26 U.S.C. § 6662
(b) Portion of underpayment to which section applies This section shall apply to the portion of any underpayment which is attributable to 1 or more of the following:
This section shall not apply to any portion of an underpayment on which a penalty is imposed under section 6663. Except as provided in paragraph (1) or (2)(B) of section 6662A(e), this section shall not apply to the portion of any underpayment which is attributable to a reportable transaction understatement on which a penalty is imposed under section 6662A.
(d) Substantial understatement of income tax
(1) Substantial understatement
(A) In general For purposes of this section, there is a substantial understatement of income tax for any taxable year if the amount of the understatement for the taxable year exceeds the greater of—
(B) Special rule for corporations In the case of a corporation other than an S corporation or a personal holding company (as defined in section 542), there is a substantial understatement of income tax for any taxable year if the amount of the understatement for the taxable year exceeds the lesser of—
(2) Understatement
(A) In general For purposes of paragraph (1), the term “understatement” means the excess of—
The excess under the preceding sentence shall be determined without regard to items to which section 6662A applies.
(B) Reduction for understatement due to position of taxpayer or disclosed item The amount of the understatement under subparagraph (A) shall be reduced by that portion of the understatement which is attributable to—
(ii) any item if—
For purposes of clause (ii)(II), in no event shall a corporation be treated as having a reasonable basis for its tax treatment of an item attributable to a multiple-party financing transaction if such treatment does not clearly reflect the income of the corporation.
(C) Reduction not to apply to tax shelters
(ii) Tax shelter For purposes of clause (i), the term “tax shelter” means—
if a significant purpose of such partnership, entity, plan, or arrangement is the avoidance or evasion of Federal income tax.
(e) Substantial valuation misstatement under chapter 1
(1) In general For purposes of this section, there is a substantial valuation misstatement under chapter 1 if—
(B)
(3) Net section 482 transfer price adjustment For purposes of this subsection—
(B) Certain adjustments excluded in determining threshold For purposes of determining whether the threshold requirements of paragraph (1)(B)(ii) are met, the following shall be excluded:
(i) Any portion of the net increase in taxable income referred to in subparagraph (A) which is attributable to any redetermination of a price if—
(ii) Any portion of the net increase in taxable income referred to in subparagraph (A) which is attributable to a redetermination of price where such price was not determined in accordance with such a specific pricing method if—
(f) Substantial overstatement of pension liabilities
(g) Substantial estate or gift tax valuation understatement
(h) Increase in penalty in case of gross valuation misstatements
(2) Gross valuation misstatements The term “gross valuation misstatements” means—
(A) any substantial valuation misstatement under chapter 1 as determined under subsection (e) by substituting—
(ii) in paragraph (1)(B)(i)—
(iii) in paragraph (1)(B)(ii)—
(i) Increase in penalty in case of nondisclosed noneconomic substance transactions
(j) Undisclosed foreign financial asset understatement
(m) Substantial understatement of income tax due to disallowance of applicable energy credits
(1) In general In the case of a taxpayer for which there is a disallowance of an applicable energy credit for any taxable year, for purposes of determining whether there is a substantial understatement of income tax for such taxable year, subsection (d)(1) shall be applied—
(Added Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, § 7721(a), , 103 Stat. 2395; amended Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, § 11312(a), (b), , 104 Stat. 1388–454, 1388–455; Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, §§ 13236(a)–(d), 13251(a), , 107 Stat. 505, 506, 531; Pub. L. 103–465, title VII, § 744(a), (b), , 108 Stat. 5011; Pub. L. 105–34, title X, § 1028(c), , 111 Stat. 928; Pub. L. 108–357, title VIII, §§ 812(b), (d), (e)(1), 819(a), (b), , 118 Stat. 1578, 1580, 1584; Pub. L. 109–135, title IV, §§ 403(x)(1), 412(aaa), , 119 Stat. 2629, 2641; Pub. L. 109–280, title XII, § 1219(a)(1), (2), , 120 Stat. 1083; Pub. L. 111–147, title V, § 512(a), , 124 Stat. 110; Pub. L. 111–152, title I, § 1409(b)(1), (2), , 124 Stat. 1068, 1069; Pub. L. 113–295, div. A, title II, § 208(a), , 128 Stat. 4028; Pub. L. 114–41, title II, § 2004(c), , 129 Stat. 456; Pub. L. 115–97, title I, § 11011(c), , 131 Stat. 2070; Pub. L. 115–141, div. T, § 101(a)(2)(A), div. U, title I, § 104(a), title IV, § 401(a)(303), (304), , 132 Stat. 1155, 1170, 1199; Pub. L. 116–260, div. EE, title II, § 212(b)(1), (2), , 134 Stat. 3067; Pub. L. 117–328, div. T, title VI, § 605(a)(2)(A), (B), , 136 Stat. 5394; Pub. L. 119–21, title VII, § 70512(j)(1), , 139 Stat. 268.)
Another section 212(b) of div. EE of Pub. L. 116–260 amended section 63 of this title.
Section 1409(b)(1), (2) of Pub. L. 111–152, which directed the amendment of section 6662 without specifying the act to be amended, was executed to this section, which is section 6662 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. See 2010 Amendment notes below.
Section 1219(a)(1), (2) of Pub. L. 109–280, which directed the amendment of section 6662 without specifying the act to be amended, was executed to this section, which is section 6662 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. See 2006 Amendment notes below.
A prior section 6662, acts Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 827, § 6659; , Pub. L. 86–470, § 1, 74 Stat. 132; , Pub. L. 91–172, title I, § 101(j)(51), 83 Stat. 531; , Pub. L. 93–406, title II, § 1016(a)(19), 88 Stat. 931; renumbered § 6660, , Pub. L. 97–34, title VII, § 722(a)(1), 95 Stat. 341; renumbered § 6662, , Pub. L. 97–248, title III, § 323(a), 96 Stat. 613, directed that additions be treated as tax and set procedure for assessing certain additions to tax, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, § 7721(a), , 103 Stat. 2395, applicable to returns the due date for which (determined without regard to extensions) is after . See section 6665 of this title.
2025—Subsec. (m). Pub. L. 119–21 added subsec. (m).
2022—Subsec. (b)(10). Pub. L. 117–328, § 605(a)(2)(A), added par. (10).
Subsec. (h)(2)(D). Pub. L. 117–328, § 605(a)(2)(B), added subpar. (D).
2020—Subsec. (b)(9). Pub. L. 116–260, § 212(b)(1), added par. (9).
Subsec. (l). Pub. L. 116–260, § 212(b)(2), added subsec. (l).
2018—Subsec. (d)(1)(C). Pub. L. 115–141, § 101(a)(2)(A), substituted “any deduction” for “the deduction”.
Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 115–141, § 401(a)(303), substituted “section 6664(d)(3)” for “section 6664(d)(2)”.
Subsecs. (i), (j). Pub. L. 115–141, § 401(a)(304), transferred subsec. (i) to appear before subsec. (j).
Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 115–141, § 104(a), amended subsec. (k) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “For purposes of this section, there is an ‘inconsistent estate basis’ if the basis of property claimed on a return exceeds the basis as determined under section 1014(f).”
2017—Subsec. (d)(1)(C). Pub. L. 115–97 added subpar. (C).
2015—Subsec. (b)(8). Pub. L. 114–41, § 2004(c)(1), added par. (8).
Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 114–41, § 2004(c)(2), added subsec. (k).
2014—Subsec. (b)(7). Pub. L. 113–295, § 208(a), amended directory language of Pub. L. 111–147, § 512(a)(1). See 2010 Amendment note below.
2010—Subsec. (b)(6). Pub. L. 111–152, § 1409(b)(1), added par. (6). See Codification note above.
Subsec. (b)(7). Pub. L. 111–147, § 512(a)(1), as amended by Pub. L. 113–295, § 208(a), added par. (7).
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 111–152, § 1409(b)(2), added subsec. (i). See Codification note above.
Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 111–147, § 512(a)(2), added subsec. (j).
2006—Subsec. (e)(1)(A). Pub. L. 109–280, § 1219(a)(1)(A), substituted “150 percent” for “200 percent”. See Codification note above.
Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 109–280, § 1219(a)(1)(B), substituted “65 percent” for “50 percent”. See Codification note above.
Subsec. (h)(2)(A)(i), (ii). Pub. L. 109–280, § 1219(a)(2)(A), amended cls. (i) and (ii) generally. Prior to amendment, cls. (i) and (ii) read as follows:
“(i) ‘400 percent’ for ‘200 percent’ each place it appears,
“(ii) ‘25 percent’ for ‘50 percent’, and”.
See Codification note above.
Subsec. (h)(2)(C). Pub. L. 109–280, § 1219(a)(2)(B), substituted “ ‘40 percent’ for ‘65 percent’ ” for “ ‘25 percent’ for ‘50 percent’ ”. See Codification note above.
2005—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 109–135, § 403(x)(1), inserted at end “Except as provided in paragraph (1) or (2)(B) of section 6662A(e), this section shall not apply to the portion of any underpayment which is attributable to a reportable transaction understatement on which a penalty is imposed under section 6662A.”
Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 109–135, § 412(aaa), struck out “the” before “1 or more”.
2004—Pub. L. 108–357, § 812(e)(1), inserted “on underpayments” after “penalty” in section catchline.
Subsec. (d)(1)(B). Pub. L. 108–357, § 819(a), reenacted heading without change and amended text of subpar. (B) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “In the case of a corporation other than an S corporation or a personal holding company (as defined in section 542), paragraph (1) shall be applied by substituting ‘$10,000’ for ‘$5,000’.”
Subsec. (d)(2)(A). Pub. L. 108–357, § 812(b), inserted concluding provisions.
Subsec. (d)(2)(C). Pub. L. 108–357, § 812(d), amended subpar. (C) generally, substituting provisions relating to inapplicability of subpar. (B) to any item attributable to a tax shelter and defining the term “tax shelter” for provisions relating to, in the case of any item of a taxpayer other than a corporation which is attributable to a tax shelter, inapplicability of subpar. (B)(ii) and inapplicability of subpar. (B)(i), unless the taxpayer reasonably believed that the tax treatment of such item by the taxpayer was more likely than not the proper treatment, inapplicability of subpar. (B) to any item of a corporation which is attributable to a tax shelter, and provisions defining the term “tax shelter”.
Subsec. (d)(2)(D). Pub. L. 108–357, § 819(b)(2), struck out heading and text of subpar. (D). Text read as follows: “The Secretary shall prescribe (and revise not less frequently than annually) a list of positions—
“(i) for which the Secretary believes there is not substantial authority, and
“(ii) which affect a significant number of taxpayers.
Such list (and any revision thereof) shall be published in the Federal Register.”
Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 108–357, § 819(b)(1), added par. (3).
1997—Subsec. (d)(2)(B). Pub. L. 105–34, § 1028(c)(1), inserted concluding provisions.
Subsec. (d)(2)(C)(iii). Pub. L. 105–34, § 1028(c)(2), substituted “a significant purpose” for “the principal purpose” in concluding provisions.
1994—Subsec. (d)(2)(C)(i). Pub. L. 103–465, § 744(b)(1), substituted “In the case of any item of a taxpayer other than a corporation which is” for “In the case of any item” in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (d)(2)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 103–465, § 744(a), added cl. (ii). Former cl. (ii) redesignated (iii).
Subsec. (d)(2)(C)(iii). Pub. L. 103–465, § 744(a), (b)(2), redesignated cl. (ii) as (iii) and substituted “this subparagraph” for “clause (i)” in introductory provisions.
1993—Subsec. (d)(2)(B)(ii). Pub. L. 103–66, § 13251(a), amended cl. (ii) generally. Prior to amendment, cl. (ii) read as follows: “any item with respect to which the relevant facts affecting the item’s tax treatment are adequately disclosed in the return or in a statement attached to the return.”
Subsec. (e)(1)(B)(ii). Pub. L. 103–66, § 13236(a), amended cl. (ii) generally. Prior to amendment, cl. (ii) read as follows: “the net section 482 transfer price adjustment for the taxable year exceeds $10,000,000.”
Subsec. (e)(3)(B). Pub. L. 103–66, § 13236(b), amended heading and text of subpar. (B) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “For purposes of determining whether the $10,000,000 threshold requirement of paragraph (1)(B)(ii) is met, there shall be excluded—
“(i) any portion of the net increase in taxable income referred to in subparagraph (A) which is attributable to any redetermination of a price if it is shown that there was a reasonable cause for the taxpayer’s determination of such price and that the taxpayer acted in good faith with respect to such price, and
“(ii) any portion of such net increase which is attributable to any transaction solely between foreign corporations unless, in the case of any of such corporations, the treatment of such transaction affects the determination of income from sources within the United States or taxable income effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the United States.”
Subsec. (e)(3)(D). Pub. L. 103–66, § 13236(c), added subpar. (D).
Subsec. (h)(2)(A)(iii). Pub. L. 103–66, § 13236(d), amended cl. (iii) generally. Prior to amendment, cl. (iii) read as follows: “ ‘$20,000,000’ for ‘$10,000,000’,”.
1990—Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 101–508, § 11312(b)(1), amended par. (3) generally, substituting “misstatement” for “overstatement”.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 101–508, § 11312(a), substituted “misstatement” for “overstatement” in heading and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows:
“(1) In general.—For purposes of this section, there is a substantial valuation overstatement under chapter 1 if the value of any property (or the adjusted basis of any property) claimed on any return of tax imposed by chapter 1 is 200 percent or more of the amount determined to be the correct amount of such valuation or adjusted basis (as the case may be).
“(2) Limitation.—No penalty shall be imposed by reason of subsection (b)(3) unless the portion of the underpayment for the taxable year attributable to substantial valuation overstatements under chapter 1 exceeds $5,000 ($10,000 in the case of a corporation other than an S corporation or a personal holding company (as defined in section 542)).”
Subsec. (h)(2)(A). Pub. L. 101–508, § 11312(b)(2), amended subpar. (A) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (A) read as follows: “any substantial valuation overstatement under chapter 1 as determined under subsection (e) by substituting ‘400 percent’ for ‘200 percent’,”.
Amendment by Pub. L. 119–21 applicable to taxable years beginning after , see section 70512(l)(1) of Pub. L. 119–21, set out in a note under section 45 of this title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 117–328 applicable to contributions made after , see section 605(c)(1) of Pub. L. 117–328, set out as a note under section 170 of this title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 116–260 applicable to taxable years beginning after , see section 212(d) of div. EE of Pub. L. 116–260, set out as a note under section 62 of this title.
Amendment by section 101(a)(2)(A) of Pub. L. 115–141 effective as if included in section 11011 of Pub. L. 115–97, see section 101(d) of Pub. L. 115–141, set out as a note under section 62 of this title.
Pub. L. 115–141, div. U, title I, § 104(c), , 132 Stat. 1170, provided that:
“The amendments made by this section [amending this section and
section 9503 of this title] shall take effect as if included in the provision of the Surface Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement Act of 2015 [
Pub. L. 114–41] to which they relate.”
Amendment by Pub. L. 115–97 applicable to taxable years beginning after , see section 11011(e) of Pub. L. 115–97, set out as a note under section 62 of this title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 114–41 applicable to property with respect to which an estate tax return is filed after , see section 2004(d) of Pub. L. 114–41, set out as a note under section 1014 of this title.
Pub. L. 113–295, div. A, title II, § 208(b), , 128 Stat. 4028, provided that:
“The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall take effect as if included in the provision of the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act [
Pub. L. 111–147] to which it relates.”
Pub. L. 111–152, title I, § 1409(e), , 124 Stat. 1070, provided that:
- “(1) In general.— Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 6662A, 6664, 6676, and 7701 of this title] shall apply to transactions entered into after the date of the enactment of this Act [].
- “(2) Underpayments.— The amendments made by subsections (b) and (c)(1) [amending this section and sections 6662A and 6664 of this title] shall apply to underpayments attributable to transactions entered into after the date of the enactment of this Act.
- “(3) Understatements.— The amendments made by subsection (c)(2) [amending section 6664 of this title] shall apply to understatements attributable to transactions entered into after the date of the enactment of this Act.
- “(4) Refunds and credits.— The amendment made by subsection (d) [amending section 6676 of this title] shall apply to refunds and credits attributable to transactions entered into after the date of the enactment of this Act.”
Pub. L. 111–147, title V, § 512(b), , 124 Stat. 111, provided that:
“The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act [
Mar. 18, 2010].”
Amendment by Pub. L. 109–280 applicable to returns filed after , with special rule for certain easements, see section 1219(e)(1), (3) of Pub. L. 109–280, set out as a note under section 170 of this title.
Amendment by section 403(x)(1) of Pub. L. 109–135 effective as if included in the provision of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, Pub. L. 108–357, to which such amendment relates, see section 403(nn) of Pub. L. 109–135, set out as a note under section 26 of this title.
Pub. L. 108–357, title VIII, § 812(f), , 118 Stat. 1580, as amended by Pub. L. 109–135, title IV, § 403(x)(3), , 119 Stat. 2629, provided that:
- “(1) In general.— Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [enacting section 6662A of this title and amending this section and section 6664 of this title] shall apply to taxable years ending after the date of the enactment of this Act [].
“(2) Disqualified opinions.— Section 6664(d)(3)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [now section 6664(d)(4)(B)] (as added by subsection (c)) shall not apply to the opinion of a tax advisor if—
- “(A) the opinion was provided to the taxpayer before the date of the enactment of this Act,
- “(B) the opinion relates to one or more transactions all of which were entered into before such date, and
- “(C) the tax treatment of items relating to each such transaction was included on a return or statement filed by the taxpayer before such date.”
Pub. L. 108–357, title VIII, § 819(c), , 118 Stat. 1585, provided that:
“The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act [
Oct. 22, 2004].”
Amendment by Pub. L. 105–34 applicable to items with respect to transactions entered into after , see section 1028(e)(2) of Pub. L. 105–34, set out as a note under section 6111 of this title.
Pub. L. 103–465, title VII, § 744(c), , 108 Stat. 5011, provided that:
“The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to items related to transactions occurring after the date of the enactment of this Act [
Dec. 8, 1994].”
Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, § 13236(e), , 107 Stat. 506, provided that:
“The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after
December 31, 1993.”
Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, § 13251(b), , 107 Stat. 531, provided that:
“The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to returns the due dates for which (determined without regard to extensions) are after
December 31, 1993.”
Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, § 11312(c), , 104 Stat. 1388–455, provided that:
“The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years ending after the date of the enactment of this Act [
Nov. 5, 1990].”
Section applicable to returns the due date for which (determined without regard to extensions) is after , see section 7721(d) of Pub. L. 101–239, set out as an Effective Date of 1989 Amendment note under section 461 of this title.