The Service maintains an ongoing effort to develop, monitor and revise programs designed to assist taxpayers in complying with legal requirements and to avoid penalties. As indicated in Policy Statement P-20-1, the Service uses penalties to encourage voluntary compliance.

In order to make the most efficient and consistent use of penalties, the IRS designs, administers, and evaluates penalty programs based on how those programs can most efficiently encourage voluntary compliance.

Penalties encourage voluntary compliance by:

The development, implementation and oversight of the international individual case processing procedures are the jurisdiction of the Director, WEIIC.

IRM 4.10, Examination of Returns, provides the basic procedures, guidelines and requirements for use by revenue agents and tax auditors in conducting income tax examinations. Additional procedures for LB&I cases are found in IRM 4.46, LB&I Examination Process.

The Director, WEIIC Practice Area, is the executive responsible for IIC case penalties.

Program Reports The Director, WEIIC Practice Area, prepares periodic briefing reports for the LB&I division commissioner focusing on:

Program Effectiveness The efficiency of the case procedures is measured through combined business results of the teams that comprise IIC.

The Director of Field Operations (DFO), International Individual Compliance (IIC), monitors the activities of the territories and administers procedures and updates related to the territories.

The Director, WEIIC, identifies goals and objectives to be achieved by the organization, compiles periodic reports from the DFO and reports to LB&I executive management on a continuous basis via the director’s briefings.

This table lists commonly used acronyms and their definitions:

For information regarding the WEIIC international individual compliance programs and services, refer to the WEIIC website at https://irssource.web.irs.gov/LBI/Lists/LBI_Programs/WEIIC.aspx.

Penalties under IRC 6038B(c) may apply when there is a failure by a U.S. taxpayer to provide information relating to transfers to foreign persons (corporations and partnerships). See IRM 20.1.9.7, IRC 6038B(c)—Failure to Provide Notice of Transfers to Foreign Persons.

Examiners should review a taxpayer’s return for attached Form(s) 926 when the taxpayer is under exam and has transferred cash or property to a foreign person(s). If an examiner has indication that a taxpayer has transferred cash or property to a foreign person(s), and the taxpayer has not filed Form(s) 926, the examiner should request additional information regarding the transfer and non-filing of Form 926.

Penalties under IRC 6689 may apply when a U.S. taxpayer fails to file notice of a foreign tax credit redetermination under IRC 905(c) or IRC 404A(g)(2). See IRM 20.1.9.19, IRC 6689 - Failure to File Notice of Foreign Tax Redetermination.

Examiners should review the Form 1116 for foreign tax credit redeterminations when examiners are aware a taxpayer has a foreign tax credit adjustment from accrued taxes under IRC 905(c), a reduction in foreign taxes paid, or a rebate of foreign taxes.

Penalties under IRC 6689 may apply when an individual U.S. taxpayer fails to file a notice of redetermination for foreign tax credits, the individual U.S. taxpayer owns a Controlled Foreign Corporation (CFC) for which they made a IRC 962 election to claim indirect foreign taxes which is generally available if they have Subpart F income, and the CFC had a reduction in their foreign taxes paid or accrued or received a rebate for foreign taxes. The tax credit is computed at corporate rates on the Form 1118. See IRM 20.1.9.19.

Examiners should review Form(s) 1118 for foreign tax credit redeterminations when examiners are aware of a CFC owned by an individual U.S. taxpayer under exam in which the CFC had a reduction in its foreign taxes paid or accrued or received a rebate for foreign taxes.

Penalties under IRC 6677 may apply to a U.S. taxpayer who fails to file information, as required by IRC 6048, with respect to ownership of , transfers to, or distributions from a foreign trust. See IRM 20.1.9.13, IRC 6677(a) — Failure to File Information with Respect to Certain Foreign Trusts —Form 3520.

Penalties under IRC 6039F(c) may apply to a U.S. taxpayer who fails to file information required under IRC 6039F relating to certain large gifts or bequests from foreign persons. See IRM 20.1.9.10, IRC 6039F(c)—Large Gifts From Foreign Persons.

Examiners should review the IPS unit Failure to File the Form 3520/3520A - Penalties at https://www.irs.gov/pub/int_practice_units/FEN9434_02_05R.pdf when examining a taxpayer who filed a Form 3520, Part I through Part III, or when an examiner has indication that the U.S. taxpayer is treated as owning any portion of a foreign trust under the grantor trust rules (IRC 671-679), has made loans or transfers of cash or property to a foreign trust, and/or has received a distribution, a loan, or uncompensated use of property from a foreign trust.

Examiners should ensure a Form 3520, Part IV, has been filed for a U.S. taxpayer receiving a gift or bequest from a foreign person over the required threshold amount. See IRM 20.1.9.10.1, Reporting and Filing Requirements. If the U.S. taxpayer receiving the gift or bequest from a foreign trust is a beneficiary of a foreign trust, the U. S. taxpayer should report the gift as a distribution from a foreign trust and complete Part III of the Form 3520 in lieu of Part IV.

Penalties under IRC 6677(b) may apply to a U.S. taxpayer treated as an owner of a foreign trust under grantor trust rules (IRC 671-679) who fails to ensure that the foreign trust files an annual return providing certain information required pursuant to IRC 6048(b) relating to such foreign trust on a Form 3520-A. See IRM 20.1.9.14, IRC 6677(a) and (b)—Foreign Trusts With U.S. Owners—Form 3520-A.

Examiners should review IPS unit "Failure to File the Form 3520 /3520-A - Penalties" at https://www.irs.gov/pub/int_practice_units/FEN9434_02_05R.pdf when examining a taxpayer where a Form 3520-A was filed or when examining a U.S. taxpayer where a Form 3520-A was filed, or when a examiner has indication that the U.S. taxpayer is the owner of a foreign grantor trust, a Form 3520-A has not been filed by the trustee of the foreign trust, and the U.S. taxpayer did not file a substitute Form 3520-A.

Penalties under IRC 6688 may apply when any person described in IRC 7654(a) fails to file U.S. possession information. See IRM 20.1.9.18, IRC 6688—Reporting for Residents of U.S. Possessions (U.S. Territories).

Examiners should review an individual U.S. taxpayer’s Form 1040 for an attached Form 5074 when the taxpayer is under exam, is not a bona fide resident of Guam or the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), reports adjusted gross income of $50,000 or more, and has gross income from Guam or the CNMI of at least $5,000.

Penalties under IRC 6038 may apply when a U.S. taxpayer fails to file information relating to CFCs. See IRM 20.1.9.3, IRC 6038—Information Reporting With Respect to Foreign Corporations and Partnerships.

Penalties under IRC 6679 may apply when a U.S. taxpayer fails to report information with respect to acquisitions of interests in foreign corporations under IRC 6046 . See IRM 20.1.9.15, IRC 6679—Return of U.S. Persons With Respect to Certain Foreign Corporations and Partnerships.

Examiners should review Form(s) 5471 filed by a taxpayer for accuracy and completeness. If there is an indication a taxpayer owns a CFC and no Form 5471 has been filed, examiners should first determine if the taxpayer is a Category 2, 3, 4, or 5 filer.

Penalties under IRC 6038A(d) may apply when a U.S. taxpayer fails to report information or maintain records with respect to 25% foreign owned corporations. See IRM 20.1.9.5, IRC 6038A(d)—Information Reporting for Certain Foreign-Owned Corporations.

Examiners reviewing a 25% foreign-owned U.S. corporation or a foreign corporation engaged in a trade or business within the United States should ensure a Form 5472 has been filed in regards to reportable transactions with a foreign or domestic related party.

Penalties under IRC 6712 may apply when a U.S. taxpayer fails to disclose treaty-based return positions on the Form 8833 as required under IRM 6114 or IRC 7701(b). See IRM 20.1.9.20, IRC 6712 — Failure to Disclose Treaty-Based Return Position.

Examiners should review the relevant income tax return under exam (Form 1040NR, Form 1040NR-EZ, Form 1120-F, etc.) for attached Form(s) 8833 when treaty-based return positions are asserted by taxpayers. If taxpayers have taken treaty-based positions on their returns and no Form 8833 is attached, examiners should request appropriate information to determine if the filing exceptions listed in the regulations under IRC 6114 or on Form 8833 apply, or if a penalty under IRC 6712 applies.

Penalties under IRC 6039G(c) may apply if a U.S. citizen or long-term resident who expatriates fails to provide a Form 8854 for the year of expatriation, and for subsequent years in certain circumstances, unless it is shown such failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect. See IRM 20.1.9.11, IRC 6039G—Expatriation Reporting Requirements.

Different expatriation regimes may apply to expatriates depending on their year of expatriation. Examiners should ensure filing of Form 8854 for any individual U.S. taxpayer under exam that expatriated and should refer to IRM 20.1.9.11 for additional information.

Penalties under IRC 6038(b) may apply if a CFC or a Controlled Foreign Partnership (CFP) owns a Foreign Disregarded Entity (FDE) and the shareholder or partner, respectively, that is required under IRC 6038 to file Form 5471 or 8865 with respect to that CFC or CFP, fails to file a required Form 8858 or its separate Schedule M with respect to the FDE. See IRM 20.1.9.3, IRC 6038 — Information Reporting With Respect to Foreign Corporations and Partnerships.

Examiners should review a U.S. taxpayer’s tax return under exam for a Form 8858 when the taxpayer is a direct owner of an FDE or when the taxpayer is a partner or shareholder of a CFC or CFP that is a tax owner in an FDE.

Penalties under IRC 6038 may apply when a U.S. taxpayer fails to file information relating to CFPs. See IRM 20.1.9.3, IRC 6038—Information Reporting With Respect to Foreign Corporations and Partnerships.

Penalties under IRC 6038B may apply when a U.S. taxpayer fails to report information on Form 8865 Schedule O with respect to property transfers to a foreign person. See IRM 20.1.9.7, IRC 6038B(c)—Failure to Provide Notice of Transfers to Foreign Persons.

Penalties under IRC 6679 may apply when a U.S. taxpayer fails to report information with respect to acquisitions of interests in foreign partnerships under IRC 6046A. See IRM 20.1.9.15, IRC 6679 — Return of U.S. Persons With Respect to Certain Foreign Corporations and Partnerships.

Examiners should review Form(s) 8865 filed by a taxpayer for accuracy and completeness. If there is an indication a taxpayer owns a CFP and no Form 8865 has been filed, an examiner should first determine if the taxpayer is a Category 1, 2, 3 or 4 filer.

Penalties under IRC 6688 may apply if individual taxpayers with adjusted gross income thresholds fail to report that they became or ceased to be a bona fide resident of a U.S. possession. See IRM 20.1.9.18.1, Reporting and Filing Requirements.

Examiners should ensure a Form 8898 is filed when a U.S. taxpayer is under exam and takes a position for U.S. tax purposes that they became a bona fide resident of a U.S. possession or who takes the position that they ceased to be a bona fide resident of a U.S. possession.

Penalties under IRC 6038D(d) may apply when a U.S. taxpayer fails to file information with respect to specified foreign financial assets. See IRM 20.1.9.22, IRC 6038D—Information With Respect to Specified Foreign Financial Assets.

Examiners should review individual U.S. taxpayer’s returns under exam for Form 8938 when the examiner has indication the taxpayer owns specified foreign financial assets if the total value of the assets is more than the reporting threshold contained in Treas. Reg. 1.6038D-2.