Inflation-adjusted 2018 figures for various civil penalties
Failure to file tax return. For 2018, the minimum penalty under Code Sec. 6651(a) for failure to timely file a tax return is $215 (up from $210 for 2017).
Failure to file certain information returns, registration statements, etc. For 2018, the following penalty amounts under Code Sec. 6652 apply.
(1) For failure to file an annual return required under Code Sec. 6033(a)(1) (for exempt organizations) or Code Sec. 6012(a)(6) (for political organizations):
(a) for an organization under Code Sec. 6652(c)(1)(A), $20 per day (same as for 2017), subject to a $10,000 maximum (same as for 2017);
(b) for an organization with gross receipts exceeding $1,048,500 (up from $1,028,500 for 2017): $100 per day (same as for 2017) subject to a $52,000 maximum (same as for 2017); for managers under Code Sec. 6652(c)(1)(B), $10 per day (same as for 2017) subject to a $5,000 maximum (same as for 2017); for public inspection of annual returns and reports under Code Sec. 6652(c)(1)(C), $20 per day (same as for 2017) subject to a $10,000 maximum (same as for 2017); and for public inspection of applications for exemption and notice of status under Code Sec. 6652(c)(1)(D), $20 per day (same as for 2017) with no maximum (same as for 2017).
(2) For failure to file a return required under Code Sec. 6034 (for certain trusts) or Code Sec. 6043(b) (relating to terminations, etc., of exempt organizations):
(a) for an organization or trust under Code Sec. 6652(c)(2)(A), $10 per day (same as for 2017) subject to a $5,000 maximum (same as for 2017);
(b) for managers under Code Sec. 6652(c)(2)(B), $10 per day (same as for 2017) subject to a $5,000 maximum (same as for 2017);
(c) for split-interest trusts under Code Sec. 6652(c)(2)(C)(ii), $20 per day (same as for 2017) subject to a $10,000 maximum (same as for 2017); and
(d) for any trust with gross receipts exceeding $262,000 (up from $257,000 for 2017) under Code Sec. 6652(c)(2)(C)(ii), $100 per day (same as for 2017) subject to a $52,000 maximum (up from $51,000 for 2017).
(3) For failure to file a disclosure required under Code Sec. 6033(a)(2):
(a) for a tax-exempt entity under Code Sec. 6652(c)(3)(A), $100 per day (same as for 2017) subject to a $52,000 maximum (up from $51,000 for 2017); and
(b) for failure to comply with written demand under Code Sec. 6652(c)(3)(B)(ii), $100 per day (same as for 2017) subject to a $10,000 maximum (same as for 2017).
Other assessable penalties with respect to the preparation of tax returns for other persons For 2018, the following penalty amounts under Code Sec. 6695 apply:
(1) For failure to furnish a copy to taxpayer under Code Sec. 6695(a), failure to sign return under Code Sec. 6695(b), failure to furnish identifying number under Code Sec. 6695(c), failure to retain a copy or list under Code Sec. 6695(d), $50 per return or claim for refund (same as for 2017) subject to a maximum penalty of $26,000 (up from $25,500 for 2017).
(2) For failure to file correct information returns under Code Sec. 6695(e), $50 per return or item in return (same as for 2017) subject to a $26,000 maximum (up from $25,500 for 2017).
(3) For negotiation of check under Code Sec. 6695(f), $520 per check with no limit (up from $510 for 2017).
(4) For failure to be diligent in determining eligibility for earned income credit under Code Sec. 6695(g), $520 per return or claim for refund with no limit (up from $510 for 2017).
Failure to file partnership return. For 2018, the dollar amount used to determine the amount of the penalty under Code Sec. 6698(b)(1) is $200 (same as for 2017).
Failure to file S corporation return. The dollar amount used to determine the amount of the penalty under Code Sec. 6699(b)(1) is $200 (same as for 2017).
Failure to file correct information returns. For 2018, the penalty amounts under Code Sec. 6721 are:
(1) For persons with average annual gross receipts for the most recent three tax years of more than $5 million, for failure to file correct information returns:
(a) under Code Sec. 6721(a)(1)’s general rule, $270 per return (up from $260 for 2017) subject to a $3,282,000 calendar year maximum (up from $3,218,500 for 2017);
(b) if corrected on or before 30 days after the required filing date under Code Sec. 6721(b)(1), $50 per return (same as for 2017) subject to a $547,000 calendar year maximum (up from $536,000 for 2017); and
(c) if corrected after the 30th day but on or before August 1 under Code Sec. 6721(b)(2), $100 per return (same as for 2017) subject to a $1,641,000 calendar year maximum (up from $1,609,000 for 2017).
(2) For persons with average gross receipts for the most recent three tax years of $5 million or less, for failure to file correct information returns:
(a) under Code Sec. 6721(d)(1)(A)’s general rule, $270 per return (up from $260 for 2017) subject to a $1,094,000 calendar year maximum (up from $1,072,000 for 2017);
(b) if corrected on or before 30 days after the required filing date under Code Sec. 6721(d)(1)(B), $50 per return (same as for 2017) subject to a $191,000 calendar year maximum (up from $187,500 for 2017); and
(c) if corrected after the 30th day but on or before August 1 under Code Sec. 6721(d)(1)(C), $100 per return (same as for 2017) subject to a $547,000 calendar year maximum (up from $536,000 for 2017).
(3) For failure to file correct information returns due to intentional disregard of the filing requirement (or the correct information reporting requirement):
(a) under Code Sec. 6721(e)(2)(A), for a return other than a return required to be filed under Code Sec. 6045(a), Code Sec. 6041A(b), Code Sec. 6050H , Code Sec. 6050I, Code Sec. 6050J, Code Sec. 6050K, Code Sec. 6050L , per-return penalty equal to the greater of $540 (up from $530 for 2017) or 10% of the aggregate amount of items required to be reported correctly with no limit;
(b) under Code Sec. 6721(e)(2)(B), for a return to be filed under Code Sec. 6045(a), Code Sec. 6050K, or Code Sec. 6050L , per-return penalty equal to the greater of $540 (up from $530 for 2017) or 5% of the aggregate amount of items required to be reported correctly with no limit;
(c) under Code Sec. 6721(e)(2)(C), for a return required to be filed under Code Sec. 6050I(a), per-return penalty equal to the greater of $27,350 or the amount of cash received up to $109,000 (up from $26,820 and $107,000 for 2017); and
(d) under Code Sec. 6721(e)(2)(D), for a return required to be filed under Code Sec. 6050V, per-return penalty equal to the greater of $540 (up from $530 for 2017) or 10% of the value of the benefit of any contract with respect to which information is required to be included on the return with no limit.
Failure to furnish correct payee statements. For 2018, the penalty amounts under Code Sec. 6722 are:
(1) For persons with average annual gross receipts for the most recent three tax years of more than $5 million:
(a) under Code Sec. 6722(a)(1)’s general rule, $270 penalty per return (up from $260 for 2017) subject to a $3,282,000 calendar year maximum (up from $3,218,500 for 2017);
(b) if corrected on or before 30 days after the required filing date under Code Sec. 6722(b)(1), $50 per return (same as for 2017) subject to a $547,000 calendar year maximum (up from $536,000 for 2017); and
(c) if corrected after the 30th day but on or before August 1 under Code Sec. 6722(b)(2), $100 per return (same as for 2017) subject to a $1,641,000 calendar year maximum (up from $1,609,000 for 2017).
(2) For persons with average annual gross receipts for the most recent three tax years of $5 million or less:
(a) under Code Sec. 6722(d)(1)(A)’s general rule, $270 per return (up from $260 for 2017) subject to a $1,094,000 calendar year maximum (up from $1,072,500 for 2017);
(b) if corrected on or before 30 days after the required filing date under Code Sec. 6722(d)(1)(B), $50 per return (same as for 2017) subject to a $191,000 calendar year maximum (up from $187,500 for 2017); and
(c) if corrected after 30th day but on or before August 1 under Code Sec. 6722(d)(1)(C), $100 per return (same as for 2017) subject to a $547,000 calendar year maximum (up from $536,000 for 2017).
(3) Where failure is due to intentional disregard of the requirement to furnish a payee statement (or the correct reporting requirement):
(a) under Code Sec. 6722(e)(2)(A), for a statement other than one required under Code Sec. 6045(b), Code Sec. 6041A (in respect of a return required under Code Sec. 6041A(b), Code Sec. 6050H(d), Code Sec. 6050J(3), Code Sec. 6050IK(b), or Code Sec. 6050L(c), per-return penalty equal to the greater of $540 (up from $530 for 2017) or 10% of the aggregate amount of items required to be reported correctly with no limit; and
(b) under Code Sec. 6722(e)(2)(B), for a payee statement required under Code Sec. 6045(b), Code Sec. 6050K(b), or Code Sec. 6050L(c), per-return penalty equal to the greater of $540 (up from $530 for 2017) or 5% of the aggregate amount of items required to be reported correctly with no limit.