized to disclose a return or return 
        information to the Department of Justice pursuant to 
        the provisions of this subsection--
                  (A) if the Secretary has referred the case to 
                the Department of Justice, or if the proceeding 
                is authorized by subchapter B of chapter 76, 
                the Secretary may make such disclosure on his 
                own motion, or
                  (B) if the Secretary receives a written 
                request from the Attorney General, the Deputy 
                Attorney General, or an Assistant Attorney 
                General for a return of, or return information 
                relating to, a person named in such request and 
                setting forth the need for the disclosure, the 
                Secretary shall disclose return or return the 
                information so requested.
          (4) Disclosure in judicial and administrative tax 
        proceedings.--A return or return information may be 
        disclosed in a Federal or State judicial or 
        administrative proceeding pertaining to tax 
        administration, but only--
                  (A) if the taxpayer is a party to the 
                proceeding, or the proceeding arose out of, or 
                in connection with, determining the taxpayer's 
                civil or criminal liability, or the collection 
                of such civil liability, in respect of any tax 
                imposed under this title;
                  (B) if the treatment of an item reflected on 
                such return is directly related to the 
                resolution of an issue in the proceeding;
                  (C) if such return or return information 
                directly relates to a transactional 
                relationship between a person who is a party to 
                the proceeding and the taxpayer which directly 
                affects the resolution of an issue in the 
                proceeding; or
                  (D) to the extent required by order of a 
                court pursuant to section 3500 of title 18, 
                United States Code, or rule 16 of the Federal 
                Rules of Criminal Procedure, such court being 
                authorized in the issuance of such order to 
                give due consideration to congressional policy 
                favoring the confidentiality of returns and 
                return information as set forth in this title.
        However, such return or return information shall not be 
        disclosed as provided in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) 
        if the Secretary determines that such disclosure would 
        identify a confidential informant or seriously impair a 
        civil or criminal tax investigation.
          (5) Withholding of tax from social security 
        benefits.--Upon written request of the payor agency, 
        the Secretary may disclose available return information 
        from the master files of the Internal Revenue Service 
        with respect to the address and status of an individual 
        as a nonresident alien or as a citizen or resident of 
        the United States to the Social Security Administration 
        or the Railroad Retirement Board (whichever is 
        appropriate) for purposes of carrying out its 
        responsibilities for withholding tax under section 1441 
        from social security benefits (as defined in section 
        86(d)).
          (6) Internal Revenue Service Oversight Board.--
                  (A) In general.--Notwithstanding paragraph 
                (1), and except as provided in subparagraph 
                (B), no return or return information may be 
                disclosed to any member of the Oversight Board 
                described in subparagraph (A) or (D) of section 
                7802(b)(1) or to any employee or detailee of 
                such Board by reason of their service with the 
                Board. Any request for information not 
                permitted to be disclosed under the preceding 
                sentence, and any contact relating to a 
                specific taxpayer, made by any such individual 
                to an officer or employee of the Internal 
                Revenue Service shall be reported by such 
                officer or employee to the Secretary, the 
                Treasury Inspector General for Tax 
                Administration, and the Joint Committee on 
                Taxation.
                  (B) Exception for reports to the Board.--If--
                          (i) the Commissioner or the Treasury 
                        Inspector General for Tax 
                        Administration prepares any report or 
                        other matter for the Oversight Board in 
                        order to assist the Board in carrying 
                        out its duties; and
                          (ii) the Commissioner or such 
                        Inspector General determines it is 
                        necessary to include any return or 
                        return information in such report or 
                        other matter to enable the Board to 
                        carry out such duties, such return or 
                        return information (other than 
                        information regarding taxpayer 
                        identity) may be disclosed to members, 
                        employees, or detailees of the Board 
                        solely for the purpose of carrying out 
                        such duties.
  (i) Disclosure to Federal Officers or Employees for 
Administration of Federal Laws Not Relating to Tax 
Administration.--
          (1) Disclosure of returns and return information for 
        use in criminal investigations.--
                  (A) In general.--Except as provided in 
                paragraph (6), any return or return information 
                with respect to any specified taxable period or 
                periods shall, pursuant to and upon the grant 
                of an ex parte order by a Federal district 
                court judge or magistrate judge under 
                subparagraph (B), be open (but only to the 
                extent necessary as provided in such order) to 
                inspection by, or disclosure to, officers and 
                employees of any Federal agency who are 
                personally and directly engaged in--
                          (i) preparation for any judicial or 
                        administrative proceeding pertaining to 
                        the enforcement of a specifically 
                        designated Federal criminal statute 
                        (not involving tax administration) to 
                        which the United States or such agency 
                        is or may be a party,
                          (ii) any investigation which may 
                        result in such a proceeding, or
                          (iii) any Federal grand jury 
                        proceeding pertaining to enforcement of 
                        such a criminal statute to which the 
                        United States or such agency is or may 
                        be a party,
                solely for the use of such officers and 
                employees in such preparation, investigation, 
                or grand jury proceeding.
                  (B) Application for order.--The Attorney 
                General, the Deputy Attorney General, the 
                Associate Attorney General, any Assistant 
                Attorney General, any United States attorney, 
                any special prosecutor appointed under section 
                593 of title 28, United States Code, or any 
                attorney in charge of a criminal division 
                organized crime strike force established 
                pursuant to section 510 of title 28, United 
                States Code, may authorize an application to a 
                Federal district court judge or magistrate 
                judge for the order referred to in subparagraph 
                (A). Upon such application, such judge or 
                magistrate judge may grant such order if he 
                determines on the basis of the facts submitted 
                by the applicant that--
                          (i) there is reasonable cause to 
                        believe, based upon information 
                        believed to be reliable, that a 
                        specific criminal act has been 
                        committed,
                          (ii) there is reasonable cause to 
                        believe that the return or return 
                        information is or may be relevant to a 
                        matter relating to the commission of 
                        such act, and
                          (iii) the return or return 
                        information is sought exclusively for 
                        use in a Federal criminal investigation 
                        or proceeding concerning such act, and 
                        the information sought to be disclosed 
                        cannot reasonably be obtained, under 
                        the circumstances, from another source.
          (2) Disclosure of return information other than 
        taxpayer return information for use in criminal 
        investigations.--
                  (A) In general.--Except as provided in 
                paragraph (6), upon receipt by the Secretary of 
                a request which meets the requirements of 
                subparagraph (B) from the head of any Federal 
                agency or the Inspector General thereof, or, in 
                the case of the Department of Justice, the 
                Attorney General, the Deputy Attorney General, 
                the Associate Attorney General, any Assistant 
                Attorney General, the Director of the Federal 
                Bureau of Investigation, the Administrator of 
                the Drug Enforcement Administration, any United 
                States attorney, any special prosecutor 
                appointed under section 593 of title 28, United 
                States Code, or any attorney in charge of a 
                criminal division organized crime strike force 
                established pursuant to section 510 of title 
                28, United States Code, the Secretary shall 
                disclose return information (other than 
                taxpayer return information) to officers and 
                employees of such agency who are personally and 
                directly engaged in--
                          (i) preparation for any judicial or 
                        administrative proceeding described in 
                        paragraph (1)(A)(i),
                          (ii) any investigation which may 
                        result in such a proceeding, or
                          (iii) any grand jury proceeding 
                        described in paragraph (1)(A)(iii),
                solely for the use of such officers and 
                employees in such preparation, investigation, 
                or grand jury proceeding.
                  (B) Requirements.--A request meets the 
                requirements of this subparagraph if the 
                request is in writing and sets forth--
                          (i) the name and address of the 
                        taxpayer with respect to whom the 
                        requested return information relates;
                          (ii) the taxable period or periods to 
                        which such return information relates;
                          (iii) the statutory authority under 
                        which the proceeding or investigation 
                        described in subparagraph (A) is being 
                        conducted; and
                          (iv) the specific reason or reasons 
                        why such disclosure is, or may be, 
                        relevant to such proceeding or 
                        investigation.
                  (C) Taxpayer identity.--For purposes of this 
                paragraph, a taxpayer's identity shall not be 
                treated as taxpayer return information.
          (3) Disclosure of return information to apprise 
        appropriate officials of criminal or terrorist 
        activities or emergency circumstances.--
                  (A) Possible violations of Federal criminal 
                law.--
                          (i) In general.--Except as provided 
                        in paragraph (6), the Secretary may 
                        disclose in writing return information 
                        (other than taxpayer return 
                        information) which may constitute 
                        evidence of a violation of any Federal 
                        criminal law (not involving tax 
                        administration) to the extent necessary 
                        to apprise the head of the appropriate 
                        Federal agency charged with the 
                        responsibility of enforcing such law. 
                        The head of such agency may disclose 
                        such return information to officers and 
                        employees of such agency to the extent 
                        necessary to enforce such law.
                          (ii) Taxpayer identity.--If there is 
                        return information (other than taxpayer 
                        return information) which may 
                        constitute evidence of a violation by 
                        any taxpayer of any Federal criminal 
                        law (not involving tax administration), 
                        such taxpayer's identity may also be 
                        disclosed under clause (i).
                  (B) Emergency circumstances.--
                          (i) Danger of death or physical 
                        injury.--Under circumstances involving 
                        an imminent danger of death or physical 
                        injury to any individual, the Secretary 
                        may disclose return information to the 
                        extent necessary to apprise appropriate 
                        officers or employees of any Federal or 
                        State law enforcement agency of such 
                        circumstances.
                          (ii) Flight from Federal 
                        prosecution.--Under circumstances 
                        involving the imminent flight of any 
                        individual from Federal prosecution, 
                        the Secretary may disclose return 
                        information to the extent necessary to 
                        apprise appropriate officers or 
                        employees of any Federal law 
                        enforcement agency of such 
                        circumstances.
                  (C) Terrorist activities, etc.
                          (i) In general.--Except as provided 
                        in paragraph (6), the Secretary may 
                        disclose in writing return information 
                        (other than taxpayer return 
                        information) that may be related to a 
                        terrorist incident, threat, or activity 
                        to the extent necessary to apprise the 
                        head of the appropriate Federal law 
                        enforcement agency responsible for 
                        investigating or responding to such 
                        terrorist incident, threat, or 
                        activity. The head of the agency may 
                        disclose such return information to 
                        officers and employees of such agency 
                        to the extent necessary to investigate 
                        or respond to such terrorist incident, 
                        threat, or activity.
                          (ii) Disclosure to the Department of 
                        Justice.--Returns and taxpayer return 
                        information may also be disclosed to 
                        the Attorney General under clause (i) 
                        to the extent necessary for, and solely 
                        for use in preparing, an application 
                        under paragraph (7)(D).
                          (iii) Taxpayer identity.--For 
                        purposes of this subparagraph, a 
                        taxpayer's identity shall not be 
                        treated as taxpayer return information.
          (4) Use of certain disclosed returns and return 
        information in judicial or administrative 
        proceedings.--
                  (A) Returns and taxpayer return 
                information.--Except as provided in 
                subparagraph (C), any return or taxpayer return 
                information obtained under paragraph (1) or 
                (7)(C) may be disclosed in any judicial or 
                administrative proceeding pertaining to 
                enforcement of a specifically designated 
                Federal criminal statute or related civil 
                forfeiture (not involving tax administration) 
                to which the United States or a Federal agency 
                is a party--
                          (i) if the court finds that such 
                        return or taxpayer return information 
                        is probative of a matter in issue 
                        relevant in establishing the commission 
                        of a crime or the guilt or liability of 
                        a party, or
                          (ii) to the extent required by order 
                        of the court pursuant to section 3500 
                        of title 18, United States Code, or 
                        rule 16 of the Federal Rules of 
                        Criminal Procedure.
                  (B) Return information (other than taxpayer 
                return information).--Except as provided in 
                subparagraph (C), any return information (other 
                than taxpayer return information) obtained 
                under paragraph (1), (2), (3)(A) or (C), or (7) 
                may be disclosed in any judicial or 
                administrative proceeding pertaining to 
                enforcement of a specifically designated 
                Federal criminal statute or related civil 
                forfeiture (not involving tax administration) 
                to which the United States or a Federal agency 
                is a party.
                  (C) Confidential informant; impairment of 
                investigations.--No return or return 
                information shall be admitted into evidence 
                under subparagraph (A)(i) or (B) if the 
                Secretary determines and notifies the Attorney 
                General or his delegate or the head of the 
                Federal agency that such admission would 
                identify a confidential informant or seriously 
                impair a civil or criminal tax investigation.
                  (D) Consideration of confidentiality 
                policy.--In ruling upon the admissibility of 
                returns or return information, and in the 
                issuance of an order under subparagraph 
                (A)(ii), the court shall give due consideration 
                to congressional policy favoring the 
                confidentiality of returns and return 
                information as set forth in this title.
                  (E) Reversible error.--The admission into 
                evidence of any return or return information 
                contrary to the provisions of this paragraph 
                shall not, as such, constitute reversible error 
                upon appeal of a judgment in the proceeding.
          (5) Disclosure to locate fugitives from justice.--
                  (A) In general.--Except as provided in 
                paragraph (6), the return of an individual or 
                return information with respect to such 
                individual shall, pursuant to and upon the 
                grant of an ex parte order by a Federal 
                district court judge or magistrate judge under 
                subparagraph (B), be open (but only to the 
                extent necessary as provided in such order) to 
                inspection by, or disclosure to, officers and 
                employees of any Federal agency exclusively for 
                use in locating such individual.
                  (B) Application for order.--Any person 
                described in paragraph (1)(B) may authorize an 
                application to a Federal district court judge 
                or magistrate judge for an order referred to in 
                subparagraph (A). Upon such application, such 
                judge or magistrate judge may grant such order 
                if he determines on the basis of the facts 
                submitted by the applicant that--
                          (i) a Federal arrest warrant relating 
                        to the commission of a Federal felony 
                        offense has been issued for an 
                        individual who is a fugitive from 
                        justice,
                          (ii) the return of such individual or 
                        return information with respect to such 
                        individual is sought exclusively for 
                        use in locating such individual, and
                          (iii) there is reasonable cause to 
                        believe that such return or return 
                        information may be relevant in 
                        determining the location of such 
                        individual.
          (6) Confidential informants; impairment of 
        investigations.--The Secretary shall not disclose any 
        return or return information under paragraph (1), (2), 
        (3)(A) or (C), (5), (7), or (8) if the Secretary 
        determines (and, in the case of a request for 
        disclosure pursuant to a court order described in 
        paragraph (1)(B) or (5)(B), certifies to the court) 
        that such disclosure would identify a confidential 
        informant or seriously impair a civil or criminal tax 
        investigation.
          (7) Disclosure upon request of information relating 
        to terrorist activities, etc.
                  (A) Disclosure to law enforcement agencies.--
                          (i) In general.--Except as provided 
                        in paragraph (6), upon receipt by the 
                        Secretary of a written request which 
                        meets the requirements of clause (iii), 
                        the Secretary may disclose return 
                        information (other than taxpayer return 
                        information) to officers and employees 
                        of any Federal law enforcement agency 
                        who are personally and directly engaged 
                        in the response to or investigation of 
                        any terrorist incident, threat, or 
                        activity.
                          (ii) Disclosure to State and local 
                        law enforcement agencies.--The head of 
                        any Federal law enforcement agency may 
                        disclose return information obtained 
                        under clause (i) to officers and 
                        employees of any State or local law 
                        enforcement agency but only if such 
                        agency is part of a team with the 
                        Federal law enforcement agency in such 
                        response or investigation and such 
                        information is disclosed only to 
                        officers and employees who are 
                        personally and directly engaged in such 
                        response or investigation.
                          (iii) Requirements.--A request meets 
                        the requirements of this clause if--
                                  (I) the request is made by 
                                the head of any Federal law 
                                enforcement agency (or his 
                                delegate) involved in the 
                                response to or investigation of 
                                any terrorist incident, threat, 
                                or activity, and
                                  (II) the request sets forth 
                                the specific reason or reasons 
                                why such disclosure may be 
                                relevant to a terrorist 
                                incident, threat, or activity.
                          (iv) Limitation on use of 
                        information.--Information disclosed 
                        under this subparagraph shall be solely 
                        for the use of the officers and 
                        employees to whom such information is 
                        disclosed in such response or 
                        investigation.
                          (v) Taxpayer identity.--For purposes 
                        of this subparagraph, a taxpayer's 
                        identity shall not be treated as 
                        taxpayer return information.
                  (B) Disclosure to intelligence agencies.--
                          (i) In general.--Except as provided 
                        in paragraph (6), upon receipt by the 
                        Secretary of a written request which 
                        meets the requirements of clause (ii), 
                        the Secretary may disclose return 
                        information (other than taxpayer return 
                        information) to those officers and 
                        employees of the Department of Justice, 
                        the Department of the Treasury, and 
                        other Federal intelligence agencies who 
                        are personally and directly engaged in 
                        the collection or analysis of 
                        intelligence and counterintelligence 
                        information or investigation concerning 
                        any terrorist incident, threat, or 
                        activity. For purposes of the preceding 
                        sentence, the information disclosed 
                        under the preceding sentence shall be 
                        solely for the use of such officers and 
                        employees in such investigation, 
                        collection, or analysis.
                          (ii) Requirements.--A request meets 
                        the requirements of this subparagraph 
                        if the request--
                                  (I) is made by an individual 
                                described in clause (iii), and
                                  (II) sets forth the specific 
                                reason or reasons why such 
                                disclosure may be relevant to a 
                                terrorist incident, threat, or 
                                activity.
                          (iii) Requesting individuals.--An 
                        individual described in this 
                        subparagraph is an individual--
                                  (I) who is an officer or 
                                employee of the Department of 
                                Justice or the Department of 
                                the Treasury who is appointed 
                                by the President with the 
                                advice and consent of the 
                                Senate or who is the Director 
                                of the United States Secret 
                                Service, and
                                  (II) who is responsible for 
                                the collection and analysis of 
                                intelligence and 
                                counterintelligence information 
                                concerning any terrorist 
                                incident, threat, or activity.
                          (iv) Taxpayer identity.--For purposes 
                        of this subparagraph, a taxpayer's 
                        identity shall not be treated as 
                        taxpayer return information.
                  (C) Disclosure under ex parte orders.--
                          (i) In general.--Except as provided 
                        in paragraph (6), any return or return 
                        information with respect to any 
                        specified taxable period or periods 
                        shall, pursuant to and upon the grant 
                        of an ex parte order by a Federal 
                        district court judge or magistrate 
                        judge under clause (ii), be open (but 
                        only to the extent necessary as 
                        provided in such order) to inspection 
                        by, or disclosure to, officers and 
                        employees of any Federal law 
                        enforcement agency or Federal 
                        intelligence agency who are personally 
                        and directly engaged in any 
                        investigation, response to, or analysis 
                        of intelligence and counterintelligence 
                        information concerning any terrorist 
                        incident, threat, or activity. Return 
                        or return information opened to 
                        inspection or disclosure pursuant to 
                        the preceding sentence shall be solely 
                        for the use of such officers and 
                        employees in the investigation, 
                        response, or analysis, and in any 
                        judicial, administrative, or grand jury 
                        proceedings, pertaining to such 
                        terrorist incident, threat, or 
                        activity.
                          (ii) Application for order.--The 
                        Attorney General, the Deputy Attorney 
                        General, the Associate Attorney 
                        General, any Assistant Attorney 
                        General, or any United States attorney 
                        may authorize an application to a 
                        Federal district court judge or 
                        magistrate judge for the order referred 
                        to in clause (i). Upon such 
                        application, such judge or magistrate 
                        judge may grant such order if he 
                        determines on the basis of the facts 
                        submitted by the applicant that--
                                  (I) there is reasonable cause 
                                to believe, based upon 
                                information believed to be 
                                reliable, that the return or 
                                return information may be 
                                relevant to a matter relating 
                                to such terrorist incident, 
                                threat, or activity, and
                                  (II) the return or return 
                                information is sought 
                                exclusively for use in a 
                                Federal investigation, 
                                analysis, or proceeding 
                                concerning any terrorist 
                                incident, threat, or activity.
                  (D) Special rule for ex parte disclosure by 
                the IRS.--
                          (i) In general.--Except as provided 
                        in paragraph (6), the Secretary may 
                        authorize an application to a Federal 
                        district court judge or magistrate 
                        judge for the order referred to in 
                        subparagraph (C)(i). Upon such 
                        application, such judge or magistrate 
                        judge may grant such order if he 
                        determines on the basis of the facts 
                        submitted by the applicant that the 
                        requirements of subparagraph (C)(ii)(I) 
                        are met.
                          (ii) Limitation on use of 
                        information.--Information disclosed 
                        under clause (i)--
                                  (I) may be disclosed only to 
                                the extent necessary to apprise 
                                the head of the appropriate 
                                Federal law enforcement agency 
                                responsible for investigating 
                                or responding to a terrorist 
                                incident, threat, or activity, 
                                and
                                  (II) shall be solely for use 
                                in a Federal investigation, 
                                analysis, or proceeding 
                                concerning any terrorist 
                                incident, threat, or activity.
                        The head of such Federal agency may 
                        disclose such information to officers 
                        and employees of such agency to the 
                        extent necessary to investigate or 
                        respond to such terrorist incident, 
                        threat, or activity.
          (8) Comptroller General.--
                  (A) Returns available for inspection.--Except 
                as provided in subparagraph (C), upon written 
                request by the Comptroller General of the 
                United States, returns and return information 
                shall be open to inspection by, or disclosure 
                to, officers and employees of the Government 
                Accountability Office for the purpose of, and 
                to the extent necessary in, making--
                          (i) an audit of the Internal Revenue 
                        Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, 
                        Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, 
                        Department of Justice, or the Tax and 
                        Trade Bureau, Department of the 
                        Treasury, which may be required by 
                        section 713 of title 31, United States 
                        Code, or
                          (ii) any audit authorized by 
                        subsection (p)(6),
                except that no such officer or employee shall, 
                except to the extent authorized by subsection 
                (f) or (p)(6), disclose to any person, other 
                than another officer or employee of such office 
                whose official duties require such disclosure, 
                any return or return information described in 
                section 4424(a) in a form which can be 
                associated with, or otherwise identify, 
                directly or indirectly, a particular taxpayer, 
                nor shall such officer or employee disclose any 
                other return or return information, except as 
                otherwise expressly provided by law, to any 
                person other than such other officer or 
                employee of such office in a form which can be 
                associated with, or otherwise identify, 
                directly or indirectly, a particular taxpayer.
                  (B) Audits of other agencies.--
                          (i) In general.--Nothing in this 
                        section shall prohibit any return or 
                        return information obtained under this 
                        title by any Federal agency (other than 
                        an agency referred to in subparagraph 
                        (A)) or by a Trustee as defined in the 
                        District of Columbia Retirement 
                        Protection Act of 1997, for use in any 
                        program or activity from being open to 
                        inspection by, or disclosure to, 
                        officers and employees of the 
                        Government Accountability Office if 
                        such inspection or disclosure is--
                                  (I) for purposes of, and to 
                                the extent necessary in, making 
                                an audit authorized by law of 
                                such program or activity, and
                                  (II) pursuant to a written 
                                request by the Comptroller 
                                General of the United States to 
                                the head of such Federal 
                                agency.
                          (ii) Information from Secretary.--If 
                        the Comptroller General of the United 
                        States determines that the returns or 
                        return information available under 
                        clause (i) are not sufficient for 
                        purposes of making an audit of any 
                        program or activity of a Federal agency 
                        (other than an agency referred to in 
                        subparagraph (A)), upon written request 
                        by the Comptroller General to the 
                        Secretary, returns and return 
                        information (of the type authorized by 
                        subsection (l) or (m) to be made 
                        available to the Federal agency for use 
                        in such program or activity) shall be 
                        open to inspection by, or disclosure 
                        to, officers and employees of the 
                        Government Accountability Office for 
                        the purpose of, and to the extent 
                        necessary in, making such audit.
                          (iii) Requirement of notification 
                        upon completion of audit.--Within 90 
                        days after the completion of an audit 
                        with respect to which returns or return 
                        information were opened to inspection 
                        or disclosed under clause (i) or (ii), 
                        the Comptroller General of the United 
                        States shall notify in writing the 
                        Joint Committee on Taxation of such 
                        completion. Such notice shall include--
                                  (I) a description of the use 
                                of the returns and return 
                                information by the Federal 
                                agency involved,
                                  (II) such recommendations 
                                with respect to the use of 
                                returns and return information 
                                by such Federal agency as the 
                                Comptroller General deems 
                                appropriate, and
                                  (III) a statement on the 
                                impact of any such 
                                recommendations on 
                                confidentiality of returns and 
                                return information and the 
                                administration of this title.
                          (iv) Certain restrictions made 
                        applicable.--The restrictions contained 
                        in subparagraph (A) on the disclosure 
                        of any returns or return information 
                        open to inspection or disclosed under 
                        such subparagraph shall also apply to 
                        returns and return information open to 
                        inspection or disclosed under this 
                        subparagraph.
                  (C) Disapproval by Joint Committee on 
                Taxation.--Returns and return information shall 
                not be open to inspection or disclosed under 
                subparagraph (A) or (B) with respect to an 
                audit--
                          (i) unless the Comptroller General of 
                        the United States notifies in writing 
                        the Joint Committee on Taxation of such 
                        audit, and
                          (ii) if the Joint Committee on 
                        Taxation disapproves such audit by a 
                        vote of at least two-thirds of its 
                        members within the 30-day period 
                        beginning on the day the Joint 
                        Committee on Taxation receives such 
                        notice.
  (j) Statistical Use.--
          (1) Department of Commerce.--Upon request in writing 
        by the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary shall 
        furnish--
                  (A) such returns, or return information 
                reflected thereon, to officers and employees of 
                the Bureau of the Census, and
                  (B) such return information reflected on 
                returns of corporations to officers and 
                employees of the Bureau of Economic Analysis,
        as the Secretary may prescribe by regulation for the 
        purpose of, but only to the extent necessary in, the 
        structuring of censuses and national economic accounts 
        and conducting related statistical activities 
        authorized by law.
          (2) Federal Trade Commission.--Upon request in 
        writing by the Chairman of the Federal Trade 
        Commission, the Secretary shall furnish such return 
        information reflected on any return of a corporation 
        with respect to the tax imposed by chapter 1 to 
        officers and employees of the Division of Financial 
        Statistics of the Bureau of Economics of such 
        commission as the Secretary may prescribe by regulation 
        for the purpose of, but only to the extent necessary 
        in, administration by such division of legally 
        authorized economic surveys of corporations.
          (3) Department of Treasury.--Returns and return 
        information shall be open to inspection by or 
        disclosure to officers and employees of the Department 
        of the Treasury whose official duties require such 
        inspection or disclosure for the purpose of, but only 
        to the extent necessary in, preparing economic or 
        financial forecasts, projections, analyses, and 
        statistical studies and conducting related activities. 
        Such inspection or disclosure shall be permitted only 
        upon written request which sets forth the specific 
        reason or reasons why such inspection or disclosure is 
        necessary and which is signed by the head of the bureau 
        or office of the Department of the Treasury requesting 
        the inspection or disclosure.
          (4) Anonymous form.--No person who receives a return 
        or return information under this subsection shall 
        disclose such return or return information to any 
        person other than the taxpayer to whom it relates 
        except in a form which cannot be associated with, or 
        otherwise identify, directly or indirectly, a 
        particular taxpayer.
          (5) Department of Agriculture.--Upon request in 
        writing by the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary 
        shall furnish such returns, or return information 
        reflected thereon, as the Secretary may prescribe by 
        regulation to officers and employees of the Department 
        of Agriculture whose official duties require access to 
        such returns or information for the purpose of, but 
        only to the extent necessary in, structuring, 
        preparing, and conducting the census of agriculture 
        pursuant to the Census of Agriculture Act of 1997 
        (Public Law 105-113).
          (6) Congressional Budget Office.--Upon written 
        request by the Director of the Congressional Budget 
        Office, the Secretary shall furnish to officers and 
        employees of the Congressional Budget Office return 
        information for the purpose of, but only to the extent 
        necessary for, long-term models of the social security 
        and medicare programs.
  (k) Disclosure of Certain Returns and Return Information for 
Tax Administration Purposes.--
          (1) Disclosure of accepted offers-in-compromise.--
        Return information shall be disclosed to members of the 
        general public to the extent necessary to permit 
        inspection of any accepted offer-in-compromise under 
        section 7122 relating to the liability for a tax 
        imposed by this title.
          (2) Disclosure of amount of outstanding lien.--If a 
        notice of lien has been filed pursuant to section 
        6323(f), the amount of the outstanding obligation 
        secured by such lien may be disclosed to any person who 
        furnishes satisfactory written evidence that he has a 
        right in the property subject to such lien or intends 
        to obtain a right in such property.
          (3) Disclosure of return information to correct 
        misstatements of fact.--The Secretary may, but only 
        following approval by the Joint Committee on Taxation, 
        disclose such return information or any other 
        information with respect to any specific taxpayer to 
        the extent necessary for tax administration purposes to 
        correct a misstatement of fact published or disclosed 
        with respect to such taxpayer's return or any 
        transaction of the taxpayer with the Internal Revenue 
        Service.
          (4) Disclosure of competent authority under income 
        tax convention.--A return or return information may be 
        disclosed to a competent authority of a foreign 
        government which has an income tax or gift and estate 
        tax convention, or other convention or bilateral 
        agreement relating to the exchange of tax information, 
        with the United States but only to the extent provided 
        in, and subject to the terms and conditions of, such 
        convention or bilateral agreement.
          (5) State agencies regulating tax return preparers.--
        Taxpayer identity information with respect to any tax 
        return preparer, and information as to whether or not 
        any penalty has been assessed against such tax return 
        preparer under section 6694, 6695, or 7216, may be 
        furnished to any agency, body, or commission lawfully 
        charged under any State or local law with the 
        licensing, registration, or regulation of tax return 
        preparers. Such information may be furnished only upon 
        written request by the head of such agency, body, or 
        commission designating the officers or employees to 
        whom such information is to be furnished. Information 
        may be furnished and used under this paragraph only for 
        purposes of the licensing, registration, or regulation 
        of tax return preparers.
          (6) Disclosure by certain officers and employees for 
        investigative purposes.--An internal revenue officer or 
        employee and an officer or employee of the Office of 
        Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration may, 
        in connection with his official duties relating to any 
        audit, collection activity, or civil or criminal tax 
        investigation or any other offense under the internal 
        revenue laws, disclose return information to the extent 
        that such disclosure is necessary in obtaining 
        information, which is not otherwise reasonably 
        available, with respect to the correct determination of 
        tax, liability for tax, or the amount to be collected 
        or with respect to the enforcement of any other 
        provision of this title. Such disclosures shall be made 
        only in such situations and under such conditions as 
        the Secretary may prescribe by regulation.
          (7) Disclosure of excise tax registration 
        information.--To the extent the Secretary determines 
        that disclosure is necessary to permit the effective 
        administration of subtitle D, the Secretary may 
        disclose--
                  (A) the name, address, and registration 
                number of each person who is registered under 
                any provision of subtitle D (and, in the case 
                of a registered terminal operator, the address 
                of each terminal operated by such operator), 
                and
                  (B) the registration status of any person.
          (8) Levies on certain government payments.--
                  (A) Disclosure of return information in 
                levies on financial management service.--In 
                serving a notice of levy, or release of such 
                levy, with respect to any applicable government 
                payment, the Secretary may disclose to officers 
                and employees of the Financial Management 
                Service--
                          (i) return information, including 
                        taxpayer identity information,
                          (ii) the amount of any unpaid 
                        liability under this title (including 
                        penalties and interest), and
                          (iii) the type of tax and tax period 
                        to which such unpaid liability relates.
                  (B) Restriction on use of disclosed 
                information.--Return information disclosed 
                under subparagraph (A) may be used by officers 
                and employees of the Financial Management 
                Service only for the purpose of, and to the 
                extent necessary in, transferring levied funds 
                in satisfaction of the levy, maintaining 
                appropriate agency records in regard to such 
                levy or the release thereof, notifying the 
                taxpayer and the agency certifying such payment 
                that the levy has been honored, or in the 
                defense of any litigation ensuing from the 
                honor of such levy.
                  (C) Applicable government payment.--For 
                purposes of this paragraph, the term 
                ``applicable government payment'' means--
                          (i) any Federal payment (other than a 
                        payment for which eligibility is based 
                        on the income or assets (or both) of a 
                        payee) certified to the Financial 
                        Management Service for disbursement, 
                        and
                          (ii) any other payment which is 
                        certified to the Financial Management 
                        Service for disbursement and which the 
                        Secretary designates by published 
                        notice.
          (9) Disclosure of information to administer section 
        6311.--The Secretary may disclose returns or return 
        information to financial institutions and others to the 
        extent the Secretary deems necessary for the 
        administration of section 6311. Disclosures of 
        information for purposes other than to accept payments 
        by checks or money orders shall be made only to the 
        extent authorized by written procedures promulgated by 
        the Secretary.
          (10) Disclosure of certain returns and return 
        information to certain prison officials.--
                  (A) In general.--Under such procedures as the 
                Secretary may prescribe, the Secretary may 
                disclose to officers and employees of the 
                Federal Bureau of Prisons and of any State 
                agency charged with the responsibility for 
                administration of prisons any returns or return 
                information with respect to individuals 
                incarcerated in Federal or State prison systems 
                whom the Secretary has determined may have 
                filed or facilitated the filing of a false or 
                fraudulent return to the extent that the 
                Secretary determines that such disclosure is 
                necessary to permit effective Federal tax 
                administration.
                  (B) Disclosure to contractor-run prisons.--
                Under such procedures as the Secretary may 
                prescribe, the disclosures authorized by 
                subparagraph (A) may be made to contractors 
                responsible for the operation of a Federal or 
                State prison on behalf of such Bureau or 
                agency.
                  (C) Restrictions on use of disclosed 
                information.--Any return or return information 
                received under this paragraph shall be used 
                only for the purposes of and to the extent 
                necessary in taking administrative action to 
                prevent the filing of false and fraudulent 
                returns, including administrative actions to 
                address possible violations of administrative 
                rules and regulations of the prison facility 
                and in administrative and judicial proceedings 
                arising from such administrative actions.
                  (D) Restrictions on redisclosure and 
                disclosure to legal representatives.--
                Notwithstanding subsection (h)--
                          (i) Restrictions on redisclosure.--
                        Except as provided in clause (ii), any 
                        officer, employee, or contractor of the 
                        Federal Bureau of Prisons or of any 
                        State agency charged with the 
                        responsibility for administration of 
                        prisons shall not disclose any 
                        information obtained under this 
                        paragraph to any person other than an 
                        officer or employee or contractor of 
                        such Bureau or agency personally and 
                        directly engaged in the administration 
                        of prison facilities on behalf of such 
                        Bureau or agency.
                          (ii) Disclosure to legal 
                        representatives.--The returns and 
                        return information disclosed under this 
                        paragraph may be disclosed to the duly 
                        authorized legal representative of the 
                        Federal Bureau of Prisons, State 
                        agency, or contractor charged with the 
                        responsibility for administration of 
                        prisons, or of the incarcerated 
                        individual accused of filing the false 
                        or fraudulent return who is a party to 
                        an action or proceeding described in 
                        subparagraph (C), solely in preparation 
                        for, or for use in, such action or 
                        proceeding.
  (l) Disclosure of Returns and Return Information for Purposes 
Other Than Tax Administration.--
          (1) Disclosure of certain returns and return 
        information to Social Security Administration and 
        Railroad Retirement Board.--The Secretary may, upon 
        written request, disclose returns and return 
        information with respect to--
                  (A) taxes imposed by chapters 2, 21, and 24, 
                to the Social Security Administration for 
                purposes of its administration of the Social 
                Security Act;
                  (B) a plan to which part I of subchapter D of 
                chapter 1 applies, to the Social Security 
                Administration for purposes of carrying out its 
                responsibility under section 1131 of the Social 
                Security Act, limited, however to return 
                information described in section 6057(d); and
                  (C) taxes imposed by chapter 22, to the 
                Railroad Retirement Board for purposes of its 
                administration of the Railroad Retirement Act.
          (2) Disclosure of returns and return information to 
        the Department of Labor and Pension Benefit Guaranty 
        Corporation.--The Secretary may, upon written request, 
        furnish returns and return information to the proper 
        officers and employees of the Department of Labor and 
        the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation for purposes 
        of, but only to the extent necessary in, the 
        administration of titles I and IV of the Employee 
        Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
          (3) Disclosure that applicant for Federal loan has 
        tax delinquent account.--
                  (A) In general.--Upon written request, the 
                Secretary may disclose to the head of the 
                Federal agency administering any included 
                Federal loan program whether or not an 
                applicant for a loan under such program has a 
                tax delinquent account.
                  (B) Restriction on disclosure.--Any 
                disclosure under subparagraph (A) shall be made 
                only for the purpose of, and to the extent 
                necessary in, determining the creditworthiness 
                of the applicant for the loan in question.
                  (C) Included Federal loan program defined.--
                For purposes of this paragraph, the term 
                ``included Federal loan program'' means any 
                program under which the United States or a 
                Federal agency makes, guarantees, or insures 
                loans.
          (4) Disclosure of returns and return information for 
        use in personnel or claimant representative matters.--
        The Secretary may disclose returns and return 
        information--
                  (A) upon written request--
                          (i) to an employee or former employee 
                        of the Department of the Treasury, or 
                        to the duly authorized legal 
                        representative of such employee or 
                        former employee, who is or may be a 
                        party to any administrative action or 
                        proceeding affecting the personnel 
                        rights of such employee or former 
                        employee; or
                          (ii) to any person, or to the duly 
                        authorized legal representative of such 
                        person, whose rights are or may be 
                        affected by an administrative action or 
                        proceeding under section 330 of title 
                        31, United States Code,
                solely for use in the action or proceeding, or 
                in preparation for the action or proceeding, 
                but only to the extent that the Secretary 
                determines that such returns or return 
                information is or may be relevant and material 
                to the action or proceeding; or
                  (B) to officers and employees of the 
                Department of the Treasury for use in any 
                action or proceeding described in subparagraph 
                (A), or in preparation for such action or 
                proceeding, to the extent necessary to advance 
                or protect the interests of the United States.
          (5) Social Security Administration.--Upon written 
        request by the Commissioner of Social Security, the 
        Secretary may disclose information returns filed 
        pursuant to part III of subchapter A of chapter 61 of 
        this subtitle for the purpose of--
                  (A) carrying out, in accordance with an 
                agreement entered into pursuant to section 232 
                of the Social Security Act, an effective return 
                processing program; or
                  (B) providing information regarding the 
                mortality status of individuals for 
                epidemiological and similar research in 
                accordance with section 1106(d) of the Social 
                Security Act.
          (6) Disclosure of return information to Federal, 
        State, and local child support enforcement agencies.--
                  (A) Return information from Internal Revenue 
                Service.--The Secretary may, upon written 
                request, disclose to the appropriate Federal, 
                State, or local child support enforcement 
                agency--
                          (i) available return information from 
                        the master files of the Internal 
                        Revenue Service relating to the social 
                        security account number (or numbers, if 
                        the individual involved has more than 
                        one such number), address, filing 
                        status, amounts and nature of income, 
                        and the number of dependents reported 
                        on any return filed by, or with respect 
                        to, any individual with respect to whom 
                        child support obligations are sought to 
                        be established or enforced pursuant to 
                        the provisions of part D of title IV of 
                        the Social Security Act and with 
                        respect to any individual to whom such 
                        support obligations are owing, and
                          (ii) available return information 
                        reflected on any return filed by, or 
                        with respect to, any individual 
                        described in clause (i) relating to the 
                        amount of such individual's gross 
                        income (as defined in section 61) or 
                        consisting of the names and addresses 
                        of payors of such income and the names 
                        of any dependents reported on such 
                        return, but only if such return 
                        information is not reasonably available 
                        from any other source.
                  (B) Disclosure to certain agents.--The 
                following information disclosed to any child 
                support enforcement agency under subparagraph 
                (A) with respect to any individual with respect 
                to whom child support obligations are sought to 
                be established or enforced may be disclosed by 
                such agency to any agent of such agency which 
                is under contract with such agency to carry out 
                the purposes described in subparagraph (C):
                          (i) The address and social security 
                        account number (or numbers) of such 
                        individual.
                          (ii) The amount of any reduction 
                        under section 6402(c) (relating to 
                        offset of past-due support against 
                        overpayments) in any overpayment 
                        otherwise payable to such individual.
                  (C) Restriction on disclosure.--Information 
                may be disclosed under this paragraph only for 
                purposes of, and to the extent necessary in, 
                establishing and collecting child support 
                obligations from, and locating, individuals 
                owing such obligations.
          (7) Disclosure of return information to Federal, 
        State, and local agencies administering certain 
        programs under the Social Security Act, the Food and 
        Nutrition Act of 2008 of 1977, or title 38, United 
        States Code, or certain housing assistance programs
                  (A) Return information from Social Security 
                Administration.--The Commissioner of Social 
                Security shall, upon written request, disclose 
                return information from returns with respect to 
                net earnings from self-employment (as defined 
                in section 1402), wages (as defined in section 
                3121(a) or 3401(a)), and payments of retirement 
                income, which have been disclosed to the Social 
                Security Administration as provided by 
                paragraph (1) or (5) of this subsection, to any 
                Federal, State, or local agency administering a 
                program listed in subparagraph (D).
                  (B) Return information from Internal Revenue 
                Service.--The Secretary shall, upon written 
                request, disclose current return information 
                from returns with respect to unearned income 
                from the Internal Revenue Service files to any 
                Federal, State, or local agency administering a 
                program listed in subparagraph (D).
                  (C) Restriction on disclosure.--The 
                Commissioner of Social Security and the 
                Secretary shall disclose return information 
                under subparagraphs (A) and (B) only for 
                purposes of, and to the extent necessary in, 
                determining eligibility for, or the correct 
                amount of, benefits under a program listed in 
                subparagraph (D).
                  (D) Programs to which rule applies.--The 
                programs to which this paragraph applies are:
                          (i) a State program funded under part 
                        A of title IV of the Social Security 
                        Act;
                          (ii) medical assistance provided 
                        under a State plan approved under title 
                        XIX of the Social Security Act or 
                        subsidies provided under section 1860D-
                        14 of such Act;
                          (iii) supplemental security income 
                        benefits provided under title XVI of 
                        the Social Security Act, and federally 
                        administered supplementary payments of 
                        the type described in section 1616(a) 
                        of such Act (including payments 
                        pursuant to an agreement entered into 
                        under section 212(a) of Public Law 93-
                        66);
                          (iv) any benefits provided under a 
                        State plan approved under title I, X, 
                        XIV, or XVI of the Social Security Act 
                        (as those titles apply to Puerto Rico, 
                        Guam, and the Virgin Islands);
                          (v) unemployment compensation 
                        provided under a State law described in 
                        section 3304 of this title;
                          (vi) assistance provided under the 
                        Food and Nutrition Act of 2008;
                          (vii) State-administered 
                        supplementary payments of the type 
                        described in section 1616(a) of the 
                        Social Security Act (including payments 
                        pursuant to an agreement entered into 
                        under section 212(a) of Public Law 93-
                        66);
                          (viii)(I) any needs-based pension 
                        provided under chapter 15 of title 38, 
                        United States Code, or under any other 
                        law administered by the Secretary of 
                        Veterans Affairs;
                                  (II) parents' dependency and 
                                indemnity compensation provided 
                                under section 1315 of title 38, 
                                United States Code;
                                  (III) health-care services 
                                furnished under sections 
                                1710(a)(2)(G), 1710(a)(3), and 
                                1710(b) of such title; and
                                  (IV) compensation paid under 
                                chapter 11 of title 38, United 
                                States Code, at the 100 percent 
                                rate based solely on 
                                unemployability and without 
                                regard to the fact that the 
                                disability or disabilities are 
                                not rated as 100 percent 
                                disabling under the rating 
                                schedule; and
                          (ix) any housing assistance program 
                        administered by the Department of 
                        Housing and Urban Development that 
                        involves initial and periodic review of 
                        an applicant's or participant's income, 
                        except that return information may be 
                        disclosed under this clause only on 
                        written request by the Secretary of 
                        Housing and Urban Development and only 
                        for use by officers and employees of 
                        the Department of Housing and Urban 
                        Development with respect to applicants 
                        for and participants in such programs.
                Only return information from returns with 
                respect to net earnings from self-employment 
                and wages may be disclosed under this paragraph 
                for use with respect to any program described 
                in clause (viii)(IV).
          (8) Disclosure of certain return information by 
        Social Security Administration to Federal, State, and 
        local child support enforcement agencies.--
                  (A) In general.--Upon written request, the 
                Commissioner of Social Security shall disclose 
                directly to officers and employees of a Federal 
                or State or local child support enforcement 
                agency return information from returns with 
                respect to social security account numbers, net 
                earnings from self-employment (as defined in 
                section 1402), wages (as defined in section 
                3121(a) or 3401(a)), and payments of retirement 
                income which have been disclosed to the Social 
                Security Administration as provided by 
                paragraph (1) or (5) of this subsection.
                  (B) Restriction on disclosure.--The 
                Commissioner of Social Security shall disclose 
                return information under subparagraph (A) only 
                for purposes of, and to the extent necessary 
                in, establishing and collecting child support 
                obligations from, and locating, individuals 
                owing such obligations. For purposes of the 
                preceding sentence, the term ``child support 
                obligations'' only includes obligations which 
                are being enforced pursuant to a plan described 
                in section 454 of the Social Security Act which 
                has been approved by the Secretary of Health 
                and Human Services under part D of title IV of 
                such Act.
                  (C) State or local child support enforcement 
                agency.--For purposes of this paragraph, the 
                term ``State or local child support enforcement 
                agency'' means any agency of a State or 
                political subdivision thereof operating 
                pursuant to a plan described in subparagraph 
                (B).
          (9) Disclosure of alcohol fuel producers to 
        administrators of State alcohol laws.--Notwithstanding 
        any other provision of this section, the Secretary may 
        disclose--
                  (A) the name and address of any person who is 
                qualified to produce alcohol for fuel use under 
                section 5181, and
                  (B) the location of any premises to be used 
                by such person in producing alcohol for fuel,
        to any State agency, body, or commission, or its legal 
        representative, which is charged under the laws of such 
        State with responsibility for administration of State 
        alcohol laws solely for use in the administration of 
        such laws.
          (10) Disclosure of certain information to agencies 
        requesting a reduction under subsection (c), (d), (e), 
        or (f) of section 6402
                  (A) Return information from Internal Revenue 
                Service.--The Secretary may, upon receiving a 
                written request, disclose to officers and 
                employees of any agency seeking a reduction 
                under subsection (c), (d), (e), or (f) of 
                section 6402, to officers and employees of the 
                Department of Labor for purposes of 
                facilitating the exchange of data in connection 
                with a request made under subsection (f)(5) of 
                section 6402, and to officers and employees of 
                the Department of the Treasury in connection 
                with such reduction--
                          (i) taxpayer identity information 
                        with respect to the taxpayer against 
                        whom such a reduction was made or not 
                        made and with respect to any other 
                        person filing a joint return with such 
                        taxpayer,
                          (ii) the fact that a reduction has 
                        been made or has not been made under 
                        such subsection with respect to such 
                        taxpayer,
                          (iii) the amount of such reduction,
                          (iv) whether such taxpayer filed a 
                        joint return, and
                          (v) the fact that a payment was made 
                        (and the amount of the payment) to the 
                        spouse of the taxpayer on the basis of 
                        a joint return.
                  (B)(i) Restriction on use of disclosed 
                information
                  Any officers and employees of an agency 
                receiving return information under subparagraph 
                (A) shall use such information only for the 
                purposes of, and to the extent necessary in, 
                establishing appropriate agency records, 
                locating any person with respect to whom a 
                reduction under subsection (c), (d), (e), or 
                (f) of section 6402 is sought for purposes of 
                collecting the debt with respect to which the 
                reduction is sought, or in the defense of any 
                litigation or administrative procedure ensuing 
                from a reduction made under subsection (c), 
                (d), (e), or (f) of section 6402 and to 
                officers and employees of the Department of the 
                Treasury in connection with such reduction.
                          (ii) Notwithstanding clause (i), 
                        return information disclosed to 
                        officers and employees of the 
                        Department of Labor may be accessed by 
                        agents who maintain and provide 
                        technological support to the Department 
                        of Labor's Interstate Connection 
                        Network (ICON) solely for the purpose 
                        of providing such maintenance and 
                        support.
          (11) Disclosure of return information to carry out 
        Federal Employees' Retirement System.--
                  (A) In general.--The Commissioner of Social 
                Security shall, on written request, disclose to 
                the Office of Personnel Management return 
                information from returns with respect to net 
                earnings from self-employment (as defined in 
                section 1402), wages (as defined in section 
                3121(a) or 3401(a)), and payments of retirement 
                income, which have been disclosed to the Social 
                Security Administration as provided by 
                paragraph (1) or (5).
                  (B) Restriction on disclosure.--The 
                Commissioner of Social Security shall disclose 
                return information under subparagraph (A) only 
                for purposes of, and to the extent necessary 
                in, the administration of chapters 83 and 84 of 
                title 5, United States Code.
          (12) Disclosure of certain taxpayer identity 
        information for verification of employment status of 
        medicare beneficiary and spouse of medicare 
        beneficiary.--
                  (A) Return information from Internal Revenue 
                Service.--The Secretary shall, upon written 
                request from the Commissioner of Social 
                Security, disclose to the Commissioner 
                available filing status and taxpayer identity 
                information from the individual master files of 
                the Internal Revenue Service relating to 
                whether any medicare beneficiary identified by 
                the Commissioner was a married individual (as 
                defined in section 7703) for any specified year 
                after 1986, and, if so, the name of the spouse 
                of such individual and such spouse's TIN.
                  (B) Return information from Social Security 
                Administration.--The Commissioner of Social 
                Security shall, upon written request from the 
                Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & 
                Medicaid Services, disclose to the 
                Administrator the following information:
                          (i) The name and TIN of each medicare 
                        beneficiary who is identified as having 
                        received wages (as defined in section 
                        3401(a)), above an amount (if any) 
                        specified by the Secretary of Health 
                        and Human Services, from a qualified 
                        employer in a previous year.
                          (ii) For each medicare beneficiary 
                        who was identified as married under 
                        subparagraph (A) and whose spouse is 
                        identified as having received wages, 
                        above an amount (if any) specified by 
                        the Secretary of Health and Human 
                        Services, from a qualified employer in 
                        a previous year--
                                  (I) the name and TIN of the 
                                medicare beneficiary, and
                                  (II) the name and TIN of the 
                                spouse.
                          (iii) With respect to each such 
                        qualified employer, the name, address, 
                        and TIN of the employer and the number 
                        of individuals with respect to whom 
                        written statements were furnished under 
                        section 6051 by the employer with 
                        respect to such previous year.
                  (C) Disclosure by Centers for Medicare & 
                Medicaid Services.--With respect to the 
                information disclosed under subparagraph (B), 
                the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & 
                Medicaid Services may disclose--
                          (i) to the qualified employer 
                        referred to in such subparagraph the 
                        name and TIN of each individual 
                        identified under such subparagraph as 
                        having received wages from the employer 
                        (hereinafter in this subparagraph 
                        referred to as the ``employee'') for 
                        purposes of determining during what 
                        period such employee or the employee's 
                        spouse may be (or have been) covered 
                        under a group health plan of the 
                        employer and what benefits are or were 
                        covered under the plan (including the 
                        name, address, and identifying number 
                        of the plan),
                          (ii) to any group health plan which 
                        provides or provided coverage to such 
                        an employee or spouse, the name of such 
                        employee and the employee's spouse (if 
                        the spouse is a medicare beneficiary) 
                        and the name and address of the 
                        employer, and, for the purpose of 
                        presenting a claim to the plan--
                                  (I) the TIN of such employee 
                                if benefits were paid under 
                                title XVIII of the Social 
                                Security Act with respect to 
                                the employee during a period in 
                                which the plan was a primary 
                                plan (as defined in section 
                                1862(b)(2)(A) of the Social 
                                Security Act), and
                                  (II) the TIN of such spouse 
                                if benefits were paid under 
                                such title with respect to the 
                                spouse during such period, and
                          (iii) to any agent of such 
                        Administrator the information referred 
                        to in subparagraph (B) for purposes of 
                        carrying out clauses (i) and (ii) on 
                        behalf of such Administrator.
                  (D) Special rules.--
                          (i) Restrictions on disclosure.--
                        Information may be disclosed under this 
                        paragraph only for purposes of, and to 
                        the extent necessary in, determining 
                        the extent to which any medicare 
                        beneficiary is covered under any group 
                        health plan.
                          (ii) Timely response to requests.--
                        Any request made under subparagraph (A) 
                        or (B) shall be complied with as soon 
                        as possible but in no event later than 
                        120 days after the date the request was 
                        made.
                  (E) Definitions.--For purposes of this 
                paragraph--
                          (i) Medicare beneficiary.--The term 
                        ``medicare beneficiary'' means an 
                        individual entitled to benefits under 
                        part A, or enrolled under part B, of 
                        title XVIII of the Social Security Act, 
                        but does not include such an individual 
                        enrolled in part A under section 1818.
                          (ii) Group health plan.--The term 
                        ``group health plan'' means any group 
                        health plan (as defined in section 
                        5000(b)(1)).
                          (iii) Qualified employer.--The term 
                        ``qualified employer'' means, for a 
                        calendar year, an employer which has 
                        furnished written statements under 
                        section 6051 with respect to at least 
                        20 individuals for wages paid in the 
                        year.
          (13) Disclosure of return information to carry out 
        income contingent repayment of student loans.--
                  (A) In general.--The Secretary may, upon 
                written request from the Secretary of 
                Education, disclose to officers and employees 
                of the Department of Education return 
                information with respect to a taxpayer who has 
                received an applicable student loan and whose 
                loan repayment amounts are based in whole or in 
                part on the taxpayer's income. Such return 
                information shall be limited to--
                          (i) taxpayer identity information 
                        with respect to such taxpayer,
                          (ii) the filing status of such 
                        taxpayer, and
                          (iii) the adjusted gross income of 
                        such taxpayer.
                  (B) Restriction on use of disclosed 
                information.--Return information disclosed 
                under subparagraph (A) may be used by officers 
                and employees of the Department of Education 
                only for the purposes of, and to the extent 
                necessary in, establishing the appropriate 
                income contingent repayment amount for an 
                applicable student loan.
                  (C) Applicable student loan.--For purposes of 
                this paragraph, the term ``applicable student 
                loan'' means--
                          (i) any loan made under the program 
                        authorized under part D of title IV of 
                        the Higher Education Act of 1965, and
                          (ii) any loan made under part B or E 
                        of title IV of the Higher Education Act 
                        of 1965 which is in default and has 
                        been assigned to the Department of 
                        Education.
                  (D) Termination.--This paragraph shall not 
                apply to any request made after December 31, 
                2007.
          (14) Disclosure of return information to United 
        States Customs Service.--The Secretary may, upon 
        written request from the Commissioner of the United 
        States Customs Service, disclose to officers and 
        employees of the Department of the Treasury such return 
        information with respect to taxes imposed by chapters 1 
        and 6 as the Secretary may prescribe by regulations, 
        solely for the purpose of, and only to the extent 
        necessary in--
                  (A) ascertaining the correctness of any entry 
                in audits as provided for in section 509 of the 
                Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1509), or
                  (B) other actions to recover any loss of 
                revenue, or to collect duties, taxes, and fees, 
                determined to be due and owing pursuant to such 
                audits.
          (15) Disclosure of returns filed under section 
        6050I.--The Secretary may, upon written request, 
        disclose to officers and employees of--
                  (A) any Federal agency,
                  (B) any agency of a State or local 
                government, or
                  (C) any agency of the government of a foreign 
                country, information contained on returns filed 
                under section 6050I. Any such disclosure shall 
                be made on the same basis, and subject to the 
                same conditions, as apply to disclosures of 
                information on reports filed under section 5313 
                of title 31, United States Code; except that no 
                disclosure under this paragraph shall be made 
                for purposes of the administration of any tax 
                law.
          (16) Disclosure of return information for purposes of 
        administering the District of Columbia Retirement 
        Protection Act of 1997.--
                  (A) In general.--Upon written request 
                available return information (including such 
                information disclosed to the Social Security 
                Administration under paragraph (1) or (5) of 
                this subsection), relating to the amount of 
                wage income (as defined in section 3121(a) or 
                3401(a)), the name, address, and identifying 
                number assigned under section 6109, of payors 
                of wage income, taxpayer identity (as defined 
                in subsection 6103 (b)(6)), and the 
                occupational status reflected on any return 
                filed by, or with respect to, any individual 
                with respect to whom eligibility for, or the 
                correct amount of, benefits under the District 
                of Columbia Retirement Protection Act of 1997, 
                is sought to be determined, shall be disclosed 
                by the Commissioner of Social Security, or to 
                the extent not available from the Social 
                Security Administration, by the Secretary, to 
                any duly authorized officer or employee of the 
                Department of the Treasury, or a Trustee or any 
                designated officer or employee of a Trustee (as 
                defined in the District of Columbia Retirement 
                Protection Act of 1997), or any actuary engaged 
                by a Trustee under the terms of the District of 
                Columbia Retirement Protection Act of 1997, 
                whose official duties require such disclosure, 
                solely for the purpose of, and to the extent 
                necessary in, determining an individual's 
                eligibility for, or the correct amount of, 
                benefits under the District of Columbia 
                Retirement Protection Act of 1997.
                  (B) Disclosure for use in judicial or 
                administrative proceedings.--Return information 
                disclosed to any person under this paragraph 
                may be disclosed in a judicial or 
                administrative proceeding relating to the 
                determination of an individual's eligibility 
                for, or the correct amount of, benefits under 
                the District of Columbia Retirement Protection 
                Act of 1997.
          (17) Disclosure to National Archives and Records 
        Administration.--The Secretary shall, upon written 
        request from the Archivist of the United States, 
        disclose or authorize the disclosure of returns and 
        return information to officers and employees of the 
        National Archives and Records Administration for 
        purposes of, and only to the extent necessary in, the 
        appraisal of records for destruction or retention. No 
        such officer or employee shall, except to the extent 
        authorized by subsection (f), (i)(8), or (p), disclose 
        any return or return information disclosed under the 
        preceding sentence to any person other than to the 
        Secretary, or to another officer or employee of the 
        National Archives and Records Administration whose 
        official duties require such disclosure for purposes of 
        such appraisal.
          (18) Disclosure of return information for purposes of 
        carrying out a program for advance payment of credit 
        for health insurance costs of eligible individuals.--
        The Secretary may disclose to providers of health 
        insurance for any certified individual (as defined in 
        section 7527(c)) return information with respect to 
        such certified individual only to the extent necessary 
        to carry out the program established by section 7527 
        (relating to advance payment of credit for health 
        insurance costs of eligible individuals).
          (19) Disclosure of return information for purposes of 
        providing transitional assistance under medicare 
        discount card program.--
                  (A) In general.--The Secretary, upon written 
                request from the Secretary of Health and Human 
                Services pursuant to carrying out section 
                1860D-31 of the Social Security Act, shall 
                disclose to officers, employees, and 
                contractors of the Department of Health and 
                Human Services with respect to a taxpayer for 
                the applicable year--
                          (i)(I) whether the adjusted gross 
                        income, as modified in accordance with 
                        specifications of the Secretary of 
                        Health and Human Services for purposes 
                        of carrying out such section, of such 
                        taxpayer and, if applicable, such 
                        taxpayer's spouse, for the applicable 
                        year, exceeds the amounts specified by 
                        the Secretary of Health and Human 
                        Services in order to apply the 100 and 
                        135 percent of the poverty lines under 
                        such section, (II) whether the return 
                        was a joint return, and (III) the 
                        applicable year, or
                          (ii) if applicable, the fact that 
                        there is no return filed for such 
                        taxpayer for the applicable year.
                  (B) Definition of applicable year.--For the 
                purposes of this subsection, the term 
                ``applicable year'' means the most recent 
                taxable year for which information is available 
                in the Internal Revenue Service's taxpayer data 
                information systems, or, if there is no return 
                filed for such taxpayer for such year, the 
                prior taxable year.
                  (C) Restriction on use of disclosed 
                information.--Return information disclosed 
                under this paragraph may be used only for the 
                purposes of determining eligibility for and 
                administering transitional assistance under 
                section 1860D-31 of the Social Security Act.
          (20) Disclosure of return information to carry out 
        Medicare part B premium subsidy adjustment and part D 
        base beneficiary premium increase.--
                  (A) In general.--The Secretary shall, upon 
                written request from the Commissioner of Social 
                Security, disclose to officers, employees, and 
                contractors of the Social Security 
                Administration return information of a taxpayer 
                whose premium (according to the records of the 
                Secretary) may be subject to adjustment under 
                section 1839(i) or increase under section 
                1860D-13(a)(7) of the Social Security Act. Such 
                return information shall be limited to--
                          (i) taxpayer identity information 
                        with respect to such taxpayer,
                          (ii) the filing status of such 
                        taxpayer,
                          (iii) the adjusted gross income of 
                        such taxpayer,
                          (iv) the amounts excluded from such 
                        taxpayer's gross income under sections 
                        135 and 911 to the extent such 
                        information is available,
                          (v) the interest received or accrued 
                        during the taxable year which is exempt 
                        from the tax imposed by chapter 1 to 
                        the extent such information is 
                        available,
                          (vi) the amounts excluded from such 
                        taxpayer's gross income by sections 931 
                        and 933 to the extent such information 
                        is available,
                          (vii) such other information relating 
                        to the liability of the taxpayer as is 
                        prescribed by the Secretary by 
                        regulation as might indicate in the 
                        case of a taxpayer who is an individual 
                        described in subsection (i)(4)(B)(iii) 
                        of section 1839 of the Social Security 
                        Act that the amount of the premium of 
                        the taxpayer under such section may be 
                        subject to adjustment under subsection 
                        (i) of such section or increase under 
                        section 1860D-13(a)(7) of such Act and 
                        the amount of such adjustment, and
                          (viii) the taxable year with respect 
                        to which the preceding information 
                        relates.
                  (B) Restriction on use of disclosed 
                information.--
                          (i) In general.--Return information 
                        disclosed under subparagraph (A) may be 
                        used by officers, employees, and 
                        contractors of the Social Security 
                        Administration only for the purposes 
                        of, and to the extent necessary in, 
                        establishing the appropriate amount of 
                        any premium adjustment under such 
                        section 1839(i) or increase under such 
                        section 1860D-13(a)(7) or for the 
                        purpose of resolving taxpayer appeals 
                        with respect to any such premium 
                        adjustment or increase.
                          (ii) Disclosure to other agencies.--
                        Officers, employees, and contractors of 
                        the Social Security Administration may 
                        disclose--
                                  (I) the taxpayer identity 
                                information and the amount of 
                                the premium subsidy adjustment 
                                or premium increase with 
                                respect to a taxpayer described 
                                in subparagraph (A) to 
                                officers, employees, and 
                                contractors of the Centers for 
                                Medicare and Medicaid Services, 
                                to the extent that such 
                                disclosure is necessary for the 
                                collection of the premium 
                                subsidy amount or the increased 
                                premium amount,
                                  (II) the taxpayer identity 
                                information and the amount of 
                                the premium subsidy adjustment 
                                or the increased premium amount 
                                with respect to a taxpayer 
                                described in subparagraph (A) 
                                to officers and employees of 
                                the Office of Personnel 
                                Management and the Railroad 
                                Retirement Board, to the extent 
                                that such disclosure is 
                                necessary for the collection of 
                                the premium subsidy amount or 
                                the increased premium amount,
                                  (III) return information with 
                                respect to a taxpayer described 
                                in subparagraph (A) to officers 
                                and employees of the Department 
                                of Health and Human Services to 
                                the extent necessary to resolve 
                                administrative appeals of such 
                                premium subsidy adjustment or 
                                increased premium, and
                                  (IV) return information with 
                                respect to a taxpayer described 
                                in subparagraph (A) to officers 
                                and employees of the Department 
                                of Justice for use in judicial 
                                proceedings to the extent 
                                necessary to carry out the 
                                purposes described in clause 
                                (i).
          (21) Disclosure of return information to carry out 
        eligibility requirements for certain programs.--
                  (A) In general.--The Secretary, upon written 
                request from the Secretary of Health and Human 
                Services, shall disclose to officers, 
                employees, and contractors of the Department of 
                Health and Human Services return information of 
                any taxpayer whose income is relevant in 
                determining any premium tax credit under 
                section 36B or any cost-sharing reduction under 
                section 1402 of the Patient Protection and 
                Affordable Care Act or eligibility for 
                participation in a State medicaid program under 
                title XIX of the Social Security Act, a State's 
                children's health insurance program under title 
                XXI of the Social Security Act, or a basic 
                health program under section 1331 of Patient 
                Protection and Affordable Care Act. Such return 
                information shall be limited to--
                          (i) taxpayer identity information 
                        with respect to such taxpayer,
                          (ii) the filing status of such 
                        taxpayer,
                          (iii) the number of individuals for 
                        whom a deduction is allowed under 
                        section 151 with respect to the 
                        taxpayer (including the taxpayer and 
                        the taxpayer's spouse),
                          (iv) the modified adjusted gross 
                        income (as defined in section 36B) of 
                        such taxpayer and each of the other 
                        individuals included under clause (iii) 
                        who are required to file a return of 
                        tax imposed by chapter 1 for the 
                        taxable year,
                          (v) such other information as is 
                        prescribed by the Secretary by 
                        regulation as might indicate whether 
                        the taxpayer is eligible for such 
                        credit or reduction (and the amount 
                        thereof), and
                          (vi) the taxable year with respect to 
                        which the preceding information relates 
                        or, if applicable, the fact that such 
                        information is not available.
                  (B) Information to Exchange and State 
                agencies.--The Secretary of Health and Human 
                Services may disclose to an Exchange 
                established under the Patient Protection and 
                Affordable Care Act or its contractors, or to a 
                State agency administering a State program 
                described in subparagraph (A) or its 
                contractors, any inconsistency between the 
                information provided by the Exchange or State 
                agency to the Secretary and the information 
                provided to the Secretary under subparagraph 
                (A).
                  (C) Restriction on use of disclosed 
                information.--Return information disclosed 
                under subparagraph (A) or (B) may be used by 
                officers, employees, and contractors of the 
                Department of Health and Human Services, an 
                Exchange, or a State agency only for the 
                purposes of, and to the extent necessary in--
                          (i) establishing eligibility for 
                        participation in the Exchange, and 
                        verifying the appropriate amount of, 
                        any credit or reduction described in 
                        subparagraph (A),
                          (ii) determining eligibility for 
                        participation in the State programs 
                        described in subparagraph (A).
          (22) Disclosure of return information to Department 
        of Health and Human Services for purposes of enhancing 
        Medicare program integrity.--
                  (A) In general.--The Secretary shall, upon 
                written request from the Secretary of Health 
                and Human Services, disclose to officers and 
                employees of the Department of Health and Human 
                Services return information with respect to a 
                taxpayer who has applied to enroll, or 
                reenroll, as a provider of services or supplier 
                under the Medicare program under title XVIII of 
                the Social Security Act. Such return 
                information shall be limited to--
                          (i) the taxpayer identity information 
                        with respect to such taxpayer;
                          (ii) the amount of the delinquent tax 
                        debt owed by that taxpayer; and
                          (iii) the taxable year to which the 
                        delinquent tax debt pertains.
                  (B) Restriction on disclosure.--Return 
                information disclosed under subparagraph (A) 
                may be used by officers and employees of the 
                Department of Health and Human Services for the 
                purposes of, and to the extent necessary in, 
                establishing the taxpayer's eligibility for 
                enrollment or reenrollment in the Medicare 
                program, or in any administrative or judicial 
                proceeding relating to, or arising from, a 
                denial of such enrollment or reenrollment, or 
                in determining the level of enhanced oversight 
                to be applied with respect to such taxpayer 
                pursuant to section 1866(j)(3) of the Social 
                Security Act.
                  (C) Delinquent tax debt.--For purposes of 
                this paragraph, the term ``delinquent tax 
                debt'' means an outstanding debt under this 
                title for which a notice of lien has been filed 
                pursuant to section 6323, but the term does not 
                include a debt that is being paid in a timely 
                manner pursuant to an agreement under section 
                6159 or 7122, or a debt with respect to which a 
                collection due process hearing under section 
                6330 is requested, pending, or completed and no 
                payment is required.
  (m) Disclosure of Taxpayer Identity Information.--
          (1) Tax refunds.--The Secretary may disclose taxpayer 
        identity information to the press and other media for 
        purposes of notifying persons entitled to tax refunds 
        when the Secretary, after reasonable effort and lapse 
        of time, has been unable to locate such persons.
          (2) Federal claims.--
                  (A) In general.--Except as provided in 
                subparagraph (B), the Secretary may, upon 
                written request, disclose the mailing address 
                of a taxpayer for use by officers, employees, 
                or agents of a Federal agency for purposes of 
                locating such taxpayer to collect or compromise 
                a Federal claim against the taxpayer in 
                accordance with sections 3711, 3717, and 3718 
                of title 31.
                  (B) Special rule for consumer reporting 
                agency.--In the case of an agent of a Federal 
                agency which is a consumer reporting agency 
                (within the meaning of section 603(f) of the 
                Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 
                1681a(f))), the mailing address of a taxpayer 
                may be disclosed to such agent under 
                subparagraph (A) only for the purpose of 
                allowing such agent to prepare a commercial 
                credit report on the taxpayer for use by such 
                Federal agency in accordance with sections 
                3711, 3717, and 3718 of title 31.
          (3) National Institute for Occupational Safety and 
        Health.--Upon written request, the Secretary may 
        disclose the mailing address of taxpayers to officers 
        and employees of the National Institute for 
        Occupational Safety and Health solely for the purpose 
        of locating individuals who are, or may have been, 
        exposed to occupational hazards in order to determine 
        the status of their health or to inform them of the 
        possible need for medical care and treatment.
          (4) Individuals who owe an overpayment of Federal 
        Pell Grants or who have defaulted on student loans 
        administered by the Department of Education.--
                  (A) In general.--Upon written request by the 
                Secretary of Education, the Secretary may 
                disclose the mailing address of any taxpayer--
                          (i) who owes an overpayment of a 
                        grant awarded to such taxpayer under 
                        subpart 1 of part A of title IV of the 
                        Higher Education Act of 1965, or
                          (ii) who has defaulted on a loan--
                                  (I) made under part B, D, or 
                                E of title IV of the Higher 
                                Education Act of 1965, or
                                  (II) made pursuant to section 
                                3(a)(1) of the Migration and 
                                Refugee Assistance Act of 1962 
                                to a student at an institution 
                                of higher education,
                for use only by officers, employees, or agents 
                of the Department of Education for purposes of 
                locating such taxpayer for purposes of 
                collecting such overpayment or loan.
                  (B) Disclosure to educational institutions, 
                etc..--Any mailing address disclosed under 
                subparagraph (A)(i) may be disclosed by the 
                Secretary of Education to--
                          (i) any lender, or any State or 
                        nonprofit guarantee agency, which is 
                        participating under part B or D of 
                        title IV of the Higher Education Act of 
                        1965, or
                          (ii) any educational institution with 
                        which the Secretary of Education has an 
                        agreement under subpart 1 of part A, or 
                        part D or E, of title IV of such Act,
                for use only by officers, employees, or agents 
                of such lender, guarantee agency, or 
                institution whose duties relate to the 
                collection of student loans for purposes of 
                locating individuals who have defaulted on 
                student loans made under such loan programs for 
                purposes of collecting such loans.
          (5) Individuals who have defaulted on student loans 
        administered by the Department of Health and Human 
        Services.--
                  (A) In general.--Upon written request by the 
                Secretary of Health and Human Services, the 
                Secretary may disclose the mailing address of 
                any taxpayer who has defaulted on a loan made 
                under part C of title VII of the Public Health 
                Service Act or under subpart II of part B of 
                title VIII of such Act, for use only by 
                officers, employees, or agents of the 
                Department of Health and Human Services for 
                purposes of locating such taxpayer for purposes 
                of collecting such loan.
                  (B) Disclosure to schools and eligible 
                lenders.--Any mailing address disclosed under 
                subparagraph (A) may be disclosed by the 
                Secretary of Health and Human Services to--
                          (i) any school with which the 
                        Secretary of Health and Human Services 
                        has an agreement under subpart II of 
                        part C of title VII of the Public 
                        Health Service Act or subpart II of 
                        part B of title VIII of such Act, or
                          (ii) any eligible lender (within the 
                        meaning of section 737(4) of such Act) 
                        participating under subpart I of part C 
                        of title VII of such Act,
                for use only by officers, employees, or agents 
                of such school or eligible lender whose duties 
                relate to the collection of student loans for 
                purposes of locating individuals who have 
                defaulted on student loans made under such 
                subparts for the purposes of collecting such 
                loans.
          (6) Blood Donor Locator Service.--
                  (A) In general.--Upon written request 
                pursuant to section 1141 of the Social Security 
                Act, the Secretary shall disclose the mailing 
                address of taxpayers to officers and employees 
                of the Blood Donor Locator Service in the 
                Department of Health and Human Services.
                  (B) Restriction on disclosure.--The Secretary 
                shall disclose return information under 
                subparagraph (A) only for purposes of, and to 
                the extent necessary in, assisting under the 
                Blood Donor Locator Service authorized persons 
                (as defined in section 1141(h)(1) of the Social 
                Security Act) in locating blood donors who, as 
                indicated by donated blood or products derived 
                therefrom or by the history of the subsequent 
                use of such blood or blood products, have or 
                may have the virus for acquired immune 
                deficiency syndrome, in order to inform such 
                donors of the possible need for medical care 
                and treatment.
                  (C) Safeguards.--The Secretary shall destroy 
                all related blood donor records (as defined in 
                section 1141(h)(2) of the Social Security Act) 
                in the possession of the Department of the 
                Treasury upon completion of their use in making 
                the disclosure required under subparagraph (A), 
                so as to make such records undisclosable.
          (7) Social security account statement furnished by 
        Social Security Administration.--Upon written request 
        by the Commissioner of Social Security, the Secretary 
        may disclose the mailing address of any taxpayer who is 
        entitled to receive a social security account statement 
        pursuant to section 1143(c) of the Social Security Act, 
        for use only by officers, employees or agents of the 
        Social Security Administration for purposes of mailing 
        such statement to such taxpayer.
  (n) Certain Other Persons.--Pursuant to regulations 
prescribed by the Secretary, returns and return information may 
be disclosed to any person, including any person described in 
section 7513(a), to the extent necessary in connection with the 
processing, storage, transmission, and reproduction of such 
returns and return information, the programming, maintenance, 
repair, testing, and procurement of equipment, and the 
providing of other services, for purposes of tax 
administration.
  (o) Disclosure of Returns and Return Information With Respect 
to Certain Taxes.--
          (1) Taxes imposed by subtitle E.--
                  (A) In general.--Returns and return 
                information with respect to taxes imposed by 
                subtitle E (relating to taxes on alcohol, 
                tobacco, and firearms) shall be open to 
                inspection by or disclosure to officers and 
                employees of a Federal agency whose official 
                duties require such inspection or disclosure.
                  (B) Use in certain proceedings.--Returns and 
                return information disclosed to a Federal 
                agency under subparagraph (A) may be used in an 
                action or proceeding (or in preparation for 
                such action or proceeding) brought under 
                section 625 of the American Jobs Creation Act 
                of 2004 for the collection of any unpaid 
                assessment or penalty arising under such Act.
          (2) Taxes imposed by chapter 35.--Returns and return 
        information with respect to taxes imposed by chapter 35 
        (relating to taxes on wagering) shall, notwithstanding 
        any other provision of this section, be open to 
        inspection by or disclosure only to such person or 
        persons and for such purpose or purposes as are 
        prescribed by section 4424.
  (p) Procedure and Recordkeeping.--
          (1) Manner, time, and place of inspections.--Requests 
        for the inspection or disclosure of a return or return 
        information and such inspection or disclosure shall be 
        made in such manner and at such time and place as shall 
        be prescribed by the Secretary.
          (2) Procedure.--
                  (A) Reproduction of returns.--A reproduction 
                or certified reproduction of a return shall, 
                upon written request, be furnished to any 
                person to whom disclosure or inspection of such 
                return is authorized under this section. A 
                reasonable fee may be prescribed for furnishing 
                such reproduction or certified reproduction.
                  (B) Disclosure of return information.--Return 
                information disclosed to any person under the 
                provisions of this title may be provided in the 
                form of written documents, reproductions of 
                such documents, films or photoimpressions, or 
                electronically produced tapes, disks, or 
                records, or by any other mode or means which 
                the Secretary determines necessary or 
                appropriate. A reasonable fee may be prescribed 
                for furnishing such return information.
                  (C) Use of reproductions.--Any reproduction 
                of any return, document, or other matter made 
                in accordance with this paragraph shall have 
                the same legal status as the original, and any 
                such reproduction shall, if properly 
                authenticated, be admissible in evidence in any 
                judicial or administrative proceeding as if it 
                were the original, whether or not the original 
                is in existence.
          (3) Records of inspection and disclosure.--
                  (A) System of recordkeeping.--Except as 
                otherwise provided by this paragraph, the 
                Secretary shall maintain a permanent system of 
                standardized records or accountings of all 
                requests for inspection or disclosure of 
                returns and return information (including the 
                reasons for and dates of such requests) and of 
                returns and return information inspected or 
                disclosed under this section and section 
                6104(c). Notwithstanding the provisions of 
                section 552a(c) of title 5, United States Code, 
                the Secretary shall not be required to maintain 
                a record or accounting of requests for 
                inspection or disclosure of returns and return 
                information, or of returns and return 
                information inspected or disclosed, under the 
                authority of subsections (c), (e), (f)(5), 
                (h)(1), (3)(A), or (4), (i)(4), or 
                (8)(A)(ii),(k)(1), (2),(6), (8), or (9), 
                (l)(1), (4)(B), (5), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), 
                (12), (13), (14), (15), (16), (17), or (18), 
                (m), or (n). The records or accountings 
                required to be maintained under this paragraph 
                shall be available for examination by the Joint 
                Committee on Taxation or the Chief of Staff of 
                such joint committee. Such record or accounting 
                shall also be available for examination by such 
                person or persons as may be, but only to the 
                extent, authorized to make such examination 
                under section 552a(c)(3) of title 5, United 
                States Code.
                  (B) Report by the Secretary.--The Secretary 
                shall, within 90 days after the close of each 
                calendar year, furnish to the Joint Committee 
                on Taxation a report with respect to, or 
                summary of, the records or accountings 
                described in subparagraph (A) in such form and 
                containing such information as such joint 
                committee or the Chief of Staff of such joint 
                committee may designate. Such report or summary 
                shall not, however, include a record or 
                accounting of any request by the President 
                under subsection (g) for, or the disclosure in 
                response to such request of, any return or 
                return information with respect to any 
                individual who, at the time of such request, 
                was an officer or employee of the executive 
                branch of the Federal Government. Such report 
                or summary, or any part thereof, may be 
                disclosed by such joint committee to such 
                persons and for such purposes as the joint 
                committee may, by record vote of a majority of 
                the members of the joint committee, determine.
                  (C) Public report on disclosures.--The 
                Secretary shall, within 90 days after the close 
                of each calendar year, furnish to the Joint 
                Committee on Taxation for disclosure to the 
                public a report with respect to the records or 
                accountings described in subparagraph (A) 
                which--
                          (i) provides with respect to each 
                        Federal agency, each agency, body, or 
                        commission described in subsection (d), 
                        (i)(3)(B)(i) or (7)(A)(ii), or (l)(6), 
                        and the Government Accountability 
                        Office the number of--
                                  (I) requests for disclosure 
                                of returns and return 
                                information,
                                  (II) instances in which 
                                returns and return information 
                                were disclosed pursuant to such 
                                requests or otherwise,
                                  (III) taxpayers whose 
                                returns, or return information 
                                with respect to whom, were 
                                disclosed pursuant to such 
                                requests, and
                          (ii) describes the general purposes 
                        for which such requests were made,
          (4) Safeguards.--Any Federal agency described in 
        subsection (h)(2), (h)(5), (i)(1), (2), (3), (5), or 
        (7), (j)(1), (2), or (5), (k)(8) or (10), (l)(1), (2), 
        (3), (5), (10), (11), (13), (14), (17), or (22) or 
        (o)(1)(A), the Government Accountability Office, the 
        Congressional Budget Office, or any agency, body, or 
        commission described in subsection (d), (i)(3)(B)(i) or 
        7(A)(ii), or (k)(10), (l)(6), (7), (8), (9), (12), 
        (15), or (16), any appropriate State officer (as 
        defined in section 6104(c)), or any other person 
        described in subsection (k)(10), subsection (l)(10), 
        (16), (18), (19), or (20), or any entity described in 
        subsection (l)(21), shall, as a condition for receiving 
        returns or return information--
                  (A) establish and maintain, to the 
                satisfaction of the Secretary, a permanent 
                system of standardized records with respect to 
                any request, the reason for such request, and 
                the date of such request made by or of it and 
                any disclosure of return or return information 
                made by or to it;
                  (B) establish and maintain, to the 
                satisfaction of the Secretary, a secure area or 
                place in which such returns or return 
                information shall be stored;
                  (C) restrict, to the satisfaction of the 
                Secretary, access to the returns or return 
                information only to persons whose duties or 
                responsibilities require access and to whom 
                disclosure may be made under the provisions of 
                this title;
                  (D) provide such other safeguards which the 
                Secretary determines (and which he prescribes 
                in regulations) to be necessary or appropriate 
                to protect the confidentiality of the returns 
                or return information;
                  (E) furnish a report to the Secretary, at 
                such time and containing such information as 
                the Secretary may prescribe, which describes 
                the procedures established and utilized by such 
                agency, body, or commission, the Government 
                Accountability Office, or the Congressional 
                Budget Office for ensuring the confidentiality 
                of returns and return information required by 
                this paragraph; and
                  (F) upon completion of use of such returns or 
                return information--
                          (i) in the case of an agency, body, 
                        or commission described in subsection 
                        (d), (i)(3)(B)(i), (k)(10), or (l)(6), 
                        (7), (8), (9), or (16), any appropriate 
                        State officer (as defined in section 
                        6104(c)), or any other person described 
                        in subsection (k)(10) or subsection 
                        (l)(10), (16), (18), (19), or (20) 
                        return to the Secretary such returns or 
                        return information (along with any 
                        copies made therefrom) or make such 
                        returns or return information 
                        undisclosable in any manner and furnish 
                        a written report to the Secretary 
                        describing such manner,
                          (ii) in the case of an agency 
                        described in subsections (h)(2), 
                        (h)(5), (i)(1), (2), (3), (5) or (7), 
                        (j)(1), (2), or (5), (k)(8) or (10), 
                        (l)(1), (2), (3), (5), (10), (11), 
                        (12), (13), (14), (15), (17), or (22), 
                        or (o)(1)(A) or any entity described in 
                        subsection (l)(21),,, the Government 
                        Accountability Office, or the 
                        Congressional Budget Office, either--
                                  (I) return to the Secretary 
                                such returns or return 
                                information (along with any 
                                copies made therefrom),
                                  (II) otherwise make such 
                                returns or return information 
                                undisclosable, or
                                  (III) to the extent not so 
                                returned or made undisclosable, 
                                ensure that the conditions of 
                                subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), 
                                (D), and (E) of this paragraph 
                                continue to be met with respect 
                                to such returns or return 
                                information, and
                          (iii) in the case of the Department 
                        of Health and Human Services for 
                        purposes of subsection (m)(6), destroy 
                        all such return information upon 
                        completion of its use in providing the 
                        notification for which the information 
                        was obtained, so as to make such 
                        information undisclosable;
        except that the conditions of subparagraphs (A), (B), 
        (C), (D), and (E) shall cease to apply with respect to 
        any return or return information if, and to the extent 
        that, such return or return information is disclosed in 
        the course of any judicial or administrative proceeding 
        and made a part of the public record thereof. If the 
        Secretary determines that any such agency, body, or 
        commission, including an agency, an appropriate State 
        officer (as defined in section 6104(c)), or any other 
        person described in subsection (k)(10) or subsection 
        (l)(10), (16), (18), (19), or (20) or any entity 
        described in subsection (l)(21),, or the Government 
        Accountability Office or the Congressional Budget 
        Office, has failed to, or does not, meet the 
        requirements of this paragraph, he may, after any 
        proceedings for review established under paragraph (7), 
        take such actions as are necessary to ensure such 
        requirements are met, including refusing to disclose 
        returns or return information to such agency, body, or 
        commission, including an agency, an appropriate State 
        officer (as defined in section 6104(c)), or any other 
        person described in subsection (k)(10) or subsection 
        (l)(10), (16), (18), (19), or (20) or any entity 
        described in subsection (l)(21),, or the Government 
        Accountability Office or the Congressional Budget 
        Office, until he determines that such requirements have 
        been or will be met. In the case of any agency which 
        receives any mailing address under paragraph (2), (4), 
        (6), or (7) of subsection (m) and which discloses any 
        such mailing address to any agent or which receives any 
        information under paragraph (6)(A), (10), (12)(B), or 
        (16) of subsection (l) and which discloses any such 
        information to any agent, or any person including an 
        agent described in subsection (l)(10) or (16), this 
        paragraph shall apply to such agency and each such 
        agent or other person (except that, in the case of an 
        agent, or any person including an agent described in 
        subsection (l)(10) or (16), any report to the Secretary 
        or other action with respect to the Secretary shall be 
        made or taken through such agency). For purposes of 
        applying this paragraph in any case to which subsection 
        (m)(6) applies, the term ``return information'' 
        includes related blood donor records (as defined in 
        section 1141(h)(2) of the Social Security Act).
          (5) Report on procedures and safeguards.--After the 
        close of each calendar year, the Secretary shall 
        furnish to each committee described in subsection 
        (f)(1) a report which describes the procedures and 
        safeguards established and utilized by such agencies, 
        bodies, or commissions, the Government Accountability 
        Office, and the Congressional Budget Office for 
        ensuring the confidentiality of returns and return 
        information as required by this subsection. Such report 
        shall also describe instances of deficiencies in, and 
        failure to establish or utilize, such procedures.
          (6) Audit of procedures and safeguards.--
                  (A) Audit by Comptroller General.--The 
                Comptroller General may audit the procedures 
                and safeguards established by such agencies, 
                bodies, or commissions and the Congressional 
                Budget Office pursuant to this subsection to 
                determine whether such safeguards and 
                procedures meet the requirements of this 
                subsection and ensure the confidentiality of 
                returns and return information. The Comptroller 
                General shall notify the Secretary before any 
                such audit is conducted.
                  (B) Records of inspection and reports by the 
                Comptroller General.--The Comptroller General 
                shall--
                          (i) maintain a permanent system of 
                        standardized records and accountings of 
                        returns and return information 
                        inspected by officers and employees of 
                        the Government Accountability Office 
                        under subsection (i)(8)(A)(ii) and 
                        shall, within 90 days after the close 
                        of each calendar year, furnish to the 
                        Secretary a report with respect to, or 
                        summary of, such records or accountings 
                        in such form and containing such 
                        information as the Secretary may 
                        prescribe, and
                          (ii) furnish an annual report to each 
                        committee described in subsection (f) 
                        and to the Secretary setting forth his 
                        findings with respect to any audit 
                        conducted pursuant to subparagraph (A).
                The Secretary may disclose to the Joint 
                Committee any report furnished to him under 
                clause (i).
          (7) Administrative review.--The Secretary shall by 
        regulations prescribe procedures which provide for 
        administrative review of any determination under 
        paragraph (4) that any agency, body, or commission 
        described in subsection (d) has failed to meet the 
        requirements of such paragraph.
          (8) State law requirements.--
                  (A) Safeguards.--Notwithstanding any other 
                provision of this section, no return or return 
                information shall be disclosed after December 
                31, 1978, to any officer or employee of any 
                State which requires a taxpayer to attach to, 
                or include in, any State tax return a copy of 
                any portion of his Federal return, or 
                information reflected on such Federal return, 
                unless such State adopts provisions of law 
                which protect the confidentiality of the copy 
                of the Federal return (or portion thereof) 
                attached to, or the Federal return information 
                reflected on, such State tax return.
                  (B) Disclosure of returns or return 
                information in State returns.--Nothing in 
                subparagraph (A) shall be construed to prohibit 
                the disclosure by an officer or employee of any 
                State of any copy of any portion of a Federal 
                return or any information on a Federal return 
                which is required to be attached or included in 
                a State return to another officer or employee 
                of such State (or political subdivision of such 
                State) if such disclosure is specifically 
                authorized by State law.
  (q) Regulations.--The Secretary is authorized to prescribe 
such other regulations as are necessary to carry out the 
provisions of this section.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

      B. Changes in Existing Law Proposed by the Bill, as Reported

    In compliance with clause 3(e)(1)(B) of rule XIII of the 
Rules of the House of Representatives, changes in existing law 
proposed by the bill, as reported, are shown as follows 
(existing law proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black 
brackets, new matter is printed in italic, existing law in 
which no change is proposed is shown in roman):

       Changes in Existing Law Proposed by the Bill, as Reported

  In compliance with clause 3(e)(1)(B) of rule XIII of the 
Rules of the House of Representatives, changes in existing law 
proposed by the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (new 
matter is printed in italic and existing law in which no change 
is proposed is shown in roman):

INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

Subtitle F--Procedure and Administration

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

CHAPTER 61--INFORMATION AND RETURNS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

Subchapter B--Miscellaneous Provisions

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 6103. CONFIDENTIALITY AND DISCLOSURE OF RETURNS AND RETURN 
                    INFORMATION.

  (a) General Rule.--Returns and return information shall be 
confidential, and except as authorized by this title--
          (1) no officer or employee of the United States,
          (2) no officer or employee of any State, any local 
        law enforcement agency receiving information under 
        subsection (i)(7)(A), any local child support 
        enforcement agency, or any local agency administering a 
        program listed in subsection (l)(7)(D) who has or had 
        access to returns or return information under this 
        section or section 6104(c), and
          (3) no other person (or officer or employee thereof) 
        who has or had access to returns or return information 
        under subsection (e)(1)(D)(iii), subsection (k)(10), 
        paragraph (6), (10), (12), (16), (19), (20), or (21) of 
        subsection (l), paragraph (2) or (4)(B) of subsection 
        (m), or subsection (n),
shall disclose any return or return information obtained by him 
in any manner in connection with his service as such an officer 
or an employee or otherwise or under the provisions of this 
section. For purposes of this subsection, the term ``officer or 
employee'' includes a former officer or employee.
  (b) Definitions.--For purposes of this section--
          (1) Return.--The term ``return'' means any tax or 
        information return, declaration of estimated tax, or 
        claim for refund required by, or provided for or 
        permitted under, the provisions of this title which is 
        filed with the Secretary by, on behalf of, or with 
        respect to any person, and any amendment or supplement 
        thereto, including supporting schedules, attachments, 
        or lists which are supplemental to, or part of, the 
        return so filed.
          (2) Return information.--The term ``return 
        information'' means--
                  (A) a taxpayer's identity, the nature, 
                source, or amount of his income, payments, 
                receipts, deductions, exemptions, credits, 
                assets, liabilities, net worth, tax liability, 
                tax withheld, deficiencies, overassessments, or 
                tax payments, whether the taxpayer's return 
                was, is being, or will be examined or subject 
                to other investigation or processing, or any 
                other data, received by, recorded by, prepared 
                by, furnished to, or collected by the Secretary 
                with respect to a return or with respect to the 
                determination of the existence, or possible 
                existence, of liability (or the amount thereof) 
                of any person under this title for any tax, 
                penalty, interest, fine, forfeiture, or other 
                imposition, or offense,
                  (B) any part of any written determination or 
                any background file document relating to such 
                written determination (as such terms are 
                defined in section 6110(b)) which is not open 
                to public inspection under section 6110,
                  (C) any advance pricing agreement entered 
                into by a taxpayer and the Secretary and any 
                background information related to such 
                agreement or any application for an advance 
                pricing agreement, and
                  (D) any agreement under section 7121, and any 
                similar agreement, and any background 
                information related to such an agreement or 
                request for such an agreement,
        but such term does not include data in a form which 
        cannot be associated with, or otherwise identify, 
        directly or indirectly, a particular taxpayer. Nothing 
        in the preceding sentence, or in any other provision of 
        law, shall be construed to require the disclosure of 
        standards used or to be used for the selection of 
        returns for examination, or data used or to be used for 
        determining such standards, if the Secretary determines 
        that such disclosure will seriously impair assessment, 
        collection, or enforcement under the internal revenue 
        laws.
          (3) Taxpayer return information.--The term ``taxpayer 
        return information'' means return information as 
        defined in paragraph (2) which is filed with, or 
        furnished to, the Secretary by or on behalf of the 
        taxpayer to whom such return information relates.
          (4) Tax administration.--The term ``tax 
        administration''--
                  (A) means--
                          (i) the administration, management, 
                        conduct, direction, and supervision of 
                        the execution and application of the 
                        internal revenue laws or related 
                        statutes (or equivalent laws and 
                        statutes of a State) and tax 
                        conventions to which the United States 
                        is a party, and
                          (ii) the development and formulation 
                        of Federal tax policy relating to 
                        existing or proposed internal revenue 
                        laws, related statutes, and tax 
                        conventions, and
                  (B) includes assessment, collection, 
                enforcement, litigation, publication, and 
                statistical gathering functions under such 
                laws, statutes, or conventions.
          (5) State.--
                  (A) In general.--The term ``State'' means--
                          (i) any of the 50 States, the 
                        District of Columbia, the Commonwealth 
                        of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, 
                        Guam, American Samoa, and the 
                        Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
                        Islands,
                          (ii) for purposes of subsections 
                        (a)(2), (b)(4), (d)(1), (h)(4), and 
                        (p), any municipality--
                                  (I) with a population in 
                                excess of 250,000 (as 
                                determined under the most 
                                recent decennial United States 
                                census data available),
                                  (II) which imposes a tax on 
                                income or wages, and
                                  (III) with which the 
                                Secretary (in his sole 
                                discretion) has entered into an 
                                agreement regarding disclosure, 
                                and
                          (iii) for purposes of subsections 
                        (a)(2), (b)(4), (d)(1), (h)(4), and 
                        (p), any governmental entity--
                                  (I) which is formed and 
                                operated by a qualified group 
                                of municipalities, and
                                  (II) with which the Secretary 
                                (in his sole discretion) has 
                                entered into an agreement 
                                regarding disclosure.
                  (B) Regional income tax agencies.--For 
                purposes of subparagraph (A)(iii)--
                          (i) Qualified group of 
                        municipalities.--The term ``qualified 
                        group of municipalities'' means, with 
                        respect to any governmental entity, 2 
                        or more municipalities--
                                  (I) each of which imposes a 
                                tax on income or wages,
                                  (II) each of which, under the 
                                authority of a State statute, 
                                administers the laws relating 
                                to the imposition of such taxes 
                                through such entity, and
                                  (III) which collectively have 
                                a population in excess of 
                                250,000 (as determined under 
                                the most recent decennial 
                                United States census data 
                                available).
                          (ii) References to state law, etc.--
                        For purposes of applying subparagraph 
                        (A)(iii) to the subsections referred to 
                        in such subparagraph, any reference in 
                        such subsections to State law, 
                        proceedings, or tax returns shall be 
                        treated as references to the law, 
                        proceedings, or tax returns, as the 
                        case may be, of the municipalities 
                        which form and operate the governmental 
                        entity referred to in such 
                        subparagraph.
                          (iii) Disclosure to contractors and 
                        other agents.--Notwithstanding any 
                        other provision of this section, no 
                        return or return information shall be 
                        disclosed to any contractor or other 
                        agent of a governmental entity referred 
                        to in subparagraph (A)(iii) unless such 
                        entity, to the satisfaction of the 
                        Secretary--
                                  (I) has requirements in 
                                effect which require each such 
                                contractor or other agent which 
                                would have access to returns or 
                                return information to provide 
                                safeguards (within the meaning 
                                of subsection (p)(4)) to 
                                protect the confidentiality of 
                                such returns or return 
                                information,
                                  (II) agrees to conduct an on-
                                site review every 3 years (or a 
                                mid-point review in the case of 
                                contracts or agreements of less 
                                than 3 years in duration) of 
                                each contractor or other agent 
                                to determine compliance with 
                                such requirements,
                                  (III) submits the findings of 
                                the most recent review 
                                conducted under subclause (II) 
                                to the Secretary as part of the 
                                report required by subsection 
                                (p)(4)(E), and
                                  (IV) certifies to the 
                                Secretary for the most recent 
                                annual period that such 
                                contractor or other agent is in 
                                compliance with all such 
                                requirements.
                        The certification required by subclause 
                        (IV) shall include the name and address 
                        of each contractor and other agent, a 
                        description of the contract or 
                        agreement with such contractor or other 
                        agent, and the duration of such 
                        contract or agreement. The requirements 
                        of this clause shall not apply to 
                        disclosures pursuant to subsection (n) 
                        for purposes of Federal tax 
                        administration and a rule similar to 
                        the rule of subsection (p)(8)(B) shall 
                        apply for purposes of this clause.
          (6) Taxpayer identity.--The term ``taxpayer 
        identity'' means the name of a person with respect to 
        whom a return is filed, his mailing address, his 
        taxpayer identifying number (as described in section 
        6109), or a combination thereof.
          (7) Inspection.--The terms ``inspected'' and 
        ``inspection'' mean any examination of a return or 
        return information.
          (8) Disclosure.--The term ``disclosure'' means the 
        making known to any person in any manner whatever a 
        return or return information.
          (9) Federal agency.--The term ``Federal agency'' 
        means an agency within the meaning of section 551(1) of 
        title 5, United States Code.
          (10) Chief executive officer.--The term ``chief 
        executive officer'' means, with respect to any 
        municipality, any elected official and the chief 
        official (even if not elected) of such municipality.
          (11) Terrorist incident, threat, or activity.--The 
        term ``terrorist incident, threat, or activity'' means 
        an incident, threat, or activity involving an act of 
        domestic terrorism (as defined in section 2331(5) of 
        title 18, United States Code) or international 
        terrorism (as defined in section 2331(1) of such 
        title).
  (c) Disclosure of Returns and Return Information to Designee 
of Taxpayer.--The Secretary may, subject to such requirements 
and conditions as he may prescribe by regulations, disclose the 
return of any taxpayer, or return information with respect to 
such taxpayer, to such person or persons as the taxpayer may 
designate in a request for or consent to such disclosure, or to 
any other person at the taxpayer's request to the extent 
necessary to comply with a request for information or 
assistance made by the taxpayer to such other person. However, 
return information shall not be disclosed to such person or 
persons if the Secretary determines that such disclosure would 
seriously impair Federal tax administration.
  (d) Disclosure to State Tax Officials and State and Local Law 
Enforcement Agencies.--
          (1) In general.--Returns and return information with 
        respect to taxes imposed by chapters 1, 2, 6, 11, 12, 
        21, 23, 24, 31, 32, 44, 51, and 52 and subchapter D of 
        chapter 36 shall be open to inspection by, or 
        disclosure to, any State agency, body, or commission, 
        or its legal representative, which is charged under the 
        laws of such State with responsibility for the 
        administration of State tax laws for the purpose of, 
        and only to the extent necessary in, the administration 
        of such laws, including any procedures with respect to 
        locating any person who may be entitled to a refund. 
        Such inspection shall be permitted, or such disclosure 
        made, only upon written request by the head of such 
        agency, body, or commission, and only to the 
        representatives of such agency, body, or commission 
        designated in such written request as the individuals 
        who are to inspect or to receive the returns or return 
        information on behalf of such agency, body, or 
        commission. Such representatives shall not include any 
        individual who is the chief executive officer of such 
        State or who is neither an employee or legal 
        representative of such agency, body, or commission nor 
        a person described in subsection (n). However, such 
        return information shall not be disclosed to the extent 
        that the Secretary determines that such disclosure 
        would identify a confidential informant or seriously 
        impair any civil or criminal tax investigation.
          (2) Disclosure to State audit agencies.--
                  (A) In general.--Any returns or return 
                information obtained under paragraph (1) by any 
                State agency, body, or commission may be open 
                to inspection by, or disclosure to, officers 
                and employees of the State audit agency for the 
                purpose of, and only to the extent necessary 
                in, making an audit of the State agency, body, 
                or commission referred to in paragraph (1).
                  (B) State audit agency.--For purposes of 
                subparagraph (A), the term ``State audit 
                agency'' means any State agency, body, or 
                commission which is charged under the laws of 
                the State with the responsibility of auditing 
                State revenues and programs.
          (3) Exception for reimbursement under section 7624.--
        Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent 
        the Secretary from disclosing to any State or local law 
        enforcement agency which may receive a payment under 
        section 7624 the amount of the recovered taxes with 
        respect to which such a payment may be made.
          (4) Availability and use of death information.--
                  (A) In general.--No returns or return 
                information may be disclosed under paragraph 
                (1) to any agency, body, or commission of any 
                State (or any legal representative thereof) 
                during any period during which a contract 
                meeting the requirements of subparagraph (B) is 
                not in effect between such State and the 
                Secretary of Health and Human Services.
                  (B) Contractual requirements.--A contract 
                meets the requirements of this subparagraph 
                if--
                          (i) such contract requires the State 
                        to furnish the Secretary of Health and 
                        Human Services information concerning 
                        individuals with respect to whom death 
                        certificates (or equivalent documents 
                        maintained by the State or any 
                        subdivision thereof) have been 
                        officially filed with it, and
                          (ii) such contract does not include 
                        any restriction on the use of 
                        information obtained by such Secretary 
                        pursuant to such contract, except that 
                        such contract may provide that such 
                        information is only to be used by the 
                        Secretary (or any other Federal agency) 
                        for purposes of ensuring that Federal 
                        benefits or other payments are not 
                        erroneously paid to deceased 
                        individuals.
                Any information obtained by the Secretary of 
                Health and Human Services under such a contract 
                shall be exempt from disclosure under section 
                552 of title 5, United States Code, and from 
                the requirements of section 552a of such title 
                5.
                  (C) Special exception.--The provisions of 
                subparagraph (A) shall not apply to any State 
                which on July 1, 1993, was not, pursuant to a 
                contract, furnishing the Secretary of Health 
                and Human Services information concerning 
                individuals with respect to whom death 
                certificates (or equivalent documents 
                maintained by the State or any subdivision 
                thereof) have been officially filed with it.
          (5) Disclosure for combined employment tax 
        reporting.--
                  (A) In general.--The Secretary may disclose 
                taxpayer identity information and signatures to 
                any agency, body, or commission of any State 
                for the purpose of carrying out with such 
                agency, body, or commission a combined Federal 
                and State employment tax reporting program 
                approved by the Secretary. Subsections (a)(2) 
                and (p)(4) and sections 7213 and 7213A shall 
                not apply with respect to disclosures or 
                inspections made pursuant to this paragraph.
                  (B) Termination.--The Secretary may not make 
                any disclosure under this paragraph after 
                December 31, 2007.
          (6) Limitation on disclosure regarding regional 
        income tax agencies treated as States.--For purposes of 
        paragraph (1), inspection by or disclosure to an entity 
        described in subsection (b)(5)(A)(iii) shall be for the 
        purpose of, and only to the extent necessary in, the 
        administration of the laws of the member municipalities 
        in such entity relating to the imposition of a tax on 
        income or wages. Such entity may not redisclose any 
        return or return information received pursuant to 
        paragraph (1) to any such member municipality.
  (e) Disclosure to Persons Having Material Interest.--
          (1) In general.--The return of a person shall, upon 
        written request, be open to inspection by or disclosure 
        to--
                  (A) in the case of the return of an 
                individual--
                          (i) that individual,
                          (ii) the spouse of that individual if 
                        the individual and such spouse have 
                        signified their consent to consider a 
                        gift reported on such return as made 
                        one-half by him and one-half by the 
                        spouse pursuant to the provisions of 
                        section 2513; or
                          (iii) the child of that individual 
                        (or such child's legal representative) 
                        to the extent necessary to comply with 
                        the provisions of section 1(g);
                  (B) in the case of an income tax return filed 
                jointly, either of the individuals with respect 
                to whom the return is filed;
                  (C) in the case of the return of a 
                partnership, any person who was a member of 
                such partnership during any part of the period 
                covered by the return;
                  (D) in the case of the return of a 
                corporation or a subsidiary thereof--
                          (i) any person designated by 
                        resolution of its board of directors or 
                        other similar governing body,
                          (ii) any officer or employee of such 
                        corporation upon written request signed 
                        by any principal officer and attested 
                        to by the secretary or other officer,
                          (iii) any bona fide shareholder of 
                        record owning 1 percent or more of the 
                        outstanding stock of such corporation,
                          (iv) if the corporation was an S 
                        corporation, any person who was a 
                        shareholder during any part of the 
                        period covered by such return during 
                        which an election under section 1362(a) 
                        was in effect, or
                          (v) if the corporation has been 
                        dissolved, any person authorized by 
                        applicable State law to act for the 
                        corporation or any person who the 
                        Secretary finds to have a material 
                        interest which will be affected by 
                        information contained therein;
                  (E) in the case of the return of an estate--
                          (i) the administrator, executor, or 
                        trustee of such estate, and
                          (ii) any heir at law, next of kin, or 
                        beneficiary under the will, of the 
                        decedent, but only if the Secretary 
                        finds that such heir at law, next of 
                        kin, or beneficiary has a material 
                        interest which will be affected by 
                        information contained therein; and
                  (F) in the case of the return of a trust--
                          (i) the trustee or trustees, jointly 
                        or separately, and
                          (ii) any beneficiary of such trust, 
                        but only if the Secretary finds that 
                        such beneficiary has a material 
                        interest which will be affected by 
                        information contained therein.
          (2) Incompetency.--If an individual described in 
        paragraph (1) is legally incompetent, the applicable 
        return shall, upon written request, be open to 
        inspection by or disclosure to the committee, trustee, 
        or guardian of his estate.
          (3) Deceased individuals.--The return of a decedent 
        shall, upon written request, be open to inspection by 
        or disclosure to--
                  (A) the administrator, executor, or trustee 
                of his estate, and
                  (B) any heir at law, next of kin, or 
                beneficiary under the will, of such decedent, 
                or a donee of property, but only if the 
                Secretary finds that such heir at law, next of 
                kin, beneficiary, or donee has a material 
                interest which will be affected by information 
                contained therein.
          (4) Title 11 cases and receivership proceedings.--
        If--
                  (A) there is a trustee in a title 11 case in 
                which the debtor is the person with respect to 
                whom the return is filed, or
                  (B) substantially all of the property of the 
                person with respect to whom the return is filed 
                is in the hands of a receiver,
        such return or returns for prior years of such person 
        shall, upon written request, be open to inspection by 
        or disclosure to such trustee or receiver, but only if 
        the Secretary finds that such trustee or receiver, in 
        his fiduciary capacity, has a material interest which 
        will be affected by information contained therein.
          (5) Individual's title 11 case.--
                  (A) In general.--In any case to which section 
                1398 applies (determined without regard to 
                section 1398(b)(1)), any return of the debtor 
                for the taxable year in which the case 
                commenced or any preceding taxable year shall, 
                upon written request, be open to inspection by 
                or disclosure to the trustee in such case.
                  (B) Return of estate available to debtor.--
                Any return of an estate in a case to which 
                section 1398 applies shall, upon written 
                request, be open to inspection by or disclosure 
                to the debtor in such case.
                  (C) Special rule for involuntary cases.--In 
                an involuntary case, no disclosure shall be 
                made under subparagraph (A) until the order for 
                relief has been entered by the court having 
                jurisdiction of such case unless such court 
                finds that such disclosure is appropriate for 
                purposes of determining whether an order for 
                relief should be entered.
          (6) Attorney in fact.--Any return to which this 
        subsection applies shall, upon written request, also be 
        open to inspection by or disclosure to the attorney in 
        fact duly authorized in writing by any of the persons 
        described in paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (8), or 
        (9) to inspect the return or receive the information on 
        his behalf, subject to the conditions provided in such 
        paragraphs.
          (7) Return information.--Return information with 
        respect to any taxpayer may be open to inspection by or 
        disclosure to any person authorized by this subsection 
        to inspect any return of such taxpayer if the Secretary 
        determines that such disclosure would not seriously 
        impair Federal tax administration.
          (8) Disclosure of collection activities with respect 
        to joint return.--If any deficiency of tax with respect 
        to a joint return is assessed and the individuals 
        filing such return are no longer married or no longer 
        reside in the same household, upon request in writing 
        by either of such individuals, the Secretary shall 
        disclose in writing to the individual making the 
        request whether the Secretary has attempted to collect 
        such deficiency from such other individual, the general 
        nature of such collection activities, and the amount 
        collected. The preceding sentence shall not apply to 
        any deficiency which may not be collected by reason of 
        section 6502.
          (9) Disclosure of certain information where more than 
        1 person subject to penalty under section 6672.--If the 
        Secretary determines that a person is liable for a 
        penalty under section 6672(a) with respect to any 
        failure, upon request in writing of such person, the 
        Secretary shall disclose in writing to such person--
                  (A) the name of any other person whom the 
                Secretary has determined to be liable for such 
                penalty with respect to such failure, and
                  (B) whether the Secretary has attempted to 
                collect such penalty from such other person, 
                the general nature of such collection 
                activities, and the amount collected.
          (10) Limitation on certain disclosures under this 
        subsection.--In the case of an inspection or disclosure 
        under this subsection relating to the return of a 
        partnership, S corporation, trust, or an estate, the 
        information inspected or disclosed shall not include 
        any supporting schedule, attachment, or list which 
        includes the taxpayer identity information of a person 
        other than the entity making the return or the person 
        conducting the inspection or to whom the disclosure is 
        made.
          (11) Disclosure of information regarding status of 
        investigation of violation of this section.--In the 
        case of a person who provides to the Secretary 
        information indicating a violation of section 7213, 
        7213A, or 7214 with respect to any return or return 
        information of such person, the Secretary may disclose 
        to such person (or such person's designee)--
                  (A) whether an investigation based on the 
                person's provision of such information has been 
                initiated and whether it is open or closed,
                  (B) whether any such investigation 
                substantiated such a violation by any 
                individual, and
                  (C) whether any action has been taken with 
                respect to such individual (including whether a 
                referral has been made for prosecution of such 
                individual).
  (f) Disclosure to Committees of Congress.--
          (1) Committee on Ways and Means, Committee on 
        Finance, and Joint Committee on Taxation.--Upon written 
        request from the chairman of the Committee on Ways and 
        Means of the House of Representatives, the chairman of 
        the Committee on Finance of the Senate, or the chairman 
        of the Joint Committee on Taxation, the Secretary shall 
        furnish such committee with any return or return 
        information specified in such request, except that any 
        return or return information which can be associated 
        with, or otherwise identify, directly or indirectly, a 
        particular taxpayer shall be furnished to such 
        committee only when sitting in closed executive session 
        unless such taxpayer otherwise consents in writing to 
        such disclosure.
          (2) Chief of Staff of Joint Committee on Taxation.--
        Upon written request by the Chief of Staff of the Joint 
        Committee on Taxation, the Secretary shall furnish him 
        with any return or return information specified in such 
        request. Such Chief of Staff may submit such return or 
        return information to any committee described in 
        paragraph (1), except that any return or return 
        information which can be associated with, or otherwise 
        identify, directly or indirectly, a particular taxpayer 
        shall be furnished to such committee only when sitting 
        in closed executive session unless such taxpayer 
        otherwise consents in writing to such disclosure.
          (3) Other committees.--Pursuant to an action by, and 
        upon written request by the chairman of, a committee of 
        the Senate or the House of Representatives (other than 
        a committee specified in paragraph (1)) specially 
        authorized to inspect any return or return information 
        by a resolution of the Senate or the House of 
        Representatives or, in the case of a joint committee 
        (other than the joint committee specified in paragraph 
        (1)) by concurrent resolution, the Secretary shall 
        furnish such committee, or a duly authorized and 
        designated subcommittee thereof, sitting in closed 
        executive session, with any return or return 
        information which such resolution authorizes the 
        committee or subcommittee to inspect. Any resolution 
        described in this paragraph shall specify the purpose 
        for which the return or return information is to be 
        furnished and that such information cannot reasonably 
        be obtained from any other source.
          (4) Agents of committees and submission of 
        information to Senate or House of Representatives.--
                  (A) Committees described in paragraph (1).--
                Any committee described in paragraph (1) or the 
                Chief of Staff of the Joint Committee on 
                Taxation shall have the authority, acting 
                directly, or by or through such examiners or 
                agents as the chairman of such committee or 
                such chief of staff may designate or appoint, 
                to inspect returns and return information at 
                such time and in such manner as may be 
                determined by such chairman or chief of staff. 
                Any return or return information obtained by or 
                on behalf of such committee pursuant to the 
                provisions of this subsection may be submitted 
                by the committee to the Senate or the House of 
                Representatives, or to both. The Joint 
                Committee on Taxation may also submit such 
                return or return information to any other 
                committee described in paragraph (1), except 
                that any return or return information which can 
                be associated with, or otherwise identify, 
                directly or indirectly, a particular taxpayer 
                shall be furnished to such committee only when 
                sitting in closed executive session unless such 
                taxpayer otherwise consents in writing to such 
                disclosure.
                  (B) Other committees.--Any committee or 
                subcommittee described in paragraph (3) shall 
                have the right, acting directly, or by or 
                through no more than four examiners or agents, 
                designated or appointed in writing in equal 
                numbers by the chairman and ranking minority 
                member of such committee or subcommittee, to 
                inspect returns and return information at such 
                time and in such manner as may be determined by 
                such chairman and ranking minority member. Any 
                return or return information obtained by or on 
                behalf of such committee or subcommittee 
                pursuant to the provisions of this subsection 
                may be submitted by the committee to the Senate 
                or the House of Representatives, or to both, 
                except that any return or return information 
                which can be associated with, or otherwise 
                identify, directly or indirectly, a particular 
                taxpayer, shall be furnished to the Senate or 
                the House of Representatives only when sitting 
                in closed executive session unless such 
                taxpayer otherwise consents in writing to such 
                disclosure.
          (5) Disclosure by whistleblower.--Any person who 
        otherwise has or had access to any return or return 
        information under this section may disclose such return 
        or return information to a committee referred to in 
        paragraph (1) or any individual authorized to receive 
        or inspect information under paragraph (4)(A) if such 
        person believes such return or return information may 
        relate to possible misconduct, maladministration, or 
        taxpayer abuse.
  (g) Disclosure to President and Certain Other Persons.--
          (1) In general.--Upon written request by the 
        President, signed by him personally, the Secretary 
        shall furnish to the President, or to such employee or 
        employees of the White House Office as the President 
        may designate by name in such request, a return or 
        return information with respect to any taxpayer named 
        in such request. Any such request shall state--
                  (A) the name and address of the taxpayer 
                whose return or return information is to be 
                disclosed,
                  (B) the kind of return or return information 
                which is to be disclosed,
                  (C) the taxable period or periods covered by 
                such return or return information, and
                  (D) the specific reason why the inspection or 
                disclosure is requested.
          (2) Disclosure of return information as to 
        Presidential appointees and certain other Federal 
        Government appointees.--The Secretary may disclose to a 
        duly authorized representative of the Executive Office 
        of the President or to the head of any Federal agency, 
        upon written request by the President or head of such 
        agency, or to the Federal Bureau of Investigation on 
        behalf of and upon written request by the President or 
        such head, return information with respect to an 
        individual who is designated as being under 
        consideration for appointment to a position in the 
        executive or judicial branch of the Federal Government. 
        Such return information shall be limited to whether 
        such individual--
                  (A) has filed returns with respect to the 
                taxes imposed under chapter 1 for not more than 
                the immediately preceding 3 years;
                  (B) has failed to pay any tax within 10 days 
                after notice and demand, or has been assessed 
                any penalty under this title for negligence, in 
                the current year or immediately preceding 3 
                years;
                  (C) has been or is under investigation for 
                possible criminal offenses under the internal 
                revenue laws and the results of any such 
                investigation; or
                  (D) has been assessed any civil penalty under 
                this title for fraud.
        Within 3 days of the receipt of any request for any 
        return information with respect to any individual under 
        this paragraph, the Secretary shall notify such 
        individual in writing that such information has been 
        requested under the provisions of this paragraph.
          (3) Restriction on disclosure.--The employees to whom 
        returns and return information are disclosed under this 
        subsection shall not disclose such returns and return 
        information to any other person except the President or 
        the head of such agency without the personal written 
        direction of the President or the head of such agency.
          (4) Restriction on disclosure to certain employees.--
        Disclosure of returns and return information under this 
        subsection shall not be made to any employee whose 
        annual rate of basic pay is less than the annual rate 
        of basic pay specified for positions subject to section 
        5316 of title 5, United States Code.
          (5) Reporting requirements.--Within 30 days after the 
        close of each calendar quarter, the President and the 
        head of any agency requesting returns and return 
        information under this subsection shall each file a 
        report with the Joint Committee on Taxation setting 
        forth the taxpayers with respect to whom such requests 
        were made during such quarter under this subsection, 
        the returns or return information involved, and the 
        reasons for such requests. The President shall not be 
        required to report on any request for returns and 
        return information pertaining to an individual who was 
        an officer or employee of the executive branch of the 
        Federal Government at the time such request was made. 
        Reports filed pursuant to this paragraph shall not be 
        disclosed unless the Joint Committee on Taxation 
        determines that disclosure thereof (including 
        identifying details) would be in the national interest. 
        Such reports shall be maintained by the Joint Committee 
        on Taxation for a period not exceeding 2 years unless, 
        within such period, the Joint Committee on Taxation 
        determines that a disclosure to the Congress is 
        necessary.
  (h) Disclosure to Certain Federal Officers and Employees for 
Purposes of Tax Administration, Etc..--
          (1) Department of the Treasury.--Returns and return 
        information shall, without written request, be open to 
        inspection by or disclosure to officers and employees 
        of the Department of the Treasury whose official duties 
        require such inspection or disclosure for tax 
        administration purposes.
          (2) Department of Justice.--In a matter involving tax 
        administration, a return or return information shall be 
        open to inspection by or disclosure to officers and 
        employees of the Department of Justice (including 
        United States attorneys) personally and directly 
        engaged in, and solely for their use in, any proceeding 
        before a Federal grand jury or preparation for any 
        proceeding (or investigation which may result in such a 
        proceeding) before a Federal grand jury or any Federal 
        or State court, but only if--
                  (A) the taxpayer is or may be a party to the 
                proceeding, or the proceeding arose out of, or 
                in connection with, determining the taxpayer's 
                civil or criminal liability, or the collection 
                of such civil liability in respect of any tax 
                imposed under this title;
                  (B) the treatment of an item reflected on 
                such return is or may be related to the 
                resolution of an issue in the proceeding or 
                investigation; or
                  (C) such return or return information relates 
                or may relate to a transactional relationship 
                between a person who is or may be a party to 
                the proceeding and the taxpayer which affects, 
                or may affect, the resolution of an issue in 
                such proceeding or investigation.
          (3) Form of request.--In any case in which the 
        Secretary is authorized to disclose a return or return 
        information to the Department of Justice pursuant to 
        the provisions of this subsection--
                  (A) if the Secretary has referred the case to 
                the Department of Justice, or if the proceeding 
                is authorized by subchapter B of chapter 76, 
                the Secretary may make such disclosure on his 
                own motion, or
                  (B) if the Secretary receives a written 
                request from the Attorney General, the Deputy 
                Attorney General, or an Assistant Attorney 
                General for a return of, or return information 
                relating to, a person named in such request and 
                setting forth the need for the disclosure, the 
                Secretary shall disclose return or return the 
                information so requested.
          (4) Disclosure in judicial and administrative tax 
        proceedings.--A return or return information may be 
        disclosed in a Federal or State judicial or 
        administrative proceeding pertaining to tax 
        administration, but only--
                  (A) if the taxpayer is a party to the 
                proceeding, or the proceeding arose out of, or 
                in connection with, determining the taxpayer's 
                civil or criminal liability, or the collection 
                of such civil liability, in respect of any tax 
                imposed under this title;
                  (B) if the treatment of an item reflected on 
                such return is directly related to the 
                resolution of an issue in the proceeding;
                  (C) if such return or return information 
                directly relates to a transactional 
                relationship between a person who is a party to 
                the proceeding and the taxpayer which directly 
                affects the resolution of an issue in the 
                proceeding; or
                  (D) to the extent required by order of a 
                court pursuant to section 3500 of title 18, 
                United States Code, or rule 16 of the Federal 
                Rules of Criminal Procedure, such court being 
                authorized in the issuance of such order to 
                give due consideration to congressional policy 
                favoring the confidentiality of returns and 
                return information as set forth in this title.
        However, such return or return information shall not be 
        disclosed as provided in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) 
        if the Secretary determines that such disclosure would 
        identify a confidential informant or seriously impair a 
        civil or criminal tax investigation.
          (5) Withholding of tax from social security 
        benefits.--Upon written request of the payor agency, 
        the Secretary may disclose available return information 
        from the master files of the Internal Revenue Service 
        with respect to the address and status of an individual 
        as a nonresident alien or as a citizen or resident of 
        the United States to the Social Security Administration 
        or the Railroad Retirement Board (whichever is 
        appropriate) for purposes of carrying out its 
        responsibilities for withholding tax under section 1441 
        from social security benefits (as defined in section 
        86(d)).
          (6) Internal Revenue Service Oversight Board.--
                  (A) In general.--Notwithstanding paragraph 
                (1), and except as provided in subparagraph 
                (B), no return or return information may be 
                disclosed to any member of the Oversight Board 
                described in subparagraph (A) or (D) of section 
                7802(b)(1) or to any employee or detailee of 
                such Board by reason of their service with the 
                Board. Any request for information not 
                permitted to be disclosed under the preceding 
                sentence, and any contact relating to a 
                specific taxpayer, made by any such individual 
                to an officer or employee of the Internal 
                Revenue Service shall be reported by such 
                officer or employee to the Secretary, the 
                Treasury Inspector General for Tax 
                Administration, and the Joint Committee on 
                Taxation.
                  (B) Exception for reports to the Board.--If--
                          (i) the Commissioner or the Treasury 
                        Inspector General for Tax 
                        Administration prepares any report or 
                        other matter for the Oversight Board in 
                        order to assist the Board in carrying 
                        out its duties; and
                          (ii) the Commissioner or such 
                        Inspector General determines it is 
                        necessary to include any return or 
                        return information in such report or 
                        other matter to enable the Board to 
                        carry out such duties, such return or 
                        return information (other than 
                        information regarding taxpayer 
                        identity) may be disclosed to members, 
                        employees, or detailees of the Board 
                        solely for the purpose of carrying out 
                        such duties.
  (i) Disclosure to Federal Officers or Employees for 
Administration of Federal Laws Not Relating to Tax 
Administration.--
          (1) Disclosure of returns and return information for 
        use in criminal investigations.--
                  (A) In general.--Except as provided in 
                paragraph (6), any return or return information 
                with respect to any specified taxable period or 
                periods shall, pursuant to and upon the grant 
                of an ex parte order by a Federal district 
                court judge or magistrate judge under 
                subparagraph (B), be open (but only to the 
                extent necessary as provided in such order) to 
                inspection by, or disclosure to, officers and 
                employees of any Federal agency who are 
                personally and directly engaged in--
                          (i) preparation for any judicial or 
                        administrative proceeding pertaining to 
                        the enforcement of a specifically 
                        designated Federal criminal statute 
                        (not involving tax administration) to 
                        which the United States or such agency 
                        is or may be a party,
                          (ii) any investigation which may 
                        result in such a proceeding, or
                          (iii) any Federal grand jury 
                        proceeding pertaining to enforcement of 
                        such a criminal statute to which the 
                        United States or such agency is or may 
                        be a party,
                solely for the use of such officers and 
                employees in such preparation, investigation, 
                or grand jury proceeding.
                  (B) Application for order.--The Attorney 
                General, the Deputy Attorney General, the 
                Associate Attorney General, any Assistant 
                Attorney General, any United States attorney, 
                any special prosecutor appointed under section 
                593 of title 28, United States Code, or any 
                attorney in charge of a criminal division 
                organized crime strike force established 
                pursuant to section 510 of title 28, United 
                States Code, may authorize an application to a 
                Federal district court judge or magistrate 
                judge for the order referred to in subparagraph 
                (A). Upon such application, such judge or 
                magistrate judge may grant such order if he 
                determines on the basis of the facts submitted 
                by the applicant that--
                          (i) there is reasonable cause to 
                        believe, based upon information 
                        believed to be reliable, that a 
                        specific criminal act has been 
                        committed,
                          (ii) there is reasonable cause to 
                        believe that the return or return 
                        information is or may be relevant to a 
                        matter relating to the commission of 
                        such act, and
                          (iii) the return or return 
                        information is sought exclusively for 
                        use in a Federal criminal investigation 
                        or proceeding concerning such act, and 
                        the information sought to be disclosed 
                        cannot reasonably be obtained, under 
                        the circumstances, from another source.
          (2) Disclosure of return information other than 
        taxpayer return information for use in criminal 
        investigations.--
                  (A) In general.--Except as provided in 
                paragraph (6), upon receipt by the Secretary of 
                a request which meets the requirements of 
                subparagraph (B) from the head of any Federal 
                agency or the Inspector General thereof, or, in 
                the case of the Department of Justice, the 
                Attorney General, the Deputy Attorney General, 
                the Associate Attorney General, any Assistant 
                Attorney General, the Director of the Federal 
                Bureau of Investigation, the Administrator of 
                the Drug Enforcement Administration, any United 
                States attorney, any special prosecutor 
                appointed under section 593 of title 28, United 
                States Code, or any attorney in charge of a 
                criminal division organized crime strike force 
                established pursuant to section 510 of title 
                28, United States Code, the Secretary shall 
                disclose return information (other than 
                taxpayer return information) to officers and 
                employees of such agency who are personally and 
                directly engaged in--
                          (i) preparation for any judicial or 
                        administrative proceeding described in 
                        paragraph (1)(A)(i),
                          (ii) any investigation which may 
                        result in such a proceeding, or
                          (iii) any grand jury proceeding 
                        described in paragraph (1)(A)(iii),
                solely for the use of such officers and 
                employees in such preparation, investigation, 
                or grand jury proceeding.
                  (B) Requirements.--A request meets the 
                requirements of this subparagraph if the 
                request is in writing and sets forth--
                          (i) the name and address of the 
                        taxpayer with respect to whom the 
                        requested return information relates;
                          (ii) the taxable period or periods to 
                        which such return information relates;
                          (iii) the statutory authority under 
                        which the proceeding or investigation 
                        described in subparagraph (A) is being 
                        conducted; and
                          (iv) the specific reason or reasons 
                        why such disclosure is, or may be, 
                        relevant to such proceeding or 
                        investigation.
                  (C) Taxpayer identity.--For purposes of this 
                paragraph, a taxpayer's identity shall not be 
                treated as taxpayer return information.
          (3) Disclosure of return information to apprise 
        appropriate officials of criminal or terrorist 
        activities or emergency circumstances.--
                  (A) Possible violations of Federal criminal 
                law.--
                          (i) In general.--Except as provided 
                        in paragraph (6), the Secretary may 
                        disclose in writing return information 
                        (other than taxpayer return 
                        information) which may constitute 
                        evidence of a violation of any Federal 
                        criminal law (not involving tax 
                        administration) to the extent necessary 
                        to apprise the head of the appropriate 
                        Federal agency charged with the 
                        responsibility of enforcing such law. 
                        The head of such agency may disclose 
                        such return information to officers and 
                        employees of such agency to the extent 
                        necessary to enforce such law.
                          (ii) Taxpayer identity.--If there is 
                        return information (other than taxpayer 
                        return information) which may 
                        constitute evidence of a violation by 
                        any taxpayer of any Federal criminal 
                        law (not involving tax administration), 
                        such taxpayer's identity may also be 
                        disclosed under clause (i).
                  (B) Emergency circumstances.--
                          (i) Danger of death or physical 
                        injury.--Under circumstances involving 
                        an imminent danger of death or physical 
                        injury to any individual, the Secretary 
                        may disclose return information to the 
                        extent necessary to apprise appropriate 
                        officers or employees of any Federal or 
                        State law enforcement agency of such 
                        circumstances.
                          (ii) Flight from Federal 
                        prosecution.--Under circumstances 
                        involving the imminent flight of any 
                        individual from Federal prosecution, 
                        the Secretary may disclose return 
                        information to the extent necessary to 
                        apprise appropriate officers or 
                        employees of any Federal law 
                        enforcement agency of such 
                        circumstances.
                  (C) Terrorist activities, etc.
                          (i) In general.--Except as provided 
                        in paragraph (6), the Secretary may 
                        disclose in writing return information 
                        (other than taxpayer return 
                        information) that may be related to a 
                        terrorist incident, threat, or activity 
                        to the extent necessary to apprise the 
                        head of the appropriate Federal law 
                        enforcement agency responsible for 
                        investigating or responding to such 
                        terrorist incident, threat, or 
                        activity. The head of the agency may 
                        disclose such return information to 
                        officers and employees of such agency 
                        to the extent necessary to investigate 
                        or respond to such terrorist incident, 
                        threat, or activity.
                          (ii) Disclosure to the Department of 
                        Justice.--Returns and taxpayer return 
                        information may also be disclosed to 
                        the Attorney General under clause (i) 
                        to the extent necessary for, and solely 
                        for use in preparing, an application 
                        under paragraph (7)(D).
                          (iii) Taxpayer identity.--For 
                        purposes of this subparagraph, a 
                        taxpayer's identity shall not be 
                        treated as taxpayer return information.
          (4) Use of certain disclosed returns and return 
        information in judicial or administrative 
        proceedings.--
                  (A) Returns and taxpayer return 
                information.--Except as provided in 
                subparagraph (C), any return or taxpayer return 
                information obtained under paragraph (1) or 
                (7)(C) may be disclosed in any judicial or 
                administrative proceeding pertaining to 
                enforcement of a specifically designated 
                Federal criminal statute or related civil 
                forfeiture (not involving tax administration) 
                to which the United States or a Federal agency 
                is a party--
                          (i) if the court finds that such 
                        return or taxpayer return information 
                        is probative of a matter in issue 
                        relevant in establishing the commission 
                        of a crime or the guilt or liability of 
                        a party, or
                          (ii) to the extent required by order 
                        of the court pursuant to section 3500 
                        of title 18, United States Code, or 
                        rule 16 of the Federal Rules of 
                        Criminal Procedure.
                  (B) Return information (other than taxpayer 
                return information).--Except as provided in 
                subparagraph (C), any return information (other 
                than taxpayer return information) obtained 
                under paragraph (1), (2), (3)(A) or (C), or (7) 
                may be disclosed in any judicial or 
                administrative proceeding pertaining to 
                enforcement of a specifically designated 
                Federal criminal statute or related civil 
                forfeiture (not involving tax administration) 
                to which the United States or a Federal agency 
                is a party.
                  (C) Confidential informant; impairment of 
                investigations.--No return or return 
                information shall be admitted into evidence 
                under subparagraph (A)(i) or (B) if the 
                Secretary determines and notifies the Attorney 
                General or his delegate or the head of the 
                Federal agency that such admission would 
                identify a confidential informant or seriously 
                impair a civil or criminal tax investigation.
                  (D) Consideration of confidentiality 
                policy.--In ruling upon the admissibility of 
                returns or return information, and in the 
                issuance of an order under subparagraph 
                (A)(ii), the court shall give due consideration 
                to congressional policy favoring the 
                confidentiality of returns and return 
                information as set forth in this title.
                  (E) Reversible error.--The admission into 
                evidence of any return or return information 
                contrary to the provisions of this paragraph 
                shall not, as such, constitute reversible error 
                upon appeal of a judgment in the proceeding.
          (5) Disclosure to locate fugitives from justice.--
                  (A) In general.--Except as provided in 
                paragraph (6), the return of an individual or 
                return information with respect to such 
                individual shall, pursuant to and upon the 
                grant of an ex parte order by a Federal 
                district court judge or magistrate judge under 
                subparagraph (B), be open (but only to the 
                extent necessary as provided in such order) to 
                inspection by, or disclosure to, officers and 
                employees of any Federal agency exclusively for 
                use in locating such individual.
                  (B) Application for order.--Any person 
                described in paragraph (1)(B) may authorize an 
                application to a Federal district court judge 
                or magistrate judge for an order referred to in 
                subparagraph (A). Upon such application, such 
                judge or magistrate judge may grant such order 
                if he determines on the basis of the facts 
                submitted by the applicant that--
                          (i) a Federal arrest warrant relating 
                        to the commission of a Federal felony 
                        offense has been issued for an 
                        individual who is a fugitive from 
                        justice,
                          (ii) the return of such individual or 
                        return information with respect to such 
                        individual is sought exclusively for 
                        use in locating such individual, and
                          (iii) there is reasonable cause to 
                        believe that such return or return 
                        information may be relevant in 
                        determining the location of such 
                        individual.
          (6) Confidential informants; impairment of 
        investigations.--The Secretary shall not disclose any 
        return or return information under paragraph (1), (2), 
        (3)(A) or (C), (5), (7), or (8) if the Secretary 
        determines (and, in the case of a request for 
        disclosure pursuant to a court order described in 
        paragraph (1)(B) or (5)(B), certifies to the court) 
        that such disclosure would identify a confidential 
        informant or seriously impair a civil or criminal tax 
        investigation.
          (7) Disclosure upon request of information relating 
        to terrorist activities, etc.
                  (A) Disclosure to law enforcement agencies.--
                          (i) In general.--Except as provided 
                        in paragraph (6), upon receipt by the 
                        Secretary of a written request which 
                        meets the requirements of clause (iii), 
                        the Secretary may disclose return 
                        information (other than taxpayer return 
                        information) to officers and employees 
                        of any Federal law enforcement agency 
                        who are personally and directly engaged 
                        in the response to or investigation of 
                        any terrorist incident, threat, or 
                        activity.
                          (ii) Disclosure to State and local 
                        law enforcement agencies.--The head of 
                        any Federal law enforcement agency may 
                        disclose return information obtained 
                        under clause (i) to officers and 
                        employees of any State or local law 
                        enforcement agency but only if such 
                        agency is part of a team with the 
                        Federal law enforcement agency in such 
                        response or investigation and such 
                        information is disclosed only to 
                        officers and employees who are 
                        personally and directly engaged in such 
                        response or investigation.
                          (iii) Requirements.--A request meets 
                        the requirements of this clause if--
                                  (I) the request is made by 
                                the head of any Federal law 
                                enforcement agency (or his 
                                delegate) involved in the 
                                response to or investigation of 
                                any terrorist incident, threat, 
                                or activity, and
                                  (II) the request sets forth 
                                the specific reason or reasons 
                                why such disclosure may be 
                                relevant to a terrorist 
                                incident, threat, or activity.
                          (iv) Limitation on use of 
                        information.--Information disclosed 
                        under this subparagraph shall be solely 
                        for the use of the officers and 
                        employees to whom such information is 
                        disclosed in such response or 
                        investigation.
                          (v) Taxpayer identity.--For purposes 
                        of this subparagraph, a taxpayer's 
                        identity shall not be treated as 
                        taxpayer return information.
                  (B) Disclosure to intelligence agencies.--
                          (i) In general.--Except as provided 
                        in paragraph (6), upon receipt by the 
                        Secretary of a written request which 
                        meets the requirements of clause (ii), 
                        the Secretary may disclose return 
                        information (other than taxpayer return 
                        information) to those officers and 
                        employees of the Department of Justice, 
                        the Department of the Treasury, and 
                        other Federal intelligence agencies who 
                        are personally and directly engaged in 
                        the collection or analysis of 
                        intelligence and counterintelligence 
                        information or investigation concerning 
                        any terrorist incident, threat, or 
                        activity. For purposes of the preceding 
                        sentence, the information disclosed 
                        under the preceding sentence shall be 
                        solely for the use of such officers and 
                        employees in such investigation, 
                        collection, or analysis.
                          (ii) Requirements.--A request meets 
                        the requirements of this subparagraph 
                        if the request--
                                  (I) is made by an individual 
                                described in clause (iii), and
                                  (II) sets forth the specific 
                                reason or reasons why such 
                                disclosure may be relevant to a 
                                terrorist incident, threat, or 
                                activity.
                          (iii) Requesting individuals.--An 
                        individual described in this 
                        subparagraph is an individual--
                                  (I) who is an officer or 
                                employee of the Department of 
                                Justice or the Department of 
                                the Treasury who is appointed 
                                by the President with the 
                                advice and consent of the 
                                Senate or who is the Director 
                                of the United States Secret 
                                Service, and
                                  (II) who is responsible for 
                                the collection and analysis of 
                                intelligence and 
                                counterintelligence information 
                                concerning any terrorist 
                                incident, threat, or activity.
                          (iv) Taxpayer identity.--For purposes 
                        of this subparagraph, a taxpayer's 
                        identity shall not be treated as 
                        taxpayer return information.
                  (C) Disclosure under ex parte orders.--
                          (i) In general.--Except as provided 
                        in paragraph (6), any return or return 
                        information with respect to any 
                        specified taxable period or periods 
                        shall, pursuant to and upon the grant 
                        of an ex parte order by a Federal 
                        district court judge or magistrate 
                        judge under clause (ii), be open (but 
                        only to the extent necessary as 
                        provided in such order) to inspection 
                        by, or disclosure to, officers and 
                        employees of any Federal law 
                        enforcement agency or Federal 
                        intelligence agency who are personally 
                        and directly engaged in any 
                        investigation, response to, or analysis 
                        of intelligence and counterintelligence 
                        information concerning any terrorist 
                        incident, threat, or activity. Return 
                        or return information opened to 
                        inspection or disclosure pursuant to 
                        the preceding sentence shall be solely 
                        for the use of such officers and 
                        employees in the investigation, 
                        response, or analysis, and in any 
                        judicial, administrative, or grand jury 
                        proceedings, pertaining to such 
                        terrorist incident, threat, or 
                        activity.
                          (ii) Application for order.--The 
                        Attorney General, the Deputy Attorney 
                        General, the Associate Attorney 
                        General, any Assistant Attorney 
                        General, or any United States attorney 
                        may authorize an application to a 
                        Federal district court judge or 
                        magistrate judge for the order referred 
                        to in clause (i). Upon such 
                        application, such judge or magistrate 
                        judge may grant such order if he 
                        determines on the basis of the facts 
                        submitted by the applicant that--
                                  (I) there is reasonable cause 
                                to believe, based upon 
                                information believed to be 
                                reliable, that the return or 
                                return information may be 
                                relevant to a matter relating 
                                to such terrorist incident, 
                                threat, or activity, and
                                  (II) the return or return 
                                information is sought 
                                exclusively for use in a 
                                Federal investigation, 
                                analysis, or proceeding 
                                concerning any terrorist 
                                incident, threat, or activity.
                  (D) Special rule for ex parte disclosure by 
                the IRS.--
                          (i) In general.--Except as provided 
                        in paragraph (6), the Secretary may 
                        authorize an application to a Federal 
                        district court judge or magistrate 
                        judge for the order referred to in 
                        subparagraph (C)(i). Upon such 
                        application, such judge or magistrate 
                        judge may grant such order if he 
                        determines on the basis of the facts 
                        submitted by the applicant that the 
                        requirements of subparagraph (C)(ii)(I) 
                        are met.
                          (ii) Limitation on use of 
                        information.--Information disclosed 
                        under clause (i)--
                                  (I) may be disclosed only to 
                                the extent necessary to apprise 
                                the head of the appropriate 
                                Federal law enforcement agency 
                                responsible for investigating 
                                or responding to a terrorist 
                                incident, threat, or activity, 
                                and
                                  (II) shall be solely for use 
                                in a Federal investigation, 
                                analysis, or proceeding 
                                concerning any terrorist 
                                incident, threat, or activity.
                        The head of such Federal agency may 
                        disclose such information to officers 
                        and employees of such agency to the 
                        extent necessary to investigate or 
                        respond to such terrorist incident, 
                        threat, or activity.
          (8) Comptroller General.--
                  (A) Returns available for inspection.--Except 
                as provided in subparagraph (C), upon written 
                request by the Comptroller General of the 
                United States, returns and return information 
                shall be open to inspection by, or disclosure 
                to, officers and employees of the Government 
                Accountability Office for the purpose of, and 
                to the extent necessary in, making--
                          (i) an audit of the Internal Revenue 
                        Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, 
                        Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, 
                        Department of Justice, or the Tax and 
                        Trade Bureau, Department of the 
                        Treasury, which may be required by 
                        section 713 of title 31, United States 
                        Code, or
                          (ii) any audit authorized by 
                        subsection (p)(6),
                except that no such officer or employee shall, 
                except to the extent authorized by subsection 
                (f) or (p)(6), disclose to any person, other 
                than another officer or employee of such office 
                whose official duties require such disclosure, 
                any return or return information described in 
                section 4424(a) in a form which can be 
                associated with, or otherwise identify, 
                directly or indirectly, a particular taxpayer, 
                nor shall such officer or employee disclose any 
                other return or return information, except as 
                otherwise expressly provided by law, to any 
                person other than such other officer or 
                employee of such office in a form which can be 
                associated with, or otherwise identify, 
                directly or indirectly, a particular taxpayer.
                  (B) Audits of other agencies.--
                          (i) In general.--Nothing in this 
                        section shall prohibit any return or 
                        return information obtained under this 
                        title by any Federal agency (other than 
                        an agency referred to in subparagraph 
                        (A)) or by a Trustee as defined in the 
                        District of Columbia Retirement 
                        Protection Act of 1997, for use in any 
                        program or activity from being open to 
                        inspection by, or disclosure to, 
                        officers and employees of the 
                        Government Accountability Office if 
                        such inspection or disclosure is--
                                  (I) for purposes of, and to 
                                the extent necessary in, making 
                                an audit authorized by law of 
                                such program or activity, and
                                  (II) pursuant to a written 
                                request by the Comptroller 
                                General of the United States to 
                                the head of such Federal 
                                agency.
                          (ii) Information from Secretary.--If 
                        the Comptroller General of the United 
                        States determines that the returns or 
                        return information available under 
                        clause (i) are not sufficient for 
                        purposes of making an audit of any 
                        program or activity of a Federal agency 
                        (other than an agency referred to in 
                        subparagraph (A)), upon written request 
                        by the Comptroller General to the 
                        Secretary, returns and return 
                        information (of the type authorized by 
                        subsection (l) or (m) to be made 
                        available to the Federal agency for use 
                        in such program or activity) shall be 
                        open to inspection by, or disclosure 
                        to, officers and employees of the 
                        Government Accountability Office for 
                        the purpose of, and to the extent 
                        necessary in, making such audit.
                          (iii) Requirement of notification 
                        upon completion of audit.--Within 90 
                        days after the completion of an audit 
                        with respect to which returns or return 
                        information were opened to inspection 
                        or disclosed under clause (i) or (ii), 
                        the Comptroller General of the United 
                        States shall notify in writing the 
                        Joint Committee on Taxation of such 
                        completion. Such notice shall include--
                                  (I) a description of the use 
                                of the returns and return 
                                information by the Federal 
                                agency involved,
                                  (II) such recommendations 
                                with respect to the use of 
                                returns and return information 
                                by such Federal agency as the 
                                Comptroller General deems 
                                appropriate, and
                                  (III) a statement on the 
                                impact of any such 
                                recommendations on 
                                confidentiality of returns and 
                                return information and the 
                                administration of this title.
                          (iv) Certain restrictions made 
                        applicable.--The restrictions contained 
                        in subparagraph (A) on the disclosure 
                        of any returns or return information 
                        open to inspection or disclosed under 
                        such subparagraph shall also apply to 
                        returns and return information open to 
                        inspection or disclosed under this 
                        subparagraph.
                  (C) Disapproval by Joint Committee on 
                Taxation.--Returns and return information shall 
                not be open to inspection or disclosed under 
                subparagraph (A) or (B) with respect to an 
                audit--
                          (i) unless the Comptroller General of 
                        the United States notifies in writing 
                        the Joint Committee on Taxation of such 
                        audit, and
                          (ii) if the Joint Committee on 
                        Taxation disapproves such audit by a 
                        vote of at least two-thirds of its 
                        members within the 30-day period 
                        beginning on the day the Joint 
                        Committee on Taxation receives such 
                        notice.
  (j) Statistical Use.--
          (1) Department of Commerce.--Upon request in writing 
        by the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary shall 
        furnish--
                  (A) such returns, or return information 
                reflected thereon, to officers and employees of 
                the Bureau of the Census, and
                  (B) such return information reflected on 
                returns of corporations to officers and 
                employees of the Bureau of Economic Analysis,
        as the Secretary may prescribe by regulation for the 
        purpose of, but only to the extent necessary in, the 
        structuring of censuses and national economic accounts 
        and conducting related statistical activities 
        authorized by law.
          (2) Federal Trade Commission.--Upon request in 
        writing by the Chairman of the Federal Trade 
        Commission, the Secretary shall furnish such return 
        information reflected on any return of a corporation 
        with respect to the tax imposed by chapter 1 to 
        officers and employees of the Division of Financial 
        Statistics of the Bureau of Economics of such 
        commission as the Secretary may prescribe by regulation 
        for the purpose of, but only to the extent necessary 
        in, administration by such division of legally 
        authorized economic surveys of corporations.
          (3) Department of Treasury.--Returns and return 
        information shall be open to inspection by or 
        disclosure to officers and employees of the Department 
        of the Treasury whose official duties require such 
        inspection or disclosure for the purpose of, but only 
        to the extent necessary in, preparing economic or 
        financial forecasts, projections, analyses, and 
        statistical studies and conducting related activities. 
        Such inspection or disclosure shall be permitted only 
        upon written request which sets forth the specific 
        reason or reasons why such inspection or disclosure is 
        necessary and which is signed by the head of the bureau 
        or office of the Department of the Treasury requesting 
        the inspection or disclosure.
          (4) Anonymous form.--No person who receives a return 
        or return information under this subsection shall 
        disclose such return or return information to any 
        person other than the taxpayer to whom it relates 
        except in a form which cannot be associated with, or 
        otherwise identify, directly or indirectly, a 
        particular taxpayer.
          (5) Department of Agriculture.--Upon request in 
        writing by the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary 
        shall furnish such returns, or return information 
        reflected thereon, as the Secretary may prescribe by 
        regulation to officers and employees of the Department 
        of Agriculture whose official duties require access to 
        such returns or information for the purpose of, but 
        only to the extent necessary in, structuring, 
        preparing, and conducting the census of agriculture 
        pursuant to the Census of Agriculture Act of 1997 
        (Public Law 105-113).
          (6) Congressional Budget Office.--Upon written 
        request by the Director of the Congressional Budget 
        Office, the Secretary shall furnish to officers and 
        employees of the Congressional Budget Office return 
        information for the purpose of, but only to the extent 
        necessary for, long-term models of the social security 
        and medicare programs.
  (k) Disclosure of Certain Returns and Return Information for 
Tax Administration Purposes.--
          (1) Disclosure of accepted offers-in-compromise.--
        Return information shall be disclosed to members of the 
        general public to the extent necessary to permit 
        inspection of any accepted offer-in-compromise under 
        section 7122 relating to the liability for a tax 
        imposed by this title.
          (2) Disclosure of amount of outstanding lien.--If a 
        notice of lien has been filed pursuant to section 
        6323(f), the amount of the outstanding obligation 
        secured by such lien may be disclosed to any person who 
        furnishes satisfactory written evidence that he has a 
        right in the property subject to such lien or intends 
        to obtain a right in such property.
          (3) Disclosure of return information to correct 
        misstatements of fact.--The Secretary may, but only 
        following approval by the Joint Committee on Taxation, 
        disclose such return information or any other 
        information with respect to any specific taxpayer to 
        the extent necessary for tax administration purposes to 
        correct a misstatement of fact published or disclosed 
        with respect to such taxpayer's return or any 
        transaction of the taxpayer with the Internal Revenue 
        Service.
          (4) Disclosure of competent authority under income 
        tax convention.--A return or return information may be 
        disclosed to a competent authority of a foreign 
        government which has an income tax or gift and estate 
        tax convention, or other convention or bilateral 
        agreement relating to the exchange of tax information, 
        with the United States but only to the extent provided 
        in, and subject to the terms and conditions of, such 
        convention or bilateral agreement.
          (5) State agencies regulating tax return preparers.--
        Taxpayer identity information with respect to any tax 
        return preparer, and information as to whether or not 
        any penalty has been assessed against such tax return 
        preparer under section 6694, 6695, or 7216, may be 
        furnished to any agency, body, or commission lawfully 
        charged under any State or local law with the 
        licensing, registration, or regulation of tax return 
        preparers. Such information may be furnished only upon 
        written request by the head of such agency, body, or 
        commission designating the officers or employees to 
        whom such information is to be furnished. Information 
        may be furnished and used under this paragraph only for 
        purposes of the licensing, registration, or regulation 
        of tax return preparers.
          (6) Disclosure by certain officers and employees for 
        investigative purposes.--An internal revenue officer or 
        employee and an officer or employee of the Office of 
        Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration may, 
        in connection with his official duties relating to any 
        audit, collection activity, or civil or criminal tax 
        investigation or any other offense under the internal 
        revenue laws, disclose return information to the extent 
        that such disclosure is necessary in obtaining 
        information, which is not otherwise reasonably 
        available, with respect to the correct determination of 
        tax, liability for tax, or the amount to be collected 
        or with respect to the enforcement of any other 
        provision of this title. Such disclosures shall be made 
        only in such situations and under such conditions as 
        the Secretary may prescribe by regulation.
          (7) Disclosure of excise tax registration 
        information.--To the extent the Secretary determines 
        that disclosure is necessary to permit the effective 
        administration of subtitle D, the Secretary may 
        disclose--
                  (A) the name, address, and registration 
                number of each person who is registered under 
                any provision of subtitle D (and, in the case 
                of a registered terminal operator, the address 
                of each terminal operated by such operator), 
                and
                  (B) the registration status of any person.
          (8) Levies on certain government payments.--
                  (A) Disclosure of return information in 
                levies on financial management service.--In 
                serving a notice of levy, or release of such 
                levy, with respect to any applicable government 
                payment, the Secretary may disclose to officers 
                and employees of the Financial Management 
                Service--
                          (i) return information, including 
                        taxpayer identity information,
                          (ii) the amount of any unpaid 
                        liability under this title (including 
                        penalties and interest), and
                          (iii) the type of tax and tax period 
                        to which such unpaid liability relates.
                  (B) Restriction on use of disclosed 
                information.--Return information disclosed 
                under subparagraph (A) may be used by officers 
                and employees of the Financial Management 
                Service only for the purpose of, and to the 
                extent necessary in, transferring levied funds 
                in satisfaction of the levy, maintaining 
                appropriate agency records in regard to such 
                levy or the release thereof, notifying the 
                taxpayer and the agency certifying such payment 
                that the levy has been honored, or in the 
                defense of any litigation ensuing from the 
                honor of such levy.
                  (C) Applicable government payment.--For 
                purposes of this paragraph, the term 
                ``applicable government payment'' means--
                          (i) any Federal payment (other than a 
                        payment for which eligibility is based 
                        on the income or assets (or both) of a 
                        payee) certified to the Financial 
                        Management Service for disbursement, 
                        and
                          (ii) any other payment which is 
                        certified to the Financial Management 
                        Service for disbursement and which the 
                        Secretary designates by published 
                        notice.
          (9) Disclosure of information to administer section 
        6311.--The Secretary may disclose returns or return 
        information to financial institutions and others to the 
        extent the Secretary deems necessary for the 
        administration of section 6311. Disclosures of 
        information for purposes other than to accept payments 
        by checks or money orders shall be made only to the 
        extent authorized by written procedures promulgated by 
        the Secretary.
          (10) Disclosure of certain returns and return 
        information to certain prison officials.--
                  (A) In general.--Under such procedures as the 
                Secretary may prescribe, the Secretary may 
                disclose to officers and employees of the 
                Federal Bureau of Prisons and of any State 
                agency charged with the responsibility for 
                administration of prisons any returns or return 
                information with respect to individuals 
                incarcerated in Federal or State prison systems 
                whom the Secretary has determined may have 
                filed or facilitated the filing of a false or 
                fraudulent return to the extent that the 
                Secretary determines that such disclosure is 
                necessary to permit effective Federal tax 
                administration.
                  (B) Disclosure to contractor-run prisons.--
                Under such procedures as the Secretary may 
                prescribe, the disclosures authorized by 
                subparagraph (A) may be made to contractors 
                responsible for the operation of a Federal or 
                State prison on behalf of such Bureau or 
                agency.
                  (C) Restrictions on use of disclosed 
                information.--Any return or return information 
                received under this paragraph shall be used 
                only for the purposes of and to the extent 
                necessary in taking administrative action to 
                prevent the filing of false and fraudulent 
                returns, including administrative actions to 
                address possible violations of administrative 
                rules and regulations of the prison facility 
                and in administrative and judicial proceedings 
                arising from such administrative actions.
                  (D) Restrictions on redisclosure and 
                disclosure to legal representatives.--
                Notwithstanding subsection (h)--
                          (i) Restrictions on redisclosure.--
                        Except as provided in clause (ii), any 
                        officer, employee, or contractor of the 
                        Federal Bureau of Prisons or of any 
                        State agency charged with the 
                        responsibility for administration of 
                        prisons shall not disclose any 
                        information obtained under this 
                        paragraph to any person other than an 
                        officer or employee or contractor of 
                        such Bureau or agency personally and 
                        directly engaged in the administration 
                        of prison facilities on behalf of such 
                        Bureau or agency.
                          (ii) Disclosure to legal 
                        representatives.--The returns and 
                        return information disclosed under this 
                        paragraph may be disclosed to the duly 
                        authorized legal representative of the 
                        Federal Bureau of Prisons, State 
                        agency, or contractor charged with the 
                        responsibility for administration of 
                        prisons, or of the incarcerated 
                        individual accused of filing the false 
                        or fraudulent return who is a party to 
                        an action or proceeding described in 
                        subparagraph (C), solely in preparation 
                        for, or for use in, such action or 
                        proceeding.
  (l) Disclosure of Returns and Return Information for Purposes 
Other Than Tax Administration.--
          (1) Disclosure of certain returns and return 
        information to Social Security Administration and 
        Railroad Retirement Board.--The Secretary may, upon 
        written request, disclose returns and return 
        information with respect to--
                  (A) taxes imposed by chapters 2, 21, and 24, 
                to the Social Security Administration for 
                purposes of its administration of the Social 
                Security Act;
                  (B) a plan to which part I of subchapter D of 
                chapter 1 applies, to the Social Security 
                Administration for purposes of carrying out its 
                responsibility under section 1131 of the Social 
                Security Act, limited, however to return 
                information described in section 6057(d); and
                  (C) taxes imposed by chapter 22, to the 
                Railroad Retirement Board for purposes of its 
                administration of the Railroad Retirement Act.
          (2) Disclosure of returns and return information to 
        the Department of Labor and Pension Benefit Guaranty 
        Corporation.--The Secretary may, upon written request, 
        furnish returns and return information to the proper 
        officers and employees of the Department of Labor and 
        the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation for purposes 
        of, but only to the extent necessary in, the 
        administration of titles I and IV of the Employee 
        Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
          (3) Disclosure that applicant for Federal loan has 
        tax delinquent account.--
                  (A) In general.--Upon written request, the 
                Secretary may disclose to the head of the 
                Federal agency administering any included 
                Federal loan program whether or not an 
                applicant for a loan under such program has a 
                tax delinquent account.
                  (B) Restriction on disclosure.--Any 
                disclosure under subparagraph (A) shall be made 
                only for the purpose of, and to the extent 
                necessary in, determining the creditworthiness 
                of the applicant for the loan in question.
                  (C) Included Federal loan program defined.--
                For purposes of this paragraph, the term 
                ``included Federal loan program'' means any 
                program under which the United States or a 
                Federal agency makes, guarantees, or insures 
                loans.
          (4) Disclosure of returns and return information for 
        use in personnel or claimant representative matters.--
        The Secretary may disclose returns and return 
        information--
                  (A) upon written request--
                          (i) to an employee or former employee 
                        of the Department of the Treasury, or 
                        to the duly authorized legal 
                        representative of such employee or 
                        former employee, who is or may be a 
                        party to any administrative action or 
                        proceeding affecting the personnel 
                        rights of such employee or former 
                        employee; or
                          (ii) to any person, or to the duly 
                        authorized legal representative of such 
                        person, whose rights are or may be 
                        affected by an administrative action or 
                        proceeding under section 330 of title 
                        31, United States Code,
                solely for use in the action or proceeding, or 
                in preparation for the action or proceeding, 
                but only to the extent that the Secretary 
                determines that such returns or return 
                information is or may be relevant and material 
                to the action or proceeding; or
                  (B) to officers and employees of the 
                Department of the Treasury for use in any 
                action or proceeding described in subparagraph 
                (A), or in preparation for such action or 
                proceeding, to the extent necessary to advance 
                or protect the interests of the United States.
          (5) Social Security Administration.--Upon written 
        request by the Commissioner of Social Security, the 
        Secretary may disclose information returns filed 
        pursuant to part III of subchapter A of chapter 61 of 
        this subtitle for the purpose of--
                  (A) carrying out, in accordance with an 
                agreement entered into pursuant to section 232 
                of the Social Security Act, an effective return 
                processing program; or
                  (B) providing information regarding the 
                mortality status of individuals for 
                epidemiological and similar research in 
                accordance with section 1106(d) of the Social 
                Security Act.
          (6) Disclosure of return information to Federal, 
        State, and local child support enforcement agencies.--
                  (A) Return information from Internal Revenue 
                Service.--The Secretary may, upon written 
                request, disclose to the appropriate Federal, 
                State, or local child support enforcement 
                agency--
                          (i) available return information from 
                        the master files of the Internal 
                        Revenue Service relating to the social 
                        security account number (or numbers, if 
                        the individual involved has more than 
                        one such number), address, filing 
                        status, amounts and nature of income, 
                        and the number of dependents reported 
                        on any return filed by, or with respect 
                        to, any individual with respect to whom 
                        child support obligations are sought to 
                        be established or enforced pursuant to 
                        the provisions of part D of title IV of 
                        the Social Security Act and with 
                        respect to any individual to whom such 
                        support obligations are owing, and
                          (ii) available return information 
                        reflected on any return filed by, or 
                        with respect to, any individual 
                        described in clause (i) relating to the 
                        amount of such individual's gross 
                        income (as defined in section 61) or 
                        consisting of the names and addresses 
                        of payors of such income and the names 
                        of any dependents reported on such 
                        return, but only if such return 
                        information is not reasonably available 
                        from any other source.
                  (B) Disclosure to certain agents.--The 
                following information disclosed to any child 
                support enforcement agency under subparagraph 
                (A) with respect to any individual with respect 
                to whom child support obligations are sought to 
                be established or enforced may be disclosed by 
                such agency to any agent of such agency which 
                is under contract with such agency to carry out 
                the purposes described in subparagraph (C):
                          (i) The address and social security 
                        account number (or numbers) of such 
                        individual.
                          (ii) The amount of any reduction 
                        under section 6402(c) (relating to 
                        offset of past-due support against 
                        overpayments) in any overpayment 
                        otherwise payable to such individual.
                  (C) Restriction on disclosure.--Information 
                may be disclosed under this paragraph only for 
                purposes of, and to the extent necessary in, 
                establishing and collecting child support 
                obligations from, and locating, individuals 
                owing such obligations.
          (7) Disclosure of return information to Federal, 
        State, and local agencies administering certain 
        programs under the Social Security Act, the Food and 
        Nutrition Act of 2008 of 1977, or title 38, United 
        States Code, or certain housing assistance programs
                  (A) Return information from Social Security 
                Administration.--The Commissioner of Social 
                Security shall, upon written request, disclose 
                return information from returns with respect to 
                net earnings from self-employment (as defined 
                in section 1402), wages (as defined in section 
                3121(a) or 3401(a)), and payments of retirement 
                income, which have been disclosed to the Social 
                Security Administration as provided by 
                paragraph (1) or (5) of this subsection, to any 
                Federal, State, or local agency administering a 
                program listed in subparagraph (D).
                  (B) Return information from Internal Revenue 
                Service.--The Secretary shall, upon written 
                request, disclose current return information 
                from returns with respect to unearned income 
                from the Internal Revenue Service files to any 
                Federal, State, or local agency administering a 
                program listed in subparagraph (D).
                  (C) Restriction on disclosure.--The 
                Commissioner of Social Security and the 
                Secretary shall disclose return information 
                under subparagraphs (A) and (B) only for 
                purposes of, and to the extent necessary in, 
                determining eligibility for, or the correct 
                amount of, benefits under a program listed in 
                subparagraph (D).
                  (D) Programs to which rule applies.--The 
                programs to which this paragraph applies are:
                          (i) a State program funded under part 
                        A of title IV of the Social Security 
                        Act;
                          (ii) medical assistance provided 
                        under a State plan approved under title 
                        XIX of the Social Security Act or 
                        subsidies provided under section 1860D-
                        14 of such Act;
                          (iii) supplemental security income 
                        benefits provided under title XVI of 
                        the Social Security Act, and federally 
                        administered supplementary payments of 
                        the type described in section 1616(a) 
                        of such Act (including payments 
                        pursuant to an agreement entered into 
                        under section 212(a) of Public Law 93-
                        66);
                          (iv) any benefits provided under a 
                        State plan approved under title I, X, 
                        XIV, or XVI of the Social Security Act 
                        (as those titles apply to Puerto Rico, 
                        Guam, and the Virgin Islands);
                          (v) unemployment compensation 
                        provided under a State law described in 
                        section 3304 of this title;
                          (vi) assistance provided under the 
                        Food and Nutrition Act of 2008;
                          (vii) State-administered 
                        supplementary payments of the type 
                        described in section 1616(a) of the 
                        Social Security Act (including payments 
                        pursuant to an agreement entered into 
                        under section 212(a) of Public Law 93-
                        66);
                          (viii)(I) any needs-based pension 
                        provided under chapter 15 of title 38, 
                        United States Code, or under any other 
                        law administered by the Secretary of 
                        Veterans Affairs;
                                  (II) parents' dependency and 
                                indemnity compensation provided 
                                under section 1315 of title 38, 
                                United States Code;
                                  (III) health-care services 
                                furnished under sections 
                                1710(a)(2)(G), 1710(a)(3), and 
                                1710(b) of such title; and
                                  (IV) compensation paid under 
                                chapter 11 of title 38, United 
                                States Code, at the 100 percent 
                                rate based solely on 
                                unemployability and without 
                                regard to the fact that the 
                                disability or disabilities are 
                                not rated as 100 percent 
                                disabling under the rating 
                                schedule; and
                          (ix) any housing assistance program 
                        administered by the Department of 
                        Housing and Urban Development that 
                        involves initial and periodic review of 
                        an applicant's or participant's income, 
                        except that return information may be 
                        disclosed under this clause only on 
                        written request by the Secretary of 
                        Housing and Urban Development and only 
                        for use by officers and employees of 
                        the Department of Housing and Urban 
                        Development with respect to applicants 
                        for and participants in such programs.
                Only return information from returns with 
                respect to net earnings from self-employment 
                and wages may be disclosed under this paragraph 
                for use with respect to any program described 
                in clause (viii)(IV).
          (8) Disclosure of certain return information by 
        Social Security Administration to Federal, State, and 
        local child support enforcement agencies.--
                  (A) In general.--Upon written request, the 
                Commissioner of Social Security shall disclose 
                directly to officers and employees of a Federal 
                or State or local child support enforcement 
                agency return information from returns with 
                respect to social security account numbers, net 
                earnings from self-employment (as defined in 
                section 1402), wages (as defined in section 
                3121(a) or 3401(a)), and payments of retirement 
                income which have been disclosed to the Social 
                Security Administration as provided by 
                paragraph (1) or (5) of this subsection.
                  (B) Restriction on disclosure.--The 
                Commissioner of Social Security shall disclose 
                return information under subparagraph (A) only 
                for purposes of, and to the extent necessary 
                in, establishing and collecting child support 
                obligations from, and locating, individuals 
                owing such obligations. For purposes of the 
                preceding sentence, the term ``child support 
                obligations'' only includes obligations which 
                are being enforced pursuant to a plan described 
                in section 454 of the Social Security Act which 
                has been approved by the Secretary of Health 
                and Human Services under part D of title IV of 
                such Act.
                  (C) State or local child support enforcement 
                agency.--For purposes of this paragraph, the 
                term ``State or local child support enforcement 
                agency'' means any agency of a State or 
                political subdivision thereof operating 
                pursuant to a plan described in subparagraph 
                (B).
          (9) Disclosure of alcohol fuel producers to 
        administrators of State alcohol laws.--Notwithstanding 
        any other provision of this section, the Secretary may 
        disclose--
                  (A) the name and address of any person who is 
                qualified to produce alcohol for fuel use under 
                section 5181, and
                  (B) the location of any premises to be used 
                by such person in producing alcohol for fuel,
        to any State agency, body, or commission, or its legal 
        representative, which is charged under the laws of such 
        State with responsibility for administration of State 
        alcohol laws solely for use in the administration of 
        such laws.
          (10) Disclosure of certain information to agencies 
        requesting a reduction under subsection (c), (d), (e), 
        or (f) of section 6402
                  (A) Return information from Internal Revenue 
                Service.--The Secretary may, upon receiving a 
                written request, disclose to officers and 
                employees of any agency seeking a reduction 
                under subsection (c), (d), (e), or (f) of 
                section 6402, to officers and employees of the 
                Department of Labor for purposes of 
                facilitating the exchange of data in connection 
                with a request made under subsection (f)(5) of 
                section 6402, and to officers and employees of 
                the Department of the Treasury in connection 
                with such reduction--
                          (i) taxpayer identity information 
                        with respect to the taxpayer against 
                        whom such a reduction was made or not 
                        made and with respect to any other 
                        person filing a joint return with such 
                        taxpayer,
                          (ii) the fact that a reduction has 
                        been made or has not been made under 
                        such subsection with respect to such 
                        taxpayer,
                          (iii) the amount of such reduction,
                          (iv) whether such taxpayer filed a 
                        joint return, and
                          (v) the fact that a payment was made 
                        (and the amount of the payment) to the 
                        spouse of the taxpayer on the basis of 
                        a joint return.
                  (B)(i) Restriction on use of disclosed 
                information
                  Any officers and employees of an agency 
                receiving return information under subparagraph 
                (A) shall use such information only for the 
                purposes of, and to the extent necessary in, 
                establishing appropriate agency records, 
                locating any person with respect to whom a 
                reduction under subsection (c), (d), (e), or 
                (f) of section 6402 is sought for purposes of 
                collecting the debt with respect to which the 
                reduction is sought, or in the defense of any 
                litigation or administrative procedure ensuing 
                from a reduction made under subsection (c), 
                (d), (e), or (f) of section 6402 and to 
                officers and employees of the Department of the 
                Treasury in connection with such reduction.
                          (ii) Notwithstanding clause (i), 
                        return information disclosed to 
                        officers and employees of the 
                        Department of Labor may be accessed by 
                        agents who maintain and provide 
                        technological support to the Department 
                        of Labor's Interstate Connection 
                        Network (ICON) solely for the purpose 
                        of providing such maintenance and 
                        support.
          (11) Disclosure of return information to carry out 
        Federal Employees' Retirement System.--
                  (A) In general.--The Commissioner of Social 
                Security shall, on written request, disclose to 
                the Office of Personnel Management return 
                information from returns with respect to net 
                earnings from self-employment (as defined in 
                section 1402), wages (as defined in section 
                3121(a) or 3401(a)), and payments of retirement 
                income, which have been disclosed to the Social 
                Security Administration as provided by 
                paragraph (1) or (5).
                  (B) Restriction on disclosure.--The 
                Commissioner of Social Security shall disclose 
                return information under subparagraph (A) only 
                for purposes of, and to the extent necessary 
                in, the administration of chapters 83 and 84 of 
                title 5, United States Code.
          (12) Disclosure of certain taxpayer identity 
        information for verification of employment status of 
        medicare beneficiary and spouse of medicare 
        beneficiary.--
                  (A) Return information from Internal Revenue 
                Service.--The Secretary shall, upon written 
                request from the Commissioner of Social 
                Security, disclose to the Commissioner 
                available filing status and taxpayer identity 
                information from the individual master files of 
                the Internal Revenue Service relating to 
                whether any medicare beneficiary identified by 
                the Commissioner was a married individual (as 
                defined in section 7703) for any specified year 
                after 1986, and, if so, the name of the spouse 
                of such individual and such spouse's TIN.
                  (B) Return information from Social Security 
                Administration.--The Commissioner of Social 
                Security shall, upon written request from the 
                Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & 
                Medicaid Services, disclose to the 
                Administrator the following information:
                          (i) The name and TIN of each medicare 
                        beneficiary who is identified as having 
                        received wages (as defined in section 
                        3401(a)), above an amount (if any) 
                        specified by the Secretary of Health 
                        and Human Services, from a qualified 
                        employer in a previous year.
                          (ii) For each medicare beneficiary 
                        who was identified as married under 
                        subparagraph (A) and whose spouse is 
                        identified as having received wages, 
                        above an amount (if any) specified by 
                        the Secretary of Health and Human 
                        Services, from a qualified employer in 
                        a previous year--
                                  (I) the name and TIN of the 
                                medicare beneficiary, and
                                  (II) the name and TIN of the 
                                spouse.
                          (iii) With respect to each such 
                        qualified employer, the name, address, 
                        and TIN of the employer and the number 
                        of individuals with respect to whom 
                        written statements were furnished under 
                        section 6051 by the employer with 
                        respect to such previous year.
                  (C) Disclosure by Centers for Medicare & 
                Medicaid Services.--With respect to the 
                information disclosed under subparagraph (B), 
                the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & 
                Medicaid Services may disclose--
                          (i) to the qualified employer 
                        referred to in such subparagraph the 
                        name and TIN of each individual 
                        identified under such subparagraph as 
                        having received wages from the employer 
                        (hereinafter in this subparagraph 
                        referred to as the ``employee'') for 
                        purposes of determining during what 
                        period such employee or the employee's 
                        spouse may be (or have been) covered 
                        under a group health plan of the 
                        employer and what benefits are or were 
                        covered under the plan (including the 
                        name, address, and identifying number 
                        of the plan),
                          (ii) to any group health plan which 
                        provides or provided coverage to such 
                        an employee or spouse, the name of such 
                        employee and the employee's spouse (if 
                        the spouse is a medicare beneficiary) 
                        and the name and address of the 
                        employer, and, for the purpose of 
                        presenting a claim to the plan--
                                  (I) the TIN of such employee 
                                if benefits were paid under 
                                title XVIII of the Social 
                                Security Act with respect to 
                                the employee during a period in 
                                which the plan was a primary 
                                plan (as defined in section 
                                1862(b)(2)(A) of the Social 
                                Security Act), and
                                  (II) the TIN of such spouse 
                                if benefits were paid under 
                                such title with respect to the 
                                spouse during such period, and
                          (iii) to any agent of such 
                        Administrator the information referred 
                        to in subparagraph (B) for purposes of 
                        carrying out clauses (i) and (ii) on 
                        behalf of such Administrator.
                  (D) Special rules.--
                          (i) Restrictions on disclosure.--
                        Information may be disclosed under this 
                        paragraph only for purposes of, and to 
                        the extent necessary in, determining 
                        the extent to which any medicare 
                        beneficiary is covered under any group 
                        health plan.
                          (ii) Timely response to requests.--
                        Any request made under subparagraph (A) 
                        or (B) shall be complied with as soon 
                        as possible but in no event later than 
                        120 days after the date the request was 
                        made.
                  (E) Definitions.--For purposes of this 
                paragraph--
                          (i) Medicare beneficiary.--The term 
                        ``medicare beneficiary'' means an 
                        individual entitled to benefits under 
                        part A, or enrolled under part B, of 
                        title XVIII of the Social Security Act, 
                        but does not include such an individual 
                        enrolled in part A under section 1818.
                          (ii) Group health plan.--The term 
                        ``group health plan'' means any group 
                        health plan (as defined in section 
                        5000(b)(1)).
                          (iii) Qualified employer.--The term 
                        ``qualified employer'' means, for a 
                        calendar year, an employer which has 
                        furnished written statements under 
                        section 6051 with respect to at least 
                        20 individuals for wages paid in the 
                        year.
          (13) Disclosure of return information to carry out 
        income contingent repayment of student loans.--
                  (A) In general.--The Secretary may, upon 
                written request from the Secretary of 
                Education, disclose to officers and employees 
                of the Department of Education return 
                information with respect to a taxpayer who has 
                received an applicable student loan and whose 
                loan repayment amounts are based in whole or in 
                part on the taxpayer's income. Such return 
                information shall be limited to--
                          (i) taxpayer identity information 
                        with respect to such taxpayer,
                          (ii) the filing status of such 
                        taxpayer, and
                          (iii) the adjusted gross income of 
                        such taxpayer.
                  (B) Restriction on use of disclosed 
                information.--Return information disclosed 
                under subparagraph (A) may be used by officers 
                and employees of the Department of Education 
                only for the purposes of, and to the extent 
                necessary in, establishing the appropriate 
                income contingent repayment amount for an 
                applicable student loan.
                  (C) Applicable student loan.--For purposes of 
                this paragraph, the term ``applicable student 
                loan'' means--
                          (i) any loan made under the program 
                        authorized under part D of title IV of 
                        the Higher Education Act of 1965, and
                          (ii) any loan made under part B or E 
                        of title IV of the Higher Education Act 
                        of 1965 which is in default and has 
                        been assigned to the Department of 
                        Education.
                  (D) Termination.--This paragraph shall not 
                apply to any request made after December 31, 
                2007.
          (14) Disclosure of return information to United 
        States Customs Service.--The Secretary may, upon 
        written request from the Commissioner of the United 
        States Customs Service, disclose to officers and 
        employees of the Department of the Treasury such return 
        information with respect to taxes imposed by chapters 1 
        and 6 as the Secretary may prescribe by regulations, 
        solely for the purpose of, and only to the extent 
        necessary in--
                  (A) ascertaining the correctness of any entry 
                in audits as provided for in section 509 of the 
                Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1509), or
                  (B) other actions to recover any loss of 
                revenue, or to collect duties, taxes, and fees, 
                determined to be due and owing pursuant to such 
                audits.
          (15) Disclosure of returns filed under section 
        6050I.--The Secretary may, upon written request, 
        disclose to officers and employees of--
                  (A) any Federal agency,
                  (B) any agency of a State or local 
                government, or
                  (C) any agency of the government of a foreign 
                country, information contained on returns filed 
                under section 6050I. Any such disclosure shall 
                be made on the same basis, and subject to the 
                same conditions, as apply to disclosures of 
                information on reports filed under section 5313 
                of title 31, United States Code; except that no 
                disclosure under this paragraph shall be made 
                for purposes of the administration of any tax 
                law.
          (16) Disclosure of return information for purposes of 
        administering the District of Columbia Retirement 
        Protection Act of 1997.--
                  (A) In general.--Upon written request 
                available return information (including such 
                information disclosed to the Social Security 
                Administration under paragraph (1) or (5) of 
                this subsection), relating to the amount of 
                wage income (as defined in section 3121(a) or 
                3401(a)), the name, address, and identifying 
                number assigned under section 6109, of payors 
                of wage income, taxpayer identity (as defined 
                in subsection 6103 (b)(6)), and the 
                occupational status reflected on any return 
                filed by, or with respect to, any individual 
                with respect to whom eligibility for, or the 
                correct amount of, benefits under the District 
                of Columbia Retirement Protection Act of 1997, 
                is sought to be determined, shall be disclosed 
                by the Commissioner of Social Security, or to 
                the extent not available from the Social 
                Security Administration, by the Secretary, to 
                any duly authorized officer or employee of the 
                Department of the Treasury, or a Trustee or any 
                designated officer or employee of a Trustee (as 
                defined in the District of Columbia Retirement 
                Protection Act of 1997), or any actuary engaged 
                by a Trustee under the terms of the District of 
                Columbia Retirement Protection Act of 1997, 
                whose official duties require such disclosure, 
                solely for the purpose of, and to the extent 
                necessary in, determining an individual's 
                eligibility for, or the correct amount of, 
                benefits under the District of Columbia 
                Retirement Protection Act of 1997.
                  (B) Disclosure for use in judicial or 
                administrative proceedings.--Return information 
                disclosed to any person under this paragraph 
                may be disclosed in a judicial or 
                administrative proceeding relating to the 
                determination of an individual's eligibility 
                for, or the correct amount of, benefits under 
                the District of Columbia Retirement Protection 
                Act of 1997.
          (17) Disclosure to National Archives and Records 
        Administration.--The Secretary shall, upon written 
        request from the Archivist of the United States, 
        disclose or authorize the disclosure of returns and 
        return information to officers and employees of the 
        National Archives and Records Administration for 
        purposes of, and only to the extent necessary in, the 
        appraisal of records for destruction or retention. No 
        such officer or employee shall, except to the extent 
        authorized by subsection (f), (i)(8), or (p), disclose 
        any return or return information disclosed under the 
        preceding sentence to any person other than to the 
        Secretary, or to another officer or employee of the 
        National Archives and Records Administration whose 
        official duties require such disclosure for purposes of 
        such appraisal.
          (18) Disclosure of return information for purposes of 
        carrying out a program for advance payment of credit 
        for health insurance costs of eligible individuals.--
        The Secretary may disclose to providers of health 
        insurance for any certified individual (as defined in 
        section 7527(c)) return information with respect to 
        such certified individual only to the extent necessary 
        to carry out the program established by section 7527 
        (relating to advance payment of credit for health 
        insurance costs of eligible individuals).
          (19) Disclosure of return information for purposes of 
        providing transitional assistance under medicare 
        discount card program.--
                  (A) In general.--The Secretary, upon written 
                request from the Secretary of Health and Human 
                Services pursuant to carrying out section 
                1860D-31 of the Social Security Act, shall 
                disclose to officers, employees, and 
                contractors of the Department of Health and 
                Human Services with respect to a taxpayer for 
                the applicable year--
                          (i)(I) whether the adjusted gross 
                        income, as modified in accordance with 
                        specifications of the Secretary of 
                        Health and Human Services for purposes 
                        of carrying out such section, of such 
                        taxpayer and, if applicable, such 
                        taxpayer's spouse, for the applicable 
                        year, exceeds the amounts specified by 
                        the Secretary of Health and Human 
                        Services in order to apply the 100 and 
                        135 percent of the poverty lines under 
                        such section, (II) whether the return 
                        was a joint return, and (III) the 
                        applicable year, or
                          (ii) if applicable, the fact that 
                        there is no return filed for such 
                        taxpayer for the applicable year.
                  (B) Definition of applicable year.--For the 
                purposes of this subsection, the term 
                ``applicable year'' means the most recent 
                taxable year for which information is available 
                in the Internal Revenue Service's taxpayer data 
                information systems, or, if there is no return 
                filed for such taxpayer for such year, the 
                prior taxable year.
                  (C) Restriction on use of disclosed 
                information.--Return information disclosed 
                under this paragraph may be used only for the 
                purposes of determining eligibility for and 
                administering transitional assistance under 
                section 1860D-31 of the Social Security Act.
          (20) Disclosure of return information to carry out 
        Medicare part B premium subsidy adjustment and part D 
        base beneficiary premium increase.--
                  (A) In general.--The Secretary shall, upon 
                written request from the Commissioner of Social 
                Security, disclose to officers, employees, and 
                contractors of the Social Security 
                Administration return information of a taxpayer 
                whose premium (according to the records of the 
                Secretary) may be subject to adjustment under 
                section 1839(i) or increase under section 
                1860D-13(a)(7) of the Social Security Act. Such 
                return information shall be limited to--
                          (i) taxpayer identity information 
                        with respect to such taxpayer,
                          (ii) the filing status of such 
                        taxpayer,
                          (iii) the adjusted gross income of 
                        such taxpayer,
                          (iv) the amounts excluded from such 
                        taxpayer's gross income under sections 
                        135 and 911 to the extent such 
                        information is available,
                          (v) the interest received or accrued 
                        during the taxable year which is exempt 
                        from the tax imposed by chapter 1 to 
                        the extent such information is 
                        available,
                          (vi) the amounts excluded from such 
                        taxpayer's gross income by sections 931 
                        and 933 to the extent such information 
                        is available,
                          (vii) such other information relating 
                        to the liability of the taxpayer as is 
                        prescribed by the Secretary by 
                        regulation as might indicate in the 
                        case of a taxpayer who is an individual 
                        described in subsection (i)(4)(B)(iii) 
                        of section 1839 of the Social Security 
                        Act that the amount of the premium of 
                        the taxpayer under such section may be 
                        subject to adjustment under subsection 
                        (i) of such section or increase under 
                        section 1860D-13(a)(7) of such Act and 
                        the amount of such adjustment, and
                          (viii) the taxable year with respect 
                        to which the preceding information 
                        relates.
                  (B) Restriction on use of disclosed 
                information.--
                          (i) In general.--Return information 
                        disclosed under subparagraph (A) may be 
                        used by officers, employees, and 
                        contractors of the Social Security 
                        Administration only for the purposes 
                        of, and to the extent necessary in, 
                        establishing the appropriate amount of 
                        any premium adjustment under such 
                        section 1839(i) or increase under such 
                        section 1860D-13(a)(7) or for the 
                        purpose of resolving taxpayer appeals 
                        with respect to any such premium 
                        adjustment or increase.
                          (ii) Disclosure to other agencies.--
                        Officers, employees, and contractors of 
                        the Social Security Administration may 
                        disclose--
                                  (I) the taxpayer identity 
                                information and the amount of 
                                the premium subsidy adjustment 
                                or premium increase with 
                                respect to a taxpayer described 
                                in subparagraph (A) to 
                                officers, employees, and 
                                contractors of the Centers for 
                                Medicare and Medicaid Services, 
                                to the extent that such 
                                disclosure is necessary for the 
                                collection of the premium 
                                subsidy amount or the increased 
                                premium amount,
                                  (II) the taxpayer identity 
                                information and the amount of 
                                the premium subsidy adjustment 
                                or the increased premium amount 
                                with respect to a taxpayer 
                                described in subparagraph (A) 
                                to officers and employees of 
                                the Office of Personnel 
                                Management and the Railroad 
                                Retirement Board, to the extent 
                                that such disclosure is 
                                necessary for the collection of 
                                the premium subsidy amount or 
                                the increased premium amount,
                                  (III) return information with 
                                respect to a taxpayer described 
                                in subparagraph (A) to officers 
                                and employees of the Department 
                                of Health and Human Services to 
                                the extent necessary to resolve 
                                administrative appeals of such 
                                premium subsidy adjustment or 
                                increased premium, and
                                  (IV) return information with 
                                respect to a taxpayer described 
                                in subparagraph (A) to officers 
                                and employees of the Department 
                                of Justice for use in judicial 
                                proceedings to the extent 
                                necessary to carry out the 
                                purposes described in clause 
                                (i).
          (21) Disclosure of return information to carry out 
        eligibility requirements for certain programs.--
                  (A) In general.--The Secretary, upon written 
                request from the Secretary of Health and Human 
                Services, shall disclose to officers, 
                employees, and contractors of the Department of 
                Health and Human Services return information of 
                any taxpayer whose income is relevant in 
                determining any premium tax credit under 
                section 36B or any cost-sharing reduction under 
                section 1402 of the Patient Protection and 
                Affordable Care Act or eligibility for 
                participation in a State medicaid program under 
                title XIX of the Social Security Act, a State's 
                children's health insurance program under title 
                XXI of the Social Security Act, or a basic 
                health program under section 1331 of Patient 
                Protection and Affordable Care Act. Such return 
                information shall be limited to--
                          (i) taxpayer identity information 
                        with respect to such taxpayer,
                          (ii) the filing status of such 
                        taxpayer,
                          (iii) the number of individuals for 
                        whom a deduction is allowed under 
                        section 151 with respect to the 
                        taxpayer (including the taxpayer and 
                        the taxpayer's spouse),
                          (iv) the modified adjusted gross 
                        income (as defined in section 36B) of 
                        such taxpayer and each of the other 
                        individuals included under clause (iii) 
                        who are required to file a return of 
                        tax imposed by chapter 1 for the 
                        taxable year,
                          (v) such other information as is 
                        prescribed by the Secretary by 
                        regulation as might indicate whether 
                        the taxpayer is eligible for such 
                        credit or reduction (and the amount 
                        thereof), and
                          (vi) the taxable year with respect to 
                        which the preceding information relates 
                        or, if applicable, the fact that such 
                        information is not available.
                  (B) Information to Exchange and State 
                agencies.--The Secretary of Health and Human 
                Services may disclose to an Exchange 
                established under the Patient Protection and 
                Affordable Care Act or its contractors, or to a 
                State agency administering a State program 
                described in subparagraph (A) or its 
                contractors, any inconsistency between the 
                information provided by the Exchange or State 
                agency to the Secretary and the information 
                provided to the Secretary under subparagraph 
                (A).
                  (C) Restriction on use of disclosed 
                information.--Return information disclosed 
                under subparagraph (A) or (B) may be used by 
                officers, employees, and contractors of the 
                Department of Health and Human Services, an 
                Exchange, or a State agency only for the 
                purposes of, and to the extent necessary in--
                          (i) establishing eligibility for 
                        participation in the Exchange, and 
                        verifying the appropriate amount of, 
                        any credit or reduction described in 
                        subparagraph (A),
                          (ii) determining eligibility for 
                        participation in the State programs 
                        described in subparagraph (A).
          (22) Disclosure of return information to Department 
        of Health and Human Services for purposes of enhancing 
        Medicare program integrity.--
                  (A) In general.--The Secretary shall, upon 
                written request from the Secretary of Health 
                and Human Services, disclose to officers and 
                employees of the Department of Health and Human 
                Services return information with respect to a 
                taxpayer who has applied to enroll, or 
                reenroll, as a provider of services or supplier 
                under the Medicare program under title XVIII of 
                the Social Security Act. Such return 
                information shall be limited to--
                          (i) the taxpayer identity information 
                        with respect to such taxpayer;
                          (ii) the amount of the delinquent tax 
                        debt owed by that taxpayer; and
                          (iii) the taxable year to which the 
                        delinquent tax debt pertains.
                  (B) Restriction on disclosure.--Return 
                information disclosed under subparagraph (A) 
                may be used by officers and employees of the 
                Department of Health and Human Services for the 
                purposes of, and to the extent necessary in, 
                establishing the taxpayer's eligibility for 
                enrollment or reenrollment in the Medicare 
                program, or in any administrative or judicial 
                proceeding relating to, or arising from, a 
                denial of such enrollment or reenrollment, or 
                in determining the level of enhanced oversight 
                to be applied with respect to such taxpayer 
                pursuant to section 1866(j)(3) of the Social 
                Security Act.
                  (C) Delinquent tax debt.--For purposes of 
                this paragraph, the term ``delinquent tax 
                debt'' means an outstanding debt under this 
                title for which a notice of lien has been filed 
                pursuant to section 6323, but the term does not 
                include a debt that is being paid in a timely 
                manner pursuant to an agreement under section 
                6159 or 7122, or a debt with respect to which a 
                collection due process hearing under section 
                6330 is requested, pending, or completed and no 
                payment is required.
  (m) Disclosure of Taxpayer Identity Information.--
          (1) Tax refunds.--The Secretary may disclose taxpayer 
        identity information to the press and other media for 
        purposes of notifying persons entitled to tax refunds 
        when the Secretary, after reasonable effort and lapse 
        of time, has been unable to locate such persons.
          (2) Federal claims.--
                  (A) In general.--Except as provided in 
                subparagraph (B), the Secretary may, upon 
                written request, disclose the mailing address 
                of a taxpayer for use by officers, employees, 
                or agents of a Federal agency for purposes of 
                locating such taxpayer to collect or compromise 
                a Federal claim against the taxpayer in 
                accordance with sections 3711, 3717, and 3718 
                of title 31.
                  (B) Special rule for consumer reporting 
                agency.--In the case of an agent of a Federal 
                agency which is a consumer reporting agency 
                (within the meaning of section 603(f) of the 
                Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 
                1681a(f))), the mailing address of a taxpayer 
                may be disclosed to such agent under 
                subparagraph (A) only for the purpose of 
                allowing such agent to prepare a commercial 
                credit report on the taxpayer for use by such 
                Federal agency in accordance with sections 
                3711, 3717, and 3718 of title 31.
          (3) National Institute for Occupational Safety and 
        Health.--Upon written request, the Secretary may 
        disclose the mailing address of taxpayers to officers 
        and employees of the National Institute for 
        Occupational Safety and Health solely for the purpose 
        of locating individuals who are, or may have been, 
        exposed to occupational hazards in order to determine 
        the status of their health or to inform them of the 
        possible need for medical care and treatment.
          (4) Individuals who owe an overpayment of Federal 
        Pell Grants or who have defaulted on student loans 
        administered by the Department of Education.--
                  (A) In general.--Upon written request by the 
                Secretary of Education, the Secretary may 
                disclose the mailing address of any taxpayer--
                          (i) who owes an overpayment of a 
                        grant awarded to such taxpayer under 
                        subpart 1 of part A of title IV of the 
                        Higher Education Act of 1965, or
                          (ii) who has defaulted on a loan--
                                  (I) made under part B, D, or 
                                E of title IV of the Higher 
                                Education Act of 1965, or
                                  (II) made pursuant to section 
                                3(a)(1) of the Migration and 
                                Refugee Assistance Act of 1962 
                                to a student at an institution 
                                of higher education,
                for use only by officers, employees, or agents 
                of the Department of Education for purposes of 
                locating such taxpayer for purposes of 
                collecting such overpayment or loan.
                  (B) Disclosure to educational institutions, 
                etc..--Any mailing address disclosed under 
                subparagraph (A)(i) may be disclosed by the 
                Secretary of Education to--
                          (i) any lender, or any State or 
                        nonprofit guarantee agency, which is 
                        participating under part B or D of 
                        title IV of the Higher Education Act of 
                        1965, or
                          (ii) any educational institution with 
                        which the Secretary of Education has an 
                        agreement under subpart 1 of part A, or 
                        part D or E, of title IV of such Act,
                for use only by officers, employees, or agents 
                of such lender, guarantee agency, or 
                institution whose duties relate to the 
                collection of student loans for purposes of 
                locating individuals who have defaulted on 
                student loans made under such loan programs for 
                purposes of collecting such loans.
          (5) Individuals who have defaulted on student loans 
        administered by the Department of Health and Human 
        Services.--
                  (A) In general.--Upon written request by the 
                Secretary of Health and Human Services, the 
                Secretary may disclose the mailing address of 
                any taxpayer who has defaulted on a loan made 
                under part C of title VII of the Public Health 
                Service Act or under subpart II of part B of 
                title VIII of such Act, for use only by 
                officers, employees, or agents of the 
                Department of Health and Human Services for 
                purposes of locating such taxpayer for purposes 
                of collecting such loan.
                  (B) Disclosure to schools and eligible 
                lenders.--Any mailing address disclosed under 
                subparagraph (A) may be disclosed by the 
                Secretary of Health and Human Services to--
                          (i) any school with which the 
                        Secretary of Health and Human Services 
                        has an agreement under subpart II of 
                        part C of title VII of the Public 
                        Health Service Act or subpart II of 
                        part B of title VIII of such Act, or
                          (ii) any eligible lender (within the 
                        meaning of section 737(4) of such Act) 
                        participating under subpart I of part C 
                        of title VII of such Act,
                for use only by officers, employees, or agents 
                of such school or eligible lender whose duties 
                relate to the collection of student loans for 
                purposes of locating individuals who have 
                defaulted on student loans made under such 
                subparts for the purposes of collecting such 
                loans.
          (6) Blood Donor Locator Service.--
                  (A) In general.--Upon written request 
                pursuant to section 1141 of the Social Security 
                Act, the Secretary shall disclose the mailing 
                address of taxpayers to officers and employees 
                of the Blood Donor Locator Service in the 
                Department of Health and Human Services.
                  (B) Restriction on disclosure.--The Secretary 
                shall disclose return information under 
                subparagraph (A) only for purposes of, and to 
                the extent necessary in, assisting under the 
                Blood Donor Locator Service authorized persons 
                (as defined in section 1141(h)(1) of the Social 
                Security Act) in locating blood donors who, as 
                indicated by donated blood or products derived 
                therefrom or by the history of the subsequent 
                use of such blood or blood products, have or 
                may have the virus for acquired immune 
                deficiency syndrome, in order to inform such 
                donors of the possible need for medical care 
                and treatment.
                  (C) Safeguards.--The Secretary shall destroy 
                all related blood donor records (as defined in 
                section 1141(h)(2) of the Social Security Act) 
                in the possession of the Department of the 
                Treasury upon completion of their use in making 
                the disclosure required under subparagraph (A), 
                so as to make such records undisclosable.
          (7) Social security account statement furnished by 
        Social Security Administration.--Upon written request 
        by the Commissioner of Social Security, the Secretary 
        may disclose the mailing address of any taxpayer who is 
        entitled to receive a social security account statement 
        pursuant to section 1143(c) of the Social Security Act, 
        for use only by officers, employees or agents of the 
        Social Security Administration for purposes of mailing 
        such statement to such taxpayer.
  (n) Certain Other Persons.--Pursuant to regulations 
prescribed by the Secretary, returns and return information may 
be disclosed to any person, including any person described in 
section 7513(a), to the extent necessary in connection with the 
processing, storage, transmission, and reproduction of such 
returns and return information, the programming, maintenance, 
repair, testing, and procurement of equipment, and the 
providing of other services, for purposes of tax 
administration.
  (o) Disclosure of Returns and Return Information With Respect 
to Certain Taxes.--
          (1) Taxes imposed by subtitle E.--
                  (A) In general.--Returns and return 
                information with respect to taxes imposed by 
                subtitle E (relating to taxes on alcohol, 
                tobacco, and firearms) shall be open to 
                inspection by or disclosure to officers and 
                employees of a Federal agency whose official 
                duties require such inspection or disclosure.
                  (B) Use in certain proceedings.--Returns and 
                return information disclosed to a Federal 
                agency under subparagraph (A) may be used in an 
                action or proceeding (or in preparation for 
                such action or proceeding) brought under 
                section 625 of the American Jobs Creation Act 
                of 2004 for the collection of any unpaid 
                assessment or penalty arising under such Act.
          (2) Taxes imposed by chapter 35.--Returns and return 
        information with respect to taxes imposed by chapter 35 
        (relating to taxes on wagering) shall, notwithstanding 
        any other provision of this section, be open to 
        inspection by or disclosure only to such person or 
        persons and for such purpose or purposes as are 
        prescribed by section 4424.
  (p) Procedure and Recordkeeping.--
          (1) Manner, time, and place of inspections.--Requests 
        for the inspection or disclosure of a return or return 
        information and such inspection or disclosure shall be 
        made in such manner and at such time and place as shall 
        be prescribed by the Secretary.
          (2) Procedure.--
                  (A) Reproduction of returns.--A reproduction 
                or certified reproduction of a return shall, 
                upon written request, be furnished to any 
                person to whom disclosure or inspection of such 
                return is authorized under this section. A 
                reasonable fee may be prescribed for furnishing 
                such reproduction or certified reproduction.
                  (B) Disclosure of return information.--Return 
                information disclosed to any person under the 
                provisions of this title may be provided in the 
                form of written documents, reproductions of 
                such documents, films or photoimpressions, or 
                electronically produced tapes, disks, or 
                records, or by any other mode or means which 
                the Secretary determines necessary or 
                appropriate. A reasonable fee may be prescribed 
                for furnishing such return information.
                  (C) Use of reproductions.--Any reproduction 
                of any return, document, or other matter made 
                in accordance with this paragraph shall have 
                the same legal status as the original, and any 
                such reproduction shall, if properly 
                authenticated, be admissible in evidence in any 
                judicial or administrative proceeding as if it 
                were the original, whether or not the original 
                is in existence.
          (3) Records of inspection and disclosure.--
                  (A) System of recordkeeping.--Except as 
                otherwise provided by this paragraph, the 
                Secretary shall maintain a permanent system of 
                standardized records or accountings of all 
                requests for inspection or disclosure of 
                returns and return information (including the 
                reasons for and dates of such requests) and of 
                returns and return information inspected or 
                disclosed under this section and section 
                6104(c). Notwithstanding the provisions of 
                section 552a(c) of title 5, United States Code, 
                the Secretary shall not be required to maintain 
                a record or accounting of requests for 
                inspection or disclosure of returns and return 
                information, or of returns and return 
                information inspected or disclosed, under the 
                authority of subsections (c), (e), (f)(5), 
                (h)(1), (3)(A), or (4), (i)(4), or 
                (8)(A)(ii),(k)(1), (2),(6), (8), or (9), 
                (l)(1), (4)(B), (5), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), 
                (12), (13), (14), (15), (16), (17), or (18), 
                (m), or (n). The records or accountings 
                required to be maintained under this paragraph 
                shall be available for examination by the Joint 
                Committee on Taxation or the Chief of Staff of 
                such joint committee. Such record or accounting 
                shall also be available for examination by such 
                person or persons as may be, but only to the 
                extent, authorized to make such examination 
                under section 552a(c)(3) of title 5, United 
                States Code.
                  (B) Report by the Secretary.--The Secretary 
                shall, within 90 days after the close of each 
                calendar year, furnish to the Joint Committee 
                on Taxation a report with respect to, or 
                summary of, the records or accountings 
                described in subparagraph (A) in such form and 
                containing such information as such joint 
                committee or the Chief of Staff of such joint 
                committee may designate. Such report or summary 
                shall not, however, include a record or 
                accounting of any request by the President 
                under subsection (g) for, or the disclosure in 
                response to such request of, any return or 
                return information with respect to any 
                individual who, at the time of such request, 
                was an officer or employee of the executive 
                branch of the Federal Government. Such report 
                or summary, or any part thereof, may be 
                disclosed by such joint committee to such 
                persons and for such purposes as the joint 
                committee may, by record vote of a majority of 
                the members of the joint committee, determine.
                  (C) Public report on disclosures.--The 
                Secretary shall, within 90 days after the close 
                of each calendar year, furnish to the Joint 
                Committee on Taxation for disclosure to the 
                public a report with respect to the records or 
                accountings described in subparagraph (A) 
                which--
                          (i) provides with respect to each 
                        Federal agency, each agency, body, or 
                        commission described in subsection (d), 
                        (i)(3)(B)(i) or (7)(A)(ii), or (l)(6), 
                        and the Government Accountability 
                        Office the number of--
                                  (I) requests for disclosure 
                                of returns and return 
                                information,
                                  (II) instances in which 
                                returns and return information 
                                were disclosed pursuant to such 
                                requests or otherwise,
                                  (III) taxpayers whose 
                                returns, or return information 
                                with respect to whom, were 
                                disclosed pursuant to such 
                                requests, and
                          (ii) describes the general purposes 
                        for which such requests were made,
          (4) Safeguards.--Any Federal agency described in 
        subsection (h)(2), (h)(5), (i)(1), (2), (3), (5), or 
        (7), (j)(1), (2), or (5), (k)(8) or (10), (l)(1), (2), 
        (3), (5), (10), (11), (13), (14), (17), or (22) or 
        (o)(1)(A), the Government Accountability Office, the 
        Congressional Budget Office, or any agency, body, or 
        commission described in subsection (d), (i)(3)(B)(i) or 
        7(A)(ii), or (k)(10), (l)(6), (7), (8), (9), (12), 
        (15), or (16), any appropriate State officer (as 
        defined in section 6104(c)), or any other person 
        described in subsection (k)(10), subsection (l)(10), 
        (16), (18), (19), or (20), or any entity described in 
        subsection (l)(21), shall, as a condition for receiving 
        returns or return information--
                  (A) establish and maintain, to the 
                satisfaction of the Secretary, a permanent 
                system of standardized records with respect to 
                any request, the reason for such request, and 
                the date of such request made by or of it and 
                any disclosure of return or return information 
                made by or to it;
                  (B) establish and maintain, to the 
                satisfaction of the Secretary, a secure area or 
                place in which such returns or return 
                information shall be stored;
                  (C) restrict, to the satisfaction of the 
                Secretary, access to the returns or return 
                information only to persons whose duties or 
                responsibilities require access and to whom 
                disclosure may be made under the provisions of 
                this title;
                  (D) provide such other safeguards which the 
                Secretary determines (and which he prescribes 
                in regulations) to be necessary or appropriate 
                to protect the confidentiality of the returns 
                or return information;
                  (E) furnish a report to the Secretary, at 
                such time and containing such information as 
                the Secretary may prescribe, which describes 
                the procedures established and utilized by such 
                agency, body, or commission, the Government 
                Accountability Office, or the Congressional 
                Budget Office for ensuring the confidentiality 
                of returns and return information required by 
                this paragraph; and
                  (F) upon completion of use of such returns or 
                return information--
                          (i) in the case of an agency, body, 
                        or commission described in subsection 
                        (d), (i)(3)(B)(i), (k)(10), or (l)(6), 
                        (7), (8), (9), or (16), any appropriate 
                        State officer (as defined in section 
                        6104(c)), or any other person described 
                        in subsection (k)(10) or subsection 
                        (l)(10), (16), (18), (19), or (20) 
                        return to the Secretary such returns or 
                        return information (along with any 
                        copies made therefrom) or make such 
                        returns or return information 
                        undisclosable in any manner and furnish 
                        a written report to the Secretary 
                        describing such manner,
                          (ii) in the case of an agency 
                        described in subsections (h)(2), 
                        (h)(5), (i)(1), (2), (3), (5) or (7), 
                        (j)(1), (2), or (5), (k)(8) or (10), 
                        (l)(1), (2), (3), (5), (10), (11), 
                        (12), (13), (14), (15), (17), or (22), 
                        or (o)(1)(A) or any entity described in 
                        subsection (l)(21),,, the Government 
                        Accountability Office, or the 
                        Congressional Budget Office, either--
                                  (I) return to the Secretary 
                                such returns or return 
                                information (along with any 
                                copies made therefrom),
                                  (II) otherwise make such 
                                returns or return information 
                                undisclosable, or
                                  (III) to the extent not so 
                                returned or made undisclosable, 
                                ensure that the conditions of 
                                subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), 
                                (D), and (E) of this paragraph 
                                continue to be met with respect 
                                to such returns or return 
                                information, and
                          (iii) in the case of the Department 
                        of Health and Human Services for 
                        purposes of subsection (m)(6), destroy 
                        all such return information upon 
                        completion of its use in providing the 
                        notification for which the information 
                        was obtained, so as to make such 
                        information undisclosable;
        except that the conditions of subparagraphs (A), (B), 
        (C), (D), and (E) shall cease to apply with respect to 
        any return or return information if, and to the extent 
        that, such return or return information is disclosed in 
        the course of any judicial or administrative proceeding 
        and made a part of the public record thereof. If the 
        Secretary determines that any such agency, body, or 
        commission, including an agency, an appropriate State 
        officer (as defined in section 6104(c)), or any other 
        person described in subsection (k)(10) or subsection 
        (l)(10), (16), (18), (19), or (20) or any entity 
        described in subsection (l)(21),, or the Government 
        Accountability Office or the Congressional Budget 
        Office, has failed to, or does not, meet the 
        requirements of this paragraph, he may, after any 
        proceedings for review established under paragraph (7), 
        take such actions as are necessary to ensure such 
        requirements are met, including refusing to disclose 
        returns or return information to such agency, body, or 
        commission, including an agency, an appropriate State 
        officer (as defined in section 6104(c)), or any other 
        person described in subsection (k)(10) or subsection 
        (l)(10), (16), (18), (19), or (20) or any entity 
        described in subsection (l)(21),, or the Government 
        Accountability Office or the Congressional Budget 
        Office, until he determines that such requirements have 
        been or will be met. In the case of any agency which 
        receives any mailing address under paragraph (2), (4), 
        (6), or (7) of subsection (m) and which discloses any 
        such mailing address to any agent or which receives any 
        information under paragraph (6)(A), (10), (12)(B), or 
        (16) of subsection (l) and which discloses any such 
        information to any agent, or any person including an 
        agent described in subsection (l)(10) or (16), this 
        paragraph shall apply to such agency and each such 
        agent or other person (except that, in the case of an 
        agent, or any person including an agent described in 
        subsection (l)(10) or (16), any report to the Secretary 
        or other action with respect to the Secretary shall be 
        made or taken through such agency). For purposes of 
        applying this paragraph in any case to which subsection 
        (m)(6) applies, the term ``return information'' 
        includes related blood donor records (as defined in 
        section 1141(h)(2) of the Social Security Act).
          (5) Report on procedures and safeguards.--After the 
        close of each calendar year, the Secretary shall 
        furnish to each committee described in subsection 
        (f)(1) a report which describes the procedures and 
        safeguards established and utilized by such agencies, 
        bodies, or commissions, the Government Accountability 
        Office, and the Congressional Budget Office for 
        ensuring the confidentiality of returns and return 
        information as required by this subsection. Such report 
        shall also describe instances of deficiencies in, and 
        failure to establish or utilize, such procedures.
          (6) Audit of procedures and safeguards.--
                  (A) Audit by Comptroller General.--The 
                Comptroller General may audit the procedures 
                and safeguards established by such agencies, 
                bodies, or commissions and the Congressional 
                Budget Office pursuant to this subsection to 
                determine whether such safeguards and 
                procedures meet the requirements of this 
                subsection and ensure the confidentiality of 
                returns and return information. The Comptroller 
                General shall notify the Secretary before any 
                such audit is conducted.
                  (B) Records of inspection and reports by the 
                Comptroller General.--The Comptroller General 
                shall--
                          (i) maintain a permanent system of 
                        standardized records and accountings of 
                        returns and return information 
                        inspected by officers and employees of 
                        the Government Accountability Office 
                        under subsection (i)(8)(A)(ii) and 
                        shall, within 90 days after the close 
                        of each calendar year, furnish to the 
                        Secretary a report with respect to, or 
                        summary of, such records or accountings 
                        in such form and containing such 
                        information as the Secretary may 
                        prescribe, and
                          (ii) furnish an annual report to each 
                        committee described in subsection (f) 
                        and to the Secretary setting forth his 
                        findings with respect to any audit 
                        conducted pursuant to subparagraph (A).
                The Secretary may disclose to the Joint 
                Committee any report furnished to him under 
                clause (i).
          (7) Administrative review.--The Secretary shall by 
        regulations prescribe procedures which provide for 
        administrative review of any determination under 
        paragraph (4) that any agency, body, or commission 
        described in subsection (d) has failed to meet the 
        requirements of such paragraph.
          (8) State law requirements.--
                  (A) Safeguards.--Notwithstanding any other 
                provision of this section, no return or return 
                information shall be disclosed after December 
                31, 1978, to any officer or employee of any 
                State which requires a taxpayer to attach to, 
                or include in, any State tax return a copy of 
                any portion of his Federal return, or 
                information reflected on such Federal return, 
                unless such State adopts provisions of law 
                which protect the confidentiality of the copy 
                of the Federal return (or portion thereof) 
                attached to, or the Federal return information 
                reflected on, such State tax return.
                  (B) Disclosure of returns or return 
                information in State returns.--Nothing in 
                subparagraph (A) shall be construed to prohibit 
                the disclosure by an officer or employee of any 
                State of any copy of any portion of a Federal 
                return or any information on a Federal return 
                which is required to be attached or included in 
                a State return to another officer or employee 
                of such State (or political subdivision of such 
                State) if such disclosure is specifically 
                authorized by State law.
  (q) Regulations.--The Secretary is authorized to prescribe 
such other regulations as are necessary to carry out the 
provisions of this section.

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