26 U.S.C. § 7429

Review of jeopardy levy or assessment procedures

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(a) Administrative review(1) Administrative review(A) Prior approval required

No assessment may be made under section 6851(a), 6852(a), 6861(a), or 6862, and no levy may be made under section 6331(a) less than 30 days after notice and demand for payment is made, unless the Chief Counsel for the Internal Revenue Service (or such Counsel’s delegate) personally approves (in writing) such assessment or levy.

(B) Information to taxpayer

Within 5 days after the day on which such an assessment or levy is made, the Secretary shall provide the taxpayer with a written statement of the information upon which the Secretary relied in making such assessment or levy.

(2) Request for review

Within 30 days after the day on which the taxpayer is furnished the written statement described in paragraph (1), or within 30 days after the last day of the period within which such statement is required to be furnished, the taxpayer may request the Secretary to review the action taken.

(3) Redetermination by SecretaryAfter a request for review is made under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall determine—(A) whether or not—(i) the making of the assessment under section 6851, 6861, or 6862, as the case may be, is reasonable under the circumstances, and(ii) the amount so assessed or demanded as a result of the action taken under section 6851, 6861, or 6862 is appropriate under the circumstances, or(B) whether or not the levy described in subsection (a)(1) is reasonable under the circumstances.
(b) Judicial review(1) Proceedings permittedWithin 90 days after the earlier of—(A) the day the Secretary notifies the taxpayer of the Secretary’s determination described in subsection (a)(3), or(B) the 16th day after the request described in subsection (a)(2) was made,the taxpayer may bring a civil action against the United States for a determination under this subsection in the court with jurisdiction determined under paragraph (2).(2) Jurisdiction for determination(A) In general

Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the district courts of the United States shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any civil action for a determination under this subsection.

(B) Tax Court

If a petition for a redetermination of a deficiency under section 6213(a) has been timely filed with the Tax Court before the making of an assessment or levy that is subject to the review procedures of this section, and 1 or more of the taxes and taxable periods before the Tax Court because of such petition is also included in the written statement that is provided to the taxpayer under subsection (a), then the Tax Court also shall have jurisdiction over any civil action for a determination under this subsection with respect to all the taxes and taxable periods included in such written statement.

(3) Determination by courtWithin 20 days after a proceeding is commenced under paragraph (1), the court shall determine—(A) whether or not—(i) the making of the assessment under section 6851, 6861, or 6862, as the case may be, is reasonable under the circumstances, and(ii) the amount so assessed or demanded as a result of the action taken under section 6851, 6861, or 6862 is appropriate under the circumstances, or(B) whether or not the levy described in subsection (a)(1) is reasonable under the circumstances.If the court determines that proper service was not made on the United States or on the Secretary, as may be appropriate, within 5 days after the date of the commencement of the proceeding, then the running of the 20-day period set forth in the preceding sentence shall not begin before the day on which proper service was made on the United States or on the Secretary, as may be appropriate.(4) Order of court

If the court determines that the making of such levy is unreasonable, that the making of such assessment is unreasonable, or that the amount assessed or demanded is inappropriate, then the court may order the Secretary to release such levy, to abate such assessment, to redetermine (in whole or in part) the amount assessed or demanded, or to take such other action as the court finds appropriate.

(c) Extension of 20-day period where taxpayer so requests

If the taxpayer requests an extension of the 20-day period set forth in subsection (b)(2) and establishes reasonable grounds why such extension should be granted, the court may grant an extension of not more than 40 additional days.

(d) Computation of days

For purposes of this section, Saturday, Sunday, or a legal holiday in the District of Columbia shall not be counted as the last day of any period.

(e) Venue(1) District court

A civil action in a district court under subsection (b) shall be commenced only in the judicial district described in section 1402(a)(1) or (2) of title 28, United States Code.

(2) Transfer of actions

If a civil action is filed under subsection (b) with the Tax Court and such court finds that there is want of jurisdiction because of the jurisdiction provisions of subsection (b)(2), then the Tax Court shall, if such court determines it is in the interest of justice, transfer the civil action to the district court in which the action could have been brought at the time such action was filed. Any civil action so transferred shall proceed as if such action had been filed in the district court to which such action is transferred on the date on which such action was actually filed in the Tax Court from which such action is transferred.

(f) Finality of determination

Any determination made by a court under this section shall be final and conclusive and shall not be reviewed by any other court.

(g) Burden of proof(1) Reasonableness of levy, termination, or jeopardy assessment

In a proceeding under subsection (b) involving the issue of whether the making of a levy described in subsection (a)(1) or the making of an assessment under section 6851, 6852, 6861, or 6862 is reasonable under the circumstances, the burden of proof in respect to such issue shall be upon the Secretary.

(2) Reasonableness of amount of assessment

In a proceeding under subsection (b) involving the issue of whether an amount assessed or demanded as a result of action taken under section 6851, 6852, 6861, or 6862 is appropriate under the circumstances, the Secretary shall provide a written statement which contains any information with respect to which his determination of the amount assessed was based, but the burden of proof in respect of such issue shall be upon the taxpayer.

(Added Pub. L. 94–455, title XII, § 1204(a), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1695; amended Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title IV, § 446(a), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 817; Pub. L. 100–203, title X, § 10713(b)(2)(F), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–470; Pub. L. 100–647, title VI, § 6237(a)–(e)(3), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3741–3743; Pub. L. 105–206, title III, § 3434(a), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 760.)Editorial NotesAmendments

1998—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 105–206 substituted “Administrative review” for “Information to taxpayer” in heading and amended text of par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “Within 5 days after the day on which an assessment is made under section 6851(a), 6852(a), 6861(a), or 6862, or levy is made under section 6331(a) less than 30 days after notice and demand for payment is made under section 6331(a), the Secretary shall provide the taxpayer with a written statement of the information upon which the Secretary relies in making such assessment or levy.”

1988—Pub. L. 100–647, § 6237(e)(3), inserted “levy or” after “jeopardy” in section catchline.

Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 100–647, § 6237(a), inserted “or levy is made under section 6331(a) less than 30 days after notice and demand for payment is made under section 6331(a),” after “6862,” and “or levy” after “such assessment”.

Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 100–647, § 6237(b), amended par. (3) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (3) read as follows: “After a request for review is made under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall determine whether or not—

“(A) the making of the assessment under section 6851, 6852, 6861, or 6862, as the case may be, is reasonable under the circumstances, and

“(B) the amount so assessed or demanded as a result of the action taken under section 6851, 6852, 6861, or 6862 is appropriate under the circumstances.”

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 100–647, § 6237(c), amended subsec. (b) generally, substituting provisions of pars. (1) to (4) for provisions of former pars. (1) to (3) relating to actions permitted, determination by district court, and order of district court.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 100–647, § 6237(e)(1), struck out “district” before “court”.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 100–647, § 6237(d), amended subsec. (e) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (e) read as follows: “A civil action under subsection (b) shall be commenced only in the judicial district described in section 1402(a)(1) or (2) of title 28, United States Code.”

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 100–647, § 6237(e)(1), struck out “district” after “made by a”.

Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 100–647, § 6237(e)(2), in heading substituted “levy, termination,” for “termination” and in text substituted “a proceeding” for “an action” and inserted “the making of a levy described in subsection (a)(1) or” after “whether”.

Subsec. (g)(2). Pub. L. 100–647, § 6237(e)(2)(C), substituted “a proceeding” for “an action”.

1987—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 100–203, § 10713(b)(2)(F)(i), substituted “6851(a), 6852(a)” for “6851(a),”.

Subsecs. (a)(3)(A), (B), (b)(2)(A), (B), (g)(1), (2). Pub. L. 100–203, § 10713(b)(2)(F)(ii), substituted “6851, 6852,” for “6851,” wherever appearing.

1984—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 98–369 inserted provision that if the court determines that proper service was not made on the United States within 5 days after the date of the commencement of the action, the running of the 20-day period shall not begin before the day on which proper service was made on the United States.

Statutory Notes and Related SubsidiariesEffective Date of 1998 Amendment

Pub. L. 105–206, title III, § 3434(b), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 760, provided that: “The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to taxes assessed and levies made after the date of the enactment of this Act [July 22, 1998].”

Effective Date of 1988 Amendment

Pub. L. 100–647, title VI, § 6237(f), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3743, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to jeopardy levies issued and assessments made on or after July 1, 1989.”

Effective Date of 1984 Amendment

Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title IV, § 446(b), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 817, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to actions commenced after the date of the enactment of this Act [July 18, 1984].”

Effective Date

Section applicable with respect to action taken under section 6851, 6861, or 6862 of this title where notice and demand takes place after Feb. 28, 1977, see section 1204(d) of Pub. L. 94–455, as amended, set out as a note under section 6851 of this title.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 173 cases (8 in the last 5 years), 1977–2024 · leading case: Loretto v. United States, 440 F. Supp. 1168 (E.D. Pa. 1977).
Loretto v. United States, 440 F. Supp. 1168 (E.D. Pa. 1977). · cites it 9× “At Loretto’s request, the Secretary of the Treasury then reviewed the reasonableness of that assessment, pursuant to § 7429(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C.A. § 7429 (a) (Supp. 1977), and affirmed the District Director.”
Lloyd Edwin Humphreys v. United States, 62 F.3d 667 (5th Cir. 1995). · cites it 11× “26 U.S.C. § 7429 (a)(2); see also 26 U.S.”
Fid. Equip. Leasing Corp. v. United States, 462 F. Supp. 845 (N.D. Ga. 1978). · cites it 9× “Jurisdiction of the Court was invoked pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 7429 (b). These jeopardy assessments were made by the District Director of the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to Section 6861 of the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.”
Revis v. United States, 558 F. Supp. 1071 (D.R.I. 1983). · cites it 10× “Jurisdiction of the Court has been invoked pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 7429 . It appears that on January 13, 1983, the Service made certain assessments for the years in question against the plaintiff; 1 that said assessments, together with a demand for immediate payment, were served…”
Hohman v. United States, 535 F. Supp. 1218 (D.D.C. 1982). · cites it 13× “The plaintiffs, in this summary proceeding filed pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (Code), as amended, specifically 26 U.S.C. § 7429 (b), seek to have the Court determine the reasonableness of a jeopardy assessment made pursuant to 26 U.”
Bremson v. United States, 459 F. Supp. 121 (W.D. Mo. 1978). · cites it 9× “Plaintiff timely requested administrative review of this assessment under the provisions of 26 U.S.C. § 7429 (a). The IRS declined to make any adjustment in the amount of the assessment.”
Miller v. United States, 615 F. Supp. 781 (N.D. Ohio 1985). · cites it 14× “§ 1340 and 26 U.S.C. § 7429 . Plaintiff asserts that the United States Internal Revenue Service (hereafter Service) made a jeopardy assessment in the amount of $9,862,142.”
Johnson v. Comm'r, 468 F. Supp. 461 (M.D. Fla. 1979). · cites it 10× “See 26 U.S.C. § 7429 (b) (1976). The Service imposed the jeopardy assessment for two reasons: first, because it appeared that the plaintiffs’ continued solvency was questionable; and second, because it appeared that the plaintiffs had undertaken to conceal certain of their…”
United States v. Hahn, 359 F.3d 1315 (10th Cir. 2004). “, 26 U.S.C. § 7429 (f) ("Any determination made by a court under this section shall be final and conclusive and shall not be reviewed by any other court.”
Wellek v. United States, 324 F. Supp. 2d 905 (N.D. Ill. 2004). · cites it 9× “Plaintiff filed a complaint pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 7429 (b) seeking a judicial determination of the reasonableness of the jeopardy assessment, jeopardy levy, and the amount assessed.”
Gary Vander Boegh v. EnergySolutions, Inc., 772 F.3d 1056 (6th Cir. 2014). · cites it 2× “(citing 26 U.S.C. § 7429 (b)(1)). The jurisdiction provision broadly provided that “the district courts of the United States shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any civil action for a determination under this subsection.”
Berkery v. United States, 544 F. Supp. 1 (E.D. Pa. 1982). · cites it 12× “1 Plaintiff now brings this civil action pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 7429 seeking judicial review and abatement of the termination assessment.”
— 26 U.S.C. § 7429(a)(2) — 1 case
Thomas v. Peabody (Me. Super. Ct 2009).
— 26 U.S.C. § 7429(b) — 1 case
Garcia v. United States, 714 F. Supp. 1036 (N.D. Cal. 1989).
— 26 U.S.C. § 7429(b)(3) — 1 case
Marvel Thompson v. United States, 445 F. App'x 878 (7th Cir. 2011).
— 26 U.S.C. § 7429(g)(1) — 1 case
Loretto v. United States, 440 F. Supp. 1168 (E.D. Pa. 1977). “At Loretto’s request, the Secretary of the Treasury then reviewed the reasonableness of that assessment, pursuant to § 7429(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C.A. § 7429 (a) (Supp. 1977), and affirmed the District Director.”
— 26 U.S.C. § 7429(g)(2) — 1 case
Loretto v. United States, 440 F. Supp. 1168 (E.D. Pa. 1977). “At Loretto’s request, the Secretary of the Treasury then reviewed the reasonableness of that assessment, pursuant to § 7429(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C.A. § 7429 (a) (Supp. 1977), and affirmed the District Director.”
Annotations are extracted automatically from the opinions in the Syfert caselaw corpus and ranked by authority, recency, and treatment. Dots show Syfertize treatment of the citing case itself.