Last updated on October 30th, 2024 at 01:43 am
Title 31—Money and Finance: Treasury–Volume 1
C. P. D. = Commissioner of the Public Debt.
Subtitle A—Office of the Secretary of the Treasury
PART 0—DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY EMPLOYEE RULES OF CONDUCT
Subpart A—General Provisions
§ 0.101 Purpose.
The regulations in this part prescribe procedures and standards of conduct that are appropriate to the particular functions and activities of the Department of the Treasury (Department).
§ 0.102 Applicability.
(a) Unless otherwise specified, the regulations in this part apply to all employees of the Department at all times, regardless of whether they are on duty or on leave, including leave without pay.
(b) The regulations in this part may be supplemented by regulations, interpretive guidelines and procedures issued by the Department’s offices and bureaus. The absence of a specific published rule of conduct covering an action or omission does not validate that action or omission nor indicate that the action or omission would not result in corrective or disciplinary action.
§ 0.103 Other rules of conduct applicable to Department employees.
In addition to the regulations in this part, employees of the Department are subject to other applicable statutes and regulations, including the following:
(a) The Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch at 5 CFR part 2635;
(b) The Supplemental Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Department of the Treasury at 5 CFR part 3101;
(c) Political Activities of Federal Employees regulations at 5 CFR part 734;
(d) The Employee Responsibilities and Conduct regulations at 5 CFR part 735; and
(e) Department of the Treasury Disclosure of Records regulations at 31 CFR part 1.
§ 0.104 Definitions.
The following definitions are used throughout this part:
(a) Bureau means:
(1) Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau;
(2) Bureau of Engraving and Printing;
(3) Bureau of the Fiscal Service;
(4) Departmental Offices;
(5) Financial Crimes Enforcement Network;
(6) Internal Revenue Service;
(7) Office of the Comptroller of the Currency;
(8) Office of the Inspector General;
(9) Office of the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program;
(10) Office of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration;
(11) United States Mint; and
(12) Any other organization designated as a bureau by the Secretary of the Treasury pursuant to appropriate authority.
(b) Person means an individual, corporation, company, association, firm, partnership, society, joint stock company, or any other entity, organization, or institution.
(c) Employee means an officer or employee of the Department regardless of grade, status or place of employment, including an employee on leave with pay or on leave without pay. Unless stated otherwise, employee shall include a special government employee.
(d) Special government employee means an officer or employee of the Department who is retained, designated, appointed, or employed, regardless of type of appointment, to perform temporary duties on a full-time or intermittent basis, with or without compensation, for not to exceed 130 days during any period of 365-consecutive days. 18 U.S.C. 202(a).
(e) On Department property means present in a building, on property, or in space owned by, leased by, occupied by, or under the control of the Department.
§ 0.105 Responsibilities of employees and supervisors.
(a) Employees shall comply with all generally accepted rules of conduct, the specific provisions of this part, and other applicable regulations. An employee with questions about generally accepted rules of conduct, the specific provisions of this part, and other applicable regulations should consult his or her supervisor, a human resources specialist, or Bureau counsel.
(b) Supervisors, because of their day-to-day relationships with their employees, are responsible for ensuring that their employees maintain high standards of conduct. Supervisors must be familiar with this part and other applicable regulations and must apply generally accepted rules of conduct, the standards in this part, and the standards in other applicable regulations to the work they do and supervise. Supervisors shall take appropriate action, including disciplinary action, when violations of this part or other applicable regulations occur.
§ 0.106 Corrective action.
An employee’s violation of generally accepted rules of conduct, the standards in this part, or the standards in other applicable regulations may result in appropriate corrective or disciplinary action, in addition to any penalty prescribed by law.
Subpart B—Rules of Conduct
An employee shall not engage in any conduct or activity that is in excess of his or her authority or is otherwise contrary to any law, regulation, or Department policy.
(a) Employees are required to comply with the lawful directives of their supervisor and other management officials.
(b) Employees shall be familiar and comply with regulations and published instructions that relate to their official duties and responsibilities.
§ 0.203 Reporting suspected misconduct.
(a) An employee shall immediately report to his or her supervisor, to any management official, or to the applicable Office of Inspector General:
(1) Any information that the employee reasonably believes indicates a possible offense against the United States by an employee of the Department or any other individual working on behalf of the Department, including, but not limited to, bribery; fraud; perjury; conflict of interest; misuse of funds, government purchase or employee travel credit cards, equipment, or facilities; and other conduct which is prohibited by title 18 of the United States Code;
(2) Any suspected violation of a statute, rule, or regulation, including this part and the regulations referenced in section 0.103 of this part;
(3) Any instance in which another person inside or outside the federal government uses or attempts to use undue influence to induce an employee to do or omit to do any official act in derogation of his official duty; and,
(4) Any information that the employee reasonably believes indicates the existence of an activity constituting:
(i) Mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, or abuse of authority;
(ii) A substantial and specific danger to the public health and safety;
(iii) A threat to the integrity of programs and operations relating to the Department; or
(iv) A violation of merit systems principles or a prohibited personnel practice as described in 5 U.S.C. 2301 and 2302.
(b) Bureau counsel who, during the course of providing advice to or representation of a bureau, acquire information of the type described in paragraph (a) of this section, shall report the information to the reporting employee’s supervisor, the Chief or Legal Counsel, or the Deputy General Counsel, who shall report such information to the relevant Inspector General.
(c) This section does not cover matters addressed through employee grievances, equal employment opportunity complaints, Merit Systems Protection Board appeals, classification appeals, or other matters for which separate, formal systems have been established.
§ 0.204 Prohibition of reprisal for reporting suspected misconduct.
Any employee who has authority to take, direct others to take, recommend, or approve any personnel action, shall not, with respect to such authority, take or threaten to take any action against any employee as a reprisal for providing any information in accordance with § 0.203 of this part or through other processes established by law. However, if an employee makes a complaint or discloses information with the knowledge that it was false, or with willful disregard of its truth or falsity, such conduct may be grounds for disciplinary action, and such action shall not constitute reprisal.
§ 0.205 Controlled substances and intoxicants.
Employees shall not sell, offer to sell, buy, offer to buy, use, or possess, controlled substances in violation of federal law. Employees shall not use or be under the influence of alcohol in a manner that adversely affects their work performance. Employees may consume alcohol on Department property only when authorized in accordance with Department or bureau policies and directives.
§ 0.206 Strikes.
Employees shall not participate in a labor strike, work stoppage, or work slowdown against the government.
§ 0.207 Possession of weapons or explosives.
(a) Employees shall not possess firearms, explosives, or other dangerous weapons, as defined at 40 U.S.C. 5104(a), either openly or concealed, while on Department property or while on official duty.
(b) The prohibition of paragraph (a) of this section does not apply to the possession of authorized weapons or explosives by employees who are required to possess such authorized weapons or explosives in the performance of their official duties.
§ 0.208 Care of agency records.
(a) Employees shall not remove, alter, destroy, mutilate, access, copy, or retain documents or data in the custody of the federal government or provided to them in the course of their employment, without proper authorization.
(b) The term “documents” includes, but is not limited to, any written, printed, typed or other graphic material, recording, computer tape, disk or hard drive, storage medium, blueprint, photograph, or other physical object on which information is recorded, including all copies of the foregoing by whatever means made, and any electronic file, data, or information stored on or created on a government computer, database, application, program, network, or storage medium.
§ 0.209 Disclosure of records or information.
(a) Employees shall not disclose or use official information without proper authority. Employees authorized to make disclosures should respond promptly and courteously to requests from the public for information when permitted to do so by law.
(b) Employees who have access to information that is classified for security reasons in accordance with Executive Order 13526, or any successor Executive Order governing Classified National Security Information, are responsible for its custody and safekeeping, and for assuring that it is not disclosed to unauthorized persons. See 18 U.S.C. 798; 50 U.S.C. 783(a); 31 CFR part 2.
§ 0.210 Cooperation with official inquiries.
Employees directed by competent Department or other federal authority to provide oral or written responses to questions, or to provide documents and other materials concerning matters of official interest, shall timely respond fully, truthfully, and, when required, under oath.
§ 0.211 Falsification of official records.
Employees shall not intentionally or with willful disregard make false or misleading statements, orally or in writing, in connection with any matter of official interest. Matters of official interest include, but are not limited to, the following: Official reports and any other official information upon which the Department, the Congress, other government agencies, or the public may act or rely; transactions with the public, government agencies or other government employees; application forms and other forms that serve as a basis for any personnel action; vouchers; time and attendance records, including leave records; work reports of any nature or accounts of any kind; affidavits; record of or data concerning any matter relating to or connected with an employee’s duties; personnel records; and reports of any moneys or securities received, held or paid to, for or on behalf of the United States.
§ 0.212 Use of government property.
(a) An employee shall not directly or indirectly use, or allow the use of, government property of any kind, including property leased to the government, for other than officially approved activities. This includes the use of government-provided information technology equipment, internet access, cellular telephones, personal digital assistants, and other devices in a manner that is inconsistent with the Department’s policy permitting reasonable personal use. An employee has a positive duty to protect and conserve government property including equipment, supplies, intellectual property, and other property made available, entrusted, or issued to the employee for official use.
(b) Employees shall not use government vehicles for unofficial purposes, including to transport unauthorized passengers. The use of government vehicles for transporting employees between their domiciles and places of employment is prohibited except when authorized by the Secretary pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 1344 or other statute.
§ 0.213 Government issued charge cards.
(a) Employees shall not make improper purchases with government contractor-issued charge cards.
(b) Employees shall timely pay undisputed amounts owed on government contractor-issued travel charge cards.
§ 0.214 Conduct while on government property.
(a) Employees must adhere to the regulations that govern the conduct of individuals who are in the buildings or space occupied by, or on grounds of, particular government property.
(b) Employees shall not solicit, make collections, canvass for the sale of any article, or distribute literature or advertising on Department property without appropriate authorization.
§ 0.215 Recording government business.
An employee shall not electronically transmit, or create audio or video recordings of, conversations, meetings, or conferences in the workplace or while conducting business on behalf of the Department, except where authorized.
§ 0.216 Influencing legislation or petitioning Congress.
Except for the official handling, through the proper channels, of matters relating to legislation in which the Department has an interest, employees shall not use government time, money, or property to petition a Member of Congress to favor or oppose any legislation or proposed legislation, or to encourage others to do so. This section does not prohibit the use of government time by union representatives to petition a Member of Congress to favor or oppose any legislation or proposed legislation, where permitted by the terms of a collective bargaining agreement.
§ 0.217 Nondiscrimination.
(a) Employees shall not discriminate against or harass any other employee, applicant for employment, contractor, or person dealing with the Department on official business on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, parental status, veterans status, or genetic information.
(b) Supervisors shall not retaliate against an employee for complaining about suspected unlawful discrimination or harassment, seeking accommodation for a disability, or otherwise exercising their right to be free from unlawful discrimination.
(c) An employee who engages in discriminatory or retaliatory conduct may be disciplined under these regulations, as well as other applicable laws. However, this section does not create any enforceable legal rights in any person.
§ 0.218 General conduct prejudicial to the government.
An employee shall not engage in criminal, infamous, dishonest, immoral, or notoriously disgraceful conduct, or other conduct prejudicial to the government.
PART 1—DISCLOSURE OF RECORDS
Subpart A—Freedom of Information Act
§ 1.0 General provisions.
(a) This subpart contains the rules that the Department of the Treasury follows in processing requests for records under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552 as amended. These regulations apply to all components of the Department of the Treasury. Requests made by individuals for records about themselves under the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. 552a, are processed under subpart C of part 1 as well as under this subpart.
(b) The components of the Department of the Treasury for the purposes of this subpart are the following offices and bureaus:
(1) The Departmental Offices, which include the offices of:
(i) The Secretary of the Treasury, including immediate staff;
(ii) The Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, including immediate staff;
(iii) The Chief of Staff, including immediate staff;
(iv) The Executive Secretary of the Treasury and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;
(v) The Under Secretary (International Affairs) and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;
(vi) The Under Secretary (Domestic Finance) and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;
(vii) The Director of the Community Development Financial Institution Fund and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;
(viii) The Director of the Office of Financial Research and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;
(ix) The Under Secretary (Terrorism and Financial Intelligence) and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;
(x) The Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;
(xi) The General Counsel and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff, but not including legal counsel to the components listed in paragraphs (b)(2) through (10) of this section;
(xii) The Treasurer of the United States, including immediate staff;
(xiii) The Assistant Secretary (Legislative Affairs) and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;
(xiv) The Assistant Secretary (Public Affairs) and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;
(xv) The Assistant Secretary (Economic Policy) and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;
(xvi) The Assistant Secretary (Tax Policy) and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;
(xvii) The Assistant Secretary (Management) and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff; and
(xviii) [Reserved]
(xix) The Inspector General and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;
(2) The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau;
(3) The Bureau of Engraving and Printing;
(4) The Bureau of the Fiscal Service;
(5) The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network;
(6) The Internal Revenue Service;
(7) The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency;
(8) The United States Mint;
(9) The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration;
(10) The Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program.
(c) Any Treasury office which is now in existence or may hereafter be established, which is not specifically listed above and is not a subsidiary unit of a component of those listed above, shall be deemed a part of the Departmental Offices for the purpose of these regulations.
(d) The head of each component is hereby authorized to substitute the official designated and change the address specified in the appendix to this subpart applicable to that component. Components may issue supplementary regulations applicable only to the component in question, which (except with respect to fee schedules) shall be consistent with these regulations. Persons interested in the records of a particular component should, therefore, also consult the Code of Federal Regulations for any rules or regulations promulgated specifically with respect to that component (see Appendices to this subpart for cross references). In the event of any actual or apparent inconsistency, these Departmental regulations shall govern.
(e) Each component shall preserve all correspondence pertaining to the requests that it receives under this subpart, as well as copies of all requested records, until disposition or destruction is authorized pursuant to title 44 of the United States Code or the General Records Schedule 4.2 of the National Archives and Records Administration. Records that are identified as responsive to a request will not be disposed of or destroyed while they are the subject of a pending request, administrative appeal, or lawsuit under the FOIA.
(f) Nothing in this subpart shall be construed to entitle any person, as of right, to any service or to the disclosure of any record to which such person is not entitled under the FOIA.
§ 1.1 Proactive disclosure of Department records.
(a) Records that are required by the FOIA to be made available for public inspection in an electronic format may be accessed through the Department’s website, http://www.treasury.gov, and/or on the website of the component that maintains such records. The FOIA office of each component is responsible for determining which of the component’s records are required to be made publicly available, as well as identifying additional records of interest to the public that are appropriate for public disclosure, and for posting such records. Each component has a FOIA Public Liaison who can assist individuals in locating records particular to that component. A list of the Department’s FOIA Public Liaisons is available at: https://home.treasury.gov/footer/freedom-of-information-act.
(b) When a component receives three or more requests for the same records, it shall make available for public inspection in an electronic format, any records released in response to those requests.
§ 1.2 Requirements for making requests.
(a) General information. (1) Requests should be addressed to the FOIA office of the component that maintains the requested records. The appendices to this subpart list the addresses of each FOIA office and the methods for submitting requests to each component. Requesters are encouraged to submit requests online (through FOIA.gov, component web pages or by completing the “Submit an Online Request” form located at https://home.treasury.gov/footer/freedom-of-information-act.
(2) When a requester is unable to determine the appropriate Departmental component to which to direct a request, the requester may send the request to Freedom of Information Act Request, Department of the Treasury, Departmental Offices (DO), Director, FOIA and Transparency, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20220. The FOIA and Transparency team will forward the request to the component(s) that it determines to be most likely to maintain the records that are sought.
(3) A requester who is making a request for records about himself or herself must comply with the verification of identity provision set forth in section 1.26 of subpart C of this part.
(4) Where a request for records pertains to a third party, a requester may receive greater access by submitting either a notarized authorization signed by that individual or a declaration by that individual made in compliance with the requirements set forth in 28 U.S.C. 1746, authorizing disclosure of the records to the requester, or submitting proof that the individual is deceased (e.g., a copy of a death certificate). As an exercise of its administrative discretion, each component can require a requester to supply additional information, if necessary, in order to verify that a particular individual has consented to disclosure.
(b) Description of records sought. Requesters must describe the records sought in sufficient detail to enable Department personnel to locate them with a reasonable amount of effort. To the extent possible, requesters should include specific information that may assist a component in identifying the requested records, such as the date, title or name, author, recipient, subject matter of the record, case number, file designation, or reference number. Requesters should refer to the Appendices of this subpart for additional component-specific requirements. In general, requesters should include as much detail as possible about the specific records or the types of records that they are seeking. If the requester fails to reasonably describe the records sought, the component shall inform the requester what additional information is needed or why the request is deficient. Requesters who are attempting to reformulate or modify such a request may discuss their request with the component’s designated FOIA contact or the FOIA Public Liaison. When a requester fails to provide sufficient detail after having been asked to clarify a request, the component shall notify the requester that the request has not been properly made and that the request will be administratively closed.
§ 1.3 Responsibility for responding to requests.
(a) In general. The component that first receives a request for a record and maintains that record is the component responsible for responding to the request. In determining which records are responsive to a request, a component ordinarily will include only records in its possession as of the date that it begins its search. If any other date is used, the component shall inform the requester of that date. A record that is excluded from the requirements of the FOIA pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552(c), shall not be considered responsive to a request.
(b) Authority to grant or deny requests. The head of a component, or designee, is authorized to grant or to deny any requests for records that are maintained by that component.
(c) Re-routing of misdirected requests. When a component’s FOIA office determines that a request was misdirected within the agency, the receiving component’s FOIA office must route the request to the FOIA office of the proper component(s) within the agency.
(d) Consultation, referral, and coordination. When reviewing records located by a component in response to a request, the component will determine whether another agency of the Federal Government is better able to determine whether the record is exempt from disclosure under the FOIA. As to any such record, the agency must proceed in one of the following ways:
(1) Consultation. When records originated with the component processing the request, but contain within them information of interest to another agency or other Federal Government office, the agency processing the request should typically consult with that other entity prior to making a release determination.
(2) Referral. (i) When the component processing the request believes that a different agency is best able to determine whether to disclose the record, the component typically should refer the responsibility for responding to the request regarding that record to that agency. Ordinarily, the agency that originated the record is presumed to be the best agency to make the disclosure determination. However, if the component processing the request is in the best position to respond regarding the record, then the record may be handled as a consultation.
(ii) Whenever a component refers any part of the responsibility for responding to a request to another agency, it must document the referral, maintain a copy of the record that it refers, and notify the requester of the referral, informing the requester of the name(s) of the agency to which the record was referred, including that agency’s FOIA contact information.
(3) Coordination. The standard referral procedure is not appropriate where disclosure of the identity of the agency to which the referral would be made could harm an interest protected by an applicable exemption, such as the exemptions that protect personal privacy or national security interests. For example, if a non-law enforcement agency responding to a request for records on a living third party locates within its files records originating with a law enforcement agency, and if the existence of that law enforcement interest in the third party was not publicly known, then to disclose that law enforcement interest could cause an unwarranted invasion of the personal privacy of the third party. Similarly, if an agency locates within its files material originating with an Intelligence Community agency, and the involvement of that agency in the matter is classified and not publicly acknowledged, then to disclose or give attribution to the involvement of that Intelligence Community agency could cause national security harms. In such instances, in order to avoid harm to an interest protected by an applicable exemption, the agency that received the request should coordinate with the originating agency to seek its views on the disclosability of the record. The release determination for the record that is the subject of the coordination should then be conveyed to the requester by the agency that originally received the request.
(4) Timing of responses to consultations and referrals. All consultations and referrals will be handled according to the date that the FOIA request was initially received by the component or other agency of the Federal government.
(5) Agreements regarding consultations and referrals. Components may establish agreements with other Treasury components or agencies of the Federal government to eliminate the need for consultations or referrals with respect to particular types of records.
(e) Classified information. On receipt of any request involving classified information, the component shall take appropriate action to ensure compliance with part 2 of this title and with all other laws and regulations relating to proper handling of classified information. Whenever a request involves a record containing information that has been classified or may be appropriate for classification by another component or agency under any applicable executive order concerning the classification of records, the receiving component shall refer the responsibility for responding to the request regarding that information to the component or agency that classified the information, or that should consider the information for classification. Whenever a component’s record contains information that has been derivatively classified, i.e., it contains information classified by another component or agency of the Federal government, the component shall refer the responsibility for responding to that portion of the request to the component or agency that classified the underlying information.
§ 1.4 Responses to requests.
(a) In general. Components ordinarily will respond to requests according to their order of receipt. The Appendices to this subpart contain the list of the Departmental components that are designated to accept requests. In instances involving misdirected requests, i.e., where a request is sent to one of the components designated in the Appendices but is actually seeking records maintained by another component, the response time will commence on the date that the request is received by the appropriate component, but in any event not later than ten working days after the request is first received.
(b) Multitrack processing. All components must designate a specific track for requests that are granted expedited processing, in accordance with the standards set forth in paragraph (e) of this section. A component may also designate additional processing tracks that distinguish between simple and more complex requests based on the estimated amount of work or time needed to process the request. A component can consider factors such as the number of pages involved in processing the request or the need for consultations or referrals. Components shall advise requesters of the track into which their request falls and, when appropriate, shall offer the requesters an opportunity to narrow their request so that it can be placed in a different processing track.
(c) Unusual circumstances. Whenever the statutory time limits for processing a request cannot be met because of “unusual circumstances,” as defined in the FOIA, and the component extends the time limits on that basis, the component shall, before expiration of the twenty-day period to respond, notify the requester in writing of the unusual circumstances involved and of the date by which processing of the request can be expected to be completed. Where the extension exceeds ten working days, the component shall, as described by the FOIA, provide the requester with an opportunity to modify the request or agree to an alternative time period for processing. The component shall make available its designated FOIA contact or its FOIA Public Liaison for this purpose. The component must also alert requesters to the availability of the Office of Government Information Services to provide dispute resolution services.
(d) Aggregating requests. For the purposes of identifying unusual circumstances under the FOIA, components may aggregate requests in cases where it reasonably appears that multiple requests, submitted either by a requester or by a group of requesters acting in concert, constitute a single request that would otherwise involve unusual circumstances. Components will not aggregate multiple requests that involve unrelated matters.
(e) Expedited processing. (1) Requests and appeals will be processed on an expedited basis only upon request and when it is determined that they involve:
(i) Circumstances in which the lack of expedited processing could reasonably be expected to pose an imminent threat to the life or physical safety of an individual;
(ii) An urgency to inform the public about an actual or alleged Federal government activity, if made by a person who is primarily engaged in disseminating information. The standard of “urgency to inform” requires that the records requested pertain to a matter of current exigency to the public and that delaying a response to a request for records would compromise a significant recognized interest to and throughout the general public; or
(iii) The loss of substantial due process rights.
(2) A request for expedited processing may be made at any time. Requests must be submitted to the component that maintains the records requested. The time period for making the determination on the request for expedited processing under this section shall commence on the date that the component receives the request.
(3) A requester who seeks expedited processing must submit a statement, certified to be true and correct, explaining in detail the basis for making the request for expedited processing. As a matter of administrative discretion, a component may waive the formal certification requirement.
(4) A requester seeking expedited processing under paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of this section, who is not a full-time member of the news media must establish that he or she is a person whose primary professional activity or occupation is information dissemination. Such a requester also must establish a particular urgency to inform the public about the government activity involved in the request—one that extends beyond the public’s right to know about government activity generally.
(5) A component shall notify the requester within ten calendar days of the receipt of a request for expedited processing of its decision whether to grant or deny expedited processing. If expedited processing is granted, the request shall be given priority, placed in the processing track for expedited requests, and shall be processed as soon as practicable. If a component denies expedited processing, any appeal of that decision that complies with the procedures set forth in § 1.6 of this subpart shall be acted on expeditiously.
(f) Acknowledgments of requests. Upon receipt of a request that will take longer than ten business days to process, a component shall send the requester an acknowledgment letter that assigns the request an individualized tracking number. The component shall also include in the acknowledgment a brief description of the records sought to allow requesters to more easily keep track of their requests.
(g) Grants of requests. Once a component makes a determination to grant a request in full or in part, it shall notify the requester in writing. The component also shall inform the requester of any fees charged under § 1.7 of this subpart and shall disclose the requested records to the requester promptly upon payment of any applicable fees. The component must also inform the requester of the availability of the FOIA Public Liaison to offer assistance.
(h) Adverse determinations of requests. A component making an adverse determination denying a request in any respect shall notify the requester of that determination in writing. Adverse determinations, or denials of requests, include decisions that: The requested record is exempt, in whole or in part; the request does not reasonably describe the records sought; the information requested is not a record subject to the FOIA; the requested record does not exist, cannot be located, or has been destroyed; or the requested record is not readily reproducible in the form or format sought by the requester. Adverse determinations also include denials involving fees or fee waiver matters, and denials of requests for expedited processing.
(i) Content of denial letter. The denial letter shall be signed by the head of the component, or FOIA designee, and shall include, when applicable:
(1) The name and title or position of the person responsible for the denial;
(2) A brief statement of the reasons for the denial, including any FOIA exemption applied by the component in denying the request; and
(3) An estimate of the volume of any records or information withheld, for example, by providing the number of pages or some other reasonable form of estimation. This estimation is not required if the volume is otherwise indicated by deletions marked on records that are disclosed in part, or if the estimate would cause a harm protected by one of the exemptions.
(4) A statement that the denial may be appealed under § 1.6(a) of this subpart, and a description of the requirements set forth therein.
(5) A statement notifying the requester of the assistance available from the component’s FOIA Public Liaison and the dispute resolution services offered by the Office of Government Information Services.
(j) Markings on released documents. Records disclosed in part must be marked clearly to show the amount of information deleted and the exemption under which the deletion was made unless doing so would harm an interest protected by an applicable exemption. The location of the information deleted shall also be indicated on the record, if technically feasible.
(k) Use of record exclusions. (1) In the event a component identifies records that may be subject to exclusion from the requirements of the FOIA pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552(c), the component shall consult with the Department of Justice, Office of Information Policy (OIP), before applying the exclusion.
(2) A component invoking an exclusion must maintain an administrative record of the process of invocation and of the consultation with OIP.
§ 1.5 Confidential commercial information.
(a) Definitions—(1) Confidential commercial information means trade secrets and commercial or financial information obtained by the Department from a submitter that may be protected from disclosure under Exemption 4 of the FOIA.
(2) Submitter means any person or entity from whom the Department obtains confidential commercial information, directly or indirectly.
(3) Designation of confidential commercial information. A submitter of confidential commercial information must use good faith efforts to designate by appropriate markings, either at the time of submission or within a reasonable time thereafter, any portion of its submission that it considers to be protected from disclosure under Exemption 4. These designations will expire ten years after the date of the submission unless the submitter requests and provides justification for a longer designation period.
(b) When notice to submitters is required. (1) A component shall promptly provide written notice to a submitter whenever:
(i) The requested confidential commercial information has been designated in good faith by the submitter as information considered protected from disclosure under Exemption 4; or
(ii) The component has a reason to believe that the requested confidential commercial information may be protected from disclosure under Exemption 4 of the FOIA.
(2) The notice shall either describe the confidential commercial information requested or include a copy of the requested records or portions of records containing the information. In cases involving a voluminous number of submitters, notice may be made by posting or publishing the notice in a place or manner reasonably likely to accomplish it.
(c) Exceptions to submitter notice requirements. The notice requirements of this section shall not apply if:
(1) The component determines that the confidential commercial information is exempt from disclosure under the FOIA;
(2) The confidential commercial information lawfully has been published or has been officially made available to the public; or
(3) Disclosure of the confidential commercial information is required by a statute other than the FOIA or by a regulation issued in accordance with the requirements of Executive Order 12600 of June 23, 1987;
(d) Opportunity to object to disclosure. (1) A component will specify a reasonable time period as determined within its administrative discretion within which the submitter must respond to the notice referenced above. If a submitter has any objections to disclosure, it should provide the component a detailed written statement that specifies all grounds for withholding the particular confidential commercial information under any exemption of the FOIA. In order to rely on Exemption 4 as a basis for nondisclosure, the submitter must explain why the information constitutes a trade secret, or commercial or financial information that is privileged or confidential.
(2) A submitter who fails to respond within the time period specified in the notice shall be considered to have no objection to disclosure of the information. An objection to disclosure received by the component after the time period specified in the notice will not be considered by the component. Any information provided by a submitter under this subpart may itself be subject to disclosure under the FOIA and/or protected from disclosure by applicable exemptions or by a statute other than the FOIA.
(e) Analysis of objections. A component shall consider a submitter’s objections and specific grounds for nondisclosure in deciding whether to disclose the requested confidential commercial information.
(f) Notice of intent to disclose. Whenever a component decides to disclose confidential commercial information over the objection of a submitter, the component shall provide the submitter written notice, which shall include:
(1) A statement of the reasons why each of the submitter’s disclosure objections was not sustained;
(2) Copies of the records that the component intends to disclose or, in the alternative, a description of the confidential commercial information to be disclosed; and
(3) A specified disclosure date, which shall be a reasonable time subsequent to the notice.
(g) Notice of FOIA lawsuit. Whenever a requester files a lawsuit seeking to compel the disclosure of confidential commercial information, the component shall promptly notify the submitter.
(h) Requester notification. The component shall notify a requester whenever it provides the submitter with notice and an opportunity to object to disclosure; whenever it notifies the submitter of its intent to disclose the requested confidential commercial information; and whenever a submitter files a lawsuit to prevent the disclosure of the confidential commercial information.
§ 1.6 Administrative appeals.
(a) Requirements for making an appeal. Before seeking review by a court of a component’s adverse determination, a requester generally must first submit a timely administrative appeal. A requester may appeal any adverse determinations denying his or her request to the official specified in the appropriate appendix to this subpart. Examples of adverse determinations are provided in § 1.4(h) of this subpart. The requester must make the appeal in writing and to be considered timely it must be postmarked, or in the case of electronic submissions, transmitted, within 90 calendar days after the date of the component’s final response. The appeal letter should clearly identify the component’s determination that is being appealed and the assigned request number. The requester should mark both the appeal letter and envelope, or subject line of the electronic transmission, “Freedom of Information Act Appeal.”
(b) Adjudication of appeals. (1) The FOIA appeal official or designee specified in the appropriate appendix will act on all appeals under this section.
(2) An appeal ordinarily will not be adjudicated if the request becomes a matter of FOIA litigation.
(3) On receipt of any appeal involving classified information, the FOIA appeal official or designee must take appropriate action to ensure compliance with applicable classification rules.
(c) Decision on appeals. A decision on an appeal must be made in writing by the component within 20 business days after receipt of the appeal. A decision that upholds a component’s determination must contain a statement that identifies the reasons for the affirmance, including any FOIA exemptions applied. The decision must provide the requester with notification of the statutory right to file a lawsuit and will inform the requester of the mediation services offered by the Office of Government Information Services of the National Archives and Records Administration as a non-exclusive alternative to litigation. If a component’s decision is remanded or modified on appeal the requester will be notified of that determination in writing. The component will then further process the request in accordance with that appeal determination and respond directly to the requester. Appeals that have not been postmarked or transmitted within the specified time frame will be considered untimely and will be administratively closed with written notice to the requester.
(d) Engaging in dispute resolution services provided by Office of Government Information Services (OGIS). Mediation is a voluntary process. If a component agrees to participate in the mediation services provided by OGIS, it will actively engage as a partner to the process in an attempt to resolve the dispute.
§ 1.7 Fees.
(a) In general. Components may charge for processing requests under the FOIA in accordance with the provisions of this section or may issue their own fee schedules as long as they are consistent with the OMB Guidelines. In order to resolve any fee issues that arise under this section, a component may contact a requester for additional information. A component ordinarily will collect all applicable fees before sending copies of records to a requester. Requesters must pay fees by check or money order made payable to the Treasury of the United States, or by other means specified at https://home.treasury.gov/footer/freedom-of-information-act.
(b) Definitions. For purposes of this section:
(1) Commercial-use request is a request for information for a use or a purpose that furthers a commercial, trade, or profit interest, which can include furthering those interests through litigation.
(2) Direct costs are those expenses that a component expends in searching for and duplicating (and, in the case of commercial-use requests, reviewing) records in order to respond to a FOIA request. For example, direct costs include the salary of the employee performing the work (i.e., the basic rate of pay for the employee, plus 16 percent of that rate to cover benefits) and the cost of operating computers and other electronic equipment, such as photocopiers and scanners. Direct costs do not include overhead expenses such as the costs of space, and of heating or lighting a facility. Components shall ensure that searches, review, and duplication are conducted in the most efficient and the least expensive manner.
(3) Duplication is reproducing a copy of a record or of the information contained in it, necessary to respond to a FOIA request. Copies can take the form of paper, audiovisual materials, or electronic records, among others.
(4) Educational institution is any school that operates a program of scholarly research. A requester in this category must show that the request is made in connection with the requester’s role at the educational institution. Components may seek assurance from the requester that the request is in furtherance of scholarly research and will advise requesters of their placement in this category.
(5) Noncommercial scientific institution is an institution that is not operated on a “commercial” basis, as defined in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, and that is operated solely for the purpose of conducting scientific research, the results of which are not intended to promote any particular product or industry. A requester in this category must show that the request is authorized by and is made under the auspices of a qualifying institution and that the records are sought to further scientific research and not for a commercial use.
(6) Representative of the news media is any person or entity that actively gathers information of potential interest to a segment of the public, uses its editorial skills to turn the raw materials into a distinct work, and distributes that work to an audience. The term “news” means information that is about current events or that would be of current interest to the public. Examples of news media entities include television or radio stations broadcasting news to the public at large and publishers of periodicals that disseminate “news” and make their products available through a variety of means to the general public. A request for records that supports the news-dissemination function of the requester shall not be considered to be for a commercial use. “Freelance” journalists who demonstrate a solid basis for expecting publication through a news media entity shall be considered as a representative of the news media. A publishing contract would provide the clearest evidence that publication is expected; however, components shall also consider a requester’s past publication record in making this determination.
(7) Other requester refers to a requester who does not fall within any of the previously described categories.
(8) Review is the examination of a record located in response to a request in order to determine whether any portion of it is exempt from disclosure. Review time includes time spent processing any record for disclosure, such as doing all that is necessary to prepare the record for disclosure, including the process of redacting the record and marking the appropriate exemptions. Review time also includes time spent obtaining and considering any formal objection to disclosure made by a confidential commercial information submitter under § 1.5 of this subpart, but it does not include time spent resolving general legal or policy issues regarding the application of exemptions. Review costs are properly charged even if a record ultimately is not disclosed.
(9) Search is the process of looking for and retrieving records or information responsive to a request. Search time includes time devoted to page-by-page or line-by-line identification of information within records; and the reasonable efforts expended to locate and retrieve information from electronic records.
(c) Charging fees. Unless a component has issued a separate fee schedule, or a waiver or reduction of fees has been granted under paragraph (k) of this section, components shall charge the following fees. Because the fee amounts provided below already account for the direct costs associated with a given fee type, components should not add any additional costs to those charges.
(1) Search. (i) Search fees shall be charged for all requests, subject to the restrictions of paragraph (d) of this section. Components will charge search fees for all other requesters, subject to the restrictions of paragraph (d) of this section. Components may properly charge for time spent searching even if they do not locate any responsive records or if they determine that the records are entirely exempt from disclosure.
(ii) For each quarter hour spent by personnel searching for requested records, including electronic searches that do not require new programming, the fees shall be as follows: executive—$21; professional—$16.50; and administrative—$13.00.
(iii) In addition, requesters will be charged the direct costs associated with the creation of any new computer program required to locate the requested records.
(2) Duplication. Duplication fees will be charged to all requesters, subject to the restrictions of paragraph (d) of this section. A component shall honor a requester’s preference for receiving a record in a particular form or format where it is readily reproducible by the component in the form or format requested. Where photocopies are supplied, the component will provide one copy per request at a cost of $0.15 per page. For copies of records produced on tapes, disks, other forms of duplication, or other electronic media, components will charge the direct costs of producing the copy, including operator time. Where paper documents must be scanned in order to comply with a requester’s preference to receive the records in an electronic format, the requester shall pay the direct costs associated with scanning those materials, including operator’s time. For other forms of duplication, components will charge the direct costs.
(3) Review. Review fees will only be charged to requesters who make commercial-use requests. Review fees will be assessed in connection with the initial review of the record, i.e., the review conducted by a component to determine whether an exemption applies to a particular record or portion of a record. No charge will be made for review at the administrative appeal stage of exemptions applied at the initial review stage. However, when the appellate authority determines that a particular exemption no longer applies, any costs associated with a component’s re-review of the records in order to consider the use of other exemptions may be assessed as review fees. Review costs are properly charged even if a record ultimately is not disclosed. Review fees will be charged at the same rates as those charged for a search under paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section.
(d) Restrictions on charging fees. (1) No search fees will be charged for requests by educational institutions, noncommercial scientific institutions, or representatives of the news media (unless the records are sought for commercial use).
(2) If a component fails to comply with the FOIA’s time limits in which to respond to a request, it may not charge search fees, or, in the instances of requests from requesters described in paragraph (d)(1) of this section, may not charge duplication fees, except as described in paragraphs (d)(2)(i) through (iii) of this section.
(i) If a component has determined that unusual circumstances as defined by the FOIA apply and the agency provided timely written notice to the requester in accordance with the FOIA, a failure to comply with the time limit shall be excused for an additional ten days.
(ii) If a component has determined that unusual circumstances as defined by the FOIA apply, and more than 5,000 pages are necessary to respond to the request, the component may charge search fees, or, in the case of requesters described in paragraph (d)(1) of this section, may charge duplication fees if the following steps are taken. The component must have provided timely written notice of unusual circumstances to the requester in accordance with the FOIA and the component must have discussed with the requester via written mail, email, or telephone (or made not less than three good-faith attempts to do so) how the requester could effectively limit the scope of the request in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(6)(B)(ii). If this exception is satisfied, the component may charge all applicable fees incurred in the processing of the request.
(iii) If a court has determined that exceptional circumstances exist as defined in the FOIA, a failure to comply with the time limits shall be excused for the length of time provided by the court order.
(3) No search or review fees will be charged for a quarter-hour period unless more than half of that period is required for search or review.
(4) Except for requesters seeking records for a commercial use, components will provide without charge:
(i) The first 100 pages of duplication (or the cost equivalent for other media); and
(ii) The first two hours of search.
(5) When, after first deducting the 100 free pages (or its cost equivalent) and the first two hours of search, a total fee calculated under paragraph (c) of this section is $25.00 or less for any request, no fee will be charged.
(e) Notice of anticipated fees in excess of $25.00. When a component determines or estimates that the fees to be assessed in accordance with this section will exceed $25.00, the component shall notify the requester of the actual or estimated amount of the fees, including a breakdown of the fees for search, review or duplication, unless the requester has indicated a willingness to pay fees as high as those anticipated. If only a portion of the fee can be estimated readily, the component shall advise the requester accordingly. In cases in which a requester has been notified that the actual or estimated fees are in excess of $25.00, the request shall not be considered received and further work will not be completed until the requester commits in writing to pay the actual or estimated total fee. Such a commitment must be made by the requester in writing, must indicate a given dollar amount the requester is willing to pay, and must be received by the component within 30 calendar days from the date of notification of the fee estimate. If a commitment is not received within this period, the requester shall be notified, in writing, that the request shall be closed. Components will inform the requester of their right to seek assistance from the appropriate component FOIA Public Liaison or other FOIA professional to assist the requester in reformulating request in an effort to reduce fees. Components are not required to accept payments in installments. If the requester has indicated a willingness to pay some designated amount of fees, but the component estimates that the total fee will exceed that amount, the component will toll the processing of the request when it notifies the requester of the estimated fees in excess of the amount the requester has indicated a willingness to pay. The Component will inquire whether the requester wishes to revise the amount of fees the requester is willing to pay or modify the request. Once the requester responds, the time to respond will resume from where it was at the date of the notification.
(f) Charges for other services. Although not required to provide special services, if a component chooses to do so as a matter of administrative discretion, the direct costs of providing the service will be charged. Examples of such services include certifying that records are true copies, providing multiple copies of the same document, or sending records by means other than first class mail.
(g) Charging interest. Components may charge interest on any unpaid bill starting on the 31st day following the date of billing the requester. Interest charges will be assessed at the rate provided in 31 U.S.C. 3717 and will accrue from the billing date until payment is received by the component. Components will follow the provisions of the Debt Collection Act of 1982 (Pub. L. 97-365, 96 Stat. 1749), as amended, and its administrative procedures, including the use of consumer reporting agencies, collection agencies, and offset.
(h) Aggregating requests. When a component reasonably believes that a requester or a group of requesters acting in concert is attempting to divide a single request into a series of requests for the purpose of avoiding fees, the component may aggregate those requests and charge accordingly. Components may presume that multiple requests of this type made within a 30-day period have been made in order to avoid fees. For requests separated by a longer period, components will aggregate them only where there is a reasonable basis for determining that aggregation is warranted in view of all the circumstances involved. Multiple requests involving unrelated matters will not be aggregated.
(i) Advance payments. (1) For requests other than those described in paragraphs (i)(2) and (i)(3) of this section, a component shall not require the requester to make an advance payment before work is commenced or continued on a request. Payment owed for work already completed (i.e., payment before copies are sent to a requester) is not an advance payment.
(2) When a component determines or estimates that a total fee to be charged under this section will exceed $250.00, it may require that the requester make an advance payment up to the amount of the entire anticipated fee before beginning to process the request. A component may elect to process the request prior to collecting fees when it receives a satisfactory assurance of full payment from a requester with a history of prompt payment.
(3) Where a requester has previously failed to pay a properly charged FOIA fee to any component or agency within 30 calendar days of the billing date, a component may require that the requester pay the full amount due, plus any applicable interest on that prior request and the component may require that the requester make an advance payment of the full amount of any anticipated fee before the component begins to process a new request or continues to process a pending request, or any pending appeal. Where a component has a reasonable basis to believe that a requester has misrepresented his or her identity in order to avoid paying outstanding fees, it may require that the requester provide proof of identity.
(4) In cases in which a component requires advance payment, the request shall not be considered received and further work will not be completed until the required payment is received. If the requester does not pay the advance payment within 30 calendar days after the date of the component’s fee determination letter, the request will be closed.
(j) Other statutes specifically providing for fees. The fee schedule of this section does not apply to fees charged under any statute that specifically requires an agency to set and collect fees for particular types of records. In instances where records responsive to a request are subject to a statutorily-based fee schedule program, the component will inform the requester of the contact information for that source.
(k) Requirements for waiver or reduction of fees. (1) Requesters may seek a waiver of fees by submitting a written application demonstrating how disclosure of the requested information is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations or activities of the government and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester.
(2) A component must furnish records responsive to a request without charge or at a reduced rate when it determines, based on all available information, that disclosure of the requested information is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations or activities of the government and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester. In deciding whether this standard is satisfied the component must consider the factors described in paragraphs (k)(2)(i) through (iii) of this section:
(i) Disclosure of the requested information would shed light on the operations or activities of the government. The subject of the request must concern identifiable operations or activities of the Federal Government with a connection that is direct and clear, not remote or attenuated.
(ii) Disclosure of the requested information would be likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of those operations or activities. This factor is satisfied when the following criteria are met:
(A) Disclosure of the requested records must be meaningfully informative about government operations or activities. The disclosure of information that is already in the public domain, in either the same or a substantially identical form, would not be meaningfully informative if nothing new would be added to the public’s understanding.
(B) The disclosure must contribute to the understanding of a reasonably broad audience of persons interested in the subject, as opposed to the individual understanding of the requester. A requester’s expertise in the subject area as well as the requester’s ability and intention to effectively convey information to the public must be considered. Components will presume that a representative of the news media will satisfy this consideration.
(iii) The disclosure must not be primarily in the commercial interest of the requester. To determine whether disclosure of the requested information is primarily in the commercial interest of the requester, components will consider the following criteria:
(A) Components must identify whether the requester has any commercial interest that would be furthered by the requested disclosure. A commercial interest includes any commercial, trade, or profit interest. Requesters must be given an opportunity to provide explanatory information regarding this consideration.
(B) If there is an identified commercial interest, the component must determine whether that is the primary interest furthered by the request. A waiver or reduction of fees is justified when the requirements of paragraphs (k)(2)(i) and (ii) of this section are satisfied and any commercial interest is not the primary interest furthered by the request. Components ordinarily will presume that when a news media requester has satisfied the requirements of paragraphs (k)(2)(i) and (ii) of this section, the request is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester. Disclosure to data brokers or others who merely compile and market government information for direct economic return will not be presumed to primarily serve the public interest.
(3) Where only some of the records to be released satisfy the requirements for a waiver of fees, a waiver shall be granted for those records.
(4) Requests for a waiver or reduction of fees should be made when the request is first submitted to the component and should address the criteria referenced above. A requester may submit a fee waiver request at a later time so long as the underlying record request is pending or on administrative appeal. When a requester who has committed to pay fees subsequently asks for a waiver of those fees and that waiver is denied, the requester shall be required to pay any costs incurred up to the date the fee waiver request was received.
(5) The requester shall be notified in writing of the decision to grant or deny the fee waiver.
Appendix A to Subpart A of Part 1—Departmental Offices
1. In general. This appendix applies to the Departmental Offices as defined in 31 CFR 1.1(b)(1).
2. Public Reading Room. The public reading room for the Departmental Offices is the Treasury Library. The library is located in the Freedman’s Bank Building (Treasury Annex), Room 1020, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20220. For building security purposes, visitors are required to make an appointment by calling 202-622-0990. Treasury also maintains an electronic reading room, which may be accessed at https://home.treasury.gov/footer/freedom-of-information-act.
3. Requests for records.
(a) Initial determinations as to whether to grant requests for records of the Departmental Offices will be made by the Director for FOIA and Transparency, or the designee of such official, with the exception of initial determinations by the Office of the Inspector General and the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program, which will be made by the designee of the respective Inspector General.
(b) Requests for records should be sent to: Freedom of Information Request, Departmental Offices, Director, FOIA and Transparency, Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20220. Requests may also be submitted via email at [email protected].
4. Administrative appeal of initial determination to deny records.
(a) Appellate determinations with respect to records of the Departmental Offices or requests for expedited processing will be made by the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Privacy, Transparency, and Records, or the designee of such official, with the exception of appellate determinations by the Office of the Inspector General and the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program, which will be made by the respective Inspector General or his or her designee.
(b) Appeals should be addressed to: Freedom of Information Appeal, Departmental Offices, FOIA and Transparency, Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20220. Appeals may also be submitted via email at [email protected].
Appendix B to Subpart A of Part 1—Internal Revenue Service
1. In general. This appendix applies to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). See also 26 CFR 601.702.
2. Public reading room. The IRS no longer maintains physical reading rooms. Documents for the public are found on various websites at irs.gov including the electronic FOIA Reading Room located at https://www.irs.gov/uac/electronic-reading-room.
3. Requests for records. Initial determinations as to whether to grant requests for records of the IRS, grant expedited processing, grant a fee waiver, or determine requester category will be made by those officials specified in 26 CFR 601.702.
Requests for records should be submitted to the IRS using the information below:
IRS accepts FOIA requests by fax or by mail | ||
Fax: 877-807-9215, Mail: IRS FOIA Request, Stop 211, PO Box 621506, Atlanta, GA 30362-3006 | Fax: 877-891-6035, Mail: IRS FOIA Request, Stop 93A, Post Office Box 621506, Atlanta GA 30362-3006. |
4. Administrative appeal of initial determination to deny records. Appellate determinations with respect to records of the Internal Revenue Service will be made by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue or the delegate of such officer. Appeals must be in writing and addressed to: IRS Appeals Attention: FOIA Appeals, M/Stop 55202, 5045 E Butler Ave., Fresno, CA 93727-5136.
Appendix C to Subpart A of Part 1—Bureau of Engraving and Printing
1. In general. This appendix applies to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP).
2. Public reading room. BEP’s public reading room is located at 14th and C Streets SW, Washington, DC 20228. Individuals wishing to visit the public reading room must request an appointment by telephoning (202) 874-2500. The reading room is open on official business days from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. eastern standard time. Visitors shall comply with 31 CFR part 605, governing the conduct of persons within the buildings and grounds of the BEP. In addition, BEP also maintains an electronic reading room, which may be accessed at http://www.bep.gov/bepfoialibrary.html.
3. Requests for records. Initial determinations as to whether to grant or deny requests for records of the BEP or applicable fees will be made by the BEP Director delegate, i.e., Disclosure Officer. Requests may be mailed or faxed to: FOIA/PA Request, Disclosure Officer, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Office of the Chief Counsel—FOIA and Transparency Services, Washington, DC 20228-0001, Fax Number: (202) 874-2951.
4. Administrative Appeal of initial determination to deny records. Appellate determinations with respect to records of the BEP will be made by the Director of the BEP or the delegate of the Director for purposes of this section. Appeals may be mailed or delivered in person to: FOIA/PA APPEAL, Director, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Office of the Director, 14th and C Streets SW, Washington, DC 20228-0001.
Appendix D to Subpart A of Part 1— Bureau of the Fiscal Service
1. In general. This appendix applies to the Bureau of the Fiscal Service.
2. Public reading room. The public reading room for the Bureau of the Fiscal Service is the Treasury Library. The library is located in the Freedman’s Bank Building (Treasury Annex), Room 1020, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20220. For building security reasons, visitors are required to make an appointment by calling 202-622-0990. Fiscal Service also maintains an electronic reading room, which may be accessed at https://www.fiscal.treasury.gov/foia/foia_readingroom.htm.
3. Requests for records. Initial determinations whether to grant requests for records will be made by the Disclosure Officer, Bureau of the Fiscal Service. Requests may be mailed or delivered in person to:
Freedom of Information Request, Disclosure Officer, Bureau of the Fiscal Service, 401 14th Street SW, Washington, DC 20227.
4. Administrative appeal of initial determination to deny records. Appellate determinations will be made by the Commissioner, Bureau of the Fiscal Service, or that official’s delegate. Appeals may be mailed to: Freedom of Information Appeal (FOIA), Commissioner, Bureau of the Fiscal Service, 401 14th Street SW, Washington, DC 20227.
Appeals may be delivered personally to the Office of the Commissioner, Bureau of the Fiscal Service, 401 14th Street SW, Washington, DC.
Appendix E to Subpart A of Part 1—United States Mint
1. In general. This appendix applies to the United States Mint.
2. Public reading room. The U.S. Mint will provide a room on an ad hoc basis when necessary. Contact the Freedom of Information/Privacy Act Officer, United States Mint, Judiciary Square Building, 7th Floor, 633 3rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20220.
3. Requests for records. Initial determinations as to whether to grant requests for records of the United States Mint will be made by the Freedom of Information/Privacy Act Officer, United States Mint. Requests may be mailed or delivered in person to: Freedom of Information Act Request, Freedom of Information/Privacy Act Officer, United States Mint, Judiciary Square Building, 7th Floor, 633 3rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20220.
4. Administrative appeal of initial determination to deny records. Appellate determinations with respect to records of the United States Mint will be made by the Director of the Mint. Appeals made by mail should be addressed to: Freedom of Information Appeal, Director, United States Mint, Judiciary Square Building, 7th Floor, 633 3rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20220.
Appendix F to Subpart A of Part 1—Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
1. In general. This appendix applies to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
2. Public reading room. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency will make materials available through its Public Information Room at 250 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20219.
3. Requests for records. Initial determinations as to whether to grant requests for records of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency will be made by the Disclosure Officer or the official so designated. Requests may be mailed or delivered in person to: Freedom of Information Act Request, Disclosure Officer, Communications Division, 3rd Floor, Comptroller of the Currency, 250 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20219.
4. Administrative appeal of initial determination to deny records. Appellate determinations with respect to records of the Comptroller of the Currency will be made by the Chief Counsel or delegates of such official. Appeals made by mail shall be addressed to: Communications Division, Comptroller of the Currency, 250 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20219.
Appeals may be delivered personally to the Communications Division, Comptroller of the Currency, 250 E Street SW, Washington, DC.
Appendix G to Subpart A of Part 1—Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
1. In general. This appendix applies to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).
2. Public reading room. FinCEN will provide records on the online reading room located on the FinCEN FOIA page or in the Code of Federal Regulations.
3. Requests for records. Initial determinations as to whether to grant requests for records of FinCEN will be made by the Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act Officer, FinCEN. Requests for records may be mailed to: Freecom of Information Act/Privacy Act Request, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Post Office Box 39, Vienna, VA 22183.
4. Administrative appeal of initial determination to deny records. Appellate determinations with respect to the records of FinCEN will be made by the Director of FinCEN or the delegate of the Director. Appeals should be mailed to: Freedom of Information Act Appeal, Post Office Box 39, Vienna, VA 22183, or emailed to: [email protected].
Appendix H to Subpart A of Part 1—Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
1. In general. This appendix applies to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB).
2. Public reading room. The public reading room for TTB is maintained at 1310 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20005. For building security purposes, visitors are required to make an appointment by calling 202-882-9904.
3. Requests for records. Initial determinations as to whether to grant requests for records of TTB will be made by the Director, Regulations and Rulings Division. Requests for records may be mailed to: TTB FOIA Requester Service Center, 1310 G Street NW, Box 12, Washington, DC 20005. Requests may also be faxed to: 202-453-2331.
4. Administrative appeal of initial determination to deny records. Appellate determinations with respect to the records of TTB will be made by the Assistant Administrator (Headquarters Operations), Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau or the delegate of such official. Appeals may be mailed or delivered in person to: FOIA Appeal, Assistant Administrator (Headquarters Operations), Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, 1310 G Street NW, Box 12, Washington, DC 20005.
Appendix I to Subpart A of Part 1—Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration
1. In general. This appendix applies to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).
2. Public reading room. TIGTA will provide a room upon request when necessary. Contact the Disclosure Branch, Office of Chief Counsel, TIGTA, at 202-622-4068.
3. Requests for records. Initial determinations as to whether to grant requests for records of TIGTA will be made by the Disclosure Officer, TIGTA. Requests for records may be mailed to: Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act Request, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, Office of Chief Counsel, Disclosure Branch, 1401 H Street NW, Room 469, Washington, DC 20005. You may also view the How to Make a FOIA Request for TIGTA Records at https://www.treasury.gov/tigta/important_foia_mafr.shtml. TIGTA’s FOIA email address is [email protected].
4. Administrative appeal of initial determination to deny records. Appellate determinations with respect to the records of TIGTA will be made by the Chief Counsel, TIGTA, or the delegate of the Chief Counsel. Appeals should be mailed to: Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act Appeal, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, Office of Chief Counsel, 1401 H Street NW, Room 469, Washington, DC 20005.
Subpart B—Other Disclosure Provisions
§ 1.8 Scope.
The regulations in this subpart concern access to information and records other than under 5 U.S.C. 552. This subpart is applicable to the Departmental Offices and to the bureaus of the Department as defined in § 1.1(a) of this part, except to the extent that bureaus of the Department have adopted separate guidance governing the subject matter of a provision of this subpart.
§ 1.9 Records not to be otherwise withdrawn or disclosed.
Except in accordance with this part, or as otherwise authorized, Treasury Department officers and employees are prohibited from making records or duplicates available to any person who is not an officer or employee of the Department, and are prohibited from withdrawing any such records or duplicates from the files, possession or control of the Department.
§ 1.10 Oral information.
(a) Officers and employees of the Department may, in response to requests, orally provide information contained in records of the Department that are determined to be available to the public. If the obtaining of such information requires a search of records, a written request and the payment of the fee for a record search set forth in § 1.6 will be required.
(b) Information with respect to activities of the Department not a matter of record shall not be disclosed if the information involves matters exempt from disclosure under 5 U.S.C. 552 or the regulations in this part, or if the disclosure of such information would give the person requesting the information advantages not accorded to other citizens.
§ 1.11 Testimony or the production of records in a court or other proceeding.
(a) Applicability. (1) This section sets forth the policies and procedures of the Department regarding the testimony of employees and former employees as witnesses in legal proceedings and the production or disclosure of information contained in Department documents for use in legal proceedings pursuant to a request, order, or subpoena (collectively referred to in this subpart as a demand).
(2) This section does not apply to any legal proceeding in which an employee is to testify while on leave status regarding facts or events that are unrelated to the official business of the Department.
(3)(i) Nothing in this section affects the rights and procedures governing public access to records pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) or the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a).
(ii) Demands in legal proceedings for the production of records, or for the testimony of Department employees regarding information protected by the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a), the Trade Secrets Act (18 U.S.C. 1905) or other confidentiality statutes, must satisfy the requirements for disclosure set forth in those statutes and the applicable regulations of this part before the records may be provided or testimony given.
(4) This section is intended only to provide guidance for the internal operations of the Department and to inform the public about Department procedures concerning the service of process and responses to demands or requests, and the procedures specified in this section, or the failure of any Treasury employee to follow the procedures specified in this section, are not intended to, do not, and may not be relied upon to create a right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law by a party against the United States.
(b) Definitions. For purposes of this section:
(1) Agency counsel means:
(i) With respect to the Departmental Offices, the General Counsel or his or her designee; or
(ii) With respect to a bureau or office of the Department, the Chief Counsel or Legal Counsel (or his or her designee) of such bureau or office.
(2) Demand means a request, order, or subpoena for testimony or documents related to or for possible use in a legal proceeding.
(3) Department means the United States Department of the Treasury.
(4) Document means any record or other property, no matter what media and including copies thereof, held by the Department, including without limitation, official letters, telegrams, memoranda, reports, studies, calendar and diary entries, maps, graphs, pamphlets, notes, charts, tabulations, analyses, statistical or informational accumulations, any kind of summaries of meetings and conversations, film impressions, magnetic tapes and sound or mechanical reproductions.
(5) Employee means all employees or officers of the Department, including contractors and any other individuals who have been appointed by, or are subject to the supervision, jurisdiction or control of the Secretary, as well as the Secretary of the Treasury. The procedures established within this subpart also apply to former employees of the Department where specifically noted.
(6) General Counsel means the General Counsel of the Department or other Department employee to whom the General Counsel has delegated authority to act under this subpart.
(7) Legal proceeding means all pretrial, trial and post trial stages of all existing or reasonably anticipated judicial or administrative actions, hearings, investigations, or similar proceedings before courts, commissions, boards, grand juries, or other tribunals, foreign or domestic. This phrase includes all phases of discovery as well as responses to formal or informal requests by attorneys or others involved in legal proceedings.
(8) Official business means the authorized business of the Department.
(9) Secretary means the Secretary of the Treasury.
(10) Testimony means a statement in any form, including personal appearances before a court or other legal tribunal, interviews, depositions, telephonic, televised, or videotaped statements or any responses given during discovery or similar proceedings, which response would involve more than the production of documents.
(c) Department policy. No current or former employee shall, in response to a demand, produce any Department documents, provide testimony regarding any information relating to or based upon Department documents, or disclose any information or produce materials acquired as part of the performance of that employee’s official duties or official status, without the prior authorization of the General Counsel or the appropriate agency counsel.
(d) Procedures for demand for testimony or production of documents. (1) A demand directed to the Department for the testimony of a Department employee or for the production of documents shall be served in accordance with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, or applicable state procedures and shall be directed to the General Counsel, Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20220, or to the Chief or Legal Counsel of the concerned Department component. Acceptance of a demand shall not constitute an admission or waiver with respect to jurisdiction, propriety of service, improper venue, or any other defense in law or equity available under the applicable laws or rules.
(2) A subpoena or other demand for testimony directed to an employee or former employee shall be served in accordance with the Federal Rules of Civil or Criminal Procedure or applicable State procedure and a copy of the subpoena shall be sent to agency counsel.
(3)(i) In court cases in which the United States or the Department is not a party, where the giving of testimony or the production of documents by the Department, or a current or former employee is desired, an affidavit (or if that is not feasible, a statement) by the litigant or the litigant’s attorney, setting forth the information with respect to which the testimony or production is desired, must be submitted in order to obtain a decision concerning whether such testimony or production will be authorized. Such information shall include: the title of the legal proceeding, the forum, the requesting party’s interest in the legal proceeding, the reason for the demand, a showing that other evidence reasonably suited to the requester’s needs is not available from any other source and, if testimony is requested, the intended use of the testimony, a general summary of the desired testimony, and a showing that no document could be provided and used in lieu of testimony. The purpose of this requirement is to assist agency counsel in making an informed decision regarding whether testimony or the production of document should be authorized. Permission to testify or produce documents will, in all cases, be limited to the information set forth in the affidavit or statement, or to such portions thereof as may be deemed proper.
(ii) Agency counsel may consult or negotiate with an attorney for a party, or the party if not represented by an attorney, to refine or limit a demand so that compliance is less burdensome or obtain information necessary to make the determination required by paragraph (e) of this section. Failure of the attorney or party to cooperate in good faith to enable agency counsel to make an informed determination under this subpart may serve, where appropriate, as a basis for a determination not to comply with the demand.
(iii) A determination under this subpart to comply or not to comply with a demand is without prejudice as to any formal assertion or waiver of privilege, lack of relevance, technical deficiency or any other ground for noncompliance.
(4)(i) Employees shall immediately refer all inquiries and demands made on the Department to agency counsel.
(ii) An employee who receives a subpoena shall immediately forward the subpoena to agency counsel. Agency counsel will determine the manner in which to respond to the subpoena.
(e) Factors to be considered by agency counsel. (1) In deciding whether to authorize the release of official information or the testimony of personnel concerning official information (hereafter referred to as “the disclosure”) agency counsel shall consider the following factors:
(i) Whether the request or demand is unduly burdensome;
(ii) Whether the request would involve the Department in controversial issues unrelated to the Department’s mission;
(iii) Whether the time and money of the United States would be used for private purposes;
(iv) The extent to which the time of employees for conducting official business would be compromised;
(v) Whether the public might misconstrue variances between personal opinions of employees and Department policy;
(vi) Whether the request demonstrates that the information requested is relevant and material to the action pending, genuinely necessary to the proceeding, unavailable from other sources, and reasonable in its scope;
(vii) Whether the number of similar requests would have a cumulative effect on the expenditure of agency resources;
(viii) Whether disclosure otherwise would be inappropriate under the circumstances; and
(ix) Any other factor that is appropriate.
(2) Among those demands and requests in response to which compliance will not ordinarily be authorized are those with respect to which any of the following factors exists:
(i) The disclosure would violate a statute, Executive order, or regulation;
(ii) The integrity of the administrative and deliberative processes of the Department would be compromised;
(iii) The disclosure would not be appropriate under the rules of procedure governing the case or matter in which the demand arose;
(iv) The disclosure, including release in camera, is not appropriate or necessary under the relevant substantive law concerning privilege;
(v) The disclosure, except when in camera and necessary to assert a claim of privilege, would reveal information properly classified or other matters exempt from unrestricted disclosure; or
(vi) The disclosure would interfere with ongoing enforcement proceedings, compromise constitutional rights, reveal the identity of an intelligence source or confidential informant, or disclose trade secrets or similarly confidential commercial or financial information.
(f) Requests for opinion or expert testimony. (1) Subject to 5 CFR 2635.805, an employee or former employee shall not provide, with or without compensation, opinion or expert testimony concerning official information, subjects, or activities, except on behalf of the United States or a party represented by the Department of Justice, without written approval of agency counsel.
(2) Upon a showing by the requestor of exceptional need or unique circumstances and that the anticipated testimony will not be adverse to the interests of the Department or the United States, agency counsel may, in writing, grant authorization for an employee, or former employee, to appear and testify at no expense to the United States.
(3) Any expert or opinion testimony by a former employee of the Department shall be excepted from § 1.11(f)(1) where the testimony involves only general expertise gained while employed at the Department.
(g) Procedures when agency counsel directs an employee not to testify or provide documents. (1) If agency counsel determines that an employee or former employee should not comply with a subpoena or other request for testimony or the production of documents, agency counsel will so inform the employee and the party who submitted the subpoena or made the request.
(2) If, despite the determination of the agency counsel that testimony should not be given and/or documents not be produced, a court of competent jurisdiction or other appropriate authority orders the employee or former employee to testify and/or produce documents, the employee shall notify agency counsel of such order.
(i) If agency counsel determines that no further legal review of, or challenge to, the order will be sought, the employee or former employee shall comply with the order.
(ii) If agency counsel determines to challenge the order, or that further legal review is necessary, the employee or former employee should not comply with the order. Where necessary, the employee should appear at the time and place set forth in the subpoena. If legal counsel cannot appear on behalf of the employee, the employee should produce a copy of this subpart and respectfully inform the legal tribunal that he/she has been advised by counsel not to provide the requested testimony and/or produce documents. If the legal tribunal rules that the subpoena must be complied with, the employee shall respectfully decline to comply, citing this section and United States ex rel. Touhy v. Ragen, 340 U.S. 462 (1951).
§ 1.12 Regulations not applicable to official request.
The regulations in this part shall not be applicable to official requests of other governmental agencies or officers thereof acting in their official capacities, unless it appears that granting a particular request would be in violation of law or inimical to the public interest. Cases of doubt should be referred for decision to agency counsel (as defined in § 1.11(b)(1)).
Subpart C—Privacy Act
§ 1.20 Purpose and scope of this subpart.
(a) The regulations in this subpart are issued to implement the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a). This subpart applies to all records which are contained in systems of records maintained by the Department of the Treasury (Department or Treasury). They do not relate to those personnel records of Federal Government employees, which are under the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) jurisdiction to the extent such records are subject to OPM regulations. This subpart applies to all Treasury components. Any reference in this subpart to the Department or its officials, employees, or records must be deemed to refer also to the components or their officials, employees, or records. This subpart sets forth the requirements applicable to Treasury employees (including, to the extent required by the contract or 5 U.S.C. 552a(m), Government contractors and employees of such contractors) maintaining, collecting, using, or disseminating records pertaining to individuals. They also set forth the procedures by which individuals may request notification of whether the Treasury maintains or has disclosed a record pertaining to them or may seek access to such records maintained in any nonexempt system of records, request correction of such records, appeal any initial adverse determination of any request for amendment, or seek an accounting of disclosures of such records. For the convenience of interested persons, Treasury components may reproduce the regulations in this subpart in their entirety (less any appendices not applicable to the component in question) in those titles of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) which normally contain regulations applicable to such components. In connection with such reproduction, and at other appropriate times, components may issue supplementary regulations applicable only to the component in question, which are consistent with the regulations in this subpart. In the event of any actual or apparent inconsistency, the Departmentwide regulations in this subpart must govern. Individuals interested in the records of a particular component should, therefore, also consult the Code of Federal Regulations for any rules or regulations promulgated specifically with respect to that component (see the appendices to this subpart for cross references). The head of each component is hereby also authorized to substitute other appropriate officials for those designated and correct addresses specified in the appendix to this subpart applicable to the component. For purposes of this subpart, Treasury components consist of the following offices and bureaus:
(1) The Departmental Offices, which include the offices of:
(i) The Secretary of the Treasury, including immediate staff;
(ii) The Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, including immediate staff;
(iii) The Chief of Staff, including immediate staff;
(iv) The Executive Secretary of the Treasury, and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;
(v) Under Secretary for the Office of International Affairs, and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;
(vi) Assistant Secretary for the Office of International Trade and Development, and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;
(vii) Assistant Secretary for the Office of International Finance, and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;
(viii) Assistant Secretary for the Office of Investment Security, and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;
(ix) Under Secretary for the Office of Domestic Finance, and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;
(x) Assistant Secretary for the Office of Financial Institutions, and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;
(xi) Assistant Secretary for the Office of Financial Markets, and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;
(xii) Assistant Secretary for the Office of the Fiscal Service, and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;
(xiii) Under Secretary for the Office of Terrorism & Financial Intelligence, and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;
(xiv) Assistant Secretary for the Office of Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes, and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;
(xv) Assistant Secretary for the Office of Intelligence and Analysis, and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;
(xvi) Office of General Counsel and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff; except legal counsel to the components listed in paragraphs (a)(23) through (26) and (b) through (h) of this section;
(xvii) Treasurer of the United States including immediate staff;
(xviii) Assistant Secretary for the Office for Legislative Affairs, and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;
(xix) Assistant Secretary for the Office of Management, and all offices reporting to such official(s), including immediate staff;
(xx) Assistant Secretary for the Office of Public Affairs, and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;
(xxi) Assistant Secretary for the Office of Economic Policy, and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;
(xxii) Assistant Secretary for the Office of Tax Policy, and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;
(xxiii) The Inspector General and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;
(xxiv) The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;
(xxv) The Special Inspector General, Troubled Asset Relief Program, and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;
(xxvi) The Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery, and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;
(2) Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.
(3) Internal Revenue Service.
(4) Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
(5) Bureau of Engraving and Printing.
(6) United States Mint.
(7) Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.
(8) Bureau of the Fiscal Service.
(b) For purposes of this subpart, the office of the legal counsel for the components listed in paragraphs (a)(1)(xxiii) through (xxvi) and (a)(2) through (8) of this section are to be considered a part of such components. Any office, which is now in existence or may after October 20, 2022 be established, which is not specifically listed or known to be a component of any of those listed in paragraphs (a)(1) through (8) of this section, must be deemed a part of the Departmental Offices for the purpose of this subpart.
§ 1.21 Definitions.
(a) The term agency means agency as defined in 5 U.S.C. 552(e).
(b) The term individual means a citizen of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence.
(c) The term maintain includes maintain, collect, use, or disseminate.
(d) The term record means any item, collection, or grouping of information about an individual that is maintained by the Treasury or its components. This includes, but is not limited to, the individual’s education, financial transactions, medical history, and criminal or employment history and that contains the name, or an identifying number, symbol, or other identifying particular assigned to the individual, such as a finger or voice print or a photograph.
(e) The term system of records means a group of any records under the control of the Treasury or any component from which information is retrieved by the name of the individual or by some identifying number, symbol, or other identifying particular assigned to the individual.
(f) The term statistical record means a record in a system of records maintained for statistical research or reporting purposes only and not used in whole or part in making any determination about an identifiable individual, except as provided by 13 U.S.C. 8.
(g) The term routine use means the disclosure of a record that is compatible with the purpose for which the record was collected.
(h) The term component means a Treasury bureau or office as set forth in § 1.20 and in the appendices to this subpart. (See 5 U.S.C. 552a(a).)
(i) The term request for access means a request made pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(d)(1).
(j) The term request for amendment means a request made pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(d)(2).
(k) The term request for accounting means a request made pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3).
(l) The term Privacy Act means the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a).
§ 1.22 Requirements relating to systems of records.
(a) In general. Subject to 5 U.S.C. 552a(j) and (k) and § 1.23(c), each component shall, in conformance with the Privacy Act:
(1) Maintain in its records only such information about an individual as is relevant and necessary to accomplish a purpose of the agency required to be accomplished by the statute or by Executive order of the President. (See 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(1).)
(2) Collect information to the greatest extent practicable directly from the subject individual when the information may result in adverse determinations about an individual’s rights, benefits, and privileges under Federal programs. (See 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(2).)
(b) Requests for information from individuals. Subject to 5 U.S.C. 552a(j) and § 1.23(c)(1), each component of the Treasury shall inform each individual whom it asks to supply information, on the form which it uses to collect the information or on a separate form that can be retained by the individual:
(1) The authority (whether granted by statute, or by Executive order of the President) which authorizes the solicitation of the information and whether disclosure of such information is mandatory or voluntary;
(2) The principal purpose or purposes for which the information is intended to be used;
(3) The routine uses which may be made of the information, as published pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4)(D); and
(4) The effects on such individual, if any, of not providing all or any part of the requested information. (See 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(3).)
(c) Report on new systems. Each component of the Treasury shall provide adequate advance notice to Congress and the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) any proposal to establish or alter any system of records in order to permit an evaluation of the probable or potential effect of such proposal on the privacy and other personal or property rights of individuals or the disclosure of information relating to such individuals, and its effect on the preservation of the constitutional principles of federalism and separation of powers. (See 5 U.S.C. 552a(o).)
(d) Accurate and secure maintenance of records. Each component shall:
(1) Subject to 5 U.S.C. 552a(j) and § 1.23(c)(1), maintain all records which are used in making any determination about any individual with such accuracy, relevance, timeliness, and completeness as is reasonably necessary to assure fairness to the individual in the determination (see 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(5));
(2) Prior to disseminating any record about an individual to any person other than an agency, unless the dissemination is made pursuant to the Privacy Act (see subpart A of this part), make reasonable efforts to assure that such records are accurate, complete, timely, and relevant for Department of the Treasury purposes (see 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(6)); and
(3) Establish appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to insure the security and confidentiality of records and to protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to their security or integrity which could result in substantial harm, embarrassment, inconvenience, or unfairness to any individual on whom information is maintained. (See 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(10).)
(i) System managers, with the approval of the head of their offices within a component, shall establish administrative and physical controls, consistent with Department regulations in this part, to insure the protection of records systems from unauthorized access or disclosure and from physical damage or destruction. The controls instituted shall be proportional to the degree of sensitivity of the records but at a minimum must insure that records other than those available to the general public under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552), are protected from public view, that the area in which the records are stored is supervised during all business hours and physically secure during nonbusiness hours to prevent unauthorized personnel from obtaining access to the records. Automated systems shall comply with the security standards promulgated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
(ii) System managers, with the approval of the head of their offices within a component, shall adopt access restrictions to insure that access to the records is limited to those individuals within the agency who have a need to access the records in order to perform their duties. Procedures shall also be adopted to prevent accidental access to, or dissemination of, records.
(e) Prohibition against maintenance of records concerning First Amendment rights. No component shall maintain a record describing how any individual exercises rights guaranteed by the First Amendment (e.g., speech), unless the maintenance of such record is:
(1) Expressly authorized by statute; or
(2) Expressly authorized by the individual about whom the record is maintained; or
(3) Pertinent to and within the scope of an authorized law enforcement activity. (See 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(7).)
(f) Notification of disclosure under compulsory legal process. Subject to 5 U.S.C. 552a(j) and § 1.23(c)(1), when records concerning an individual are subpoenaed by a Grand Jury, Court, or quasi-judicial agency, or disclosed in accordance with an ex parte court order pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 6103(i), the official served with the subpoena or court order shall make reasonable efforts to assure that notice of any disclosure is provided to the individual. Notice shall be provided within five working days of making the records available under compulsory legal process or, in the case of a Grand Jury subpoena or an ex parte order, within five days of its becoming a matter of public record. Notice shall be mailed to the last known address of the individual and shall contain the following information: the date and authority to which the subpoena is, or was returnable, or the date of and court issuing the ex parte order, the name and number of the case or proceeding, and the nature of the information sought and provided. Notice of the issuance of a subpoena or an ex parte order is not required if the system of records has been exempted from the notice requirement of 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(8) and this section, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(j) and § 1.23(c)(1), by a Notice of Exemption published in the
(g) Emergency disclosure. If information concerning an individual has been disclosed to any person under compelling circumstances affecting health or safety, the individual shall be notified at the last known address within 5 days of the disclosure (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays). Notification shall include the following information: The nature of the information disclosed, the person or agency to whom it was disclosed, the date of disclosure, and the compelling circumstances justifying the disclosure. Notification shall be given by the officer who made or authorized the disclosure. (See 5 U.S.C. 552a (b)(8).)
§ 1.23 Publication in the Federal Register—Notices of systems of records, general exemptions, specific exemptions, review of all systems.
(a) Notices of systems of records to be published in the Federal Register. (1) The Office of the Federal Register publishes a biennial compilation of all system notices (“Privacy Act Issuances”), as specified in 5 U.S.C. 552a(f). In the interim (between biennial compilations), the Department must list and provide links on its website to complete, up-to-date versions of all Treasury system of records notices (SORNs), including citations and links to all
(2) In addition, the Department must publish in the
(i) The system name and number, and location of the system;
(ii) The title and business address of the Treasury official who is responsible for the system of records;
(iii) Security classification, and indication of whether any information in the system is classified;
(iv) Authority for maintenance of the system, the specific authority that authorizes the maintenance of the records in the system;
(v) Purpose(s) of the system, a description of the purpose(s) for maintaining the system;
(vi) The categories of individuals on whom records are maintained in the system;
(vii) The categories of records maintained in the system;
(viii) The categories of sources of records in the system (see 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4));
(ix) Each routine uses of the records contained in the system, including the categories of users and the purpose of such use;
(x)-(xix) [Reserved]
(xx) The policies and practices of the component regarding storage, retrievability, access controls, retention, and disposal of the records;
(xxi) The procedures of the component whereby an individual can be notified if the system of records contains a record pertaining to the individual, including reasonable times, places, and identification requirements;
(xxii) The procedures of the component whereby an individual can be notified on how to gain access to any record pertaining to such individual that may be contained in the system of records, and how to contest its content;
(xxiii) Exemptions promulgated for the system; and
(xxiv) History (any previously published notices).
(b) Notice of new or modified routine uses to be published in the Federal Register. At least 30 days prior to a new use or modification of a routine use, as published under paragraph (a)(3)(iv) of this section, Treasury must publish in the
(c) Promulgation of rules exempting systems from certain requirements—(1) General exemptions. In accordance with existing procedures applicable to a Treasury component’s issuance of regulations, the head of each such component may adopt rules, in accordance with the requirements (including general notice) of 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(1), (2), and (3), (c) and (e), to exempt any system of records within the component from any part of the Privacy Act and the regulations in this subpart except subsections (b) (§ 1.24, conditions of disclosure), (c)(1) (§ 1.25, keep accurate accounting of disclosures), (c)(2) (§ 1.25, retain accounting for five years or life of record), (e)(4)(A) through (F) (paragraph (a) of this section, publication of annual notice of systems of records), (e)(6) (§ 1.22(d), accuracy of records prior to dissemination), (e)(7) (§ 1.22(e), maintenance of records on First Amendment rights), (e)(9) (§ 1.28, establish rules of conduct), (e)(10) (§ 1.22(d)(3), establish safeguards for records), (e)(11) (paragraph (c) of this section, publish new intended use), and (i) (§ 1.28(c), criminal penalties) if the systems of records maintained by the component which performs as its principal function any activity pertaining to the enforcement of criminal laws, including police efforts to prevent, control, or reduce crime or to apprehend criminals, and the activities of prosecutors, courts, correctional, probation, pardon, or parole authorities, and which consists of:
(i) Information compiled for the purpose of identifying individual criminal offenders and alleged offenders and consisting only of identifying data and notations of arrests, the nature and disposition of criminal charges, sentencing, confinement, release, and parole, and probation status;
(ii) Information compiled for the purpose of a criminal investigation, including reports of informants and investigators, and associated with an identifiable individual; or
(iii) Reports identifiable to an individual compiled at any stage of the process of enforcement of the criminal laws from arrest or indictment through release from supervision. (See 5 U.S.C. 552a(j).)
(2) Specific exemptions. In accordance with existing procedures applicable to a Treasury component’s issuance of regulations, the head of each such component may adopt rules, in accordance with the requirements (including general notice) of 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(1), (2), and (3), (c), and (e), to exempt any system of records within the component from 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3) (§ 1.25(c)(2), accounting of certain disclosures available to the individual), (d) (§ 1.26(a), access to records), (e)(1) (§ 1.22(a)(1), maintenance of information to accomplish purposes authorized by statute or executive order only), (e)(4)(G) (paragraph (a)(7) of this section, publication of procedures for notification), (e)(4)(H) (paragraph (a)(8) of this section, publication of procedures for access and contest), (e)(4)(I) (paragraph (a)(9) of this section, publication of sources of records), and (f) (§ 1.26, promulgate rules for notification, access and contest), if the system of records is:
(i) Subject to the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552(b)(1);
(ii) Investigatory material compiled for law enforcement purposes, other than material within the scope of subsection (j)(2) of the Privacy Act and paragraph (a)(1) of this section. If any individual is denied any right, privilege, or benefit that such individual would otherwise be entitled to by Federal law, or for which such individual would otherwise be eligible, as a result of the maintenance of this material, provide such material to the individual, except to the extent that the disclosure of the material would reveal the identity of a source who furnished information to the Government under an express promise that the identity of the source would be held in confidence, or prior to September 27, 1975, under an implied promise that the identity of the source would be held in confidence;
(iii) Maintained in connection with providing protective services to the President of the United States or other individuals pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 3056;
(iv) Required by statute to be maintained and used solely as statistical records;
(v) Investigatory material compiled solely for the purpose of determining suitability, eligibility, or qualifications for Federal civilian employment, military service, Federal contracts, or access to classified information, but only to the extent that the disclosure of such material would reveal the identity of a source who furnished information to the Government under an express promise that the identity of the source would be held in confidence, or, prior to September 27, 1975, under an implied promise that the identity of the source would be held in confidence;
(vi) Testing or examination material used solely to determine individual qualifications for appointment or promotion in the Federal service the disclosure of which would compromise the objectivity or fairness of the testing or examination process; or
(vii) Evaluation material used to determine potential for promotion in the armed services, but only to the extent that the disclosure of such material would reveal the identity of a source who furnished information to the Government under an express promise that the identity of the source would be held in confidence, or, prior to September 27, 1975, under an implied promise that the identity of the source would be held in confidence.
(3) Reasons for exemptions. As of November 21, 2022, the head of the component must include in the statement required under 5 U.S.C. 553(c) the reasons why the system of records is to be exempted from a provision of the Privacy Act and this part. (See 5 U.S.C. 552a(j) and (k).)
(d) Review and report to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The Department must ensure that the following reviews are conducted:
(1) The Data Integrity Board must conduct a review of all matching programs in which the Department has participated during the calendar year and report to OMB of the following year.
(2) Each component must perform the following reviews with a frequency sufficient to ensure compliance and manage risks:
(i) Review the language of each contract that involves the creation, collection, use, processing, storage, maintenance, dissemination, disclosure, or disposal of information and ensure that the applicable requirements in the Privacy Act and OMB policies are enforceable on the contractor and its employees consistent with the agency’s authority;
(ii) Ensure that all routine uses remain appropriate and that the recipient’s use of the records continues to be compatible with the purpose for which the information was collected;
(iii) Ensure that each exemption claimed for a system of records pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(j) and (k) remains appropriate and necessary;
(iv) Ensure Departmental and component training practices are sufficient and that personnel understand the requirements of the Privacy Act, OMB guidance, the agency’s implementing regulations and policies, and any job-specific requirements;
(v) Review all component SORNs as needed to ensure they remain accurate, up-to-date, and appropriately scoped; that all SORNs are published in the
(vi) Be prepared to report to the Office of Privacy, Transparency, & Records, as part of the annual Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA), as amended by the Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014, Public Law 113-283, reporting process, the results of the reviews conducted as required by this section, including any corrective action taken to resolve problems uncovered.
§ 1.24 Disclosure of records to person other than the individual to whom they pertain.
(a) Conditions of disclosure. No component of Treasury is required to disclose any record which is contained in a system of records maintained by it by any means of communication to any person, or to another agency, except pursuant to a written request by, or with the prior written consent of, the individual to whom the record pertains, or the parent, if a minor, or legal guardian, if incompetent, of such individual, unless disclosure of the record would be:
(1) To those offices and employees of the Treasury who have a need for the record in the performance of their duties;
(2) Required under 5 U.S.C. 552 (subpart A of this part);
(3) For a routine use as defined in 5 U.S.C. 552a(a)(7) and § 1.21(g) and as described under 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4)(D) and § 1.23(a)(4);
(4) To the Bureau of the Census for the purposes of planning or carrying out a census or survey or related activity pursuant to the provisions of title 13 of the U.S. Code;
(5) To a recipient who has provided the component with advance adequate written assurance that the record will be used solely as statistical research or reporting record, and the record is to be transferred in a form that is not individually identifiable;
(6) To the National Archives and Records Administration as a record which has sufficient historical or other value to warrant its continued preservation by the United States Government, or for evaluation by the Administrator of the General Services Administration or the designee of such official to determine whether the record has such value;
(7) To another agency or to an instrumentality of any governmental jurisdiction within or under the control of the United States for a civil or criminal law enforcement activity, if:
(i) The activity is authorized by law; and
(ii) The head of the agency or instrumentality has made a written request to the Treasury specifying the particular portion desired and the law enforcement activities for which the record is sought;
(8) To a person pursuant to a showing of compelling circumstances affecting the health or safety of an individual, if upon such disclosure, notification is transmitted to the last known address of such individual;
(9) To either House of Congress, or, to the extent a matter is within its jurisdiction, any committee or subcommittee thereof, any joint committee of Congress or subcommittee of any such joint committee;
(10) To the Comptroller General, or the authorized representatives of such official, in the course of the performance of the duties of the Government Accountability Office;
(11) Pursuant to the order of a court of competent jurisdiction (see 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)); or
(12) To a consumer reporting agency in accordance with 13 U.S.C. 3711(e).
(b) [Reserved]
§ 1.25 Accounting of disclosures.
(a) Accounting of certain disclosures. Each component, with respect to each system of records under its control, must:
(1) Keep an accurate accounting of:
(i) The date, nature, and purpose of each disclosure of a record to any person or to an agency made under 5 U.S.C. 552a(b) and § 1.24; and
(ii) The name and address of the person to whom or agency to which the disclosure is made;
(2) Retain the accounting made under paragraph (a)(1) of this section for at least five years or the life of the record, whichever is longer, after the disclosure for which the accounting is made; and
(3) Inform any person or other agency about any correction or notation of dispute made by the component in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552a(d) and § 1.28 of any record that has been disclosed to the person or agency if an accounting of the disclosure was made. (See 5 U.S.C. 552(c).)
(b) Accounting systems. To permit the accounting required by paragraph (a) of this section, system managers, with the approval of the head of their offices within a component, must establish or implement a system of accounting for all disclosures of records, either orally or in writing, made outside the Department of the Treasury. Accounting records must:
(1) Be established in the least expensive and most convenient form that will permit the system manager to advise individuals, promptly upon request, what records concerning them have been disclosed and to whom;
(2) Provide, as a minimum, the identification of the particular record disclosed, the name and address of the person to whom or agency to which the record was disclosed, and the date, nature, and purpose of the disclosure; and
(3) Be maintained for 5 years or until the record is destroyed or transferred to the National Archives and Records Administration or Federal Records Center for storage, in which event, the accounting pertaining to those records, unless maintained separately, must be transferred with the records themselves.
(c) Exemptions from accounting requirements. No accounting is required for disclosure of records:
(1) To those officers and employees of the Department of the Treasury who have a need for the record in the performance of their duties; or
(2) If disclosure would be required under 5 U.S.C. 552 and subpart A of this part.
(d) Access to accounting by individual. (1) Subject to paragraphs (c) and (d)(2) of this section, each component must establish {i} procedures for making the accounting required under paragraph (a) of this section available to the individual to whom the record pertains and {ii} thereafter make such accounting available in accordance therewith at the request of the individual. The procedures may require the requester to provide reasonable identification. (See appendices A through H to this subpart.)
(2) Access to accounting of disclosures may be withheld from the individual named in the record only if the disclosures were:
(i) Made under 5 U.S.C. 552a (b)(7) and § 1.24(a)(7); or
(ii) Under a system of records exempted from the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3) in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(j) or (k) and § 1.23(c). (See 5 U.S.C. 552a(c).)
§ 1.26 Procedures for notification and access to records pertaining to individuals—Format and fees for request for access.
(a) Procedures for notification and access. Each component must, in accordance with the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 552a(d)(1), set forth in the appendix to this subpart applicable to such component procedures whereby an individual can be notified, in response to a request, if any system of records named by the individual contains a record pertaining to that individual. In addition, such procedures must set forth the requirements for access to such records. At a minimum, such procedures must specify the times during, and the places at which access will be afforded, together with such identification as may be required of the individual before access. (See 5 U.S.C. 552a(f)(1), (2) and (3).)
(b) Access. Each component, in accordance with the procedures prescribed under paragraph (a) of this section, must allow an individual, upon request, to gain access to records or to any information pertaining to such individual which is contained in a system of records. Permit the individual to review the record and have a copy made of all or any portion of the record in a comprehensible form. Also permit the individual to be accompanied by any person of the individual’s choosing to review the record, except that the agency may require the individual to furnish a written statement authorizing discussion of that individual’s record in the accompanying person’s presence. (See 5 U.S.C. 552a(d)(1).)
(c) Exceptions. Neither the procedures prescribed under paragraph (a) of this section nor the requirements for access under paragraph (b) of this section apply to:
(1) Systems of records exempted pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(j) and (k) and § 1.23(c);
(2) Information compiled in reasonable anticipation of a civil action or proceeding (see 5 U.S.C. 552(d)(5)); or
(3) Information pertaining to an individual which is contained in, and inseparable from, another individual’s record.
(d) Format of request. (1) A request for notification of whether a record exists must:
(i) Be made in writing and signed by the person making the request, who must be the individual about whom the record is maintained or such individual’s duly authorized representative (see § 1.34);
(ii) State that it is made pursuant to the Privacy Act or the regulations in this subpart, or have “Privacy Act Request” written on both the request and on the envelope, if not submitted via a component-provided electronic method;
(iii) Give the name of the system or subsystem or categories of records to which access is sought, as specified in “Privacy Act Issuances” published by the Office of the Federal Register and referenced in the appendices to this subpart;
(iv) Describe the nature of the record sought, the date of the record or the period in which the record was compiled or otherwise describe the record in sufficient detail to enable Department personnel to locate the system of records containing the record with a reasonable amount of effort;
(v) Provide such identification of the requester as may be specified in the appropriate appendix to this subpart; and
(vi) Be addressed or delivered in person or by a component-provided electronic method to the office or officer of the component indicated for the particular system or subsystem or categories of records to which the individual seeks access, as specified in “Privacy Act Issuances” published by the Office of the Federal Register and referenced in the appendices to this subpart. As explained in appendix A to this subpart, requesters may send a written request to the Departmental Offices seeking assistance in identifying the appropriate component or in preparing a request for notification. Requesters seeking such assistance should submit a written request addressed to the Departmental Offices at the address specified in appendix A to this part.
(2) A request for access to records must, in addition to complying with paragraphs (d)(1)(i) through (vi) of this section:
(i) State whether the requester wishes to inspect the records or desires to have a copy made and furnished without first inspecting them;
(ii) If a requester wants a copy of their records, they must clearly state in the request that they agree to pay the fees for duplication as ultimately determined in accordance with subpart A to this subpart (§ 1.7), unless such fees are waived under that section by the system manager or other appropriate official as indicated in the appropriate appendix to this subpart; and
(iii) Comply with any other requirement set forth in the applicable appendix to this subpart or the “System of Records Notice” applicable to the system in question. Any request for access which does not comply with the requirements in the preceding sentence and those set forth elsewhere in this subpart, will not be deemed subject to the time constraints of this section, unless and until amended to comply with all requirements in this subpart. Components must advise the requester of any specific deficiencies so the requester can amend the request so it can be processed. This section applies only to records maintained in a system of records that are also in the possession or control of the component. (See 5 U.S.C. 552a(d) and (f).)
(e) Requests for records not in control of component. (1) Treasury employees must make reasonable efforts to assist an oral requester to learn to which office or officer a written request should be sent. When the request is for a record which is not in the possession or control of any Treasury component, the requester must be advised of this fact.
(2) Where the record requested originated with a Federal agency other than Treasury or its components and was classified (e.g., National Defense or Intelligence Information) or otherwise restrictively endorsed (e.g., Office of Personnel Management records of Federal Bureau of Investigation reports) by the originating agency, and a copy is in the possession of a Treasury component, the component will refer that portion of the request to the originating agency for determination of all Privacy Act issues. In the case of a referral to another agency under this paragraph (e)(2), the component will notify the requester that such portion of the request has been so referred and that the requester may expect to hear from that agency.
(3) When information sought from a system manager or other appropriate Treasury official includes information originating with other Federal agencies that is not classified or otherwise restrictively endorsed, the system manager or other appropriate Treasury official receiving the request must consult with the originating agency prior to making a decision to disclose or withhold the record. The system manager or other appropriate Treasury official maintaining the record must decide if disclosure is required. (See 5 U.S.C. 552a(d) and (f).)
(f) Date of receipt of request. For purposes of this subpart, the date of receipt of a request for notification or access to records shall be the date on which the requester satisfied all the requirements of paragraph (d) of this section. Requests for notification or access to records and any separate agreement to pay for copies must be stamped or endorsed with the date the receiving office/component received all information needed to satisfy the requirements in this section. The date of receipt of the last required document will be the date of receipt of the request for the purposes of this subpart. (See 5 U.S.C. 552a(d) and (f).)
(g) Notification of determination—(1) In general. The component officers designated in the appendices to this subpart must send the requester any required notifications, including notices stating the component has responsive records and whether it will provide access to the records requested. The component will mail notification of the determination within 30 days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays) after the date of receipt of the request, as determined in accordance with paragraph (f) of this section. If it is not possible to respond within 30 days, the relevant component officer must inform the requester (prior to the expiration of the 30-day timeframe), stating the reason for the delay (e.g., volume of records requested, scattered location of the records, need to consult other agencies, or the difficulty of the legal issues involved) and when a response will be dispatched. (See 5 U.S.C. 552a(d) and (f).)
(2) Granting of access. When the component determines that the request for access will be granted and the requester seeks a copy of the responsive records, the component must furnish such copy in a form comprehensible to the requester, together with a statement of the applicable duplication fees. If the requester indicates they want to exercise their right to inspect the responsive records, the component officer designated in the relevant appendix to this subpart must promptly notify the requester in writing of the determination, including when and where the requested records may be inspected. A requester seeking to inspect such records may be accompanied by another person of their choosing. The requester seeking access must sign a form indicating that Treasury is authorized to discuss the contents of the subject record in the accompanying person’s presence. If, after making the inspection, the requester requests a copy of all or a portion of the requested records and pays the applicable fees for duplication, the component must provide a copy of the records in a form comprehensible to the requester. Fees to be charged are as prescribed by subpart A to this subpart (§ 1.7). Components may charge for processing requests under the Freedom of Information Act, under the provisions of this section, or may issue their own fee schedules, which must be consistent with the OMB Guidelines. (See 5 U.S.C. 552a(d) and (f).)
(3) Requirements for access to medical records. When access is requested to medical records, including psychological records, the responsible official may determine that such release could have an adverse effect on the individual and that release will be made only to a health professional authorized in writing to have access to such records by the individual making the request. Upon receipt of the authorization, the health professional will be permitted to review the records or to receive copies of the records by mail, upon proper verification of identity. (See 5 U.S.C. 552a(f) (3).)
(4) Denial of request. When a component makes a determination to deny a request for notification of whether a record exists or deny access to existing responsive records (whether in whole or part or subject to conditions or exceptions), the component must notify the requester of the denial by mail in accordance with paragraph (g)(1) of this section. The letter of notification must specify the city or other location where the requested records are situated (if known), contain a statement of the reasons for not granting the request as made, set forth the name and title or position of the responsible official and advise the requester of the right to file suit in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552a (g)(1)(B).
(5) Prohibition against the use of 5 U.S.C. 552(b) exemptions. A component may not invoke exemptions from disclosure under 5 U.S.C. 552(b) (subpart A to this part (§ 1.2 (c))), for the purpose of withholding from a requester any record which would otherwise be accessible to the requester under the Privacy Act and this subpart. (See 5 U.S.C. 552a(t).)
(6) Records exempt in whole or in part. (i) If Treasury deems it necessary to assert an exemption in response to a request for notification of the existence of or access to records, it will neither confirm nor deny the existence of the records if the records were exempted from individual access pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(j) or were compiled in reasonable anticipation of a civil action or proceeding in either a court or before an administrative tribunal. If Treasury asserts such an exemption, it must advise the requester only that it has identified no records available pursuant to the Privacy Act.
(ii) Process requests from individuals for access to records which Treasury exempted from access pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(k) as follows:
(A) Requests for information classified pursuant to Executive Order 12958, 13526, or successor or prior Executive orders require the responsible Treasury component to review the information to determine whether it continues to warrant classification pursuant to an Executive order. Information which no longer warrants classification under these criteria must be declassified and made available to the individual. If the information continues to warrant classification, the component must notify the requester that the information sought is classified, that it has been reviewed and continues to warrant classification, and that Treasury exempted it from access pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552(b)(1) and 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(1). Classified information maintained in records Treasury exempted pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(j) must be reviewed as required by this paragraph (g)(6)(ii)(A), but the response to the individual must be in the form prescribed by paragraph (g)(6)(i) of this section.
(B) Components must respond to requests for information maintained in records that Treasury exempted from disclosure pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(2) in the manner provided in paragraph (g)(6)(i) of this section unless the requester shows that the component has used or is using the information to deny them any right, privilege, or benefit for which they are eligible or to which they would otherwise be entitled under Federal law. If the requester makes such a showing, the component must advise the requester of the existence of the records, extract any information from the records that would identify a confidential source, or provide a summary extract of the records to the requester in a manner which protects the source to the maximum degree possible.
(C) Information a component compiled in its records as part of an employee background investigation that Treasury exempted from disclosure pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(5) must be made available to a requester unless the record identifies a confidential source(s). Information in the record that identifies confidential source(s) must be extracted or summarized in a manner which protects the source(s) to the maximum degree possible and the summary or extract must be provided to the requester.
(D) Testing or examination material that Treasury exempted pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(6) must not be made available to a requester if disclosure would compromise the objectivity or fairness of the testing or examination process but may be made available if no such compromise possibility exists. (See 5 U.S.C. 552a(d)(5), (j), and (k).)
§ 1.27 Procedures for amendment of records pertaining to individuals—Format, agency review, and appeal from initial adverse agency determination.
(a) In general. Subject to the application of exemptions Treasury promulgated in accordance with § 1.23(c), and subject to paragraph (f) of this section, each component of the Department of the Treasury must, in conformance with 5 U.S.C. 552a(d)(2), permit an individual to request amendment of a record pertaining to such individual. Any request for amendment of records or any appeal that does not fully comply with the requirements of this section and any additional specific requirements imposed by the component in the applicable appendix to this subpart will not be deemed subject to the time constraints of paragraph (e) of this section, unless and until the request is amended to meet all requirements. However, components will advise the requester in what respect the request or appeal is non-compliant so that it may be resubmitted or amended. (See 5 U.S.C. 552a(d) and (f).)
(b) Form of request to amend records. In order to be subject to the provisions of this section, a request to amend records must:
(1) Be made in writing and signed by the individual making the request, who must be the individual about whom the record is maintained, or the duly authorized representative of such individual;
(2) State that it is made under the Privacy Act or the regulations in this subpart, with “Privacy Act Amendment Request” written on both the request and on the envelope;
(3) Be addressed to the office or officer of the component specified for such purposes in “Privacy Act Issuances” published by the Office of the Federal Register and referenced in the appendices to this subpart for that purpose; and
(4) Reasonably describe the records which the individual believes require amendment, including, to the best of the requester’s knowledge, dates of previous letters the requester sent to the component seeking access to their records and dates of letters in which the component provided notification to the requester concerning access, if any, and the individual’s documentation justifying the proposed correction. (See 5 U.S.C. 552a(d) and (f).)
(c) Date of receipt of request. For purposes of this subpart, the date of receipt of a request for amendment of records must be the date on which the requester satisfies all the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section. The receiving office or officer must stamp or otherwise endorse the date of receipt of the request. (See 5 U.S.C. 552a(d) and (f).)
(d) Review of requests to amend records. Officials responsible for review of requests to amend records pertaining to an individual, as specified in the appropriate appendix to this subpart, must:
(1) Not later than 10 days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays) after the date of receipt of such request, acknowledge in writing such receipt; and
(2) Promptly, either—
(i) Make any correction to any portion which the individual believes, and the official agrees is not accurate, relevant, timely, or complete; or
(ii) Inform the individual of the refusal to amend the record in accordance with the individual’s request, the reason for the refusal, and the name and business address of the officer designated in the applicable appendix to this subpart, as the person who is to review such refusal. (See 5 U.S.C. 552a(d) and (f).).
(e) Administrative appeal—(1) In general. Each component must permit individuals to request a review of initial decisions made under paragraph (d) of this section when an individual disagrees with a refusal to amend the record. (See 5 U.S.C. 552a(d), (f), and (g)(1).)
(2) Form of request for administrative review of refusal to amend record. At any time within 35 days after the date of the notification of the initial decision described in paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this section, the requester may submit an administrative appeal from such refusal to the official specified in the notification of the initial decision and the appropriate appendix to this subpart. The appeal must:
(i) Be made in writing, stating any arguments in support thereof and be signed by the requester to whom the record pertains, or the duly authorized representative of such individual;
(ii) Be addressed and mailed or hand delivered within 35 days of the date of the initial decision to the office or officer specified in the appropriate appendix to this subpart and in the notification. (See the appendices to this subpart for the address to which appeals made by mail should be addressed.);
(iii) Be clearly marked “Privacy Act Amendment Appeal” on the appeal and on the envelope;
(iv) Reasonably describe the records the individual seeks to amend; and
(v) Specify the date of the initial request to amend records, and the date of the component’s letter providing notification that the request was denied. (See 5 U.S.C. 552a(d) and (f).)
(3) Date of receipt. Promptly stamp or endorse appeals with the date of their receipt by the office to which the appeal is addressed. Such stamped or endorsed date will be deemed to be the date of receipt for all purposes of this subpart. The responsible official in the office to which the appeal was addressed must acknowledge receipt of the appeal within 10 days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays) from the date of the receipt (unless the determination on appeal is dispatched in 10 days, in which case, no acknowledgement is required). The letter acknowledging receipt of the appeal must advise the requester of the date of receipt established by the foregoing and the number of days the responsible official has to decide the administrative appeal (including days included/not included in determining the deadline). (See 5 U.S.C. 552a(d) and (f).)
(4) Review of administrative appeals from denial of requests to amend records. Officials responsible for deciding administrative appeals from denials of requests to amend records pertaining to an individual, as specified in the appendices to this subpart must: Complete the review and notify the requester of the final agency decision within 30 days (exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays) after the date of receipt of such appeal, unless the time is extended by the head of the agency or the delegate of such official, for good cause shown. If the final agency decision is to refuse to amend the record, in whole or in part, the requester must also be advised of the reasons the appeal was denied and their right—
(i) To file a concise “Statement of Disagreement” (including the procedures for filing this statement) setting forth the reasons they disagree with the final agency decision; and/or
(ii) To judicial review of the final agency decision refusing to amend the record(s) (under 5 U.S.C. 552a(g)(1)(A)). (See 5 U.S.C. 552a(d), (f), and (g)(1).)
(5) Notation on record and distribution of statements of disagreement. The system manager is responsible, in any disclosure containing information about which an individual has filed a “Statement of Disagreement”, occurring after the filing of the statement under paragraph (e)(4) of this section, for clearly noting any portion of the record which is disputed and providing copies of the statement and, if deemed appropriate, a concise statement of the component’s reasons for not making the amendments requested to persons or other agencies to whom the disputed record has been disclosed. (See 5 U.S.C. 552a(d)(4).)
(f) Records not subject to correction under the Privacy Act. The following records are not subject to correction or amendment by individuals:
(1) Transcripts or written statements made under oath;
(2) Transcripts of Grand Jury proceedings, judicial or quasi-judicial proceedings which form the official record of those proceedings;
(3) Pre-sentence reports comprising the property of the courts but maintained in agency files;
(4) Records pertaining to the determination, the collection, and the payment of the Federal taxes;
(5) Records duly exempted from correction by notice published in the
(6) Records compiled in reasonable anticipation of a civil action or proceeding.
§ 1.28 Training, rules of conduct, penalties for non-compliance.
(a) Training. The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Privacy, Transparency, & Records must institute a Departmental training program to instruct Treasury employees and employees of Government contractors covered by 5 U.S.C. 552a(m), who are involved in the design, development, operation, or maintenance of any system of records, on a continuing basis with respect to the duties and responsibilities imposed on them and the rights conferred on individuals by the Privacy Act, the regulations in this subpart, including the appendices thereto, and any other related regulations. Such training must provide suitable emphasis on the civil and criminal penalties imposed on the Department and the individual employees by the Privacy Act for non-compliance with specified requirements of the Act as implemented by the regulations in this subpart. Components may supplement or supplant the departmental annual privacy awareness training to address Privacy Act issues unique to their missions. (See 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(9).)
(b) Rules of conduct. In addition to the Standards of Conduct published in part O of this title, particularly 31 CFR 0.735-44, the following applies to Treasury employees (including, to the extent required by the contract or 5 U.S.C. 552a(m), Government contractors and employees of such contractors), who are involved in the design, development, operation, or maintenance of any system of records, or in maintaining any records, for or on behalf of the Department, including any component thereof.
(1) The head of each office of a component of the Department is responsible for assuring that employees subject to such official’s supervision are advised of the provisions of the Privacy Act, including the criminal penalties and civil liabilities provided therein, and the regulations in this subpart, and that such employees are made aware of their individual and collective responsibilities to protect the security of personal information, to assure its accuracy, relevance, timeliness and completeness, to avoid unauthorized disclosure either orally or in writing, and to insure that no system of records is maintained without public notice.
(2) Treasury must:
(i) Collect no information about individuals for maintenance in a system of records unless authorized to collect it to achieve a function or carry out a responsibility of the Department;
(ii) Collect from individuals only that information which is relevant and necessary to perform Department functions or responsibilities, unless related to a system exempted under 5 U.S.C. 552a(j) or (k);
(iii) Collect information, to the greatest extent practicable, directly from the individual to whom it relates, unless related to a system exempted under 5 U.S.C. 552a(j);
(iv) Inform individuals (and third parties, if feasible) from whom information is collected of the authority and purposes for collection, the use that will be made of the information, and the effects, both legal and practical, of not furnishing the information;
(v) Neither collect, maintain, use nor disseminate information concerning an individual’s mere exercise of their First Amendment rights, including: an individual’s religious or political beliefs or activities; membership in associations or organizations; freedom of speech and of the press, and freedom of assembly and petition, unless:
(A) The individual expressly authorizes it (for example, volunteering relevant and necessary information to obtain a benefit or enforce a right);
(B) A statute expressly/explicitly authorizes the collection, maintenance, use or dissemination of the information (whether or not the statute specifically refers to the First Amendment); or
(C) The activities involved are pertinent to and within the scope of an authorized investigation, adjudication or correctional activity;
(vi) Advise their supervisors of the existence or contemplated development of any record system which is capable of retrieving information about individuals by individual identifier (to determine if actual retrieval is or will necessarily occur with some degree of regularity when the system of records becomes operational);
(vii) Disseminate outside the Department no information from a system of records without the written consent of the individual who is the subject of the records unless disclosure is authorized by one of the 12 exemptions in 5 U.S.C. 552a(b), which includes disclosure pursuant to a routine use published in a system of records notice in the
(viii) Assure that an accounting is kept in the prescribed form of information about individuals that is maintained in a system of records and disseminated outside the Department, whether made orally or in writing, unless disclosed under 5 U.S.C. 552 and subpart A of this part;
(ix) Collect, maintain, use, and disseminate information about individuals in a manner that ensures that no inadvertent disclosure of the information is made either within or outside the Department; and
(x) Assure that the proper Department authorities (e.g., component privacy officer, legal counsel) are aware of any information in a system maintained by the Department which is not/might not be authorized under the provisions of the Privacy Act, including information on how an individual exercises their First Amendment rights, information that is/may be inaccurate, irrelevant, or so incomplete as to risk unfairness to the individual concerned if used to make adverse determinations.
(c) Criminal penalties. (1) The Privacy Act imposes criminal penalties on the conduct of Government officers or employees as follows: Any officer or employee of an agency (which term includes Treasury):
(i) Who by virtue of their employment or official position, has possession of, or access to, agency records which contain individually identifiable information the disclosure of which is prohibited by this section (see 5 U.S.C. 552a) or regulations in this subpart established under the Privacy Act, and who knowing that disclosure of the specific material is so prohibited, willfully discloses the material in any manner to any person or agency not entitled to receive it; or
(ii) Who willfully maintains a system of records without meeting the notice requirements of paragraph (e)(4) of this section (see 5 U.S.C. 552a)—shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and fined not more than $5,000.
(2) The Privacy Act also imposes a collateral criminal penalty (misdemeanor and a fine of not more than $5,000) on the conduct of any person who knowingly and willfully requests or obtains records covered by the Privacy Act from an agency under false pretenses.
(3) For the purposes of 5 U.S.C. 552a(i), the provisions of paragraph (c)(1) of this section are applicable to Government contractors and employees of such contractors who by contract, operate by or on behalf of the Treasury a system of records to accomplish a Departmental function. Such contractor and employees are considered employees of the Treasury for the purposes of 5 U.S.C. 552a(i). (See 5 U.S.C. 552a(i) and (m).)
§ 1.29 Records transferred to Federal Records Center or National Archives of the United States.
(a) Records transferred for storage in the Federal Records Center. Records pertaining to an identifiable individual which are transferred to the Federal Records Center in accordance with 44 U.S.C. 3103 must, for the purposes of the Privacy Act, be considered to be maintained by the component which deposited the record and must be subject to the provisions of the Privacy Act and this subpart. The Federal Records Center must not disclose such records except to Treasury or to others under rules consistent with the Privacy Act. These rules may be established by Treasury or a component. If such records are retrieved for the purpose of making a determination about an individual, Treasury or the relevant component must review them for accuracy, relevance, timeliness, and completeness.
(b) Records transferred to the National Archives of the United States—(1) Records transferred to National Archives prior to September 27, 1975. Records pertaining to an identifiable individual transferred to the National Archives prior to September 27, 1975, as a record which has sufficient historical or other value to warrant its continued preservation by the United States Government, are deemed records maintained by the National Archives, and:
(i) Must not be subject to the Privacy Act.
(ii) Except, that a statement describing such records (modeled after 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4)(A) through (G)) must be published in the
(2) Records transferred to National Archives on or after September 27, 1975. Records pertaining to an identifiable individual transferred to the National Archives as a record which has sufficient historical or other value to warrant its continued preservation by the United States Government, on or after September 27, 1975, must be deemed records maintained by the National Archives, and:
(i) Must not be subject to the Privacy Act.
(ii) Except, that a statement describing such records in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4)(A) through (G) must be published in the
§ 1.30 Application to system of records maintained by Government contractors.
When a component contracts for the operation of a system of records, to accomplish a Treasury function, the provisions of the Privacy Act and this subpart must be applied to such system. The relevant component is responsible for ensuring that the contractor complies with the contract requirements relating to privacy.
§ 1.31 Sale or rental of mailing lists.
(a) In general. An individual’s name and address must not be sold or rented by a component unless such action is specifically authorized by law.
(b) Withholding of names and addresses. This section must not be construed to require the withholding of names and addresses otherwise permitted to be made public. (See 5 U.S.C. 552a(n).)
§ 1.32 Collection, use, disclosure, and protection of Social Security numbers.
(a) Treasury must only collect full Social Security numbers (SSNs) when relevant and necessary to accomplish a legally authorized purpose related to a Treasury mission. In the absence of another compelling justification for the use of the full SSN (approved by the relevant component Head and the Departmental Senior Agency Official for Privacy), Treasury must only collect and maintain full SSNs:
(1) As a unique identifier for identity verification purposes related to cyber security, law enforcement, intelligence, and/or security background investigations;
(2) When required by external entities to perform a function for or on behalf of Treasury;
(3) When collection is expressly required by statute or regulation;
(4) For statistical and other research purposes;
(5) To ensure the delivery of government benefits, privileges, and services; and
(6) When there are no reasonable, alternative means for meeting business requirements.
(b) Treasury must not display the Social Security number on the outside of any package sent by mail.
(c) Treasury must not display the Social Security number on any document sent by mail unless there are no reasonable, alternative means for meeting business requirements and masking or truncating/partially redacting the SSN are not feasible.
(d) Whenever feasible, Treasury must mask, or truncate/partially redact Social Security numbers visible to authorized Treasury/component information technology users so they only see the portion (if any) of the Social Security number required to perform their official Treasury duties.
(e) An individual must not be denied any right, benefit, or privilege provided by law by a component because of such individual’s refusal to disclose their Social Security number.
(f) The provisions of paragraph (e) of this section do not apply with respect to:
(1) Any disclosure which is required by Federal statute; or
(2) The disclosure of a Social Security number to any Federal, State, or local agency maintaining a system of records in existence and operating before January 1, 1975, if such disclosure was required under statute or regulation adopted prior to such date to verify the identity of an individual.
(g) When Treasury requests that an individual discloses their Social Security number, it must inform the individual:
(1) Whether that disclosure is mandatory or voluntary;
(2) By what statutory or other authority such number is solicited; and
(3) What uses are made of the number.
(h) Treasury must provide the information in this section in the notice discussed in § 1.28(b)(2)(iv). (See section 7 of the Privacy Act of 1974 set forth at 5 U.S.C. 552a, note.)
§ 1.34 Guardianship.
The parent or guardian of a minor or a person judicially determined to be incompetent must, in addition to establishing the identity of the minor or other person represented, establish parentage or guardianship by furnishing a copy of a birth certificate showing parentage or a court order establishing the guardianship and may thereafter, act on behalf of such individual. (See 5 U.S.C. 552a(h).)
§ 1.35 Information forms.
(a) Review of forms. Except for forms developed and used by components, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Privacy, Transparency, & Records must review all forms Treasury develops and uses to collect information from and about individuals. Component heads are responsible for reviewing forms used by their component to collect information from and about individuals.
(b) Scope of review. The responsible officers must review each form for the purpose of eliminating any requirement for information that is not relevant and necessary to carry out an agency function and to accomplish the following objectives:
(1) To ensure that Treasury does not collect information concerning religion, political beliefs or activities, association memberships, or the exercise of other First Amendment rights except as authorized in § 1.28(b)(2)(v);
(2) To ensure that the form on which information is collected (or a separate form that can be retained by the individual) makes clear what information the individual is required to disclose by law (and the statutory of other authority for that requirement), and what information requested is voluntary;
(3) To ensure that the form on which information is collected (or a separate form that can be retained by the individual) states clearly the principal purpose or purposes for which Treasury is collecting the information, and summarizes concisely the routine uses that will be made of the information;
(4) To ensure that the form on which information is collected (or a separate form that can be retained by the individual) clearly indicates to the individual the effect that not providing all, or part of the requested information will have on their rights, benefits, or privileges of; and
(5) To ensure that any form on which Treasury requests a Social Security number (SSN) (or a separate form that can be retained by the individual) clearly advises the individual of the statute or regulation requiring disclosure of the SSN or clearly advises the individual that disclosure is voluntary and that they will not be denied any right, benefit, or privilege if they refuse to voluntarily disclose it, and the uses that will be made of the SSN whether disclosed mandatorily or voluntarily.
(c) Revision of forms. The responsible officers must revise any form which does not meet the objectives specified in the Privacy Act as discussed in this section. A separate statement may be used in instances when a form does not conform. This statement will accompany a form and must include all the information necessary to accomplish the objectives specified in the Privacy Act and this section.
§ 1.36 Systems exempt in whole or in part from provisions of the Privacy Act and this part.
(a) In general. In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552a(j) and (k) and § 1.23(c), Treasury hereby exempts the systems of records identified in paragraphs (c) through (o) of this section from the following provisions of the Privacy Act for the reasons indicated.
(b) Authority. The rules in this section are promulgated pursuant to the authority vested in the Secretary of the Treasury by 5 U.S.C. 552a(j) and (k) and pursuant to the authority of § 1.23(c).
(c) General exemptions under 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2). (1) Under 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2), the head of any agency may promulgate rules to exempt any system of records within the agency from certain provisions of the Privacy Act if the agency or component thereof that maintains the system performs as its principal function any activities pertaining to the enforcement of criminal laws. Certain Treasury components have as their principal function activities pertaining to the enforcement of criminal laws. This paragraph (c) applies to the following systems of records maintained by Treasury:
(i) Treasury-wide.
Table 1 to Paragraph
No. | Name of system |
---|---|
Treasury .004 | Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act Request Records. |
(ii) Departmental Offices.
Table 2 to Paragraph
No. | Name of system |
---|---|
DO .190 | Office of Inspector General Investigations Management Information System (formerly: Investigation Data Management System). |
DO .220 | SIGTARP Hotline Database. |
DO .221 | SIGTARP Correspondence Database. |
DO .222 | SIGTARP Investigative MIS Database. |
DO .223 | SIGTARP Investigative Files Database. |
DO .224 | SIGTARP Audit Files Database. |
DO .303 | TIGTA General Correspondence. |
DO .307 | TIGTA Employee Relations Matters, Appeals, Grievances, and Com plaint Files. |
DO .308 | TIGTA Data Extracts. |
DO .309 | TIGTA Chief Counsel Case Files. (also exempt from 552a subsection (d)(5). |
DO .310 | TIGTA Chief Counsel Disclosure Section Records. (also exempt from 552a subsection (d)(5)). |
DO .311 | TIGTA Office of Investigations Files. |
(iii) Special Investigator for Pandemic Recovery (SIGPR).
Table 3 to Paragraph
No. | Name of system |
---|---|
SIGPR .420 | Audit and Evaluations Records. |
SIGPR .421 | Case Management System and Investigative Records. |
SIGPR .423 | Legal Records. |
(iv) Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).
Table 4 to Paragraph
No. | Name of system |
---|---|
CC .110 | Reports of Suspicious Activities. |
CC .120 | Bank Fraud Information System. |
CC .220 | Notices of Proposed Changes in Employees, Officers and Directors Tracking System (not exempt from 552a(c)(4)). |
CC .500 | Chief Counsel’s Management Information System. |
CC .510 | Litigation Information System. |
(v) Internal Revenue Service.
Table 5 to Paragraph (c)(1)(v)
No. | Name of system |
---|---|
IRS 46.002 | Criminal Investigation Management Information System and Case Files. |
IRS 46.003 | Confidential Informants, Criminal Investigation Division. |
IRS 46.005 | Electronic Surveillance and Monitoring Records, Criminal Investigation Division. |
IRS 46.015 | Relocated Witnesses, Criminal Investigation Division. |
IRS 46.050 | Automated Information Analysis System. |
IRS 90.001 | Chief Counsel Management Information System Records (not exempt from (c)(4), (e)(2), (e)(3) or (g)). |
IRS 90.003 | Chief Counsel Litigation and Advice (Criminal) Records. |
IRS 90.004 | Chief Counsel Legal Processing Division Records (not exempt from (c)(4), (e)(2), (e)(3) or (g)). |
IRS 90.005 | Chief Counsel Library Records (not exempt from (c)(4), (e)(2), (e)(3) or (g)). |
(vi) Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.
Table 6 to Paragraph
No. | Name of system |
---|---|
FinCEN .001 | FinCEN Investigations and Examinations System. |
FinCEN .002 | Suspicious Activity Reporting System. |
FinCEN .003 | Bank Secrecy Act Reports System. |
FinCEN .004 | Beneficial Ownership Information System (not exempt from 552a(e)(3) and (e)(4)(I)). |
(2) The Department hereby exempts the systems of records listed in paragraphs (c)(1)(i) through (vi) of this section from the following provisions of the Privacy Act, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2): 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3) and (4), 5 U.S.C. 552a(d)(1), (2), (3), (4), 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(1), (2) and (3), 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4)(G), (H), and (I), 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(5) and (8), 5 U.S.C. 552a(f), and 5 U.S.C. 552a(g).
(d) Reasons for exemptions under 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2). (1) 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4)(G) and (f)(l) enable individuals to inquire whether a system of records contains records pertaining to them. Application of these provisions to the systems of records would give individuals an opportunity to learn whether they have been identified as suspects or subjects of investigation. As further described in the paragraphs (d)(2) through (12) of this section, access to such knowledge would impair the Department’s ability to carry out its mission, since individuals could:
(i) Take steps to avoid detection;
(ii) Inform associates that an investigation is in progress;
(iii) Learn the nature of the investigation;
(iv) Learn whether they are only suspects or identified as law violators;
(v) Begin, continue, or resume illegal conduct upon learning that they are not identified in the system of records; or
(vi) Destroy evidence needed to prove the violation.
(2) 5 U.S.C. 552a(d)(1), (e)(4)(H) and (f)(2), (3) and (5) grant individuals access to records pertaining to them. The application of these provisions to the systems of records would compromise the Department’s ability to provide useful tactical and strategic information to law enforcement agencies.
(i) Permitting access to records contained in the systems of records would provide individuals with information concerning the nature of any current investigations and would enable them to avoid detection or apprehension by:
(A) Discovering the facts that would form the basis for their arrest;
(B) Enabling them to destroy or alter evidence of criminal conduct that would form the basis for their arrest; and
(C) Using knowledge that criminal investigators had reason to believe that a crime was about to be committed, to delay the commission of the crime or commit it at a location that might not be under surveillance.
(ii) Permitting access to either on-going or closed investigative files would also reveal investigative techniques and procedures, the knowledge of which could enable individuals planning crimes to structure their operations to avoid detection or apprehension.
(iii) Permitting access to investigative files and records could, moreover, disclose the identity of confidential sources and informants and the nature of the information supplied and thereby endanger the physical safety of those sources by exposing them to possible reprisals for having provided the information. Confidential sources and informants might refuse to provide criminal investigators with valuable information unless they believe that their identities will not be revealed through disclosure of their names or the nature of the information they supplied. Loss of access to such sources would seriously impair the Department’s ability to carry out its mandate.
(iv) Furthermore, providing access to records contained in the systems of records could reveal the identities of undercover law enforcement officers who compiled information regarding the individual’s criminal activities and thereby endanger the physical safety of those undercover officers or their families by exposing them to possible reprisals.
(v) By compromising the law enforcement value of the systems of records for the reasons outlined in paragraphs (d)(2)(i) through (iv) of this section, permitting access in keeping with these provisions would discourage other law enforcement and regulatory agencies, foreign and domestic, from freely sharing information with the Department and thus would restrict the Department’s access to information necessary to accomplish its mission most effectively.
(vi) Finally, the dissemination of certain information that the Department maintains in the systems of records is restricted by law.
(3) 5 U.S.C. 552a(d)(2), (3) and (4), (e)(4)(H), and (f)(4) permit an individual to request amendment of a record pertaining to him or her and require the agency either to amend the record, or to note the disputed portion of the record and to provide a copy of the individual’s statement of disagreement with the agency’s refusal to amend a record to persons or other agencies to whom the record is thereafter disclosed. Since these provisions depend on the individual having access to his or her records, and since these rules exempt the systems of records from the provisions of the Privacy Act relating to access to records, for the reasons set out in paragraph (d)(2) of this section, these provisions should not apply to the systems of records.
(4) 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3) requires an agency to make accountings of disclosures of a record available to the individual named in the record upon his or her request. The accountings must state the date, nature, and purpose of each disclosure of the record and the name and address of the recipient.
(i) The application of this provision would impair the ability of law enforcement agencies outside the Department of the Treasury to make effective use of information provided by the Department. Making accountings of disclosures available to the subjects of an investigation would alert them to the fact that another agency is conducting an investigation into their criminal activities and could reveal the geographic location of the other agency’s investigation, the nature and purpose of that investigation, and the dates on which that investigation was active. Individuals possessing such knowledge would be able to take measures to avoid detection or apprehension by altering their operations, by transferring their criminal activities to other geographical areas, or by destroying or concealing evidence that would form the basis for arrest. In the case of a delinquent account, such release might enable the subject of the investigation to dissipate assets before levy.
(ii) Moreover, providing accountings to the subjects of investigations would alert them to the fact that the Department has information regarding their criminal activities and could inform them of the general nature of that information. Access to such information could reveal the operation of the Department’s information-gathering and analysis systems and permit individuals to take steps to avoid detection or apprehension.
(5) 5 U.S.C. 552(c)(4) requires an agency to inform any person or other agency about any correction or notation of dispute that the agency made in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552a(d) to any record that the agency disclosed to the person or agency if an accounting of the disclosure was made. Since this provision depends on an individual’s having access to and an opportunity to request amendment of records pertaining to him or her, and since these rules exempt the systems of records from the provisions of the Privacy Act relating to access to and amendment of records, for the reasons set out in paragraph (f)(3) of this section, this provision should not apply to the systems of records.
(6) 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4)(I) requires an agency to publish a general notice listing the categories of sources for information contained in a system of records. The application of this provision to the systems of records could compromise the Department’s ability to provide useful information to law enforcement agencies, since revealing sources for the information could:
(i) Disclose investigative techniques and procedures;
(ii) Result in threats or reprisals against informants by the subjects of investigations; and
(iii) Cause informants to refuse to give full information to criminal investigators for fear of having their identities as sources disclosed.
(7) 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(1) requires an agency to maintain in its records only such information about an individual as is relevant and necessary to accomplish a purpose of the agency required to be accomplished by statute or Executive order. The term maintain, as defined in 5 U.S.C. 552a(a)(3), includes collect and disseminate. The application of this provision to the systems of records could impair the Department’s ability to collect and disseminate valuable law enforcement information.
(i) In many cases, especially in the early stages of investigation, it may be impossible to immediately determine whether information collected is relevant and necessary, and information that initially appears irrelevant and unnecessary often may, upon further evaluation or upon collation with information developed subsequently, prove particularly relevant to a law enforcement program.
(ii) Not all violations of law discovered by the Department fall within the investigative jurisdiction of the Department of the Treasury. To promote effective law enforcement, the Department will have to disclose such violations to other law enforcement agencies, including State, local, and foreign agencies, that have jurisdiction over the offenses to which the information relates. Otherwise, the Department might be placed in the position of having to ignore information relating to violations of law not within the jurisdiction of the Department of the Treasury when that information comes to the Department’s attention during the collation and analysis of information in its records.
(8) 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(2) requires an agency to collect information to the greatest extent practicable directly from the subject individual when the information may result in adverse determinations about an individual’s rights, benefits, and privileges under Federal programs. The application of this provision to the systems of records would impair the Department’s ability to collate, analyze, and disseminate investigative, intelligence, and enforcement information.
(i) Most information collected about an individual under criminal investigation is obtained from third parties, such as witnesses and informants. It is usually not feasible to rely upon the subject of the investigation as a source for information regarding his criminal activities.
(ii) An attempt to obtain information from the subject of a criminal investigation will often alert that individual to the existence of an investigation, thereby affording the individual an opportunity to attempt to conceal his criminal activities so as to avoid apprehension.
(iii) In certain instances, the subject of a criminal investigation may assert his/her constitutional right to remain silent and refuse to supply information to criminal investigators upon request.
(iv) During criminal investigations it is often a matter of sound investigative procedure to obtain information from a variety of sources to verify information already obtained from the subject of a criminal investigation or other sources.
(9) 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(3) requires an agency to inform each individual whom it asks to supply information, on the form that it uses to collect the information or on a separate form that the individual can retain, of the agency’s authority for soliciting the information; whether disclosure of information is voluntary or mandatory; the principal purposes for which the agency will use the information; the routine uses that may be made of the information; and the effects on the individual of not providing all or part of the information. The systems of records should be exempted from this provision to avoid impairing the Department’s ability to collect and collate investigative, intelligence, and enforcement data.
(i) Confidential sources or undercover law enforcement officers often obtain information under circumstances in which it is necessary to keep the true purpose of their actions secret so as not to let the subject of the investigation or his or her associates know that a criminal investigation is in progress.
(ii) If it became known that the undercover officer was assisting in a criminal investigation, that officer’s physical safety could be endangered through reprisal, and that officer may not be able to continue working on the investigation.
(iii) Individuals often feel inhibited in talking to a person representing a criminal law enforcement agency but are willing to talk to a confidential source or undercover officer whom they believe are not involved in law enforcement activities.
(iv) Providing a confidential source of information with written evidence that he or she was a source, as required by this provision, could increase the likelihood that the source of information would be subject to retaliation by the subject of the investigation.
(v) Individuals may be contacted during preliminary information gathering, surveys, or compliance projects concerning the administration of the internal revenue laws before any individual is identified as the subject of an investigation. Informing the individual of the matters required by this provision would impede or compromise subsequent investigations.
(10) 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(5) requires an agency to maintain all records it uses in making any determination about any individual with such accuracy, relevance, timeliness, and completeness as is reasonably necessary to assure fairness to the individual in the determination.
(i) Since 5 U.S.C. 552a(a)(3) defines maintain to include collect and disseminate, application of this provision to the systems of records would hinder the initial collection of any information that could not, at the moment of collection, be determined to be accurate, relevant, timely, and complete. Similarly, application of this provision would seriously restrict the Department’s ability to disseminate information pertaining to a possible violation of law-to-law enforcement and regulatory agencies. In collecting information during a criminal investigation, it is often impossible or unfeasible to determine accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness prior to collection of the information. In disseminating information to law enforcement and regulatory agencies, it is often impossible to determine accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness prior to dissemination because the Department may not have the expertise with which to make such determinations.
(ii) Information that may initially appear inaccurate, irrelevant, untimely, or incomplete may, when collated and analyzed with other available information, become more pertinent as an investigation progresses. In addition, application of this provision could seriously impede criminal investigators and intelligence analysts in the exercise of their judgment in reporting results obtained during criminal investigations.
(11) 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(8) requires an agency to make reasonable efforts to serve notice on an individual when the agency makes any record on the individual available to any person under compulsory legal process, when such process becomes a matter of public record. The systems of records should be exempted from this provision to avoid revealing investigative techniques and procedures outlined in those records and to prevent revelation of the existence of an ongoing investigation where there is need to keep the existence of the investigation secret.
(12) 5 U.S.C. 552a(g) provides for civil remedies to an individual when an agency wrongfully refuses to amend a record or to review a request for amendment, when an agency wrongfully refuses to grant access to a record, when an agency fails to maintain accurate, relevant, timely, and complete records which are used to make a determination adverse to the individual, and when an agency fails to comply with any other provision of the Privacy Act so as to adversely affect the individual. The systems of records should be exempted from this provision to the extent that the civil remedies may relate to provisions of the Privacy Act from which these rules exempt the systems of records, since there should be no civil remedies for failure to comply with provisions from which the Department is exempted. Exemption from this provision will also protect the Department from baseless civil court actions that might hamper its ability to collate, analyze, and disseminate investigative, intelligence, and law enforcement data.
(e) Specific exemptions under 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(1). (1) Under 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(1), the head of any agency may promulgate rules to exempt any system of records within the agency from certain provisions of the Privacy Act to the extent that the system contains information subject to the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552(b)(1). This paragraph (e) applies to the following systems of records maintained by the Department of the Treasury:
(i) Treasury-wide.
Table 7 to Paragraph
No. | Name of system |
---|---|
Treasury .004 | Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act Request Records. |
(ii) Departmental Offices.
Table 8 to Paragraph
No. | Name of system |
---|---|
DO .120 | Records Related to Office of Foreign Assets Control Economic Sanctions. |
DO .227 | Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) Case Management System. |
DO .411 | Intelligence Enterprise Files. |
(iii) Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.
Table 9 to Paragraph
No. | Name of system |
---|---|
FinCEN .001 | FinCEN Investigations and Examinations System. |
(2) The Department of the Treasury hereby exempts the systems of records listed in paragraph (e)(1) of this section from the following provisions of the Privacy Act, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(1): 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3), 5 U.S.C. 552a(d)(1), (2), (3), and (4), 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(1), 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4)(G), (H), and (I), and 5 U.S.C. 552a(f).
(f) Reasons for exemptions under 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(1). The reason for invoking the exemption is to protect material authorized to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or foreign policy pursuant to Executive Orders 12958, 13526, or successor or prior Executive orders.
(g) Specific exemptions under 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(2). (1) Under 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(2), the head of any agency may promulgate rules to exempt any system of records within the agency from certain provisions of the Privacy Act if the system is investigatory material compiled for law enforcement purposes and for the purposes of assuring the safety of individuals protected by the Department pursuant to the provisions of 18 U.S.C. 3056. This paragraph (g) applies to the following systems of records maintained by the Department of the Treasury:
(i) Treasury-wide.
Table 10 to Paragraph
No. | Name of system |
---|---|
Treasury .004 | Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act Request Records. |
Treasury .013 | Department of the Treasury, Civil Rights Complaints, Compliance Reviews, and Fairness in Federal Programs Files. |
(ii) Departmental Offices.
Table 11 to Paragraph
No. | Name of system |
---|---|
DO .120 | Records Related to Office of Foreign Assets Control Economic Sanctions. |
DO .144 | General Counsel Litigation Referral and Reporting System. |
DO .190 | Office of Inspector General Investigations Management Information System (formerly: Investigation Data Management System). |
DO .220 | SIGTARP Hotline Database. |
DO .221 | SIGTARP Correspondence Database. |
DO .222 | SIGTARP Investigative MIS Database. |
DO .223 | SIGTARP Investigative Files Database. |
DO .224 | SIGTARP Audit Files Database. |
DO .225 | TARP Fraud Investigation Information System. |
DO .227 | Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) Case Management System. |
DO .303 | TIGTA General Correspondence. |
DO .307 | TIGTA Employee Relations Matters, Appeals, Grievances, and Complaint Files. |
DO .308 | TIGTA Data Extracts. |
DO .309 | TIGTA Chief Counsel Case Files. |
DO .310 | TIGTA Chief Counsel Disclosure Section Records. |
DO .311 | TIGTA Office of Investigations Files. |
(iii) Special Investigator for Pandemic Recovery (SIGPR).
Table 12 to Paragraph
No. | Name of system |
---|---|
SIGPR .420 | Audit and Evaluations Records. |
SIGPR .421 | Case Management System and Investigative Records. |
SIGPR .423 | Legal Records. |
(iv) The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB).
Table 13 to Paragraph
No. | Name of system |
---|---|
TTB .001 | Regulatory Enforcement Record System. |
(v) Comptroller of the Currency.
Table 14 to Paragraph
No. | Name of system |
---|---|
CC .100 | Enforcement Action Report System. |
CC .110 | Reports of Suspicious Activities. |
CC .120 | Bank Fraud Information System. |
CC .220 | Notices of Proposed Changes in Employees, Officers and Directors Tracking System. |
CC .500 | Chief Counsel’s Management Information System. |
CC .510 | Litigation Information System. |
CC .600 | Consumer Complaint and Inquiry Information Systems. |
CC .800 | Office of Inspector General Investigations System. |
(vi) Bureau of Engraving and Printing.
Table 15 to Paragraph
No. | Name of system |
---|---|
BEP .021 | Investigative files. |
(vii) Internal Revenue Service.
Table 16 to Paragraph
No. | Name of system |
---|---|
IRS 00.002 | Correspondence File-Inquiries about Enforcement Activities. |
IRS 00.007 | Employee Complaint and Allegation Referral Records. |
IRS 00.334 | Third Party Contact Reprisal Records. |
IRS 22.061
IRS 24.047 | Wage and Information Returns Processing (IRP).
Audit Underreporter Case Files. |
IRS 26.001 | Acquired Property Records. |
IRS 26.006 | Form 2209, Courtesy Investigations. |
IRS 26.012 | Offer in Compromise (OIC) Files. |
IRS 26.013 | One-hundred Per Cent Penalty Cases. |
IRS 26.019 | TDA (Taxpayer Delinquent Accounts). |
IRS 26.020 | TDI (Taxpayer Delinquency Investigations) Files. |
IRS 26.021 | Transferee Files. |
IRS 34.037 | IRS Audit Trail and Security Records System. |
IRS 37.007 | Practitioner Disciplinary Records. |
IRS 37.009 | Enrolled Agent and Enrolled Retirement Plan Agent Records. |
IRS 37.111
IRS 42.001 IRS 42.002 IRS 42.005 | Preparer Tax Identification Number Records.
Examination Administrative File. Excise Compliance Programs. Whistleblower Office Records. |
IRS 42.008 | Audit Information Management System (AIMS). |
IRS 42.017 | International Enforcement Program Files. |
IRS 42.021 | Compliance Programs and Projects Files. |
IRS 42.031
IRS 44.001 | Anti-Money laundering/Bank Secrecy Act and form 8300.
Appeals Case Files. |
IRS 46.050 | Automated Information Analysis System. |
IRS 48.001 | Disclosure Records. |
IRS 49.001 | Collateral and Information Requests System. |
IRS 49.002 | Component Authority and Index Card Microfilm Retrieval System. |
IRS 50.222
IRS 60.000 IRS 90.001 | Tax Exempt/Government Entities (TE/GE) Case Management Records.
Employee Protection System Records. Chief Counsel Management Information System Records (k2 and J2 only). |
IRS 90.002 | Chief Counsel Disclosure Litigation Division Case Files. |
IRS 90.004 | Chief Counsel General Legal Services Case Files. |
IRS 90.005 | Chief Counsel General Litigation Case Files. |
(viii) Bureau of the Fiscal Service.
Table 17 to Paragraph
No. | Name of system |
---|---|
FS .020 | U.S. Treasury Securities Fraud Information System. |
(ix) Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.
Table 18 to Paragraph
No. | Name of system |
---|---|
FinCEN .001 | FinCEN Database. |
FinCEN .002 | Suspicious Activity Reporting System. |
FinCEN .003
FinCEN .004 | Bank Secrecy Act Reports System.
Beneficial Ownership Information System (not exempt from 552a(e)(3) and (e)(4)(I)). |
FinCEN .004 | Beneficial Ownership Information System (not exempt from 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(3) and 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4)(I)). |
(2) The Department hereby exempts the systems of records listed in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) through (ix) of this section from the following provisions of the Privacy Act, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(2): 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3), 5 U.S.C. 552a(d)(1), (2), (3), (4), 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(1), 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4)(G), (H), and (I), and 5 U.S.C. 552a(f).
(h) Reasons for exemptions under 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(2). (1) 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3) requires an agency to make accountings of disclosures of a record available to the individual named in the record upon his or her request. The accountings must state the date, nature, and purpose of each disclosure of the record and the name and address of the recipient.
(i) The application of this provision would impair the ability of the Department of the Treasury and of law enforcement agencies outside the Department to make effective use of information maintained by the Department. Making accountings of disclosures available to the subjects of an investigation would alert them to the fact that an agency is conducting an investigation into their illegal activities and could reveal the geographic location of the investigation, the nature and purpose of that investigation, and the dates on which that investigation was active. Individuals possessing such knowledge would be able to take measures to avoid detection or apprehension by altering their operations, by transferring their illegal activities to other geographical areas, or by destroying or concealing evidence that would form the basis for detection or apprehension. In the case of a delinquent account, such release might enable the subject of the investigation to dissipate assets before levy.
(ii) Providing accountings to the subjects of investigations would alert them to the fact that the Department has information regarding their illegal activities and could inform them of the general nature of that information.
(2) 5 U.S.C. 552a(d)(1), (e)(4)(H) and (f)(2), (3), and (5) grant individuals access to records pertaining to them. The application of these provisions to the systems of records would compromise the Department’s ability to utilize and provide useful tactical and strategic information to law enforcement agencies.
(i) Permitting access to records contained in the systems of records would provide individuals with information concerning the nature of any current investigations and would enable them to avoid detection or apprehension by:
(A) Discovering the facts that would form the basis for their detection or apprehension;
(B) Enabling them to destroy or alter evidence of illegal conduct that would form the basis for their detection or apprehension; and
(C) Using knowledge that investigators had reason to believe that a violation of law was about to be committed, to delay the commission of the violation or commit it at a location that might not be under surveillance.
(ii) Permitting access to either on-going or closed investigative files would also reveal investigative techniques and procedures, the knowledge of which could enable individuals planning non-criminal acts to structure their operations so as to avoid detection or apprehension.
(iii) Permitting access to investigative files and records could, moreover, disclose the identity of confidential sources and informants and the nature of the information supplied and thereby endanger the physical safety of those sources by exposing them to possible reprisals for having provided the information. Confidential sources and informants might refuse to provide investigators with valuable information unless they believed that their identities would not be revealed through disclosure of their names or the nature of the information they supplied. Loss of access to such sources would seriously impair the Department’s ability to carry out its mandate.
(iv) Furthermore, providing access to records contained in the systems of records could reveal the identities of undercover law enforcement officers or other persons who compiled information regarding the individual’s illegal activities and thereby endanger the physical safety of those undercover officers, persons, or their families by exposing them to possible reprisals.
(v) By compromising the law enforcement value of the systems of records for the reasons outlined in paragraphs (h)(2)(i) through (iv) of this section, permitting access in keeping with these provisions would discourage other law enforcement and regulatory agencies, foreign and domestic, from freely sharing information with the Department and thus would restrict the Department’s access to information necessary to accomplish its mission most effectively.
(vi) Finally, the dissemination of certain information that the Department may maintain in the systems of records is restricted by law.
(3) 5 U.S.C. 552a(d)(2), (3), and (4), (e)(4)(H), and (f)(4) permit an individual to request amendment of a record pertaining to him or her and require the agency either to amend the record, or to note the disputed portion of the record and to provide a copy of the individual’s statement of disagreement with the agency’s refusal to amend a record to persons or other agencies to whom the record is thereafter disclosed. Since these provisions depend on the individual having access to his or her records, and since these rules exempt the systems of records from the provisions of the Privacy Act relating to access to records, these provisions should not apply to the systems of records for the reasons set out in paragraph (h)(2) of this section.
(4) 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(1) requires an agency to maintain in its records only such information about an individual as is relevant and necessary to accomplish a purpose of the agency required by statute or Executive order. The term maintain, as defined in 5 U.S.C. 552a(a)(3), includes collect and disseminate. The application of this provision to the system of records could impair the Department’s ability to collect, utilize and disseminate valuable law enforcement information.
(i) In many cases, especially in the early stages of investigation, it may be impossible immediately to determine whether information collected is relevant and necessary, and information that initially appears irrelevant and unnecessary often may, upon further evaluation or upon collation with information developed subsequently, prove particularly relevant to a law enforcement program.
(ii) Not all violations of law discovered by the Department analysts fall within the investigative jurisdiction of the Department of the Treasury. To promote effective law enforcement, the Department will have to disclose such violations to other law enforcement agencies, including State, local, and foreign agencies that have jurisdiction over the offenses to which the information relates. Otherwise, the Department might be placed in the position of having to ignore information relating to violations of law not within the jurisdiction of the Department of the Treasury when that information comes to the Department’s attention during the collation and analysis of information in its records.
(5) 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4)(G) and (f)(1) enable individuals to inquire whether a system of records contains records pertaining to them. Application of these provisions to the systems of records would allow individuals to learn whether they have been identified as suspects or subjects of investigation. As further described in paragraphs (h)(5)(i) through (vi) of this section, access to such knowledge would impair the Department’s ability to carry out its mission, since individuals could:
(i) Take steps to avoid detection;
(ii) Inform associates that an investigation is in progress;
(iii) Learn the nature of the investigation;
(iv) Learn whether they are only suspects or identified as law violators;
(v) Begin, continue, or resume illegal conduct upon learning that they are not identified in the system of records; or
(vi) Destroy evidence needed to prove the violation.
(6) 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4)(I) requires an agency to publish a general notice listing the categories of sources for information contained in a system of records. The application of this provision to the systems of records could compromise the Department’s ability to complete or continue investigations or to provide useful information to law enforcement agencies, since revealing sources for the information could:
(i) Disclose investigative techniques and procedures;
(ii) Result in threats or reprisals against informants by the subjects of investigations; and
(iii) Cause informants to refuse to give full information to investigators for fear of having their identities as sources disclosed.
(i) Specific exemptions under 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(4). (1) Under 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(4), the head of any agency may promulgate rules to exempt any system of records within the agency from certain provisions of the Privacy Act if the system is required by statute to be maintained and used solely as statistical records. This paragraph (i) applies to the following system of records maintained by the Department, for which exemption is claimed under 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(4).
(i) Treasury-wide.
Table 19 to Paragraph
No. | Name of system |
---|---|
Treasury .004 | Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act Request Records. |
(ii) Internal Revenue Service.
Table 20 to Paragraph
No. | Name of system |
---|---|
IRS 70.001 | Individual Income Tax Returns, Statistics of Income. |
(2) The Department hereby exempts the system of records listed in paragraph (i)(1) of this section from the following provisions of the Privacy Act, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(4): 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3), 5 U.S.C. 552a(d)(1), (2), (3), and (4), 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(1), 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4)(G), (H), and (I), and 5 U.S.C. 552a(f).
(3) The system of records is maintained under 26 U.S.C. 6108, which requires that the Secretary or his delegate prepare and publish annually statistics reasonably available with respect to the operation of the income tax laws, including classifications of taxpayers and of income, the amounts allowed as deductions, exemptions, and credits, and any other facts deemed pertinent and valuable.
(j) Reasons for exemptions under 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(4). The reason for exempting the system of records is that disclosure of statistical records (including release of accounting for disclosures) would in most instances be of no benefit to a particular individual since the records do not have a direct effect on a given individual.
(k) Specific exemptions under 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(5). (1) Under 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(5), the head of any agency may promulgate rules to exempt any system of records within the agency from certain provisions of the Privacy Act if the system is investigatory material compiled solely for the purpose of determining suitability, eligibility, and qualifications for Federal civilian employment or access to classified information, but only to the extent that the disclosure of such material would reveal the identity of a source who furnished information to the Government under an express promise that the identity of the source would be held in confidence, or, prior to September 27, 1975, under an implied promise that the identity of the source would be held in confidence. Thus, to the extent that the records in this system can be disclosed without revealing the identity of a confidential source, they are not within the scope of this exemption and are subject to all the requirements of the Privacy Act. This paragraph (j) applies to the following systems of records maintained by the Department or one of its bureaus:
(i) Treasury-wide.
Table 21 to Paragraph
No. | Name of system |
---|---|
Treasury .004 | Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act Request Records. |
Treasury .007 | Personnel Security System. |
(ii) Departmental Offices.
Table 22 to Paragraph
No. | Name of system |
---|---|
DO .004 | Personnel Security System. |
DO .306 | TIGTA Recruiting and Placement Records. |
(iii) Internal Revenue Service.
Table 23 to Paragraph
No. | Name of system |
---|---|
IRS 34.021 | Personnel Security Investigations. |
IRS 34.022 | Automated Background Investigations System (ABIS). |
IRS 90.006 | Chief Counsel Human Resources and Administrative Records. |
(2) The Department hereby exempts the systems of records listed in paragraphs (k)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section from the following provisions of the Privacy Act, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(5): 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3), 5 U.S.C. 552a(d)(1), (2), (3), and (4), 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(1), 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4)(G), (H), and (I), and 5 U.S.C. 552a(f).
(l) Reasons for exemptions under 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(5). (1) The sections of 5 U.S.C. 552a from which the systems of records are exempt include in general those providing for individuals’ access to or amendment of records. When such access or amendment would cause the identity of a confidential source to be revealed, it would impair the future ability of the Department to compile investigatory material for the purpose of determining suitability, eligibility, or qualifications for Federal civilian employment, Federal contracts, or access to classified information. In addition, the systems shall be exempt from 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(1) which requires that an agency maintain in its records only such information about an individual as is relevant and necessary to accomplish a purpose of the agency required to be accomplished by statute or executive order. The Department believes that to fulfill the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(1) would unduly restrict the agency in its information gathering inasmuch as it is often not until well after the investigation that it is possible to determine the relevance and necessity of particular information.
(2) If any investigatory material contained in the above-named systems becomes involved in criminal or civil matters, exemptions of such material under 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2) or (k)(2) is hereby claimed.
(m) Exemption under 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(6). (1) Under 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(6), the head of any agency may promulgate rules to exempt any system of records that is testing, or examination material used solely to determine individual qualifications for appointment or promotion in the Federal service the disclosure of which would compromise the objectivity or fairness of the testing or examination process. This paragraph (m) applies to the following system of records maintained by the Department, for which exemption is claimed under 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(6).
(i) Treasury-wide.
Table 24 to Paragraph
No. | Name of system |
---|---|
Treasury .004 | Freedom of Information Act/privacy Act Request Records. |
(ii) Departmental Offices.
Table 25 to Paragraph
No. | Name of system |
---|---|
DO .306 | TIGTA Recruiting and Placement Records. |
(ii) [Reserved]
(2) The Department hereby exempts the system of records listed in paragraph (m)(1) of this section from the following provisions of the Privacy Act, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(6): 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3), 5 U.S.C. 552a(d)(1), (2), (3), and (4), 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(1), 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4)(G), (H), and (I), and 5 U.S.C. 552a(f).
(n) Reasons for exemptions under 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(6). The reason for exempting the system of records is that disclosure of the material in the system would compromise the objectivity or fairness of the examination process.
(o) Exempt information included in another system. Any information from a system of records for which an exemption is claimed under 5 U.S.C. 552a(j) or (k) which is also included in another system of records retains the same exempt status such information has in the system for which such exemption is claimed.
Appendix A to Subpart C of Part 1—Departmental Offices
1. In general. This appendix applies to the Departmental Offices as defined in this subpart, § 1.20. It sets forth specific notification and access procedures with respect to particular systems of records, identifies the officers designated to make the initial determinations with respect to notification and access to records, the officers designated to make the initial and appellate determinations with respect to requests for amendment of records, the officers designated to grant extensions of time on appeal, the officers with whom “Statement of Disagreement” may be filed, the officer designated to receive service of process and the addresses for delivery of requests, appeals, and service of process. In addition, it references the notice of systems of records and notices of the routine uses of the information in the system required by 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4) and (11) and published annually by the Office of the Federal Register in “Privacy Act Issuances.”
2. Requests for notification and access to records and accountings of disclosures. Initial determinations under § 1.26, whether to grant requests for notification and access to records and accountings of disclosures for the Departmental Offices, will be made by the head of the organizational unit having immediate custody of the records requested, or the delegate of such official. This information is contained in the appropriate system notice in the “Privacy Act Issuances”, published annually by the Office of the Federal Register. Requests for information and specific guidance on where to send requests for records should be addressed to:
Privacy Act Request, DO, Director, FOIA and Transparency, Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20220. Requests may also be submitted: on the Treasury/FOIA portal, which can be found at: https://home.treasury.gov/footer/freedom-of-information-act/submit-a-request; or by email at [email protected].
3. Requests for amendments of records. Initial determinations under § 1.27(a) through (d) with respect to requests to amend records for records maintained by the Departmental Offices will be made by the head of the organization or unit having immediate custody of the records or the delegate of such official. Requests for amendment of records should be addressed as indicated in the appropriate system notice in “Privacy Act Issuances” published by the Office of the Federal Register. Requests for information and specific guidance on where to send these requests should be addressed to: Privacy Act Amendment Request, DO, Director, FOIA and Transparency, Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20220.
4. Administrative appeal of initial determination refusing to amend record. Appellate determinations under § 1.27(e) with respect to records of the Departmental Offices, including extensions of time on appeal, will be made by the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Under Secretary, General Counsel, Special Inspector General for Troubled Assets Relief Program, or Assistant Secretary having jurisdiction over the organizational unit which has immediate custody of the records, or the delegate of such official, as limited by 5 U.S.C. 552a(d)(2) and (3). Appeals made by mail should be addressed as indicated in the letter of initial decision or to: Privacy Act Amendment Request, DO, Director, FOIA and Transparency, Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20220.
5. Statements of disagreement. “Statements of Disagreement” as described in § 1.27(e)(4) shall be filed with the official signing the notification of refusal to amend at the address indicated in the letter of notification within 35 days of the date of notification and should be limited to one page.
6. Service of process. Service of process will be received by the General Counsel of the Department of the Treasury or the delegate of such official and shall be delivered to the following location: General Counsel, Department of the Treasury, Room 3000, Main Treasury Building, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20220.
7. Annual notice of systems of records. The annual notice of systems of records required to be published by the Office of the Federal Register in the publication entitled “Privacy Act Issuances”, as specified in 5 U.S.C. 552a(f). Any specific requirements for access, including identification requirements, in addition to the requirements set forth in §§ 1.26 and 1.27 and section 8 of this appendix, and locations for access are indicated in the notice for the pertinent system.
8. Verification of identity. An individual seeking notification or access to records, or seeking to amend a record, must satisfy one of the following identification requirements before action will be taken by the Departmental Offices on any such request:
(i) An individual seeking notification or access to records in person, or seeking to amend a record in person, may establish identity by the presentation of a single official document bearing a photograph (such as a passport or identification badge) or by the presentation of two items of identification which do not bear a photograph but do bear both a name and signature (such as a driver’s license or credit card).
(ii) An individual seeking notification or access to records by mail, or seeking to amend a record by mail, may establish identity by a signature, address, and one other identifier such as a photocopy of a driver’s license or other official document bearing the individual’s signature.
(iii) Notwithstanding paragraphs 8(i) and (ii) of this appendix, an individual seeking notification or access to records by mail or in person, or seeking to amend a record by mail or in person, who so desires, may establish identity by providing a notarized statement, swearing or affirming to such individual’s identity and to the fact that the individual understands the penalties provided in 5 U.S.C. 552a(i)(3) for requesting or obtaining access to records under false pretenses.
(iv) Notwithstanding paragraph 8(i), (ii), or (iii) of this appendix, a designated official may require additional proof of an individual’s identity before action will be taken on any request, if such official determines that it is necessary to protect against unauthorized disclosure of information in a particular case. In addition, a parent of any minor or a legal guardian of any individual will be required to provide adequate proof of legal relationship before such person may act on behalf of such minor or such individual.
Appendix B to Subpart C of Part 1—Internal Revenue Service
1. Purpose. The purpose of this section is to set forth the procedures that have been established by the Internal Revenue Service for individuals to exercise their rights under the Privacy Act (Pub. L. 93-579, 88 Stat. 1896) with respect to systems of records maintained by the Internal Revenue Service, including the Office of the Chief Counsel. The procedures contained in this section are to be promulgated under the authority of 5 U.S.C. 552a(f). The procedures contained in this section relate to the following:
(a) The procedures whereby an individual can be notified in response to a request if a system of records named by the individual contains a record pertaining to such individual (5 U.S.C. 552a(f)(1)).
(b) The procedures governing reasonable times, places, and requirements for identifying an individual who requests a record of information pertaining to such individual before the Internal Revenue Service will make the record or information available to the individual (5 U.S.C. 552a(f)(2)).
(c) The procedures for the disclosure to an individual upon a request of a record of information pertaining to such individual, including special procedures for the disclosure to an individual of medical records, including psychological records (5 U.S.C. 552a(f)(3)).
(d) The procedures for reviewing a request from an individual concerning the amendment of any record or information pertaining to the individual, for making a determination on the request, for an appeal within the Internal Revenue Service of an initial adverse agency determination, and for whatever additional means may be necessary for individuals to be able to exercise fully their right under the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a(f)(4)).
Any individual seeking to determine whether a system of records maintained by any office of the Internal Revenue Service contains a record or information pertaining to such individual, or seeking access to, or amendment of, such a record, must comply fully with the applicable procedure contained in section 3 or 4 of this appendix before the Internal Revenue Service will act on the request. Neither the notification and access (or accounting of disclosures) procedures under section 3 of this appendix nor the amendment procedures under section 4 of this appendix are applicable to:
(i) Systems of records exempted pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(j) and (k);
(ii) Information compiled in reasonable anticipation of a civil action or proceeding (see 5 U.S.C. 552a(d)(5)); or
(iii) Information pertaining to an individual which is contained in, and inseparable from, another individual’s record.
2. Access to and amendment of tax records. The provisions of the Privacy Act may not be used by an individual to amend or correct any tax record. The determination of liability for taxes imposed by the Internal Revenue Service Code, the collection of such taxes, and the payment (including credits or refunds of overpayments) of such taxes are governed by the provisions of the Internal Revenue Service Code and by the procedural rules of the Internal Revenue Service. These provisions set forth the established procedures governing the determination of liability for tax, the collection of such taxes, and the payment (including credits or refunds of overpayments) of such taxes. In addition, these provisions set forth the procedures (including procedures for judicial review) for resolving disputes between taxpayers and the Internal Revenue Service involving the amount of tax owed, or the payment or collection of such tax. These procedures are the exclusive means available to an individual to contest the amount of any liability for tax or the payment or collection thereof. See, for example, 26 CFR 601.103 for summary of general tax procedures. Individuals are advised that Internal Revenue Service procedures permit the examination of tax records during the course of an investigation, audit, or collection activity. Accordingly, individuals should contact the Internal Revenue Service employee conducting an audit or effecting the collection of tax liabilities to gain access to such records, rather than seeking access under the provisions of the Privacy Act. Where, on the other hand, an individual desires information or records not in connection with an investigation, audit, or collection activity, the individual may follow these procedures.
3. Procedures for access to records—(a) In general. This paragraph sets forth the procedure whereby an individual can be notified in response to a request if a system of records named by the individual which is maintained by the Internal Revenue Service contains a record pertaining to such individual. In addition, this paragraph sets forth the procedure for the disclosure to an individual upon a request of a record or information pertaining to such individual, including the procedures for verifying the identity of the individual before the Internal Revenue Service will make a record available, and the procedure for requesting an accounting of disclosures of such records. An individual seeking to determine whether a particular system of records contains a record or records pertaining to such individual and seeking access to such records (or seeking an accounting of disclosures of such records) shall make a request for notification and access (or a request for an accounting of disclosures) in accordance with the rules provided in paragraph 3(b) of this appendix.
(b) Form of request for notification and access or request for an accounting of disclosures. (i) A request for notification and access (or request for an accounting of disclosures) shall be made in writing and shall be signed by the person making the request.
(ii) Such request shall be clearly marked, “Request for notification and access,” or “Request for accounting of disclosures.”
(iii) Such a request shall contain a statement that it is being made under the provisions of the Privacy Act.
(iv) Such request shall contain the name and address of the individual making the request. In addition, if a particular system employs an individual’s social security number as an essential means of accessing the system, the request must include the individual’s Social Security number. In the case of a record maintained in the name of two or more individuals (e.g., husband and wife), the request shall contain the names, addresses, and Social Security numbers (if necessary) of both individuals.
(v) Such request shall specify the name and location of the particular system of records (as set forth in the Notice of Systems) for which the individual is seeking notification and access (or an accounting of disclosures), and the title and business address of the official designated in the access section for the particular system (as set forth in the Notice of Systems). In the case of two or more systems of records which are under the control of the same designated official at the same systems location, a single request may be made for such systems. In the case of two or more systems of records which are not in the control of the same designated official at the same systems location, a separate request must be made for each such system.
(vi) If an individual wishes to limit a request for notification and access to a particular record or records, the request should identify the particular record. In the absence of a statement to the contrary, a request for notification and access for a particular system of records shall be considered to be limited to records which are currently maintained by the designated official at the systems location specified in the request.
(vii) If such request is seeking notification and access to material maintained in a system of records which is exempt from disclosure and access under 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(2), the individual making the request must establish that such individual has been denied a right, privilege, or benefit that such individual would otherwise be entitled to under Federal law as a result of the maintenance of such material.
(viii) Such request shall state whether the individual wishes to inspect the record in person, or desires to have a copy made and furnished without first inspecting it. If the individual desires to have a copy made, the request must include an agreement to pay the fee for duplication ultimately determined to be due. If the individual does not wish to inspect a record, but merely wishes to be notified whether a particular system or records contains a record pertaining to such individual, the request should so state.
(c) Time and place for making a request. A request for notification and access to records under the Privacy Act (or a request for accounting of disclosures) shall be addressed to or delivered in person to the office of the official designated in the access section for the particular system of records for which the individual is seeking notification and access (or an accounting of disclosures). The title and office address of such official is set forth for each system of records in the Notice of Systems of Records. A request delivered to an office in person must be delivered during the regular office hours of that office.
(d) Sample request for notification and access to records. The following are sample requests for notification and access to records which will satisfy the requirements of this paragraph:
I, John Doe, of 100 Main Street, Boston, MA 02108 (soc. sec. num. 000-00-0000) request under the Privacy Act of 1974 that the following system of records be examined and that I be furnished with a copy of any record (or a specified record) contained therein pertaining to me. I agree that I will pay the fees ultimately determined to be due for duplication of such record. I have enclosed the necessary information.
I, John Doe, of 100 Main Street, Boston, MA 02108 (soc. sec. num. 000-00-0000) request under the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974, that the following system of records be examined and that I be granted access in person to inspect any record (or a specified record) contained therein pertaining to me. I have enclosed the necessary identification.
(e) Processing a request for notification and access to records or a request for an accounting of disclosures. (i) If a request for notification and access (or request for an accounting of disclosures) omits any information which is essential to processing the request, the request will not be acted upon and the individual making the request will be promptly advised of the additional information which must be submitted before the request can be processed.
(ii) Within 30 days (not including Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays) after the receipt of a request for notification and access (or a request for an accounting of disclosures), to a particular system of records by the designated official for such system, a determination will be made as to whether the particular system of records is exempt from the notification and access provisions of the Privacy Act, and if such system is not exempt, whether it does or does not contain a record pertaining to the individual making the request. If a determination cannot be made within 30 days, the individual will be notified of the delay, the reasons therefor, and the approximate time required to make a determination. If it is determined by the designated official that the particular system of records is exempt from the notification and access provisions of the Privacy Act, the individual making the request will be notified of the provisions of the Privacy Act under which the exemption is claimed. On the other hand, if it is determined by the designated official that the particular system of records is not exempted from the notification and access provisions of the Privacy Act and that such system contains a record pertaining to the individual making the request, the individual will be notified of the time and place where inspection may be made. If an individual has not requested that access be granted to inspect the record in person, but merely requests that a copy of the record be furnished, or if it is determined by the designated official that the granting of access to inspect a record in person is not feasible in a particular case, then the designated official will furnish a copy of the record with the notification, or if a copy cannot be furnished at such time, a statement indicating the approximate time such copy will be furnished. If the request is for an accounting of disclosures from a system of records which is not exempt from the accounting of disclosure provisions of the Privacy Act, the individual will be furnished with an accounting of such disclosures.
(f) Granting of access. Normally, an individual will be granted access to inspect a record in person within 30 days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays) after the receipt for a request for notification and access by the designated official. If access cannot be granted within 30 days, the notification will state the reasons for the delay and the approximate time such access will be granted. An individual wishing to inspect a record may be accompanied by another person of his choosing. Both the individual seeking access and the individual accompanying him may be required to sign a form supplied by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) indicating that the Service is authorized to disclose or discuss the contents of the record in the presence of both individuals. See 26 CFR 601.502 for requirements to be met by taxpayer’s representatives in order to discuss the contents of any tax records.
(g) Medical records. When access is requested to medical records (including psychological records), the designated official may determine that release of such records will be made only to a health care professional designated by the individual to have access to such records.
(h) Verification of identity. An individual seeking notification or access to records, or seeking to amend a record, must satisfy one of the following identification requirements before action will be taken by the IRS on any such request:
(i) An individual seeking notification or access to records in person, or seeking to amend a record in person, may establish identity by the presentation of a single document bearing a photograph (such as a passport or identification badge) or by the presentation of two items of identification which do not bear a photograph but do bear both a name and signature (such as a driver’s license or credit card).
(ii) An individual seeking notification or access to records by mail, or seeking to amend a record by mail, may establish identity by a signature, address, and one other identifier such as a photocopy of a driver’s license or other document bearing the individual’s signature.
(iii) Notwithstanding paragraphs 3(h)(i) and (ii) of this appendix, an individual seeking notification or access to records by mail or in person, or seeking to amend a record by mail or in person, who so desires, may establish identity by providing a notarized statement, swearing or affirming to such individual’s identity and to the fact that the individual understands the penalties provided in 5 U.S.C. 552a(i)(3) for requesting or obtaining access to records under false pretenses.
(iv) Notwithstanding paragraph 3(h)(i), (ii), or (iii) of this appendix, a designated official may require additional proof of an individual’s identity before action will be taken on any request if such official determines that it is necessary to protect unauthorized disclosure of information in a particular case. In addition, a parent of any minor or a legal guardian of any individual will be required to provide adequate proof of legal relationship before such person may act on behalf of such minor or such individual.
(i) Fees. The fee for costs required of the IRS in copying records pursuant to this paragraph is $0.15 per page. However, no fee will be charged if the aggregate costs required of the IRS in copying records is less than $3.00. If an individual who has requested access to inspect a record in person is denied such access by the designated official because it would not be feasible in a particular case, copies of such record will be furnished to the individual without payment of the fees otherwise required under this paragraph. If the IRS estimates that the total fees for costs incurred in complying with a request for copies of records will amount to $50 or more, the individual making the request may be required to enter into a contract for the payment of the actual fees with respect to the request before the Service will furnish the copies requested. Payment of fees for copies of records should be made by check or money order payable to the Internal Revenue Service.
4. Procedures for amendment of records—(a) In general. This paragraph sets forth the procedures for reviewing a request from an individual concerning the amendment of any record or information pertaining to such individual, for making a determination on the request, for making an appeal within the IRS of an initial adverse determination, and for judicial review of a final determination.
(b) Amendment of record. Under 5 U.S.C. 552a(d)(2), an individual who has been granted access to a record pertaining to such individual may, after inspecting the record, request that the record be amended to make any correction of any portion thereof which the individual believes is not accurate, relevant, timely, or complete. An individual may seek to amend a record in accordance with the rules provided in paragraph (2) of this appendix.
(c) Form of request for amendment of record. (i) A request for amendment of a record shall be in writing and shall be signed by the individual making the request.
(ii) Such request shall be clearly marked “Request for amendment of record.”
(iii) Such request shall contain a statement that it is being made under the provisions of the Privacy Act.
(iv) Such request shall contain the name and address of the individual making the request. In addition, if a particular system employs an individual’s social security number as an essential means of accessing the system, the request must include the individual’s Social Security number. In the case of a record maintained in the name of two or more individuals (e.g., husband and wife), the request shall contain the names, addresses, and Social Security numbers (if necessary) of both individuals.
(v) Such request shall specify the name and location of the system of records (as set forth in the Notice of Systems) in which such record is maintained, and the title and business address of the official designated in the access section for such system (as set forth in the Notice of Systems).
(vi) Such request shall specify the particular record in the system which the individual is seeking to amend.
(vii) Such request shall clearly state the specific changes which the individual wishes to make in the record and a concise explanation of the reasons for the changes. If the individual wishes to correct or add any information, the request shall contain specific language making the desired correction or addition.
(d) Time and place for making request. A request to amend a record under the Privacy Act shall be addressed to or delivered in person to the office of the official designated in the access section for the particular system of records. The title and office address of such official is set forth for each system of records in the Notice of Systems of Records. A request delivered to an office in person must be delivered during the regular office hours of that office.
(e) Processing a request for amendment of a record. (i) Within 10 days (not including Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays) after the receipt of a request to amend a record by the designated official, the individual will be sent a written acknowledgement that will state that the request has been received, that action is being taken thereon, and that the individual will be notified within 30 days (not including Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays) after the receipt of the request whether the requested amendments will or will not be made. If a request for amendment of a record omits any information which is essential to processing the request, the request will not be acted upon and the individual making the request will be promptly advised on the additional information which must be submitted before the request can be processed.
(ii) Within 30 days (not including Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays) after the receipt of a request to amend a record by the designated official, a determination will be made as to whether to grant the request in whole or part. The individual will then be notified in writing of the determination. If a determination cannot be made within 30 days, the individual will be notified in writing within such time of the reasons for the delay and the approximate time required to make a determination. If it is determined by the designated official that the request will be granted, the requested changes will be made in the record and the individual will be notified of the changes. In addition, to the extent an accounting was maintained, all prior recipients of such record will be notified of the changes. Upon request, an individual will be furnished with a copy of the record, as amended, subject to the payment of the appropriate fees. On the other hand, if it is determined by the designated official that the request, or any portion thereof, will not be granted, the individual will be notified in writing of the adverse determination. The notification of an adverse determination will set forth the reasons for refusal to amend the record. In addition, the notification will contain a statement informing the individual of such individual’s right to request an independent review of the adverse determination by a reviewing officer in the national office of the IRS and the procedures for requesting such a review.
(f) Administrative review of adverse determination. Under 5 U.S.C. 552a(d)(3), an individual who disagrees with the refusal of the agency to amend a record may, within 35 days of being notified of the adverse determination, request an independent review of such refusal by a reviewing officer in the national office of the IRS. The reviewing officer for the IRS is the Commission of Internal Revenue, the Deputy Commissioner, or an Assistant Commissioner. In the case of an adverse determination relating to a system of records maintained by the Office of General Counsel for the IRS, the reviewing officer is the Chief Counsel or his delegate. An individual seeking a review of an adverse determination shall make a request for review in accordance with the rules provided in paragraphs (g) and (h) of this appendix.
(g) Form of request for review. (i) A request for review of an adverse determination shall be in writing and shall be signed by the individual making the request.
(ii) Such request shall be clearly marked “Request for review of adverse determination”.
(iii) Such request shall contain a statement that it is being made under the provisions of the Privacy Act.
(iv) Such request shall contain the name and address of the individual making the request. In addition, if a particular system employs an individual’s Social Security number as an essential means of accessing the system, the request must include the individual’s Social Security number. In the case of a record maintained in the name of two or more individuals (e.g., husband and wife), the request shall contain the names, addresses, and Social Security numbers (if necessary) of both individuals.
(v) Such request shall specify the particular record which the individual is seeking to amend, the name and location of the system of records (as set forth in the Notice of Systems) in which such record is maintained, and the title and business address of the designated official for such system (as set forth in the Notice of Systems).
(vi) Such request shall include the date of the initial request for amendment of the record, and the date of the letter notifying the individual of the initial adverse determination with respect to such request.
(vii) Such request shall clearly state the specific changes which the individual wishes to make in the record and a concise explanation of the reasons for the changes. If the individual wishes to correct or add any information, the request shall contain specific language making the desired correction or addition.
(h) Time and place for making the request. A request for review of an adverse determination under the Privacy Act shall be addressed to or delivered in person to the Director, Office of Disclosure, Attention: OP:EX:D Internal Revenue Service, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20224. A request for review of an adverse determination will be promptly referred by the Director, Office of Disclosure to the appropriate reviewing officer for his review and final determination.
(i) Processing a request for review of adverse determination. Within 30 days (not including Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays) after the receipt of a request for review of an adverse determination by the appropriate reviewing officer, the reviewing officer will review the initial adverse determination, make a final determination whether to grant the request to amend the record in whole or in part, and notify the individual in writing of the final determination. If a final determination cannot be made within 30 days, the Commissioner of Internal Revenue may extend such 30-day period. The individual will be notified in writing within the 30-day period of the cause for the delay and the approximate time required to make a final determination. If it is determined by the reviewing officer that the request to amend the record will be granted, the reviewing officer will cause the requested changes to be made and the individual will be so notified. Upon request, an individual will be furnished with a copy of the record as amended subject to the payment of appropriate fees. On the other hand, if it is determined by the reviewing officer that the request to amend the record, or any portion thereof, will not be granted, the individual will be notified in writing of the final adverse determination. The notification of a final adverse determination will set forth the reasons for the refusal of the reviewing officer to amend the record. The notification shall include a statement informing the individual of the right to submit a concise statement for insertion in the record setting forth the reasons for the disagreement with the refusal of the reviewing officer to amend the record. In addition, the notification will contain a statement informing the individual of the right to seek judicial review by a United States district court of a final adverse determination.
(j) Statement of disagreement. Under 5 U.S.C. 552a(d)(3), an individual who disagrees with a final adverse determination not to amend a record subject to amendment under the Privacy Act may submit a concise statement for insertion in the record setting forth the reasons for disagreement with the refusal of the reviewing officer to amend the record. A statement of disagreement should be addressed to or delivered in person to the Director, Office of Disclosure, Attention: OP:EX:D, Internal Revenue Service, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20224. The Director, Office of Disclosure will forward the statement of disagreement to the appropriate designated official who will cause the statement to be inserted in the individual’s record. Any such statement will be available to anyone to whom the record is subsequently disclosed, and the prior recipients of the record will be provided with a copy of the statement of disagreement, to the extent an accounting of disclosures was maintained.
(k) Judicial review. If, after a review and final determination on a request to amend a record by the appropriate reviewing officer, the individual is notified that the request will not be granted, or if, after the expiration of 30 days (not including Sundays, Saturdays, and legal public holidays) from the receipt of such request by the Director, Disclosure Operations Division, action is not taken thereon in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (i) of this section, an individual may commence an action within the time prescribed by law in a U.S. District Court pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(g)(1). The statute authorizes an action only against the agency. With respect to records maintained by the IRS, the agency is the Internal Revenue Service, not an officer or employee thereof. Service of process in such an action shall be in accordance with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (28 U.S.C. App.) applicable to actions against an agency of the United States. Where provided in such Rules, delivery of process upon the IRS must be directed to the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, Attention: CC:GLS, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20224. The district court will determine the matter de novo.
5. Records transferred to Federal Records Centers. Records transferred to the Administrator of General Services for storage in a Federal Records Center are not used by the Internal Revenue Service in making any determination about any individual while stored at such location and therefore are not subject to the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(5) during such time.
Appendix C to Subpart C of Part 1—Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
1. In general. This appendix applies to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. It sets forth specific notification and access procedures with respect to particular systems of records, identifies the officers designated to make the initial determinations with respect to notification and access to records and accountings of disclosures of records. This appendix also sets forth the specific procedures for requesting amendment of records and identifies the officers designated to make the initial and appellate determinations with respect to requests for amendment of records. It identifies the officers designated to grant extensions of time on appeal, the officers with whom “Statements of Disagreement” may be filed, the officer designated to receive service of process and the addresses for delivery of requests, appeals, and service of process. In addition, it references the notice of systems of records and notices of the routine uses of the information in the system required by 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(3), (4) and (11) and published annually by the Office of the Federal Register in “Privacy Act Issuances”.
2. Requests for notification and access to records and accountings of disclosures. Initial determination under § 1.26, whether to grant requests for notification and access to records and accountings of disclosures for the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, will be made by the Director, Regulations and Rulings Division, or the delegate of such officer. Requests may be mailed or delivered in person to: Privacy Act Request, Director, Regulations and Rulings Division, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, 1310 G Street NW, Box 12, Washington, DC 20005. Requests may also be faxed to 202-453-2331.
3. Requests for amendment of record. Initial determinations under § 1.27(a) through (d) with respect to requests to amend records maintained by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau will be made by the Director, Regulations and Rulings Division. Requests for amendment of records may be mailed or delivered in person to: Privacy Act Request, Director, Regulations and Rulings Division, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, 1310 G Street NW, Box 12, Washington, DC 20005. Requests may also be faxed to 202-453-2331. The Bureau will process a faxed request when the request meets the identity verification requirements outlined in paragraph 4(a) of this appendix.
4. Verification of identity. (a) In addition to the requirements specified in § 1.26(d), each request for notification, access or amendment of records made by mail or fax shall contain the requesting individual’s date and place of birth and a statement signed by the requester asserting his or her identity and stipulating that the requester understands that knowingly or willfully seeking or obtaining access to records about another person under false pretenses is a misdemeanor and punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 provided, that the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau may require a signed notarized statement verifying the identity of the requester.
(b) Individuals making requests in person will be required to exhibit at least two acceptable identifying documents such as employee identification cards, driver’s license, medical cards, or other documents sufficient to verify the identity of the requester.
(c) The parent or guardian of a minor or a person judicially determined to be incompetent, shall in addition to establishing the identity of the minor or other person he represents as required in paragraphs 4(a) and (b) of this appendix, establish his own parentage or guardianship by furnishing a copy of a birth certificate showing parentage (or other satisfactory documentation) or a court order establishing the guardianship.
5. Request for physical inspection of records. Upon determining that a request for the physical inspection of records is to be granted, the requester shall be notified in writing of the determination, and when and where the records may be inspected. The inspection of records will be made at the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau Field Office or other facility located nearest to the residence of the individual making the request. Such inspection shall be conducted during the regular business hours of the field office or other facility where the disclosure is made. A person of the requester’s own choosing may accompany the requester provided the requester furnishes a written statement authorizing the disclosure of the requester’s record in the accompanying person’s presence. The record inspection will be made in the presence of a representative of the Bureau. Following the inspection of the record, the individual will acknowledge in writing the fact that he or she had an opportunity to inspect the requested record.
6. Requests for copies of records without prior physical inspection. Upon determining that an individual’s request for copies of his or her records without prior physical inspection is to be granted, the requester shall be notified in writing of the determination, and the location and time for his or her receipt of the requested copies. The copies will be made available at the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau field office or other facility located nearest to the residence of the individual making the request unless the individual requests that the documents be sent by mail. Copies shall be received by the requester during the regular business hours of the field office or other facility where the disclosure is made. Transfer of the copies to the individual shall be conditioned upon payment of copying costs and his presentation of at least two acceptable identifying documents such as employee identification cards, driver’s license, medical cards, or other documents sufficient to verify the identity of the requester. Following the receipt of the copies in person, the individual will acknowledge receipt in writing.
7. Administrative appeal of initial determination refusing to amend record. Appellate determinations under § 1.27(e) with respect to records of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, including extensions of time on appeal, will be made by the Administrator or the delegate of such officer. Appeals should be addressed to, or delivered in person to: Privacy Act Amendment Appeal, Administrator, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, 1310 G Street NW, Box 12, Washington, DC 20005.
8. Statements of disagreement. “Statements of Disagreement” as described in § 1.27(e)(4) shall be filed with the official signing the notification within 35 days of the date of such notification and should be limited to one page.
9. Service of process. Service of process will be received by the Administrator of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau or the delegate of such official and shall be delivered to the following location: Administrator, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, 1310 G Street NW, Box 12, Washington, DC 20005, Attention: Chief Counsel.
10. Annual notice of systems of records. The annual notice of systems of records is published by the Office of the Federal Register, as specified in 5 U.S.C. 552a(f). The publication is entitled “Privacy Act Issuances”. Any specific requirements for access, including identification requirements, in addition to the requirements set forth in §§ 1.26 and 1.27 are indicated in the notice for each pertinent system.
Appendix D to Subpart C of Part 1—Bureau of Engraving and Printing
1. In general. This appendix applies to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. It sets forth specific notification and access procedures with respect to particular systems of records including identification requirements, identifies the officers designated to make the initial determinations with respect to notification and access to records and accountings of disclosures of records. This appendix also sets forth the specific procedures for requesting amendment of records and identifies the officers designated to make the initial and appellate determinations with respect to requests for amendment of records. It identifies the officers designated to grant extensions of time on appeal, the officers with whom “Statements of Disagreement may be filed, the officer designated to receive service of process and the addresses for delivery of requests, appeals, and service of process. In addition, it references the notice of systems of records and notices of the routine uses of the information in the system required by 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4) and (11) and published annually by the Office of the Federal Register in “Privacy Act Issuances.”
2. Requests for notification and access to records and accountings of disclosures. Initial determinations under § 1.26, whether to grant requests for notification and access to records and accountings of disclosures for the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, will be made by the head of the organizational unit having immediate custody of the records requested, or the delegate of such official. Requests for access to records contained within a particular system of records should be submitted to the address indicated for that system in the access section of the notices published by the Office of the Federal Register in “Privacy Act Issuances.” Requests for information and specific guidance should be addressed to: Privacy Act Request, Disclosure Officer (Executive Assistant to the Director), Room 104-18M, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Washington, DC 20228.
3. Requests for amendment of records. Initial determination under § 1.27(a) through (d), whether to grant request to amend records will be made by the head of the organizational unit having immediate custody of the records or the delegate of such official. Requests for amendment should be addressed as indicated in the appropriate system notice in “Privacy Act Issuances” published by the Office of the Federal Register. Requests for information and specific guidance on where to send requests for amendment should be addressed to: Privacy Act Amendment Request, Disclosure Officer (Executive Assistant to the Director), Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Room 104-18M, Washington, DC 20228.
4. Administrative appeal of initial determinations refusing amendment of records. Appellate determinations refusing amendment of records under § 1.27(e) including extensions of time on appeal, with respect to records of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing will be made by the Director of the Bureau or the delegate of such officer. Appeals made by mail should be addressed to, or delivered personally to: Privacy Act Amendment Appeal, Disclosure Officer (Executive Assistant to the Director), Room 104-18M, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Washington, DC 20228.
5. Statements of disagreement. “Statements of Disagreement” under § 1.27(e)(4)(i) shall be filed with the official signing the notification of refusal to amend at the address indicated in the letter of notification within 35 days of the date of such notification and should be limited to one page.
6. Service of process. Service of process will be received by the Chief Counsel of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and shall be delivered to the following location: Chief Counsel, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Room 109-M, 14th and C Streets SW, Washington, DC 20228.
7. Verification of identity. An individual seeking notification or access to records, or seeking to amend a record, or seeking an accounting of disclosures, must satisfy one of the following identification requirements before action will be taken by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing on any such request:
(i) An individual appearing in person may establish identity by the presentation of a single document bearing a photograph (such as a passport or identification badge) or by the presentation of two items of identification which do not bear a photograph but do bear both a name and signature (such as a credit card).
(ii) An individual may establish identity through the mail by a signature, address, and one other identifier such as a photocopy of a driver’s license or other document bearing the individual’s signature.
(iii) Notwithstanding paragraphs 7(i) and (ii) of this appendix, an individual who so desires, may establish identity by providing a notarized statement, swearing or affirming to such individual’s identity and to the fact that the individual understands the penalties provided in 5 U.S.C. 552a(i)(3) for requesting or obtaining access to records under false pretenses.
(iv) Notwithstanding paragraph 7(i), (ii), or (iii) of this appendix, the Executive Assistant or other designated official may require additional proof of an individual’s identity before action will be taken on any request if such official determines that it is necessary to protect against unauthorized disclosure of information in a particular case. In addition, a parent of any minor or a legal guardian of any individual will be required to provide adequate proof of legal relationship before such person may act on behalf of such minor or such individual.
8. Annual notice of systems of records. The annual notice of systems of records is published by the Office of the Federal Register, as specified in 5 U.S.C. 522a(f). The publication is entitled “Privacy Act Issuances”. Any specific requirements for access, including identification requirements, in addition to the requirements set forth in §§ 1.26 and 1.27 are indicated in the notice for the pertinent system.
Appendix E to Subpart C of Part 1—Bureau of the Fiscal Service
1. In general. This appendix applies to the Bureau of the Fiscal Service. It sets forth specific notification and access procedures with respect to particular systems of records, identifies the officers designated to make the initial determinations with respect to notification and access to records and accountings of disclosures of records. This appendix also sets forth the specific procedures for requesting amendment of records and identifies the officers designated to make the initial and appellate determinations with respect to requests for amendment of records. It identifies the officers designated to grant extensions of time on appeal, the officers with whom “Statements of Disagreement” may be filed, the officer designated to receive service of process and the addresses for delivery of requests, appeals, and service of process. In addition, it references the notice of systems of records and notices of the routine uses of the information in the system required by 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4) and (11) and published annually by the Office of the Federal Register in “Privacy Act Issuances”.
2. Requests for notification and access to records and accountings of disclosures. Initial determinations under § 1.26, whether to grant requests for notification and access to records and accountings of disclosures for the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, will be made by the head of the organizational unit having immediate custody of the records requested or an official designated by this official. This is indicated in the appropriate system notice in “Privacy Act Issuances” published annually by the Office of the Federal Register. Requests for information and specific guidance on where to send requests for records may be mailed to the system manager identified in the Bureau of the Fiscal Service system of records notice (SORN) which is published in the
3. Requests for amendment of records. Initial determination under § 1.27(a) through (d), whether to grant requests to amend records will be made by the head of the organizational unit having immediate custody of the records or the delegate of such official. Requests for amendment should be addressed as indicated in the appropriate system notice in “Privacy Act Issuances” published by the Office of the Federal Register. Requests for information and specific guidance on where to send requests for amendment should be addressed to the system manager identified in the Bureau of the Fiscal Service SORN which is published in the
4. Administrative appeal of initial determinations refusing amendment of records. Appellate determinations refusing amendment of records under § 1.27(e) including extensions of time on appeal, with respect to records of the Bureau of the Fiscal Service will be made by the Commissioner or the delegate of such official. Appeals made by mail should be addressed to the system manager identified in the Bureau of the Fiscal Service SORN which is published in the
5. Statements of disagreement. “Statements of Disagreement” under § 1.27(e)(4)(i) shall be filed with the official signing the notification of refusal to amend at the address indicated in the letter of notification within 35 days of the date of such notification and should be limited to one page.
6. Service of process. Service of process will be received by the Commissioner, Bureau of the Fiscal Service or the delegate of such official and shall be delivered to the following location: Office of the Chief Counsel, Bureau of the Fiscal Service Attn: Chief Counsel, 401 14th St. SW, Washington, DC 20227.
7. Annual notice of systems of records. The annual notice of systems of records is published by the Office of the Federal Register, as specified in 5 U.S.C. 552a(f). The publication is entitled “Privacy Act Issuances”. Any specific requirements for access, including identification requirements, in addition to the requirements set forth in §§ 1.26 and 1.27 are indicated in the notice for the pertinent system.
Appendix F to Subpart C of Part 1—United States Mint
1. In general. This appendix applies to the United States Mint. It sets forth specific notification and access procedures with respect to particular systems of records, identifies the officers designated to make the initial determinations with respect to notification and access to records and accountings of disclosures of records. This appendix also sets forth the specific procedures for requesting amendment of records and identifies the officers designated to make the initial and appellate determinations with respect to requests for amendment of records. It identifies the officers designated to grant extensions of time on appeal, the officers with whom “Statements of Disagreement” may be filed, the officer designated to receive service of process and the addresses for delivery of requests, appeals, and service of process. In addition, it references the notice of systems of records and notices of the routine uses of the information in the system required by 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4) and (11) and published annually by the Office of the Federal Register in “Privacy Act Issuances”.
2. Requests for notification and access to records and accountings of disclosures. Initial determinations under § 1.26, whether to grant requests for notification and access to records and accountings of disclosures for the United States Mint will be made by the head of the organizational unit having immediate custody of the records requested or an official designated by this official. This is indicated in the appropriate system notice in “Privacy Act Issuances” published annually by the Office of the Federal Register. Requests should be directed to the Superintendent or Officer in charge of the facility in which the records are located or to the Chief, Administrative Programs Division. Requests for information and specific guidance on where to send requests for records may be mailed or delivered personally to: Privacy Act Request, Chief, Administrative Programs Division, United States Mint, Judiciary Square Building, 633 3rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20220.
3. Requests for amendment of records. Initial determination under § 1.27(a) through (d), whether to grant requests to amend records will be made by the head of the Mint installation having immediate custody of the records or the delegated official. Requests should be mailed or delivered personally to: Privacy Act Amendment Request, Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts Officer, United States Mint, Judiciary Square Building, 633 3rd Street, Washington, DC 20220.
4. Administrative appeal of initial determinations refusing amendment of records. Appellate determinations refusing amendment of records under § 1.27 including extensions of time on appeal, with respect to records of the United States Mint will be made by the Director of the Mint or the delegate of the Director. Appeals made by mail should be addressed to, or delivered personally to: Privacy Act Amendment Appeal, United States Mint, Judiciary Square Building, 633 3rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20220.
5. Statements of disagreement. “Statements of Disagreement” under § 1.27(e)(4)(i) shall be filed with the official signing the notification of refusal to amend at the address indicated in the letter of notification within 35 days of the date of such notification and should be limited to one page.
6. Service of process. Service of process will be received by the Director of the Mint and shall be delivered to the following location: Director of the Mint, Judiciary Square Building, 633 3rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20220.
7. Annual notice of systems of records. The annual notice of systems of records is published by the Office of the Federal Register, as specified in 5 U.S.C. 552a(f). The publication is entitled “Privacy Act Issuances”. Any specific requirements for access, including identification requirements, in addition to the requirements set forth in §§ 1.26 and 1.27 are indicated in the notice for the pertinent system.
Appendix G to Subpart C of Part 1—Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
1. In general. This appendix applies to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. It sets forth specific notification and access procedures with respect to particular systems of records, identifies the officers designated to make the initial determinations with respect to notification and access to records and accountings of disclosures of records. This appendix also sets forth the specific procedures for requesting amendment of records and identifies the officers designated to make the initial and appellate determinations with respect to requests for amendment of records. It identifies the officers designated to grant extensions of time on appeal, the officers with whom “Statements of Disagreement” may be filed, the officer designated to receive service of process and the addresses for delivery of requests, appeals, and service of process. In addition, it references the notice of systems of records and notices of the routine uses of the information in the system required by 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4) and (11) and published annually by the Office of the Federal Register in “Privacy Act Issuances”.
2. Requests for notification and access to records and accountings of disclosures. Initial determinations under § 1.26 whether to grant requests for notification and access to records and accountings of disclosures for the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency will be made by the head of the organizational unit having immediate custody of the records requested or the delegate of that official. This is indicated in the appropriate system notice in “Privacy Act Issuances” published biennially by the Office of the Federal Register. Requests for information and specific guidance on where to send requests for records shall be mailed or delivered personally to: Disclosure Officer, Communications Division, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, 250 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20219.
3. Requests for amendment of records. Initial determinations under § 1.27(a) through (d) whether to grant requests to amend records will be made by the Comptroller’s delegate or the head of the organizational unit having immediate custody of the records or the delegate of that official. Requests for amendment shall be mailed or delivered personally to: Disclosure Officer, Communications Division, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, 250 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20219.
4. Administrative appeal of initial determinations refusing amendment of records. Appellate determinations refusing amendment of records under § 1.27(e) including extensions of time on appeal, with respect to records of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency will be made by the Comptroller of the Currency or the Comptroller’s delegate. Appeals shall be mailed or delivered personally to: Disclosure Officer, Communications Division, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, 250 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20219.
5. Statements of disagreement. “Statements of Disagreement” under § 1.27(e)(4)(i) shall be filed with the OCC’s Director of Communications at the address indicated in the letter of notification within 35 days of the date of such notification and should be limited to one page.
6. Service of process. Service of process shall be delivered to the Chief Counsel or the Chief Counsel’s delegate at the following location: Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, 250 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20219.
7. Annual notice of systems of records. The annual notice of systems of records is published by the Office of the Federal Register, as specified in 5 U.S.C. 552a(f). The publication is entitled “Privacy Act Issuances”. Any specific requirements for access, including identification requirements, in addition to the requirements set forth in §§ 1.26 and 1.27 are indicated in the notice for the pertinent system.
Appendix H to Subpart C of Part 1—Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
1. In general. This appendix applies to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). It sets forth specific notification and access procedures with respect to particular systems of records, and identifies the officers designated to make the initial determinations with respect to notification and access to records and accountings of disclosures of records. This appendix also sets forth the specific procedures for requesting amendment of records and identifies the officers designated to make the initial and appellate determinations with respect to requests for amendment of records. It identifies the officers designated to grant extensions of time on appeal, the officers with whom “Statements of Disagreement” may be filed, the officer designated to receive service of process and the addresses for delivery of requests, appeals, and service of process. In addition, it references the notice of systems of records and notices of the routine uses of the information in the system required by 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4) and (11) and published biennially by the Office of the Federal Register in “Privacy Act Issuances.”
2. Requests for notification and access to records and accountings of disclosures. Initial determinations under § 1.26, whether to grant requests for notification and access to records and accountings of disclosures for FinCEN will be made by the Freedom of Information/Privacy Act Officer, FinCEN. Requests may be mailed to: Privacy Act Request, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Post Office Box 39, Vienna, VA 22183.
3. Requests for amendments of records. Initial determinations under § 1.27(a) through (d) whether to grant requests to amend records maintained by FinCEN will be made by the Freedom of Information/Privacy Act Officer, FinCEN. Requests may be mailed to: Privacy Act Request, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Post Office Box 39, Vienna, VA 22183.
4. Verification of identity. An individual seeking notification or access to records, or seeking to amend a record, or seeking an accounting of disclosures, must satisfy one of the following identification requirements before action will be taken by FinCEN on any such request:
(i) An individual may establish identity through the mail by a signature, address, and one other identifier such as a photocopy of a driver’s license or other official document bearing the individual’s signature.
(ii) Notwithstanding paragraph 4(i) of this section, an individual may establish identity by providing a notarized statement, swearing or affirming to such individual’s identity and to the fact that the individual understands the penalties provided in 5 U.S.C. 552a(i)(3) for requesting or obtaining access to records under false pretenses.
(iii) Notwithstanding paragraphs 4(i) and (ii) of this appendix, the Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act Officer or other designated official may require additional proof of an individual’s identity before action will be taken on any request, if such official determines that it is necessary to protect against unauthorized disclosure of information in a particular case. In addition, a parent of any minor or a legal guardian of any individual will be required to provide adequate proof of legal relationship before such person may act on behalf of such minor or such individual.
5. Administrative appeal of initial determinations refusing amendment of records. Appellate determinations refusing amendment of records under § 1.27(e) including extensions of time on appeal with respect to the records of FinCEN will be made by the Director of FinCEN or the delegate of the Director. Appeals should be addressed to: Privacy Act Amendment Appeal, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Post Office Box 39, Vienna, VA 22183.
6. Statements of Disagreement. “Statements of Disagreement” as described in § 1.27(e)(4) shall be filed with the official signing the notification of refusal to amend at the address indicated in the letter of notification within 35 days of the date of such notification and should be limited to one page.
7. Service of Process. Service of process will be received by the Chief Counsel of FinCEN and shall be delivered to the following location: Office of Chief Counsel, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Post Office Box 39, Vienna, VA 22183.
8. Biennial notice of systems of records. The biennial notice of systems of records is published by the Office of the Federal Register, as specified in 5 U.S.C. 552a(f). The publication is entitled “Privacy Act Issuances.” Any specific requirements for access, including identification requirements, in addition to the requirements set forth in §§ 1.26 and 1.27 and section 4 of this appendix are indicated in the notice for the pertinent system.
PART 2—NATIONAL SECURITY INFORMATION
§ 2.1 Processing of mandatory declassification review requests.
(a) Except as provided by section 3.4(b) of Executive Order 13292, Further Amendment to Executive Order 12958, as amended, Classified National Security Information, all information classified by the Department of the Treasury under these Orders or any predecessor Executive Order shall be subject to mandatory declassification review by the Department, if:
(1) The request for a mandatory declassification review describes the document or material containing the information with sufficient specificity to enable Treasury personnel to locate it with a reasonable amount of effort;
(2) The information is not exempt from search and review under sections 105C, 105D, or 701 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 431, 432 and 432a); and
(3) The information has not been reviewed for declassification within the past 2 years or the information is not the subject of pending litigation.
(b) Requests for classified records originated by the Department of the Treasury shall be directed to the Office of Security Programs, Attention: Assistant Director (Information Security), 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20220. Upon receipt of each request for mandatory declassification review, pursuant to section 3.5 of Executive Order 13292, the following procedures will apply:
(1) The Office of Security Programs will acknowledge receipt of the request.
(2)(i) A mandatory declassification review request need not identify the requested information by date or title of the responsive records, but must be of sufficient specificity to allow Treasury personnel to locate records containing the information sought with a reasonable amount of effort. Whenever a request does not reasonably describe the information sought, the requester will be notified by the Office of Security Programs that unless additional information is provided or the scope of the request is narrowed, no further action will be undertaken with respect to the request.
(ii) If Treasury has reviewed the information within the past 2 years and determined that all or part thereof remains classified, or the information is the subject of pending litigation, the requester shall be so informed and advised of the requester’s appeal rights.
(3) The Office of Security Programs will determine the appropriate Treasury offices or bureaus to conduct the mandatory declassification review. The Office of Security Programs will also advise Treasury and/or bureau reviewing officials concerning the mandatory declassification review process. Classified information relating to intelligence activities (including special activities), intelligence sources or methods, or cryptology will also be coordinated with the Office of the Assistant Secretary (Intelligence and Analysis). As appropriate, the Office of Security Programs will refer requests to other Federal departments and agencies having a direct interest in the requested documents.
(4)(i) Treasury personnel undertaking a mandatory declassification review shall make reasonable efforts to determine if particular information may be declassified. Reviewing officials may rely on applicable exemption criteria under the Freedom of Information Act, the Privacy Act, and any other applicable law that authorizes the withholding of information. Reviewing officials shall also identify the amount of search and review time required to process each request. Barring extenuating circumstances, mandatory declassification reviews for reasonably small volumes of records should be completed in a timely fashion. A final determination regarding large volumes of records should ordinarily be made within one year of Treasury’s receipt of any mandatory declassification review request.
(ii) If the Director, Office of Security Programs determines that a Treasury office or bureau responsible for conducting a mandatory declassification review is not making reasonable efforts to review classified information subject to a mandatory declassification request, the Director may authorize Treasury-and/or bureau-originated information to be declassified in consultation with the Department’s Senior Agency Official.
(iii) If information cannot be declassified in its entirety, reasonable efforts, consistent with applicable law, will be made to release those declassified portions of the requested information that constitute a coherent segment. Upon the denial or partial denial of a declassification request, the requester will be so informed by the Office of Security Programs and advised of the requester’s appeal rights.
(5)(i) If Treasury receives a mandatory declassification review request for information in its possession that were originated by another Federal department or agency, the Office of Security Programs will forward the request to that department or agency for a declassification determination, together with a copy of the requested records, a recommendation concerning a declassification determination, and a request to be advised of that department’s or agency’s declassification determination. The Office of Security Programs may, after consultation with the originating department or agency, inform any requester of the referral unless such association is itself classified under Executive Order 13292 or prior orders.
(ii) Mandatory declassification review requests concerning classified information originated by a Treasury office or bureau that has been transferred to another Federal department or agency will be forwarded to the appropriate successor department or agency for a declassification determination.
(6) If another Federal department or agency forwards a mandatory declassification review request to Treasury for information in its custody that was classified by Treasury, the Office of Security Programs will:
(i) Advise the referring department or agency as to whether it may notify the requester of the referral; and
(ii) Respond to the Federal department, agency, or requester, as applicable, in accordance with the requirements of this section.
(7)(i) Upon the denial, in whole or in part, of a request for the mandatory declassification review of information, the Office of Security Programs will so notify the requester in writing and will inform the requester of the right to appeal the classification determination within 60 calendar days of the receipt of the classification determination. The notice will also advise the requester of the name and address of the Treasury official who will be responsible for deciding an appeal (the Deciding Official). The Office of Security Programs will coordinate appeals with the appropriate Treasury offices and bureaus.
(ii) The Deciding Official should make a determination on an appeal within 30 working days following the receipt of the appeal, or within 60 working days following receipt if the Deciding Official determines that additional time is required to make a determination and so notifies the requester. The Deciding Official should notify the requester in writing of Treasury’s determination on appeal and, if applicable, the reasons for any whole or partial denial of the appeal. The Office of Security Programs will also notify the requester of their right of a final appeal to the Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel, as appropriate, under 32 CFR 2001.33.
(8)(i) Treasury may charge fees for search, review, and duplicating costs in connection with a mandatory declassification review request.
(A) The fee for services of Treasury personnel involved in locating and/or reviewing records will be charged at the rate of a GS-11, Step 1 employee, in the Washington-Baltimore Federal pay area, in effect when the mandatory declassification review request is received by the Office of Security Programs for searches that take more than two hours or for review times that are greater than two hours. Fees may be waived, in writing, by a bureau head or the equivalent Treasury official at the Assistant Secretary level.
(B) There is no fee for duplicating the first 100 pages of fully or partially releasable documents. The cost of additional pages is 20 cents per page. No charges shall be levied for search and/or review time requiring less than 2 hours.
(ii) If it is estimated that the fees associated with a mandatory declassification review will exceed $100, the Office of Security Programs will notify the requester in writing of the estimated costs and shall obtain satisfactory written assurance of full payment or require the requester to make an advance payment of the entire estimated fee before proceeding to process the request. Treasury may request pre-payment where the fee is likely to exceed $500. After 60 calendar days without receiving the requester’s written assurance of full payment or agreement to make pre-payment of estimated fees (or to amend the mandatory declassification review request in a manner as to result in fees acceptable to the requester), Treasury may administratively terminate the mandatory declassification review request. Failure of a requester to pay fees after billing will result in future requests not being honored. Nothing in this paragraph will preclude Treasury from taking any other lawful action to recover payment for costs incurred in processing a mandatory declassification review request.
(iii) Payment of fees shall be made by check or money order to the Treasurer of the United States. Fees charged by Treasury for mandatory declassification review are separate and distinct from any other fees that may be imposed by a Presidential Library, the National Archives and Records Administration, or another Federal department or agency.
§ 2.2 Access to classified information by historical researchers, former Treasury Presidential and Vice Presidential appointees, and former Presidents and Vice Presidents.
(a) Access to classified information may be granted only to individuals who have a need-to-know the information. This requirement may be waived, however, for individuals who:
(1) Are engaged in historical research projects;
(2) Previously occupied a position in the Treasury to which they were appointed by the President under 3 U.S.C. 105(a)(2)(A), or the Vice President under 3 U.S.C. 106(a)(1)(A); or
(3) Served as President or Vice President.
(b) Access to classified information may be granted to individuals described in paragraph (a) of this section upon:
(1) A written determination by Treasury’s Senior Agency Official, under Section 5.4(d) of Executive Order 13292, that access is consistent with the interest of the national security; and
(2) Receipt of the individual’s written agreement to safeguard classified information, including taking all appropriate steps to protect classified information from unauthorized disclosure or compromise. This written agreement must also include the individual’s consent to have any and all notes (including those prepared or stored in electronic media, whether written or oral) reviewed by authorized Treasury personnel to ensure that no classified information is contained therein and, if so, that the classified information is not published.
(c)(i)(A) A historical researcher is not authorized to have access to foreign government information or information classified by another Federal department or agency.
(B) A former Treasury Presidential or Vice Presidential appointee is only authorized access to classified information that the former official originated, reviewed, signed or received while serving as such an appointee.
(C) A former President or Vice President is only authorized access to classified information that was prepared by Treasury while that individual was serving as President or Vice President.
(ii) Granting access to classified information pursuant to this section does not constitute the granting of a security clearance for access to classified information.
(d) Treasury personnel will coordinate access to classified information by individuals described in paragraph (a) of this section with the Director, Office of Security Programs, who will ensure that the written agreement described in paragraph (b)(2) of this section is signed as a condition of being granted access to classified information.
(e) Any review of classified information by an individual described in paragraph (a) of this section shall take place in a location designated by the Director, Office of Security Programs. Such persons must be accompanied at all times by appropriately authorized Treasury personnel authorized to have access to the classified information being reviewed. All notes (including those prepared or stored in electronic media, whether written or oral) made by an individual described in paragraph (a) of this section shall remain in the custody of the Office of Security Programs pending a determination by appropriately cleared subject matter experts that no classified information is contained therein.
(f) An individual described in paragraph (a) of this section is subject to search, as are all packages or carrying cases prior to entering or leaving Treasury. Access to Treasury-originated classified information at another Federal department or agency, as may be authorized by the Director, Office of Security Programs shall be governed by security protocols in effect at the other Federal department or agency.
(g) Treasury personnel must perform a physical verification and an accounting of all classified information each time such information is viewed by an individual described in paragraph (a) of this section. Physical verification and an accounting of all classified information shall be made both prior to and after viewing. Any discrepancy must be immediately reported to the Director, Office of Security Programs.
(h) An individual described in paragraph (a) of this section may be charged reasonable fees for services rendered by Treasury in connection with the review of classified information under this section. To the extent such services involve searching, reviewing, and copying material, the provisions of § 2.1(b)(8) shall apply.
PART 3—CLAIMS REGULATIONS AND INDEMNIFICATION OF DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY EMPLOYEES
Subpart A—Claims Under the Federal Tort Claims Act
§ 3.1 Scope of regulations.
(a) The regulations in this part shall apply to claims asserted under the Federal Tort Claims Act, as amended, 28 U.S.C. 2672, accruing on or after January 18, 1967, for money damages against the United States for injury to or loss of property or personal injury or death caused by the negligent or wrongful act or omission of an employee of the Department while acting within the scope of his office or employment, under circumstances where the United States if a private person, would be liable to the claimant for such damage, loss, injury, or death, in accordance with the law of the place where the act or omission occurred. The regulations in this subpart do not apply to any tort claims excluded from the Federal Tort Claims Act, as amended, under 28 U.S.C. 2680.
(b) Unless specifically modified by the regulations in this part, procedures and requirements for filing and handling claims under the Federal Tort Claims Act shall be in accordance with the regulations issued by the Department of Justice, at 28 CFR part 14, as amended.
§ 3.2 Filing of claims.
(a) When presented. A claim shall be deemed to have been presented upon the receipt from a claimant, his duly authorized agent or legal representative of an executed Standard Form 95 or other written notification of an incident, accompanied by a claim for money damages in a sum certain for injury to or loss of property, or personal injury, or death alleged to have occurred by reason of the incident.
(b) Place of filing claim. Claims shall be submitted directly or through the local field headquarters to the head of the bureau or office of the Department out of whose activities the incident occurred, if known; or if not known, to the General Counsel, Treasury Department, Washington, DC 20220.
(c) Contents of claim. The evidence and information to be submitted with the claim shall conform to the requirements of 28 CFR 14.4.
§ 3.3 Legal review.
Any claim that exceeds $500, involves personal injuries or automobile damage, or arises out of an incident that is likely to result in multiple claimants, shall be forwarded to the legal division of the bureau or office out of whose activities the claim arose. The claim, together with the reports of the employee and the investigation, shall be reviewed in the legal division which shall thereupon make a recommendation that the claim be approved, disapproved, or compromised, and shall advise on the need for referral of the claim to the Department of Justice. This recommendation and advice, together with the file, shall be forwarded to the head of the bureau or office or his designee.
§ 3.4 Approval of claims not in excess of $25,000.
(a) Claims not exceeding $25,000 and not otherwise requiring consultation with the Department of Justice pursuant to 28 CFR 14.6(b) shall be approved, disapproved, or compromised by the head of the bureau or office or his designee, taking into consideration the recommendation of the legal division.
(a) All proposed awards, compromises or settlements in excess of $25,000 require the prior written approval of the Attorney General.
(b) All claims which fall within the provisions of 28 CFR 14.6(b) require referral to and consultation with the Department of Justice.
(c) Any claim which falls within paragraph (a) or (b) of this section shall be reviewed by the General Counsel. If the claim, award, compromise, or settlement receives the approval of the General Counsel and the head of the bureau or office or his designee, a letter shall be prepared for the signature of the General Counsel transmitting to the Assistant Attorney General, Civil Division, Department of Justice, the case for approval or consultation as required by 28 CFR 14.6. Such letter shall conform with the requirements set forth in 28 CFR 14.7.
§ 3.6 Final denial of a claim.
The final denial of an administrative claim shall conform with the requirements of 28 CFR 14.9 and shall be signed by the head of the bureau or office, or his designee.
§ 3.7 Action on approved claims.
(a) Any award, compromise, or settlement in an amount of $2,500 or less shall be processed for payment from the appropriations of the bureau or office out of whose activity the claim arose.
(b) Payment of an award, compromise, or settlement in excess of $2,500 and not more than $100,000 shall be obtained by the bureau or office by forwarding Standard Form 1145 to the Claims Division, General Accounting Office.
(c) Payment of an award, compromise, or settlement in excess of $100,000 shall be obtained by the bureau by forwarding Standard Form 1145 to the Bureau of Government Financial Operations, Department of the Treasury, which will be responsible for transmitting the award, compromise, or settlement to the Bureau of the Budget for inclusion in a deficiency appropriation bill.
(d) When an award is in excess of $25,000, Standard Form 1145 must be accompanied by evidence that the award, compromise, or settlement has been approved by the Attorney General or his designee.
(e) When the use of Standard Form 1145 is required, it shall be executed by the claimant. When a claimant is represented by an attorney, the voucher for payment shall designate both the claimant and his attorney as payees; the check shall be delivered to the attorney, whose address shall appear on the voucher.
(f) Acceptance by the claimant, his agent, or legal representative, of any award, compromise or settlement made pursuant to the provisions of section 2672 or 2677 of title 28, United States Code, shall be final and conclusive on the claimant, his agent or legal representative and any other person on whose behalf or for whose benefit the claim has been presented, and shall constitute a complete release of any claim against the United States and against any employee of the Government whose act or omission gave rise to the claim, by reason of the same subject matter.
§ 3.8 Statute of limitations.
Claims under this subpart must be presented in writing to the Department within 2 years after the claim accrued.
Subpart B—Claims Under the Small Claims Act
§ 3.20 General.
The Act of December 28, 1922, 42 Stat. 1066, the Small Claims Act, authorized the head of each department and establishment to consider, ascertain, adjust, and determine claims of $1,000 or less for damage to, or loss of, privately owned property caused by the negligence of any officer or employee of the Government acting within the scope of his employment. The Federal Tort Claims Act superseded the Small Claims Act with respect to claims that are allowable under the former act. Therefore, claims that are not allowable under the Federal Tort Claims Act, for example, claims arising abroad, may be allowable under the Small Claims Act.
§ 3.21 Action by claimant.
Procedures and requirements for filing claims under this section shall be the same as required for filing claims under the Federal Tort Claims Act as set forth in Subpart A of this part.
§ 3.22 Legal review.
Claims filed under this subpart shall be forwarded to the legal division of the bureau or office out of whose activities the claim arose. The claim, together with the reports of the employee and the investigation, shall be reviewed in the legal division which shall thereupon make a recommendation that the claim be approved, disapproved or compromised.
§ 3.23 Approval of claims.
Claims shall be approved, disapproved, or compromised by the head of the bureau or office or his designee, taking into consideration the recommendation of the legal division.
§ 3.24 Statute of limitations.
No claim will be considered under this subpart unless filed within 1 year from the date of the accrual of said claim.
Subpart C—Indemnification of Department of Treasury Employees
§ 3.30 Policy.
(a) The Department of the Treasury may indemnify, in whole or in part, a Department employee (which for purposes of this regulation shall include a former employee) for any verdict, judgment or other monetary award rendered against such employee, provided the Secretary or his or her designee determines that (1) the conduct giving rise to such verdict, judgment or award was within the scope of his or her employment and (2) such indemnification is in the interest of the Department of the Treasury.
(b) The Department of the Treasury may pay for the settlement or compromise of a claim against a Department employee at any time, provided the Secretary or his or her designee determines that (1) the alleged conduct giving rise to the claim was within the scope of the employee’s employment and (2) such settlement or compromise is in the interest of the Department of the Treasury.
(c) Absent exceptional circumstances, as determined by the Secretary or his or her designee, the Department will not entertain a request to indemnify or to pay for settlement of a claim before entry of an adverse judgment, verdict or other determination.
(d) When a Department employee becomes aware that he or she has been named as a party in a proceeding in his or her individual capacity as a result of conduct within the scope of his or her employment, the employee should immediately notify his or her supervisor that such an action is pending. The supervisor shall promptly thereafter notify the chief legal officer of the employee’s employing component. The employee shall immediately apprise the chief legal officer of his or her employing component of any offer to settle the proceeding.
(e) A Department employee may request indemnification to satisfy a verdict, judgment or monetary award entered against the employee or to compromise a claim pending against the employee. The employee shall submit a written request, with appropriate documentation including a copy of the verdict, judgment, award or other order or settlement proposal, in a timely manner to the Secretary or his or her designee for decision.
(f) Any payment under this section either to indemnify a Department employee or to settle a claim shall be contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds for the payment of salaries and expenses of the employing component.
PART 4—EMPLOYEES’ PERSONAL PROPERTY CLAIMS
§ 4.1 Procedures.
The procedures for filing a claim with the Treasury Department for personal property that is lost or damaged incident to service are contained in Treasury Directive 32-13, “Claims for Loss or Damage to Personal Property,” and Treasury Department Publication 32-13, “Policies and Procedures For Employees’ Claim for Loss or Damage to Personal Property Incident to Service.”
PART 5—TREASURY DEBT COLLECTION
Subpart A—General Provisions
§ 5.1 What definitions apply to the regulations in this part?
As used in this part:
Administrative offset or offset means withholding funds payable by the United States (including funds payable by the United States on behalf of a State Government) to, or held by the United States for, a person to satisfy a debt owed by the person. The term “administrative offset” includes, but is not limited to, the offset of Federal salary, vendor, retirement, and Social Security benefit payments. The terms “centralized administrative offset” and “centralized offset” refer to the process by which the Treasury Department’s Financial Management Service offsets Federal payments through the Treasury Offset Program.
Administrative wage garnishment means the process by which a Federal agency orders a non-Federal employer to withhold amounts from a debtor’s wages to satisfy a debt, as authorized by 31 U.S.C. 3720D, 31 CFR 285.11, and this part.
Agency or Federal agency means a department, agency, court, court administrative office, or instrumentality in the executive, judicial, or legislative branch of the Federal Government, including government corporations.
Creditor agency means any Federal agency that is owed a debt.
Debt means any amount of money, funds or property that has been determined by an appropriate official of the Federal Government to be owed to the United States by a person. As used in this part, the term “debt” does not include debts arising under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 1 et seq.).
Debtor means a person who owes a debt to the United States.
Delinquent debt means a debt that has not been paid by the date specified in the agency’s initial written demand for payment or applicable agreement or instrument (including a post-delinquency payment agreement) unless other satisfactory payment arrangements have been made.
Delinquent Treasury debt means a delinquent debt owed to a Treasury entity.
Disposable pay has the same meaning as that term is defined in 5 CFR 550.1103.
Employee or Federal employee means a current employee of the Treasury Department or other Federal agency, including a current member of the Armed Forces, Reserve of the Armed Forces of the United States, or the National Guard.
FCCS means the Federal Claims Collection Standards, which were jointly published by the Departments of the Treasury and Justice and codified at 31 CFR parts 900-904.
Financial Management Service means the Financial Management Service, a bureau of the Treasury Department, which is responsible for the centralized collection of delinquent debts through the offset of Federal payments and other means.
Payment agency or Federal payment agency means any Federal agency that transmits payment requests in the form of certified payment vouchers, or other similar forms, to a disbursing official for disbursement. The “payment agency” may be the agency that employs the debtor. In some cases, the Treasury Department may be both the creditor agency and payment agency.
Person means an individual, corporation, partnership, association, organization, State or local government, or any other type of entity other than a Federal agency.
Salary offset means a type of administrative offset to collect a debt owed by a Federal employee from the current pay account of the employee.
Secretary means the Secretary of the Treasury.
Tax refund offset is defined in 31 CFR 285.2(a).
Treasury debt means a debt owed to a Treasury entity by a person.
Treasury Department means the United States Department of the Treasury.
Treasury entity means the Office of Inspector General, the Office of Inspector General for Tax Administration, or a bureau of the Treasury Department, including the Departmental Offices, responsible for the collection of the applicable Treasury debt. Departmental Offices include, but are not limited to, the Office of D.C. Pensions, the Community Development Financial Institution Fund, the Executive Office of Asset Forfeiture, and the Office of Foreign Assets Control. Other bureaus include, but are not limited to, the Bureau of Public Debt; Bureau of Engraving and Printing; U.S. Mint; U.S. Secret Service; Customs Service; Financial Management Service; Internal Revenue Service; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms; Office of Comptroller of the Currency; the Office of Thrift Supervision; Federal Law Enforcement Training Center; and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.
§ 5.2 Why is the Treasury Department issuing these regulations and what do they cover?
(a) Scope. This part provides procedures for the collection of Treasury debts. This part also provides procedures for collection of other debts owed to the United States when a request for offset of a Treasury payment is received by the Treasury Department from another agency (for example, when a Treasury Department employee owes a debt to the United States Department of Education).
(b) Applicability. (1) This part applies to the Treasury Department when collecting a Treasury debt, to persons who owe Treasury debts, and to Federal agencies requesting offset of a payment issued by the Treasury Department as a payment agency (including salary payments to Treasury Department employees).
(2) This part does not apply to tax debts nor to any debt for which there is an indication of fraud or misrepresentation, as described in § 900.3 of the FCCS, unless the debt is returned by the Department of Justice to the Treasury Department for handling.
(3) This part does not apply to the Financial Management Service when acting on behalf of other Federal agencies and states to collect delinquent debt referred to the Financial Management Service for collection action as required or authorized by Federal law. See 31 CFR part 285.
(4) Nothing in this part precludes collection or disposition of any debt under statutes and regulations other than those described in this part. See, for example, 5 U.S.C. 5705, Advancements and Deductions, which authorizes Treasury entities to recover travel advances by offset of up to 100% of a Federal employee’s accrued pay. See, also, 5 U.S.C. 4108, governing the collection of training expenses. To the extent that the provisions of laws, other regulations, and Treasury Department enforcement policies differ from the provisions of this part, those provisions of law, other regulations, and Treasury Department enforcement policies apply to the remission or mitigation of fines, penalties, and forfeitures, and debts arising under the tariff laws of the United States, rather than the provisions of this part.
(c) Additional policies and procedures. Treasury entities may, but are not required to, promulgate additional policies and procedures consistent with this part, the FCCS, and other applicable Federal law, policies, and procedures.
(d) Duplication not required. Nothing in this part requires a Treasury entity to duplicate notices or administrative proceedings required by contract, this part, or other laws or regulations.
(e) Use of multiple collection remedies allowed. Treasury entities and other Federal agencies may simultaneously use multiple collection remedies to collect a debt, except as prohibited by law. This part is intended to promote aggressive debt collection, using for each debt all available collection remedies. These remedies are not listed in any prescribed order to provide Treasury entities with flexibility in determining which remedies will be most efficient in collecting the particular debt.
§ 5.3 Do these regulations adopt the Federal Claims Collection Standards (FCCS)?
This part adopts and incorporates all provisions of the FCCS. This part also supplements the FCCS by prescribing procedures consistent with the FCCS, as necessary and appropriate for Treasury Department operations.
Subpart B—Procedures To Collect Treasury Debts
§ 5.4 What notice will Treasury entities send to a debtor when collecting a Treasury debt?
(a) Notice requirements. Treasury entities shall aggressively collect Treasury debts. Treasury entities shall promptly send at least one written notice to a debtor informing the debtor of the consequences of failing to pay or otherwise resolve a Treasury debt. The notice(s) shall be sent to the debtor at the most current address of the debtor in the records of the Treasury entity collecting the debt. Generally, before starting the collection actions described in §§ 5.5 and 5.9 through 5.17 of this part, Treasury entities will send no more than two written notices to the debtor. The purpose of the notice(s) is to explain why the debt is owed, the amount of the debt, how a debtor may pay the debt or make alternate repayment arrangements, how a debtor may review documents related to the debt, how a debtor may dispute the debt, the collection remedies available to Treasury entities if the debtor refuses to pay the debt, and other consequences to the debtor if the debt is not paid. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of this section, the written notice(s) shall explain to the debtor:
(1) The nature and amount of the debt, and the facts giving rise to the debt;
(2) How interest, penalties, and administrative costs are added to the debt, the date by which payment should be made to avoid such charges, and that such assessments must be made unless excused in accordance with 31 CFR 901.9 (see § 5.5 of this part);
(3) The date by which payment should be made to avoid the enforced collection actions described in paragraph (a)(6) of this section;
(4) The Treasury entity’s willingness to discuss alternative payment arrangements and how the debtor may enter into a written agreement to repay the debt under terms acceptable to the Treasury entity (see § 5.6 of this part);
(5) The name, address, and telephone number of a contact person or office within the Treasury entity;
(6) The Treasury entity’s intention to enforce collection if the debtor fails to pay or otherwise resolve the debt, by taking one or more of the following actions:
(i) Offset. Offset the debtor’s Federal payments, including income tax refunds, salary, certain benefit payments (such as Social Security), retirement, vendor, travel reimbursements and advances, and other Federal payments (see §§ 5.10 through 5.12 of this part);
(ii) Private collection agency. Refer the debt to a private collection agency (see § 5.15 of this part);
(iii) Credit bureau reporting. Report the debt to a credit bureau (see § 5.14 of this part);
(iv) Administrative wage garnishment. Garnish the debtor’s wages through administrative wage garnishment (see § 5.13 of this part);
(v) Litigation. Refer the debt to the Department of Justice to initiate litigation to collect the debt (see § 5.16 of this part);
(vi) Treasury Department’s Financial Management Service. Refer the debt to the Financial Management Service for collection (see § 5.9 of this part);
(7) That Treasury debts over 180 days delinquent must be referred to the Financial Management Service for the collection actions described in paragraph (a)(6) of this section (see § 5.9 of this part);
(8) How the debtor may inspect and copy records related to the debt;
(9) How the debtor may request a review of the Treasury entity’s determination that the debtor owes a debt and present evidence that the debt is not delinquent or legally enforceable (see §§ 5.10(c) and 5.11(c) of this part);
(10) How a debtor may request a hearing if the Treasury entity intends to garnish the debtor’s private sector (i.e., non-Federal) wages (see § 5.13(a) of this part), including:
(i) The method and time period for requesting a hearing;
(ii) That the timely filing of a request for a hearing on or before the 15th business day following the date of the notice will stay the commencement of administrative wage garnishment, but not necessarily other collection procedures; and
(iii) The name and address of the office to which the request for a hearing should be sent.
(11) How a debtor who is a Federal employee subject to Federal salary offset may request a hearing (see § 5.12(e) of this part), including:
(i) The method and time period for requesting a hearing;
(ii) That the timely filing of a request for a hearing on or before the 15th calendar day following receipt of the notice will stay the commencement of salary offset, but not necessarily other collection procedures;
(iii) The name and address of the office to which the request for a hearing should be sent;
(iv) That the Treasury entity will refer the debt to the debtor’s employing agency or to the Financial Management Service to implement salary offset, unless the employee files a timely request for a hearing;
(v) That a final decision on the hearing, if requested, will be issued at the earliest practical date, but not later than 60 days after the filing of the request for a hearing, unless the employee requests and the hearing official grants a delay in the proceedings;
(vi) That any knowingly false or frivolous statements, representations, or evidence may subject the Federal employee to penalties under the False Claims Act (31 U.S.C. 3729-3731) or other applicable statutory authority, and criminal penalties under 18 U.S.C. 286, 287, 1001, and 1002, or other applicable statutory authority;
(vii) That unless prohibited by contract or statute, amounts paid on or deducted for the debt which are later waived or found not owed to the United States will be promptly refunded to the employee; and
(viii) That proceedings with respect to such debt are governed by 5 U.S.C. 5514 and 31 U.S.C. 3716;
(12) How the debtor may request a waiver of the debt, if applicable (see, for example, Treasury Directive 34-01 (Waiving Claims Against Treasury Employees for Erroneous Payments), set forth at appendix A of this part and at http://www.treas.gov/regs);
(13) How the debtor’s spouse may claim his or her share of a joint income tax refund by filing Form 8379 with the Internal Revenue Service (see http://www.irs.gov)
(14) How the debtor may exercise other statutory or regulatory rights and remedies available to the debtor;
(15) That certain debtors may be ineligible for Federal Government loans, guaranties and insurance (see 31 U.S.C. 3720B, 31 CFR 285.13, and § 5.17(a) of this part);
(16) If applicable, the Treasury entity’s intention to suspend or revoke licenses, permits or privileges (see § 5.17(b) of this part); and
(17) That the debtor should advise the Treasury entity of a bankruptcy proceeding of the debtor or another person liable for the debt being collected.
(b) Exceptions to notice requirements. A Treasury entity may omit from a notice to a debtor one or more of the provisions contained in paragraphs (a)(6) through (a)(17) of this section if the Treasury entity, in consultation with its legal counsel, determines that any provision is not legally required given the collection remedies to be applied to a particular debt.
(c) Respond to debtors; comply with FCCS. Treasury entities should respond promptly to communications from debtors and comply with other FCCS provisions applicable to the administrative collection of debts. See 31 CFR part 901.
§ 5.5 How will Treasury entities add interest, penalty charges, and administrative costs to a Treasury debt?
(a) Assessment and notice. Treasury entities shall assess interest, penalties and administrative costs on Treasury debts in accordance with the provisions of 31 U.S.C. 3717 and 31 CFR 901.9, on Treasury debts. Interest shall be charged in accordance with the requirements of 31 U.S.C. 3717(a). Penalties shall accrue at the rate of 6% per year, or such other higher rate as authorized by law. Administrative costs, that is the costs of processing and handling a delinquent debt, shall be determined by the Treasury entity collecting the Treasury debt. Treasury entities may have additional policies regarding how interest, penalties, and administrative costs are assessed on particular types of debts. Treasury entities are required to explain in the notice to the debtor described in § 5.4 of this part how interest, penalties, costs, and other charges are assessed, unless the requirements are included in a contract or repayment agreement.
(b) Waiver of interest, penalties, and administrative costs. Unless otherwise required by law, Treasury entities may not charge interest if the amount due on the debt is paid within 30 days after the date from which the interest accrues. See 31 U.S.C. 3717(d). Treasury entities may waive interest, penalties, and administrative costs, or any portion thereof, when it would be against equity and good conscience or not in the Treasury entity’s best interest to collect such charges, in accordance with Treasury guidelines for waiving claims against Treasury employees for erroneous overpayments. See Treasury Directive 34-01 (Waiving Claims Against Treasury Employees for Erroneous Payments) set forth at appendix A of this part and at http://www.treas.gov/regs. Legal counsel approval is not required to waive such charges. Cf., §§ 5.7 and 5.8 of this part, which require legal counsel approval when compromising a debt or terminating debt collection activity on a debt.
(c) Accrual during suspension of debt collection. In most cases, interest, penalties and administrative costs will continue to accrue during any period when collection has been suspended for any reason (for example, when the debtor has requested a hearing). Treasury entities may suspend accrual of any or all of these charges when accrual would be against equity and good conscience or not in the Treasury entity’s best interest, in accordance with Treasury guidelines for waiving claims against Treasury employees for erroneous overpayments. See Treasury Directive 34-01 (Waiving Claims Against Treasury Employees for Erroneous Payments), set forth at appendix A of this part and http://www.treas.gov/regs.
§ 5.6 When will Treasury entities allow a debtor to pay a Treasury debt in installments instead of one lump sum?
If a debtor is financially unable to pay the debt in one lump sum, a Treasury entity may accept payment of a Treasury debt in regular installments, in accordance with the provisions of 31 CFR 901.8 and the Treasury entity’s policies and procedures.
§ 5.7 When will Treasury entities compromise a Treasury debt?
If a Treasury entity cannot collect the full amount of a Treasury debt, the Treasury entity may compromise the debt in accordance with the provisions of 31 CFR part 902 and the Treasury entity’s policies and procedures. Legal counsel approval to compromise a Treasury debt is required as described in Treasury Directive 34-02 (Credit Management and Debt Collection), which may be found at http://www.treas.gov/regs.
§ 5.8 When will Treasury entities suspend or terminate debt collection on a Treasury debt?
If, after pursuing all appropriate means of collection, a Treasury entity determines that a Treasury debt is uncollectible, the Treasury entity may suspend or terminate debt collection activity in accordance with the provisions of 31 CFR part 903 and the Treasury entity’s policies and procedures. Legal counsel approval to terminate debt collection activity is required as described in Treasury Directive 34-02 (Credit Management and Debt Collection), which may be found at http://www.treas.gov/regs.
§ 5.9 When will Treasury entities transfer a Treasury debt to the Treasury Department’s Financial Management Service for collection?
(a) Treasury entities will transfer any eligible debt that is more than 180 days delinquent to the Financial Management Service for debt collection services, a process known as “cross-servicing.” See 31 U.S.C. 3711(g) and 31 CFR 285.12. Treasury entities may transfer debts delinquent 180 days or less to the Financial Management Service in accordance with the procedures described in 31 CFR 285.12. The Financial Management Service takes appropriate action to collect or compromise the transferred debt, or to suspend or terminate collection action thereon, in accordance with the statutory and regulatory requirements and authorities applicable to the debt and the collection action to be taken. See 31 CFR 285.12(b)(2). Appropriate action includes, but is not limited to, contact with the debtor, referral of the debt to the Treasury Offset Program, private collection agencies or the Department of Justice, reporting of the debt to credit bureaus, and administrative wage garnishment.
(b) At least sixty (60) days prior to transferring a Treasury debt to the Financial Management Service, Treasury entities will send notice to the debtor as required by § 5.4 of this part. Treasury entities will certify to the Financial Management Service, in writing, that the debt is valid, delinquent, legally enforceable, and that there are no legal bars to collection. In addition, Treasury entities will certify their compliance with all applicable due process and other requirements as described in this part and other Federal laws. See 31 CFR 285.12(i) regarding the certification requirement.
(c) As part of its debt collection process, the Financial Management Service uses the Treasury Offset Program to collect Treasury debts by administrative and tax refund offset. See 31 CFR 285.12(g). The Treasury Offset Program is a centralized offset program administered by the Financial Management Service to collect delinquent debts owed to Federal agencies and states (including past-due child support). Under the Treasury Offset Program, before a Federal payment is disbursed, the Financial Management Service compares the name and taxpayer identification number (TIN) of the payee with the names and TINs of debtors that have been submitted by Federal agencies and states to the Treasury Offset Program database. If there is a match, the Financial Management Service (or, in some cases, another Federal disbursing agency) offsets all or a portion of the Federal payment, disburses any remaining payment to the payee, and pays the offset amount to the creditor agency. Federal payments eligible for offset include, but are not limited to, income tax refunds, salary, travel advances and reimbursements, retirement and vendor payments, and Social Security and other benefit payments.
§ 5.10 How will Treasury entities use administrative offset (offset of non-tax Federal payments) to collect a Treasury debt?
(a) Centralized administrative offset through the Treasury Offset Program. (1) In most cases, the Financial Management Service uses the Treasury Offset Program to collect Treasury debts by the offset of Federal payments. See § 5.9(c) of this part. If not already transferred to the Financial Management Service under § 5.9 of this part, Treasury entities will refer any eligible debt over 180 days delinquent to the Treasury Offset Program for collection by centralized administrative offset. See 31 U.S.C. 3716(c)(6); 31 CFR part 285, subpart A; and 31 CFR 901.3(b). Treasury entities may refer any eligible debt less than 180 days delinquent to the Treasury Offset Program for offset.
(2) At least sixty (60) days prior to referring a debt to the Treasury Offset Program, in accordance with paragraph (a)(1) of this section, Treasury entities will send notice to the debtor in accordance with the requirements of § 5.4 of this part. Treasury entities will certify to the Financial Management Service, in writing, that the debt is valid, delinquent, legally enforceable, and that there are no legal bars to collection by offset. In addition, Treasury entities will certify their compliance with the requirements described in this part.
(b) Non-centralized administrative offset for Treasury debts. (1) When centralized administrative offset through the Treasury Offset Program is not available or appropriate, Treasury entities may collect past-due, legally enforceable Treasury debts through non-centralized administrative offset. See 31 CFR 901.3(c). In these cases, Treasury entities may offset a payment internally or make an offset request directly to a Federal payment agency. If the Federal payment agency is another Treasury entity, the Treasury entity making the request shall do so through the Deputy Chief Financial Officer as described in § 5.20(c) of this part.
(2) At least thirty (30) days prior to offsetting a payment internally or requesting a Federal payment agency to offset a payment, Treasury entities will send notice to the debtor in accordance with the requirements of § 5.4 of this part. When referring a debt for offset under this paragraph (b), Treasury entities making the request will certify, in writing, that the debt is valid, delinquent, legally enforceable, and that there are no legal bars to collection by offset. In addition, Treasury entities will certify their compliance with these regulations concerning administrative offset. See 31 CFR 901.3(c)(2)(ii).
(c) Administrative review. The notice described in § 5.4 of this part shall explain to the debtor how to request an administrative review of a Treasury entity’s determination that the debtor owes a Treasury debt and how to present evidence that the debt is not delinquent or legally enforceable. In addition to challenging the existence and amount of the debt, the debtor may seek a review of the terms of repayment. In most cases, Treasury entities will provide the debtor with a “paper hearing” based upon a review of the written record, including documentation provided by the debtor. Treasury entities shall provide the debtor with a reasonable opportunity for an oral hearing when the debtor requests reconsideration of the debt and the Treasury entity determines that the question of the indebtedness cannot be resolved by review of the documentary evidence, for example, when the validity of the debt turns on an issue of credibility or veracity. Unless otherwise required by law, an oral hearing under this section is not required to be a formal evidentiary hearing, although Treasury entities should carefully document all significant matters discussed at the hearing. Treasury entities may suspend collection through administrative offset and/or other collection actions pending the resolution of a debtor’s dispute. Each Treasury entity will have its own policies and procedures concerning the administrative review process consistent with the FCCS and the regulations in this section.
(d) Procedures for expedited offset. Under the circumstances described in 31 CFR 901.3(b)(4)(iii), Treasury entities may effect an offset against a payment to be made to the debtor prior to sending a notice to the debtor, as described in § 5.4 of this part, or completing the procedures described in paragraph (b)(2) and (c) of this section. Treasury entities shall give the debtor notice and an opportunity for review as soon as practicable and promptly refund any money ultimately found not to have been owed to the Government.
§ 5.11 How will Treasury entities use tax refund offset to collect a Treasury debt?
(a) Tax refund offset. In most cases, the Financial Management Service uses the Treasury Offset Program to collect Treasury debts by the offset of tax refunds and other Federal payments. See § 5.9(c) of this part. If not already transferred to the Financial Management Service under § 5.9 of this part, Treasury entities will refer to the Treasury Offset Program any past-due, legally enforceable debt for collection by tax refund offset. See 26 U.S.C. 6402(d), 31 U.S.C. 3720A and 31 CFR 285.2.
(b) Notice. At least sixty (60) days prior to referring a debt to the Treasury Offset Program, Treasury entities will send notice to the debtor in accordance with the requirements of § 5.4 of this part. Treasury entities will certify to the Financial Management Service’s Treasury Offset Program, in writing, that the debt is past-due and legally enforceable in the amount submitted and that the Treasury entities have made reasonable efforts to obtain payment of the debt as described in 31 CFR 285.2(d). In addition, Treasury entities will certify their compliance with all applicable due process and other requirements described in this part and other Federal laws. See 31 U.S.C. 3720A(b) and 31 CFR 285.2.
(c) Administrative review. The notice described in § 5.4 of this part shall provide the debtor with at least 60 days prior to the initiation of tax refund offset to request an administrative review as described in § 5.10(c) of this part. Treasury entities may suspend collection through tax refund offset and/or other collection actions pending the resolution of the debtor’s dispute.
§ 5.12 How will Treasury entities offset a Federal employee’s salary to collect a Treasury debt?
(a) Federal salary offset. (1) Salary offset is used to collect debts owed to the United States by Treasury Department and other Federal employees. If a Federal employee owes a Treasury debt, Treasury entities may offset the employee’s Federal salary to collect the debt in the manner described in this section. For information on how a Federal agency other than a Treasury entity may collect debt from the salary of a Treasury Department employee, see §§ 5.20 and 5.21, subpart C, of this part.
(2) Nothing in this part requires a Treasury entity to collect a Treasury debt in accordance with the provisions of this section if Federal law allows otherwise. See, for example, 5 U.S.C. 5705 (travel advances not used for allowable travel expenses are recoverable from the employee or his estate by setoff against accrued pay and other means) and 5 U.S.C. 4108 (recovery of training expenses).
(3) Treasury entities may use the administrative wage garnishment procedure described in § 5.13 of this part to collect a debt from an individual’s non-Federal wages.
(b) Centralized salary offset through the Treasury Offset Program. As described in § 5.9(a) of this part, Treasury entities will refer Treasury debts to the Financial Management Service for collection by administrative offset, including salary offset, through the Treasury Offset Program. When possible, Treasury entities should attempt salary offset through the Treasury Offset Program before applying the procedures in paragraph (c) of this section. See 5 CFR 550.1109.
(c) Non-centralized salary offset for Treasury debts. When centralized salary offset through the Treasury Offset Program is not available or appropriate, Treasury entities may collect delinquent Treasury debts through non-centralized salary offset. See 5 CFR 550.1109. In these cases, Treasury entities may offset a payment internally or make a request directly to a Federal payment agency to offset a salary payment to collect a delinquent debt owed by a Federal employee. If the Federal payment agency is another Treasury entity, the Treasury entity making the request shall do so through the Deputy Chief Financial Officer as described in § 5.20(c) of this part. At least thirty (30) days prior to offsetting internally or requesting a Federal agency to offset a salary payment, Treasury entities will send notice to the debtor in accordance with the requirements of § 5.4 of this part. When referring a debt for offset, Treasury entities will certify to the payment agency, in writing, that the debt is valid, delinquent and legally enforceable in the amount stated, and there are no legal bars to collection by salary offset. In addition, Treasury entities will certify that all due process and other prerequisites to salary offset have been met. See 5 U.S.C. 5514, 31 U.S.C. 3716(a), and this section for a description of the due process and other prerequisites for salary offset.
(d) When prior notice not required. Treasury entities are not required to provide prior notice to an employee when the following adjustments are made by a Treasury entity to a Treasury employee’s pay:
(1) Any adjustment to pay arising out of any employee’s election of coverage or a change in coverage under a Federal benefits program requiring periodic deductions from pay, if the amount to be recovered was accumulated over four pay periods or less;
(2) A routine intra-agency adjustment of pay that is made to correct an overpayment of pay attributable to clerical or administrative errors or delays in processing pay documents, if the overpayment occurred within the four pay periods preceding the adjustment, and, at the time of such adjustment, or as soon thereafter as practical, the individual is provided written notice of the nature and the amount of the adjustment and point of contact for contesting such adjustment; or
(3) Any adjustment to collect a debt amounting to $50 or less, if, at the time of such adjustment, or as soon thereafter as practical, the individual is provided written notice of the nature and the amount of the adjustment and a point of contact for contesting such adjustment.
(e) Hearing procedures—(1) Request for a hearing. A Federal employee who has received a notice that his or her Treasury debt will be collected by means of salary offset may request a hearing concerning the existence or amount of the debt. The Federal employee also may request a hearing concerning the amount proposed to be deducted from the employee’s pay each pay period. The employee must send any request for hearing, in writing, to the office designated in the notice described in § 5.4. See § 5.4(a)(11). The request must be received by the designated office on or before the 15th calendar day following the employee’s receipt of the notice. The employee must sign the request and specify whether an oral or paper hearing is requested. If an oral hearing is requested, the employee must explain why the matter cannot be resolved by review of the documentary evidence alone. All travel expenses incurred by the Federal employee in connection with an in-person hearing will be borne by the employee.
(2) Failure to submit timely request for hearing. If the employee fails to submit a request for hearing within the time period described in paragraph (e)(1) of this section, the employee will have waived the right to a hearing, and salary offset may be initiated. However, Treasury entities should accept a late request for hearing if the employee can show that the late request was the result of circumstances beyond the employee’s control or because of a failure to receive actual notice of the filing deadline.
(3) Hearing official. Treasury entities must obtain the services of a hearing official who is not under the supervision or control of the Secretary. Treasury entities may contact the Deputy Chief Financial Officer as described in § 5.20(c) of this part or an agent of any agency designated in Appendix A to 5 CFR part 581 (List of Agents Designated to Accept Legal Process) to request a hearing official.
(4) Notice of hearing. After the employee requests a hearing, the designated hearing official shall inform the employee of the form of the hearing to be provided. For oral hearings, the notice shall set forth the date, time and location of the hearing. For paper hearings, the notice shall notify the employee of the date by which he or she should submit written arguments to the designated hearing official. The hearing official shall give the employee reasonable time to submit documentation in support of the employee’s position. The hearing official shall schedule a new hearing date if requested by both parties. The hearing official shall give both parties reasonable notice of the time and place of a rescheduled hearing.
(5) Oral hearing. The hearing official will conduct an oral hearing if he or she determines that the matter cannot be resolved by review of documentary evidence alone (for example, when an issue of credibility or veracity is involved). The hearing need not take the form of an evidentiary hearing, but may be conducted in a manner determined by the hearing official, including but not limited to:
(i) Informal conferences with the hearing official, in which the employee and agency representative will be given full opportunity to present evidence, witnesses and argument;
(ii) Informal meetings with an interview of the employee by the hearing official; or
(iii) Formal written submissions, with an opportunity for oral presentation.
(6) Paper hearing. If the hearing official determines that an oral hearing is not necessary, he or she will make the determination based upon a review of the available written record, including any documentation submitted by the employee in support of his or her position.
(7) Failure to appear or submit documentary evidence. In the absence of good cause shown (for example, excused illness), if the employee fails to appear at an oral hearing or fails to submit documentary evidence as required for a paper hearing, the employee will have waived the right to a hearing, and salary offset may be initiated. Further, the employee will have been deemed to admit the existence and amount of the debt as described in the notice of intent to offset. If the Treasury entity representative fails to appear at an oral hearing, the hearing official shall proceed with the hearing as scheduled, and make his or her determination based upon the oral testimony presented and the documentary evidence submitted by both parties.
(8) Burden of proof. Treasury entities will have the initial burden to prove the existence and amount of the debt. Thereafter, if the employee disputes the existence or amount of the debt, the employee must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that no debt exists or that the amount of the debt is incorrect. In addition, the employee may present evidence that the proposed terms of the repayment schedule are unlawful, would cause a financial hardship to the employee, or that collection of the debt may not be pursued due to operation of law.
(9) Record. The hearing official shall maintain a summary record of any hearing provided by this part. Witnesses will testify under oath or affirmation in oral hearings.
(10) Date of decision. The hearing official shall issue a written opinion stating his or her decision, based upon documentary evidence and information developed at the hearing, as soon as practicable after the hearing, but not later than 60 days after the date on which the request for hearing was received by the Treasury entity. If the employee requests a delay in the proceedings, the deadline for the decision may be postponed by the number of days by which the hearing was postponed. When a decision is not timely rendered, the Treasury entity shall waive penalties applied to the debt for the period beginning with the date the decision is due and ending on the date the decision is issued.
(11) Content of decision. The written decision shall include:
(i) A statement of the facts presented to support the origin, nature, and amount of the debt;
(ii) The hearing official’s findings, analysis, and conclusions; and
(iii) The terms of any repayment schedules, if applicable.
(12) Final agency action. The hearing official’s decision shall be final.
(f) Waiver not precluded. Nothing in this part precludes an employee from requesting waiver of an overpayment under 5 U.S.C. 5584 or 8346(b), 10 U.S.C. 2774, 32 U.S.C. 716, or other statutory authority.
(g) Salary offset process—(1) Determination of disposable pay. The office of the Deputy Chief Financial Officer will consult with the appropriate Treasury entity payroll office to determine the amount of a Treasury Department employee’s disposable pay (as defined in § 5.1 of this part) and will implement salary offset when requested to do so by a Treasury entity, as described in paragraph (c) of this section, or another agency, as described in § 5.20 of this part. If the debtor is not employed by the Treasury Department, the agency employing the debtor will determine the amount of the employee’s disposable pay and will implement salary offset upon request.
(2) When salary offset begins. Deductions shall begin within three official pay periods following receipt of the creditor agency’s request for offset.
(3) Amount of salary offset. The amount to be offset from each salary payment will be up to 15 percent of a debtor’s disposable pay, as follows:
(i) If the amount of the debt is equal to or less than 15 percent of the disposable pay, such debt generally will be collected in one lump sum payment;
(ii) Installment deductions will be made over a period of no greater than the anticipated period of employment. An installment deduction will not exceed 15 percent of the disposable pay from which the deduction is made unless the employee has agreed in writing to the deduction of a greater amount or the creditor agency has determined that smaller deductions are appropriate based on the employee’s ability to pay.
(4) Final salary payment. After the employee has separated either voluntarily or involuntarily from the payment agency, the payment agency may make a lump sum deduction exceeding 15 percent of disposable pay from any final salary or other payments pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3716 in order to satisfy a debt.
(h) Payment agency’s responsibilities. (1) As required by 5 CFR 550.1109, if the employee separates from the payment agency from which a Treasury entity has requested salary offset, the payment agency must certify the total amount of its collection and notify the Treasury entity and the employee of the amounts collected. If the payment agency is aware that the employee is entitled to payments from the Civil Service Retirement Fund and Disability Fund, the Federal Employee Retirement System, or other similar payments, it must provide written notification to the payment agency responsible for making such payments that the debtor owes a debt, the amount of the debt, and that the Treasury entity has complied with the provisions of this section. Treasury entities must submit a properly certified claim to the new payment agency before the collection can be made.
(2) If the employee is already separated from employment and all payments due from his or her former payment agency have been made, Treasury entities may request that money due and payable to the employee from the Civil Service Retirement Fund and Disability Fund, the Federal Employee Retirement System, or other similar funds, be administratively offset to collect the debt. Generally, Treasury entities will collect such monies through the Treasury Offset Program as described in § 5.9(c) of this part.
(3) When an employee transfers to another agency, Treasury entities should resume collection with the employee’s new payment agency in order to continue salary offset.
§ 5.13 How will Treasury entities use administrative wage garnishment to collect a Treasury debt from a debtor’s wages?
(a) Treasury entities are authorized to collect debts from a debtor’s wages by means of administrative wage garnishment in accordance with the requirements of 31 U.S.C. 3720D and 31 CFR 285.11. This part adopts and incorporates all of the provisions of 31 CFR 285.11 concerning administrative wage garnishment, including the hearing procedures described in 31 CFR 285.11(f). Treasury entities may use administrative wage garnishment to collect a delinquent Treasury debt unless the debtor is making timely payments under an agreement to pay the debt in installments (see § 5.6 of this part). At least thirty (30) days prior to initiating an administrative wage garnishment, Treasury entities will send notice to the debtor in accordance with the requirements of § 5.4 of this part, including the requirements of § 5.4(a)(10) of this part. For Treasury debts referred to the Financial Management Service under § 5.9 of this part, Treasury entities may authorize the Financial Management Service to send a notice informing the debtor that administrative wage garnishment will be initiated and how the debtor may request a hearing as described in § 5.4(a)(10) of this part. If a debtor makes a timely request for a hearing, administrative wage garnishment will not begin until a hearing is held and a decision is sent to the debtor. See 31 CFR 285.11(f)(4). If a debtor’s hearing request is not timely, Treasury entities may suspend collection by administrative wage garnishment in accordance with the provisions of 31 CFR 285.11(f)(5). All travel expenses incurred by the debtor in connection with an in-person hearing will be borne by the debtor.
(b) This section does not apply to Federal salary offset, the process by which Treasury entities collect debts from the salaries of Federal employees (see § 5.12 of this part).
§ 5.14 How will Treasury entities report Treasury debts to credit bureaus?
Treasury entities shall report delinquent Treasury debts to credit bureaus in accordance with the provisions of 31 U.S.C. 3711(e), 31 CFR 901.4, and the Office of Management and Budget Circular A-129, “Policies for Federal Credit Programs and Nontax Receivables.” For additional information, see Financial Management Service’s “Guide to the Federal Credit Bureau Program,” which may be found at http://www.fms.treas.gov/debt. At least sixty (60) days prior to reporting a delinquent debt to a consumer reporting agency, Treasury entities will send notice to the debtor in accordance with the requirements of § 5.4 of this part. Treasury entities may authorize the Financial Management Service to report to credit bureaus those delinquent Treasury debts that have been transferred to the Financial Management Service under § 5.9 of this part.
§ 5.15 How will Treasury entities refer Treasury debts to private collection agencies?
Treasury entities will transfer delinquent Treasury debts to the Financial Management Service to obtain debt collection services provided by private collection agencies. See § 5.9 of this part.
§ 5.16 When will Treasury entities refer Treasury debts to the Department of Justice?
(a) Compromise or suspension or termination of collection activity. Treasury entities shall refer Treasury debts having a principal balance over $100,000, or such higher amount as authorized by the Attorney General, to the Department of Justice for approval of any compromise of a debt or suspension or termination of collection activity. See §§ 5.7 and 5.8 of this part; 31 CFR 902.1; 31 CFR 903.1.
(b) Litigation. Treasury entities shall promptly refer to the Department of Justice for litigation delinquent Treasury debts on which aggressive collection activity has been taken in accordance with this part and that should not be compromised, and on which collection activity should not be suspended or terminated. See 31 CFR part 904. Treasury entities may authorize the Financial Management Service to refer to the Department of Justice for litigation those delinquent Treasury debts that have been transferred to the Financial Management Service under § 5.9 of this part.
§ 5.17 Will a debtor who owes a Treasury debt be ineligible for Federal loan assistance or Federal licenses, permits or privileges?
(a) Delinquent debtors barred from obtaining Federal loans or loan insurance or guaranties. As required by 31 U.S.C. 3720B and 31 CFR 901.6, Treasury entities will not extend financial assistance in the form of a loan, loan guarantee, or loan insurance to any person delinquent on a debt owed to a Federal agency. This prohibition does not apply to disaster loans. Treasury entities may extend credit after the delinquency has been resolved. See 31 CFR 285.13 for standards defining when a “delinquency” is “resolved” for purposes of this prohibition.
(b) Suspension or revocation of eligibility for licenses, permits, or privileges. Unless prohibited by law, Treasury entities should suspend or revoke licenses, permits, or other privileges for any inexcusable or willful failure of a debtor to pay a debt. The Treasury entity responsible for distributing the licenses, permits, or other privileges will establish policies and procedures governing suspension and revocation for delinquent debtors. If applicable, Treasury entities will advise the debtor in the notice required by § 5.4 of this part of the Treasury entities’ ability to suspend or revoke licenses, permits or privileges. See § 5.4(a)(16) of this part.
§ 5.18 How does a debtor request a special review based on a change in circumstances such as catastrophic illness, divorce, death, or disability?
(a) Material change in circumstances. A debtor who owes a Treasury debt may, at any time, request a special review by the applicable Treasury entity of the amount of any offset, administrative wage garnishment, or voluntary payment, based on materially changed circumstances beyond the control of the debtor such as, but not limited to, catastrophic illness, divorce, death, or disability.
(b) Inability to pay. For purposes of this section, in determining whether an involuntary or voluntary payment would prevent the debtor from meeting essential subsistence expenses (costs incurred for food, housing, clothing, transportation, and medical care), the debtor shall submit a detailed statement and supporting documents for the debtor, his or her spouse, and dependents, indicating:
(1) Income from all sources;
(2) Assets;
(3) Liabilities;
(4) Number of dependents;
(5) Expenses for food, housing, clothing, and transportation;
(6) Medical expenses; and
(7) Exceptional expenses, if any.
(c) Alternative payment arrangement. If the debtor requests a special review under this section, the debtor shall submit an alternative proposed payment schedule and a statement to the Treasury entity collecting the debt, with supporting documents, showing why the current offset, garnishment or repayment schedule imposes an extreme financial hardship on the debtor. The Treasury entity will evaluate the statement and documentation and determine whether the current offset, garnishment, or repayment schedule imposes extreme financial hardship on the debtor. The Treasury entity shall notify the debtor in writing of such determination, including, if appropriate, a revised offset, garnishment, or payment schedule. If the special review results in a revised offset, garnishment, or repayment schedule, the Treasury entity will notify the appropriate agency or other persons about the new terms.
§ 5.19 Will Treasury entities issue a refund if money is erroneously collected on a debt?
Treasury entities shall promptly refund to a debtor any amount collected on a Treasury debt when the debt is waived or otherwise found not to be owed to the United States, or as otherwise required by law. Refunds under this part shall not bear interest unless required by law.
Subpart C—Procedures for Offset of Treasury Department Payments To Collect Debts Owed to Other Federal Agencies
§ 5.20 How do other Federal agencies use the offset process to collect debts from payments issued by a Treasury entity?
(a) Offset of Treasury entity payments to collect debts owed to other Federal agencies. (1) In most cases, Federal agencies submit eligible debts to the Treasury Offset Program to collect delinquent debts from payments issued by Treasury entities and other Federal agencies, a process known as “centralized offset.” When centralized offset is not available or appropriate, any Federal agency may ask a Treasury entity (when acting as a “payment agency”) to collect a debt owed to such agency by offsetting funds payable to a debtor by the Treasury entity, including salary payments issued to Treasury entity employees. This section and § 5.21 of this subpart C apply when a Federal agency asks a Treasury entity to offset a payment issued by the Treasury entity to a person who owes a debt to the United States.
(2) This subpart C does not apply to Treasury debts. See §§ 5.10 through 5.12 of this part for offset procedures applicable to Treasury debts.
(3) This subpart C does not apply to the collection of non-Treasury debts through tax refund offset. See 31 CFR 285.2 for tax refund offset procedures.
(b) Administrative offset (including salary offset); certification. A Treasury entity will initiate a requested offset only upon receipt of written certification from the creditor agency that the debtor owes the past-due, legally enforceable debt in the amount stated, and that the creditor agency has fully complied with all applicable due process and other requirements contained in 31 U.S.C. 3716, 5 U.S.C. 5514, and the creditor agency’s regulations, as applicable. Offsets will continue until the debt is paid in full or otherwise resolved to the satisfaction of the creditor agency.
(c) Where a creditor agency makes requests for offset. Requests for offset under this section shall be sent to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, ATTN: Deputy Chief Financial Officer, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Attention: Metropolitan Square, Room 6228, Washington, DC 20220. The Deputy Chief Financial Officer will forward the request to the appropriate Treasury entity for processing in accordance with this subpart C.
(d) Incomplete certification. A Treasury entity will return an incomplete debt certification to the creditor agency with notice that the creditor agency must comply with paragraph (b) of this section before action will be taken to collect a debt from a payment issued by a Treasury entity.
(e) Review. A Treasury entity is not authorized to review the merits of the creditor agency’s determination with respect to the amount or validity of the debt certified by the creditor agency.
(f) When Treasury entities will not comply with offset request. A Treasury entity will comply with the offset request of another agency unless the Treasury entity determines that the offset would not be in the best interests of the United States, or would otherwise be contrary to law.
(g) Multiple debts. When two or more creditor agencies are seeking offsets from payments made to the same person, or when two or more debts are owed to a single creditor agency, the Treasury entity that has been asked to offset the payments may determine the order in which the debts will be collected or whether one or more debts should be collected by offset simultaneously.
(h) Priority of debts owed to Treasury entity. For purposes of this section, debts owed to a Treasury entity generally take precedence over debts owed to other agencies. The Treasury entity that has been asked to offset the payments may determine whether to pay debts owed to other agencies before paying a debt owed to a Treasury entity. The Treasury entity that has been asked to offset the payments will determine the order in which the debts will be collected based on the best interests of the United States.
§ 5.21 What does a Treasury entity do upon receipt of a request to offset the salary of a Treasury entity employee to collect a debt owed by the employee to another Federal agency?
(a) Notice to the Treasury employee. When a Treasury entity receives proper certification of a debt owed by one of its employees, the Treasury entity will begin deductions from the employee’s pay at the next officially established pay interval. The Treasury entity will send a written notice to the employee indicating that a certified debt claim has been received from the creditor agency, the amount of the debt claimed to be owed by the creditor agency, the date deductions from salary will begin, and the amount of such deductions.
(b) Amount of deductions from Treasury employee’s salary. The amount deducted under § 5.20(b) of this part will be the lesser of the amount of the debt certified by the creditor agency or an amount up to 15% of the debtor’s disposable pay. Deductions shall continue until the Treasury entity knows that the debt is paid in full or until otherwise instructed by the creditor agency. Alternatively, the amount offset may be an amount agreed upon, in writing, by the debtor and the creditor agency. See § 5.12(g) (salary offset process).
(c) When the debtor is no longer employed by the Treasury entity—(1) Offset of final and subsequent payments. If a Treasury entity employee retires or resigns or if his or her employment ends before collection of the debt is complete, the Treasury entity will continue to offset, under 31 U.S.C. 3716, up to 100% of an employee’s subsequent payments until the debt is paid or otherwise resolved. Such payments include a debtor’s final salary payment, lump-sum leave payment, and other payments payable to the debtor by the Treasury entity. See 31 U.S.C. 3716 and 5 CFR 550.1104(l) and 550.1104(m).
(2) Notice to the creditor agency. If the employee is separated from the Treasury entity before the debt is paid in full, the Treasury entity will certify to the creditor agency the total amount of its collection. If the Treasury entity is aware that the employee is entitled to payments from the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund, Federal Employee Retirement System, or other similar payments, the Treasury entity will provide written notice to the agency making such payments that the debtor owes a debt (including the amount) and that the provisions of 5 CFR 550.1109 have been fully complied with. The creditor agency is responsible for submitting a certified claim to the agency responsible for making such payments before collection may begin. Generally, creditor agencies will collect such monies through the Treasury Offset Program as described in § 5.9(c) of this part.
(3) Notice to the debtor. The Treasury entity will provide to the debtor a copy of any notices sent to the creditor agency under paragraph (c)(2) of this section.
(d) When the debtor transfers to another Federal agency—(1) Notice to the creditor agency. If the debtor transfers to another Federal agency before the debt is paid in full, the Treasury entity will notify the creditor agency and will certify the total amount of its collection on the debt. The Treasury entity will provide a copy of the certification to the creditor agency. The creditor agency is responsible for submitting a certified claim to the debtor’s new employing agency before collection may begin.
(2) Notice to the debtor. The Treasury entity will provide to the debtor a copy of any notices and certifications sent to the creditor agency under paragraph (d)(1) of this section.
(e) Request for hearing official. A Treasury entity will provide a hearing official upon the creditor agency’s request with respect to a Treasury entity employee. See 5 CFR 550.1107(a).
Appendix A to Part 5—Treasury Directive 34-01—Waiving Claims Against Treasury Employees for Erroneous Payments
Date: July 12, 2000.
Sunset Review: July 12, 2004.
Subject: Waiving Claims Against Treasury Employees for Erroneous Payments.
This Directive establishes the Department of the Treasury’s policies and procedures for waiving claims by the Government against an employee for erroneous payments of: (1) Pay and allowances (e.g., health and life insurance) and (2) travel, transportation, and relocation expenses and allowances.
a. 5 U.S.C. § 5584 authorizes the waiver of claims by the United States in whole or in part against an employee arising out of erroneous payments of pay and allowances, travel, transportation, and relocation expenses and allowances. A waiver may be considered when collection of the claim would be against equity and good conscience and not in the best interest of the United States provided that there does not exist, in connection with the claim, an indication of fraud, misrepresentation, fault, or lack of good faith on the part of the employee or any other person having an interest in obtaining a waiver of the claim.
b. The General Accounting Office Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-316), Title I, § 103(d), enacted October 19, 1996, amended 5 U.S.C. § 5584 by transferring the authority to waive claims for erroneous payments exceeding $1,500 from the Comptroller General of the United States to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). OMB subsequently redelegated this waiver authority to the executive agency that made the erroneous payment. The authority to waive claims not exceeding $1,500, which was vested in the head of each agency prior to the enactment of Pub. L. 104-316, was unaffected by the Act.
c. 5 U.S.C. § 5514 authorizes the head of each agency, upon a determination that an employee is indebted to the United States for debts to which the United States is entitled to be repaid at the time of the determination, to deduct up to 15%, or a greater amount if agreed to by the employee, from the employee’s pay at officially established pay intervals in order to repay the debt.
a. The Deputy Assistant Secretary (Administration), the heads of bureaus, the Inspector General, and the Inspector General for Tax Administration are delegated the authority to waive, in whole or in part, a claim of the United States against an employee for an erroneous payment of pay and allowances, travel, transportation, and relocation expenses and allowances, aggregating less than $5,000 per claim, in accordance with the limitations and standards in 5 U.S.C. § 5584.
b. Treasury’s Deputy Chief Financial Officer is delegated the authority to waive, in whole or in part, a claim of the United States against an employee for an erroneous payment of pay and allowances, travel, transportation, and relocation expenses and allowances, aggregating $5,000 or more per claim, in accordance with the limitations and standards in 5 U.S.C. § 5584.
a. Requests for waiver of claims aggregating less than $5,000 per claim which are denied in whole or in part may be appealed to the Deputy Chief Financial Officer for the Department of the Treasury.
b. Requests for waiver of claims aggregating $5,000 or more per claim which are denied in whole or in part may be appealed to the Assistant Secretary (Management)/Chief Financial Officer.
The Deputy Assistant Secretary (Administration), the heads of bureaus, the Inspector General, and the Inspector General for Tax Administration may redelegate their respective authority and responsibility in writing no lower than the bureau deputy chief financial officer unless authorized by Treasury’s Deputy Chief Financial Officer. Copies of each redelegation shall be submitted to the Department’s Deputy Chief Financial Officer.
a. The Deputy Assistant Secretary (Administration), the heads of bureaus, the Inspector General, and the Inspector General for Tax Administration shall:
(1) Promptly notify an employee upon discovery of an erroneous payment to that employee;
(2) Promptly act to collect the erroneous overpayment, following established debt collection policies and procedures;
(3) Establish time frames for employees to request a waiver in writing and for the bureau to review the waiver request. These time frames must take into consideration the responsibilities of the United States to take prompt action to pursue enforced collection on overdue debts, which may arise from erroneous payments.
(4) Notify employees whose requests for waiver of claims aggregating less than $5,000 per claim are denied in whole or in part of the basis for the denial and the right to appeal the denial to the Deputy Chief Financial Officer of the Department of the Treasury. All such appeals shall:
(a) Be made in writing;
(b) Specify the basis for the appeal;
(c) Include a chronology of the events surrounding the erroneous payments;
(d) Include a statement regarding any mitigating factors; and
(e) Be submitted to the official who denied the waiver request no later than 60 days from receipt by the employee of written notice of the denial of the waiver; and
(f) Attach at least the following documents: the employee’s original request for a waiver; the bureau’s denial of the request; any personnel actions, e.g., promotions, demotions, step increases, etc. that relate to the overpayment.
(5) Forward to Treasury’s Deputy Chief Financial Officer the appeal and supporting documentation, the bureau’s recommendation as to why the appeal should be approved or denied; and a statement as to the action taken by the bureau to avoid a recurrence of the error.
(6) Pay a refund when appropriate if a waiver is granted;
(7) Fulfill all labor relations responsibilities when implementing this directive; and
(8) Fulfill any other responsibility of the agency imposed by 5 U.S.C. § 5584, or other applicable laws and regulations.
b. Treasury’s Deputy Chief Financial Officer shall advise employees whose requests for waiver of claims aggregating $5,000 or more per claim are denied in whole or in part of the basis for the denial and the right to appeal the denial to the Assistant Secretary (Management)/Chief Financial Officer. All such appeals shall be in the format and contain the information and documentation described in subsection 6.a.(4), above. The Deputy Chief Financial Officer shall forward to Assistant Secretary (Management)/Chief Financial Officer the appeal and supporting documentation, his/her recommendation as to why the appeal should be approved or denied, and a statement obtained from the bureau from which the claim arose as to the action taken by the bureau to avoid a recurrence of the error.
a. Each bureau, the Deputy Assistant Secretary (Administration) for Departmental Offices, the Inspector General, and the Inspector General for Tax Administration shall maintain a register of waiver actions subject to Departmental review. The register shall cover each fiscal year and be prepared by December 31 of each year for the preceding fiscal year. The register shall contain the following information:
(1) The total amount waived by the bureau;
(2) The number and dollar amount of waiver applications granted in full;
(3) The number and dollar amount of waiver applications granted in part and denied in part, and the dollar amount of each;
(4) The number and dollar amount of waiver applications denied in their entirety;
(5) The number of waiver applications referred to the Deputy Chief Financial Officer for initial action or for appeal;
(6) The dollar amount refunded as a result of waiver action by the bureau; and
(7) The dollar amount refunded as a result of waiver action by the Deputy Chief Financial Officer or the Assistant Secretary (Management)/Chief Financial Officer.
b. Each bureau, the Deputy Assistant Secretary (Administration) for Departmental Offices, the Inspector General, and the Inspector General for Tax Administration shall retain a written record of each waiver action for 6 years and 3 months. At a minimum, the written record shall contain:
(1) The bureau’s summary of the events surrounding the erroneous payment;
(2) Any written comments submitted by the employee from whom collection is sought;
(3) An account of the waiver action taken and the reasons for such action; and
(4) Other pertinent information such as any action taken to refund amounts repaid.
A request for a waiver of a claim shall not affect an employee’s opportunity under 5 U.S.C. § 5514(a)(2)(D) for a hearing on the determination of the agency concerning the existence or the amount of the debt, or the terms of the repayment schedule. A request by an employee for a hearing under 5 U.S.C. § 5514(a)(2)(D) shall not affect an employee’s right to request a waiver of the claim. The determination whether to waive a claim may be made at the discretion of the deciding official either before or after a final decision is rendered pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 5514(a)(2)(D) concerning the existence or the amount of the debt, or the terms of the repayment schedule.
a. A request for a waiver shall not be granted if the deciding official determines there exists, in connection with the claim, an indication of fraud, misrepresentation, fault, or lack of good faith on the part of the employee or any other person having an interest in obtaining a waiver of the claim. There are no exceptions to this rule for financial hardship or otherwise.
(1) “Fault” exists if, in light of all the circumstances, it is determined that the employee knew or should have known that an error existed, but failed to take action to have it corrected. Fault can derive from an act or a failure to act. Unlike fraud, fault does not require a deliberate intent to deceive. Whether an employee should have known about an error in pay is determined from the perspective of a reasonable person. Pertinent considerations in finding fault include whether:
(a) The payment resulted from the employee’s incorrect, but not fraudulent, statement that the employee should have known was incorrect;
(b) The payment resulted from the employee’s failure to disclose material facts in the employee’s possession which the employee should have known to be material; or
(c) The employee accepted a payment, which the employee knew or should have known to be erroneous.
(2) Every case must be examined in light of its particular facts. For example, where an employee is promoted to a higher grade but the step level for the employee’s new grade is miscalculated, it may be appropriate to conclude that there is no fault on the employee’s part because employees are not typically expected to be aware of and understand the rules regarding determination of step level upon promotion. On the other hand, a different conclusion as to fault potentially may be reached if the employee in question is a personnel specialist or an attorney who concentrates on personnel law.
b. If the deciding official finds an indication of fraud, misrepresentation, fault, or lack of good faith on the part of the employee or any other person having an interest in obtaining a waiver of the claim, then the request for a waiver must be denied.
c. If the deciding official finds no indication of fraud, misrepresentation, fault, or lack of good faith on the part of the employee or any other person having an interest in obtaining a waiver of the claim, the employee is not automatically entitled to a waiver. Before a waiver can be granted, the deciding official must also determine that collection of the claim against an employee would be against equity and good conscience and not in the best interests of the United States. Factors to consider when determining if collection of a claim against an employee would be against equity and good conscience and not in the best interests of the United States include, but are not limited to:
(1) Whether collection of the claim would cause serious financial hardship to the employee from whom collection is sought.
(2) Whether, because of the erroneous payment, the employee either has relinquished a valuable right or changed positions for the worse, regardless of the employee’s financial circumstances.
(a) To establish that a valuable right has been relinquished, it must be shown that the right was, in fact, valuable; that it cannot be regained; and that the action was based chiefly or solely on reliance on the overpayment.
(b) To establish that the employee’s position has changed for the worse, it must be shown that the decision would not have been made but for the overpayment, and that the decision resulted in a loss.
(c) An example of a “detrimental reliance” would be a decision to sign a lease for a more expensive apartment based chiefly or solely upon reliance on an erroneous calculation of salary, and the funds spent for rent cannot be recovered.
(3) The cost of collecting the claim equals or exceeds the amount of the claim;
(4) The time elapsed between the erroneous payment and discovery of the error and notification of the employee;
(5) Whether failure to make restitution would result in unfair gain to the employee;
(6) Whether recovery of the claim would be unconscionable under the circumstances.
d. The burden is on the employee to demonstrate that collection of the claim would be against equity and good conscience and not in the best interest of the United States.
a. 5 U.S.C. § 5584, “Claims for Overpayment of Pay and Allowances, and of Travel, Transportation and Relocation Expenses and Allowances.”
b. 31 U.S.C. § 3711, “Collection and Compromise.”
c. 31 U.S.C. § 3716, “Administrative Offset.”
d. 31 U.S.C. § 3717, “Interest and Penalty on Claims.”
e. 5 CFR Part 550, subpart K, “Collection by Offset from Indebted Government Employees.”
f. 31 CFR Part 5, subpart B, “Salary Offset.”
g. Determination with Respect to Transfer of Functions Pursuant to Public Law 104-316, OMB, December 17, 1996.
TD 34-01, “Waiver of Claims for Erroneous Payments,” dated October 25, 1995, is superseded.
Office of Accounting and Internal Control.
PART 6—APPLICATIONS FOR AWARDS UNDER THE EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE ACT
Subpart A—General Provisions
§ 6.1 Purpose of these rules.
The Equal Access to Justice Act, 5 U.S.C. 504 (called “the Act” in this part), provides for the award of attorney fees and other expenses to eligible individuals and entities who are parties to certain administrative proceedings (called “adversary adjudications”) before agencies of the Government of the United States. An eligible party may receive an award when it prevails over an agency, unless the agency’s position in the proceeding was substantially justified or special circumstances make an award unjust. The rules in this part describe the parties eligible for awards and the proceedings that are covered. They also explain how to apply for awards, and the procedures and standards that the Treasury Department will use to make them.
§ 6.2 When the Act applies.
The Act applies to any adversary adjudication pending before an agency at any time between October 1, 1981 and September 30, 1984. This includes proceedings begun before October 1, 1981, if final agency action has not been taken before that date, and proceedings pending on September 30, 1984, regardless of when they were initiated or when final agency action occurs.
§ 6.3 Proceedings covered.
The Act applies to adversary adjudications required to be conducted by the Treasury Department under 5 U.S.C. 554. Within the Treasury Department, these proceedings are:
(a) Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms: (1) Permit proceedings under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act (27 U.S.C. 204); (2) Permit proceedings under the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (26 U.S.C. 5171, 5271, 5713); (3) License and permit proceedings under the Federal Explosives Laws (18 U.S.C. 843).
(b) Comptroller of the Currency:
§ 6.4 Eligibility of applicants.
(a) To be eligible for an award of attorney fees and other expenses under the Act, the applicant must be a party to the adversary adjudication for which it seeks an award. The term “party” is defined in 5 U.S.C. 551(3). The applicant must show that it meets all conditions of eligibility set out in this subpart and has complied with the requirements in Subpart B of this part.
(b) The types of eligible applicants are as follows:
(1) An individual with a net worth of not more than $1 million;
(2) The sole owner of an unincorporated business who has a net worth of not more than $5 million, including both personal and business interests, and not more than 500 employees;
(3) A charitable or other tax-exempt organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3)) with not more than 500 employees;
(4) A cooperative association as defined in section 15(a) of the Agricultural Marketing Act (12 U.S.C. 1141(a)) with not more than 500 employees, or
(5) Any other partnership, corporation, association, or public or private organization with a net worth of not more than $5 million and not more than 500 employees.
(c) For the purpose of eligibility, the net worth and number of employees of an applicant shall be determined as of the date the proceeding was initiated.
(d) An applicant who owns an unincorporated business will be considered as an “individual” rather than a “sole owner of an unincorporated business” if the matter in controversy is primarily related to personal interests rather than to business interests.
(e) The employees of an applicant include all persons who regularly perform services for remuneration for the applicant, under the applicant’s direction and control. Part-time employees shall be included.
(f) The net worth and number of employees of the applicant and all of its affiliates shall be aggregated to determine eligibility. Any individual or group of individuals, corporation or other entity that directly or indirectly controls or owns a majority of the voting shares of another business, or controls in any manner the election of a majority of that business’s board of directors, trustees, or other persons exercising similar functions, will be considered an affiliate of that business for purposes of this part, unless the adjudicative officer determines that such treatment would be unjust and contrary to the purposes of the Act in light of the actual relationship between the affiliated entities. In addition, the adjudicative officer may determine that financial relationships of the applicant other than those described in this paragraph constitute special circumstances that would make an award unjust.
(g) An applicant that participates in a proceeding primarily on behalf of one or more other persons or entities that would be ineligible is not itself eligible for an award.
§ 6.5 Standards for awards.
(a) A prevailing applicant may receive an award for fees and expenses incurred in connection with the final disposition of a proceeding, unless (1) the position of the agency was substantially justified, or (2) special circumstances make the award unjust. No presumption arises that the agency’s position was not substantially justified simply because the agency did not prevail.
(b) An award will be reduced or denied if the applicant has unduly or unreasonably protracted the proceeding or if special circumstances make the award sought unjust.
§ 6.6 Allowable fees and other expenses.
(a) The following fees and other expenses are allowable under the Act:
(1) Reasonable expenses of expert witnesses;
(2) Reasonable cost of any study, analysis, engineering report, test, or project which the agency finds necessary for the preparation of the party’s case;
(3) Reasonable attorney or agent fees.
(b) The amount of fees awarded will be based upon the prevailing market rates for the kind and quality of services furnished, except that
(1) Compensation for an expert witness will not exceed the highest rate paid by the agency for expert witnesses; and
(2) Attorney or agent fees will not be in excess of $75 per hour.
The Director, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Comptroller of the Currency are authorized to take final action on matters pertaining to the Equal Access to Justice Act, 5 U.S.C. 504, in proceedings listed in § 6.3 under the respective bureau or office. The Secretary of the Treasury may by order delegate authority to take final action on matters pertaining to the Equal Access to Justice Act in particular cases to other subordinate officials.
Subpart B—Information Required From Applicants
§ 6.8 Contents of application.
(a) An application for an award of fees and expenses under the Act shall identify the applicant and the proceeding for which an award is sought. The application shall show that the applicant has prevailed and identify the position of the agency in the proceeding that the applicant alleges was not substantially justified. The application shall state the basis for the applicant’s belief that the position was not substantially justified. Unless the applicant is an individual, the application shall also state the number of employees of the applicant and describe briefly the type and purpose of its organization or business.
(b) The application shall also include a statement that the applicant’s net worth does not exceed $1 million (if an individual) or $5 million (for all other applicants, including their affiliates). However, an applicant may omit this statement if:
(1) It attaches a copy of a ruling by the Internal Revenue Service that it qualifies as an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3)) or, in the case of a tax-exempt organization not required to obtain a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service on its exempt status, a statement that describes the basis for the applicant’s belief that it qualifies under such section; or
(2) It states that it is a cooperative association as defined in section 15(a) of the Agricultural Marketing Act (12 U.S.C. 1141j(a)).
(c) The application shall itemize the amount of fees and expenses for which an award is sought.
(d) The application may also include any other matters that the applicant wishes the agency to consider in determining whether and in what amount an award should be made.
(e) The application shall be signed by the applicant or an authorized officer with respect to the eligibility of the applicant and by the attorney of the applicant with respect to fees and expenses sought. It shall also contain or be accompanied by a written verification under oath or under penalty of perjury that the information provided in the application is true and correct.
§ 6.9 Net worth exhibit.
(a) Each applicant except a qualified tax-exempt organization, or cooperative association must provide with its application a detailed exhibit showing the net worth of the applicant and any affiliates (as defined in § 6.4(f)) when the proceeding was initiated. In the case of national banking associations, “net worth” shall be considered to be the total capital and surplus as reported, in conformity with the applicable instructions and guidelines, on the bank’s last Consolidated Report of Condition filed before the initiation of the underlying proceeding.
(b) The exhibit may be in any form convenient to the applicant that provides full disclosure of the applicant’s and its affiliates assets and liabilities and is sufficient to determine whether the applicant qualifies under the standards in this part. The adjudicative officer may require an applicant to file additional information to determine its eligibility for an award.
§ 6.10 Documentation of fees and expenses.
(a) The application shall be accompanied by full documentation of the fees and expenses, including the cost of any study, engineering report, test, or project, for which an award is sought.
(b) The documentation shall include an affidavit from any attorney, agent, or expert witness representing or appearing in behalf of the party, stating the actual time expended and the rate at which fees and other expenses were computed and describing the specific services performed.
(1) The affidavit shall state the services performed. In order to establish the hourly rate, the affidavit shall state the hourly rate which is billed and paid by the majority of clients during the relevant time periods.
(2) If not hourly rate is paid by the majority of clients because, for instance, the attorney or agent represents most clients on a contingency basis, the attorney or agent shall provide information about two attorneys or agents with similar experience, who perform similar work, stating their hourly rate.
(c) The documentation shall also include a description of any expenses for which reimbursement is sought and a statement of the amounts paid and payable by the applicant or by any other person or entity for the services provided.
(d) The adjudicative officer may require the applicant to provide vouchers, receipts, or other substantiation for any expenses claimed.
§ 6.11 When an application may be filed.
(a) An application may be filed whenever the applicant has prevailed in the proceeding but in no case later than 30 days after the agency’s final disposition of the proceeding.
(b) If review or reconsideration is sought or taken of a decision as to which an applicant believes it has prevailed, proceedings for the award of fees shall be stayed pending final disposition of the underlying controversy.
Subpart C—Procedures for Considering Applications
§ 6.12 Filing and service of documents.
Any application for an award or other pleading or document related to an application shall be filed and served on all parties to the proceeding in the same manner as other pleadings in the proceeding.
§ 6.13 Answer to application.
(a) Within 30 days after service of an application, counsel representing the agency against which an award is sought shall file an answer to the application.
(b) If agency counsel and the applicant believe that the issues in the fee application can be settled, they may jointly file a statement of their intent to negotiate a settlement. The filing of this statement shall extend the time for filing an answer for an additional 60 days and further extensions may be granted by the adjudicative officer upon request by agency counsel and the applicant.
(c) The answer shall explain any objections to the award requested and identify the facts relied on in support of agency counsel’s position. If the answer is based on any alleged facts not already in the record of the proceeding, agency counsel shall include with the answer supporting affidavits.
§ 6.14 Decision.
The adjudicative officer shall issue an initial decision on the application within 60 days after completion of proceedings on the application. The decision shall include written findings and conclusions on the applicant’s eligibility and status as a prevailing party, and an explanation of the reasons for any difference between the amount requested and the amount awarded. The decision shall also include, if at issue, findings on whether the agency’s position was substantially justified, whether the applicant unduly protracted the proceedings, or whether special circumstances make an award unjust.
§ 6.15 Agency review.
Either the applicant or agency counsel may seek review of the initial decision on the fee application, or the agency may decide to review the decision on its own initiative. If neither the applicant nor agency counsel seeks a review and the agncy does not take review on its own initiative, the initial decision on the application shall become a final decision of the agency 30 days after it is issued. Whether to review a decision is a matter within the discretion of the agency. If review is taken, the agency will issue a final decision on the application or remand the application to the adjudicative officer for further proceedings.
§ 6.16 Judicial review.
Judicial review of final agency decisions on awards may be sought as provided in 5 U.S.C. 504(c)(2).
§ 6.17 Payment of award.
An applicant seeking payment of an award shall submit to the agency a copy of the agency’s final decision granting the award, accompanied by a statement that the applicant will not seek review of the decision in the United States courts. An applicant shall be paid the amount awarded unless judicial review of the award or of the underlying decision of the adversary adjudication has been sought by the applicant or any other party to the proceeding.
PART 7—EMPLOYEE INVENTIONS
§ 7.1 Purpose.
Provisions defining the right, title, and interest of the Government in and to an invention made by a Government employee under various circumstances and the duties of Government agencies with respect thereto are set forth in Executive Order 10096, 15 FR 389, as amended (35 U.S.C. 266 note). Further definition of the circumstances under which the Government will acquire the right to a patent in such an invention or a nonexclusive, irrevocable, royalty-free license in the invention, and the procedures for the determination of these interests, are set forth in the regulations issued under that Executive order by the Patent Office, 37 CFR part 100. The purpose of this part 7 is to implement for the Treasury Department the foregoing Executive order and regulations of the Patent Office by (a) bringing to the attention of Treasury employees the law and procedure governing their rights to, and interest in, inventions made by them, (b) defining responsibility within the Department for making the necessary determinations, and, (c) establishing internal procedures for action in conformity with the Executive order and the Patent Office regulations.
§ 7.2 Responsibilities of the Department.
The responsibilities of the Treasury Department are to determine initially (a) the occurrence of an invention by an employee, (b) his rights in the invention and the rights of the Government therein, and (c) whether patent protection will be sought in the United States by the Department, and to furnish the required reports to the Patent Office.
§ 7.3 Responsibilities of heads of offices.
(a) Heads of bureaus or offices in the Department shall be responsible for determining initially whether the results of research, development, or other activity of an employee within that bureau or office constitute an invention which falls within the purview of Executive Order 10096, as amended, and is to be handled in accordance with the regulations in this part.
(b) Heads of bureaus or offices are responsible for obtaining from the employee the necessary information and, if the determination under paragraph (a) of this section is affirmative, preparing on behalf of the bureau or office a description of the invention and its relationship to the employee’s duties and work assignments.
(c) Heads of bureaus or offices, after such examination and investigation as may be necessary, shall refer to the General Counsel all information obtained concerning the invention and such determination as the head of the bureau or office has made with respect to the character of the activity as an invention. These reports shall include any determination as to the giving of a cash award to the employee for his performance relating to that invention.
§ 7.4 Responsibilities of the General Counsel.
(a) The General Counsel shall be responsible for determining, subject to review by the Commissioner of Patents, the respective rights of the Government and of the inventor in and to any invention made by an employee of the Department.
(b) On the basis of the foregoing determination, the General Counsel shall determine whether patent protection will be sought by the Department for such an invention.
(c) The General Counsel will prepare and furnish to the Patent Office the reports required by the regulations of that Office and will serve as the liaison officer between the Department and the Commissioner of Patents.
§ 7.5 Responsibilities of employees.
All employees are required to report to the heads of their bureaus or offices any result of research, development, or other activity on their part which may constitute an invention and the circumstances under which this possible invention came into being.
§ 7.6 Effect of awards.
The acceptance by an employee of a cash award for performance which constitutes an invention shall, in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 4502(c), constitute an agreement that the use by the Government of the idea, method, or device for which the award is made does not form the basis of any further claim against the Government by the employee, his heirs or assigns.
§ 7.7 Appeals.
(a) Any employee who is aggrieved by a determination made by the head of his bureau or office under this part may obtain a review of the determination by filing an appeal with the General Counsel within 30 days after receiving the notice of the determination complained of.
(b) Any employee who is aggrieved by a determination made by the General Counsel under this part may obtain a review of the determination by filing a written appeal with the Commissioner of Patents within 30 days after receiving notice of the determination complained of, or within such longer period as the Commissioner may provide. The appeal to the Commissioner shall be processed in accordance with the provisions in the regulations of the Patent Office for an appeal from an agency determination.
§ 7.8 Delegation.
The heads of bureaus or offices and the General Counsel may delegate, as appropriate, the performance of the responsibilities assigned to them under this part.
PART 8—PRACTICE BEFORE THE BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FIREARMS
Subpart A—General Requirements
§ 8.1 Scope.
This part contains rules governing the recognition of attorneys, certified public accountants, enrolled practitioners, and other persons representing clients before the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
§ 8.2 Persons who may practice.
(a) Attorneys. Any attorney who is not currently under suspension or disbarment from practice before the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, may practice before the Bureau upon filing a written declaration with the Bureau, that he or she is currently qualified as an attorney and is authorized to represent the particular party on whose behalf he or she acts.
(b) Certified public accountants. Any certified public accountant who is not currently under suspension or disbarment before the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, may practice before the Bureau upon filing a written declaration with the Bureau, that he or she is currently qualified as a certified public accountant and is authorized to represent the particular party on whose behalf he or she acts.
(c) Enrollment practitioners. Any person enrolled as a practitioner under the provisions of subpart C of this part and who is not under suspension or disbarment from enrollment may practice before the Bureau.
(d) Limited practitioners. Any person qualified for limited practice without enrollment under the provisions of § 8.29 may practice before the Bureau.
(e) Restrictions on Government officers and employees. Any officer or employee of the United States in the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of the Government, or in any agency of the United States, including the District of Columbia, who is otherwise eligible to practice under the provisions of this part, may represent parties before the Bureau when doing so in the conduct of his or her official duties. A Government officer or employee may not otherwise practice before the Bureau except that, subject to the requirements of 18 U.S.C. 205, he or she may represent a member of his or her immediate family or a person or estate for which he or she serves as guardian, executor, administrator, trustee or other personal fiduciary. Member of Congress or Resident Commissioners (elect or serving) may not practice before the Bureau in connection with any matter for which they directly or indirectly seek any compensation.
(f) Restrictions on State officers and employees. No officer or employee of any State, or subdivision thereof, whose official responsibilities require him or her to pass upon, investigate, or deal with any State law or regulation concerning alcohol, tobacco, firearms, explosives matters or wagering, may practice before the Bureau if his or her official responsibility may disclose pertinent facts or information relating to matters administered by the Bureau.
(g) Customhouse brokers. Customhouse brokers, licensed by the Commissioner of Customs according to 19 CFR part 111, may represent a party for whom they have acted as a customhouse broker before the Bureau with respect to matters relating to the importation or exportation of merchandise under customs or intenal revenue laws.
§ 8.3 Conference and practice requirements.
Conference and practice requrements of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, including requirements for powers of attorney are set forth in:
(a) 26 CFR part 601, subpart E (or those regulations as recodified in 27 CFR part 71 subsequent to the effective date of these regulations, 31 CFR part 8) with respect to all representations before the Bureau except those concerning license or permit proceedings;
(b) 27 CFR part 200 with respect to proceedings concerning permits issued under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act or the Internal Revenue Code;
(c) 27 CFR 47.44 with respect to proceedings concerning licenses issued under the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2778);
(d) 27 CFR part 178, subpart E, with respect to proceedings concerning licenses issued under the Gun Control Act of 1968 (18 U.S.C. Chapter 44); and
(e) 27 CFR part 181, subpart E, with respect to proceedings concerning licenses or permits issued under the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970 (18 U.S.C. Chapter 40).
§ 8.4 Director of Practice.
(a) Appointment. The Secretary shall appoint the Director of Practice. In the event of the absence of the Director of Practice or a vacancy in that office, the Secretary shall designate an officer or employee of the Treasury Department to act as Director of Practice.
(b) Duties. The Director of Practice, Office of the Secretary of the Treasury, shall: Act upon appeals from decisions of the Director denying applications for enrollment to practice before the Bureau; institute and provide for the conduct of disciplinary proceedings relating to attorneys, certified public accountants, and enrolled practitioners; make inquiries with respect to matters under his or her jurisdiction; and perform other duties as are necessary or appropriate to carry out his or her functions under this part or as are prescribed by the Secretary.
§ 8.5 Records.
(a) Availability. Registers of all persons admitted to practice before the Bureau, and of all persons disbarred or suspended from practice, which are required to be maintained by the director under the provisions of § 8.27, will be available for public inspection at the Office of the Director. Other records may be disclosed upon specific request in accordance with the disclosure regulations of the Bureau (27 CFR part 71) and the Office of the Secretary.
(b) Disciplinary proceedings. The Director, may grant a request by an attorney, certified public accountant, or enrolled practitioner to make public a hearing in a disciplinary proceeding, conducted under the provisions of subpart E of this part concerning the attorney, certified public accountant or enrolled practioner, and to make the record of the proceeding available for public inspection by interested persons, if an agreement is reached by stipulation in advance to prevent disclosure of any information which is confidential, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
§ 8.6 Special orders.
The secretary reserves the power to issue special orders as he or she may deem proper in any cases within the scope of this part.
Subpart B—Definitions
§ 8.11 Meaning of terms.
As used in this part, terms shall have the meaning given in this section. Words in the plural shall include the singular, and vice versa. The terms include and including do not exclude things not enumerated which are in the same general class.
Administrative Law Judge. The person appointed pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 3105, designated to preside over any administrative proceedings under this part.
Attorney. A person who is a member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of any State, possession, territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
Bureau. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Department of the Treasury, Washington, DC 20226.
Certified public accountant. Any person who is qualified to practice as a certified public accountant in any State, possession, territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
CFR. The Code of Federal Regulations.
Director. The Director, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Department of the Treasury, Washington, DC.
Enrolled practitioner. Any person enrolled to practice before the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms pursuant to Subpart C of this part.
Practice before the Bureau. This comprehends all matters connected with presentation to the Bureau or any of its officers or employees relating to a client’s rights, privileges or liabilities under laws or regulations administered by the Bureau. Presentations include the preparation and filing of necessary documents, correspondence with and communications to the Bureau, and the representation of a client at conferences, hearings, and meetings. Preparation of a tax return, appearance of an individual as a witness for any party, or furnishing information at the request of the Bureau of any of its officers or employees is not considered practice before the Bureau.
Secretary. The Secretary of the Treasury.
U.S.C. The United States Code.
Subpart C—Enrollment Procedures
§ 8.21 Eligibility for enrollment.
(a) General qualifications. The Director may grant enrollment to practice to any person who has not engaged in conduct which would justify the disbarment or suspension of any attorney, certified public accountant, or enrolled practioner. Each person shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Director that he or she possesses the necessary technical qualifications to enable him or her to render valuable service before the Bureau, and that he or she is otherwise competent to advise and assists in the presentation of matters before the Bureau.
(b) Technical qualifications. The Director may grant enrollment to practice only to persons possessing technical knowledge of the laws and regulations administered by the Bureau.
(1) Minimum criteria required of an enrolled practioner will consist of: 5 years employment with the Treasury Department in a responsible position which would familiarize the person with applicable laws and regulations; or 5 years employment in a regulated industry in a responsible position which would familiarize the person with applicable laws and regulations; or possession of a law degree; or other significant experience such as the prior respresentation of persons before the Internal Revenue Service or the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
(2) An enrolled paractioner may demonstrate technical knowledge in one or more of the several areas of laws and regulations administered by the Bureau (alcohol, tobacco firearms, or explosives matters).
(c) Natural persons. Enrollment to practice may only be granted to natural persons who have become 18 years of age.
(d) Attorneys, certified public accountants. Enrollment if not available to persons who are attorneys or certified public accountants who qualify to practice without enrollment under § 8.2 (a) or (b).
§ 8.22 Application for enrollment.
(a) Information to be furnished. An applicant for enrollment to practice shall state his or her name, address, and business address, citizenship, and age on the application. The applicant shall also state if he or she has ever been suspended or disbarred as an attorney or certified public accountant, or if the applicant’s right to practice has ever been revoked by any court, commission, or administrative agency in any jurisdiction. The applicant shall set forth his or her technical qualifications as required by § 8.21(b) which enable him or her to render valuable service before the Bureau. The applicant shall indicate which area or areas of Bureau matters in which he or she desires to practice (alcohol, tobacco, firearms, or explosives matters).
(b) Fee. Each application for enrollment will be accompanied by a check or money order in the amount of $25, payable to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. This fee will be retained by the United States whether or not the applicant is granted enrollment. Agents who are enrolled to practice before the Internal Revenue Service prior to September 27, 1977, need not include this fee and should indicate their enrollment number on the application.
(c) Execution under oath. All applications for enrollment will be executed under oath or affirmation.
(d) Filing. Applications for enrollment will be filed with the Assistant Director, Regulatory Enforcement, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, 1200 Pensylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20226.
(e) Additional information. The Director, as a condition to consideration for enrollment, may require the applicant to file additional information as necessary to determine if the applicant is qualified. The Director shall, upon written request, afford an applicant the opportunity to be heard with respect to his or her application for enrollment.
§ 8.23 Denial of enrollment; appeal.
(a) The Director, in denying an application for enrollment, shall inform the applicant as to the reasons. The applicant may, within 30 days after receipt of the notice of denial, file a written appeal together with reasons in support thereof, with the Director of Practice. The Director of Practice shall render a decision on the appeal as soon as practicable.
(b) An applicant may, within 30 days after receipt of the decision of the Director of Practice in sustaining a denial of enrollment, appeal the decision to the Secretary.
§ 8.24 Enrollment cards.
The Director shall issue an enrollment card to each practitioner who is enrolled to practice before the Bureau. Each enrollment card is valid for a period of 5 years as long as the holder remains enrolled and in good standing before the Bureau. Unless advised to the contrary by the Director, any officer or employee of the Bureau may consider the holder of an unexpired enrollment card to be authorized to practice before the Bureau in the subject area or areas indicated upon the card (alcohol, tobacco, firearms, or explosives matters).
§ 8.25 Renewal of enrollment card.
(a) Period of renewal. An enrolled practitioner may apply for renewal of his or her enrollment card during a 12-month period prior to the expiration of the enrollment card.
(b) Application. Each enrolled practitioner applying for a renewal of enrollment shall apply to the Director. The enrolled practitioner shall include in the application all information required by § 8.22 except information relating to technical qualifications unless the enrolled practitioner is applying for enrollment in a subject area or areas in which he or she was not previously qualified to practice.
(c) Fee. Each application for renewal of enrollment will be accompanied by a check or money order in the amount of $5, payable to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
§ 8.26 Change in enrollment.
(a) Change in area of practice. At any time during a period of enrollment, an enrolled practitioner may apply to practice in a subject area or areas in which he or she was not previously qualified to practice (alcohol, tobacco, firearms, or explosives matters).
(b) Application. Each enrolled practitioner applying for a change in enrollment shall apply to the Director. The enrolled practitioner shall include in the application all information required by § 8.22 but shall include information relating to technical qualifications only in those additional subject areas in which he or she is applying to practice.
(c) Fee. Each application for change in enrollment will be accompanied by a check or money order in the amount of $5, payable to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
§ 8.27 Enrollment registers.
The Director shall maintain, for public inspection, a register of all persons enrolled to practice before the Bureau and the subject areas in which each person is enrolled to practice, a register of all persons disbarred or suspended from practice, and a register of all persons whose applications for enrollment before the Bureau have been denied.
§ 8.28 Termination of enrollment.
(a) Attorneys, certified public accountants. The enrollment of a practitioner to whom an enrollment card has been issued will terminate when that person becomes eligible to practice without enrollment under § 8.2 (a) or (b), and that person shall surrender his or her enrollment card to the Director for cancellation.
(b) Expiration of enrollment. The enrollment of any person will automatically terminate after the date indicated on the enrollment card unless, during the 12-month period prior to the expiration date, that person applies for renewal of enrollment with the Director as provided in § 8.25. In this case, the person may continue to practice before the Bureau until his or her application has been finally determined.
§ 8.29 Limited practice without enrollment.
(a) General. Individuals may appear on their own behalf and may otherwise appear without enrollment, providing they present satisfactory identification, in the following classes of cases:
(1) An individual may represent another individual who is his or her regular full-time employer, may represent a partnership of which he or she is a member or a regular full-time employee, of may represent without compensation a member of his or her immediate family.
(2) Corporations (including parent corporations, subsidiaries or affiliated corporations), trusts, estates, associations, or organized groups may be represented by bona fide officers or regular full-time employees.
(3) Trusts, receiverships, guardianships, or estates may be represented by their trustees, receivers, guardians, administrators, executors, or their regular full-time employees.
(4) Any government unit, agency, or authority may be represented by an officer or regular employee in the course of his or her official duties.
(5) Unenrolled persons may participate in rulemaking as provided in 5 U.S.C. 553.
(b) Special appearances. The Director, subject to conditions he or she deems appropriate, may authorize any person to represent a party without enrollment, for the purpose of a particular matter.
Subpart D—Duties and Restrictions Relating to Practice
§ 8.31 Furnishing of information.
(a) To the Bureau. No attorney, certified public accountant, or enrolled practitioner may neglect or refuse promptly to submit records or information in any matter before the Bureau, upon proper and lawful request by an authorized officer or employee of the Bureau, or may interfere, or attempt to interfere, with any proper and lawful effort by the Bureau or its officers or employees, to obtain the requested record or information, unless he or she believes in good faith and on reasonable grounds that the record or information is privileged or that the request for, or effort to obtain, that record or information is of doubtful legality.
(b) To the Director of Practice. It is the duty of an attorney or certified public accountant, who practices before the Bureau, or enrolled practitioner when requested by the Director of Practice, to provide the Director of Practice with any information he or she may have concerning violation of the regulations in this part by any person, and to testify thereto in any proceeding instituted under this part for the disbarment or suspension of an attorney, certified public accountant, or enrolled practitioner, unless he or she believes in good faith and on reasonable grounds that that information is privileged or that the request is of doubtful legality.
§ 8.32 Prompt disposition of pending matters.
No attorney, certified public accountant, or enrolled practitioner may unreasonably delay the prompt disposition of any matter before the Bureau.
§ 8.33 Accuracy.
Each attorney, certified public accountant, and enrolled practitioner shall exercise due diligence in:
(a) Preparing or assisting in the preparation of, approving, and filing returns, documents, affidavits, and other papers relating to Bureau matters;
(b) Determining the correctness of any representations made by him or her to the Bureau; and
(c) Determining the correctness of any information which he or she imparts to a client with reference to any matter administered by the Bureau.
§ 8.34 Knowledge of client’s omission.
Each attorney, certified public accountant, or enrolled practitioner who knows that a client has not complied with applicable law, or has made an error in or omission from any document, affidavit, or other paper which the law requires the client to execute, shall advise the client promptly of the fact of such noncompliance, error, or omission.
§ 8.35 Assistance from disbarred or suspended persons and former Treasury employees.
No attorney, certified public accountant or enrolled practitioner shall, in practice before the Bureau, knowingly and directly or indirectly:
(a) Employ or accept assistance from any person who is under disbarment or suspension from practice before any agency of the Treasury Department;
(b) Accept employment as associate, correspondent, or subagent from, or share fees with, any such person;
(c) Accept assistance in a specific matter from any person who participated personally and substantially in the matter as an employee of the Treasury Department.
§ 8.36 Practice by partners of Government employees.
No partner of an officer or employee of the executive branch of the U.S. Government, of any independent agency of the United States, or of the District of Columbia, may represent anyone in any matter administered by the Bureau in which the Government employee participates or has participated personally and substantially as a Government employee, or which is the subject of that employee’s official responsibility.
§ 8.37 Practice by former Government employees.
(a) Violation of law. No former officer or employee of the U.S. Government, of any independent agency of the United States, or of the District of Columbia, may represent anyone in any matter administered by the Bureau if the representation would violate any of the laws of the United States.
(b) Personal and substantial participation. No former officer or employee of the executive branch of the U.S. Government, of any independent agency of the United States, or of the District of Columbia, may represent anyone with repect to any matter under the administration of the Bureau, if he or she participated personally and substantially in that matter as a Government employee.
(c) Official responsibility. No former officer or employee of the executive branch of the U.S. Government, of any indepenednt agency of the United States, or of the District of Columbia, may within one year after his or her employment has ceased, appear personally as a practitioner before the Bureau with respect to any matter administered by the Bureau if that representation involves a specific matter under the former employee’s official responsibility as a Government employee, within a one-year period prior to the termination of that responsibility.
(d) Aid or assistance. No former officer or employee of the Bureau, who is eligible to practice before the Bureau, may aid or assist any person in the representation of a specific matter in which the former officer or employee participated personally and substantially as an officer or employee of the Bureau.
§ 8.38 Notaries.
No attorney, certified public accountant, or enrolled practitioner may, with respect to any matter administered by the Bureau, take acknowledgements, administer oaths, certify papers, or perform any official act in connection with matters in which he or she is employed as counsel, attorney, or practioner, or in which he or she may be in any way interested before the Bureau.
§ 8.39 Fees.
No attorney, certified public accountant, or enrolled practitioner may charge an unconscionable fee for representing a client in any matter before the Bureau.
§ 8.40 Conflicting interests.
No attorney, certified public accountant, or enrolled practitioner may represent conflicting interests in practice before the Bureau, except by express consent of all directly interested parties after full disclosure has been made.
§ 8.41 Solicitation.
(a) Advertising and solicitation restrictions. (1) No attorney, certified public accountant or enrolled practitioner shall, with respect to any Bureau matter, in any way use or participate in the use of any form of public communication containing a false, fraudulent, misleading, deceptive, unduly influencing, coercive or unfair statement or claim. For the purposes of this subsection, the prohibition includes, but is not limited to, statements pertaining to the quality of services rendered unless subject to factual verification, claims of specialized expertise not authorized by State or Federal agencies having jurisdiction over the practitioner, and statements or suggestions that the ingenuity and/or prior record of a representative rather than the merit of the matter are principal factors likely to determine the result of the matter.
(2) No attorney, certified public accountant or enrolled practitioner shall make, directly or indirectly, an uninvited solicitation of employment, in matters related to the Bureau. Solicitation includes, but is not limited to, in-person contacts, telephone communications, and personal mailings directed to the specific circumstances unique to the recipient. This restriction does not apply to: (i) Seeking new business from an existing or former client in a related matter; (ii) solicitation by mailings, the contents of which are designed for the general public; or (iii) non-coercive in-person solicitation by those eligible to practice before the Bureau while acting as an employee, member, or officer of an exempt organization listed in sections 501(c) (3) or (4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (26 U.S.C.).
(b) Permissible advertising. (1) Attorneys, certified public accountants and enrolled practitioners may publish, broadcast, or use in a dignified manner through any means of communication set forth in paragraph (d) of this section:
(i) The name, address, telephone number, and office hours of the practitioner or firm.
(ii) The names of individuals associated with the firm.
(iii) A factual description of the services offered.
(iv) Acceptable credit cards and other credit arrangements.
(v) Foreign language ability.
(vi) Membership in pertinent, professional organizations.
(vii) Pertinent professional licenses.
(viii) A statement that an individual’s or firm’s practice is limited to certain areas.
(ix) In the case of an enrolled practitioner, the phrase “enrolled to practice before the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.”
(x) Other facts relevant to the selection of a practitioner in matters related to the Bureau which are not prohibited by these regulations.
(2) Attorneys, certified public accountants and enrolled practitioners may use, to the extent they are consistent with the regulations in this section, customary biographical insertions in approved law lists and reputable professional journals and directories, as well as professional cards, letterheads and announcements: Provided, That (i) attorneys do not violate applicable standards of ethical conduct adopted by the American Bar Association, (ii) certified public accountants do not violate applicable standards of ethical conduct adopted by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and (iii) enrolled practitioners do not violate applicable standards of ethical conduct adopted by the National Society of Public Accountants.
(c) Fee information. (1) Attorneys, certified public accountants and enrolled practitioners may disseminate the following fee information:
(i) Fixed fees for specific routine services.
(ii) Hourly rates.
(iii) Range of fees for particular services.
(iv) Fee charged for an initial consultation.
(2) Attorneys, certified public accountants and enrolled practitioners may also publish the availability of a written schedule of fees.
(3) Attorneys, certified public accountants and enrolled practitioners shall be bound to charge the hourly rate, the fixed fee for specific routine services, the range of fees for particular services, or the fee for an initial consultation published for a reasonable period of time, but no less than thirty days from the last publication of such hourly rate or fees.
(d) Communications. Communications, including fee information, shall be limited to professional lists, telephone directories, print media, permissible mailings as provided in these regulations, radio and television. In the case of radio and television broadcasting, the broadcast shall be pre-recorded and the practitioner shall retain a recording of the actual audio transmission.
(e) Improper associations. An attorney, certified public accountant or enrolled practitioner may, in matters related to the Bureau, employ or accept employment or assistance as an associate, correspondent, or subagent from, or share fees with, any person or entity who, to the knowledge of the practitioner, obtains clients or otherwise practices in a manner forbidden under this section: Provided, That an attorney, certified public accountant or enrolled practitioner does not, directly or indirectly, act or hold himself out as authorized to practice before the Bureau in connection with that relationship. Nothing herein shall prohibit an attorney, certified public accountant, or enrolled practitioner from practice before the Bureau in a capacity other than that described above.
§ 8.42 Practice of law.
Nothing in the regulations in this part may be construed as authorizing persons not members of the bar to practice law.
Subpart E—Disciplinary Proceedings
§ 8.51 Authority to disbar or suspend.
The Secretary, after due notice and opportunity for hearing, may suspend or disbar from practice before the Bureau any attorney, certified public accountant, or enrolled practitioner shown to be incompetent, disreputable or who refuses to comply with the rules and regulations in this part or who shall, with intent to defraud, in any manner willfully and knowingly deceive, mislead, or threaten any client or prospective client, by word, circular, letter, or by advertisement.
§ 8.52 Disreputable conduct.
Disreputable conduct for which an attorney, certified public accountant, or enrolled practitioner may be disbarred or suspended from practice before the Bureau includes, but is not limited to:
(a) Conviction of any criminal offense under the revenue laws of the United States; under any other law of the United States which the Bureau enforces pursuant to Treasury Department Order No. 221 (37 FR 11696) effective July 1, 1972; or for any offense involving dishonesty or breach of trust.
(b) Giving false or misleading information, or participating in any way in the giving of false or misleading information, to the Bureau or any officer or employee thereof, or to any tribunal authorized to pass upon matters administered by the Bureau in connection with any matter pending or likely to be pending before them, knowing the information to be false or misleading. Facts or other matters contained in testimony, Federal tax returns, financial statements, applications for enrollment, affidavits, declarations, or any other document or statement, written or oral, are included in the term “information”.
(c) Solicitation of employment as prohibited under § 8.41, the use of false or misleading representations with intent to deceive a client or a prospective client in order to procure employment, or intimating that the practitioner is able improperly to obtain special consideration or action from the Bureau or an officer or employee thereof.
(d) Willfully failing to make a Federal tax return in violation of the revenue laws of the United States, or evading, attempting to evade, or participating in any way in evading or attempting to evade any Federal tax or payment thereof; knowingly counseling or suggesting to a client or prospective client an illegal plan to evade Federal taxes or payment thereof, or concealing assets of himself or herself, or of another in order to evade Federal taxes or payment thereof.
(e) Misappropriation of, or failure properly and promptly to remit funds received from a client for the purpose of payment of taxes or other obligations due the United States.
(f) Directly or indirectly attempting to influence, or offering or agreeing to attempt to influence, the official action of any officer or employee of the Bureau by the use of threats, false accusations, duress or coercion, by the offer of any special inducement or promise of advantage or by the bestowing of any gift, favor, or thing of value.
(g) Disbarment or suspension from practice as an attorney or certified public accountant by any duly constituted authority of any State, possession, Commonwealth, the District of Columbia, or by any Federal court of record.
(h) Disbarment or suspension from practice as an attorney, certified public accountant, or other person admitted to practice before the Internal Revenue Service.
(i) Knowingly aiding and abetting another person to practice before the Bureau during a period of suspension, disbarment, or ineligibility of the other person. Maintaining a partnership for the practice of law, accountancy, or other related professional service with a person who is under disbarment from practice before the Bureau or the Intenal Revenue Service is presumed to be a violation of this provision.
(j) Contemptuous conduct in connection with practice before the Bureau, including the use of abusive language, making false accusations and statements knowing them to be false, or circulating or publishing malicious or libelous matter.
(k) Willful violation of any of the regulations contained in this part.
§ 8.53 Initiation of disciplinary proceedings.
(a) Receipt of information. If an officer or employee of the Bureau has reason to believe that an attorney, certified public accountant, or enrolled practitioner has violated any of the provisions of this part or engaged in any disreputable conduct as defined in § 8.52, the employee shall promptly make a report thereof which will be forwarded to the Director of Practice. Any other person possessing information concerning violations or disreputable conduct may make a report thereof to the Director of Practice or to any officer or employee of the Bureau.
(b) Institution of proceeding. When the Director of Practice has reason to believe that any attorney, certified public accountant, or enrolled practitioner has violated any provisions of the laws or regulations governing practice before the Bureau, he or she may reprimand the person or institute a proceeding for the disbarment or suspension of that person. The proceeding will be instituted by a complaint which names the respondent and is signed by the Director of Practice and filed in his or her office. Except in cases of willfulness, or when time, the nature of the proceeding, or the public interest does not permit, the Director of Practice may not institute a proceeding until he or she has called to the attention of the proposed respondent, in writing, facts or conduct which warrant institution of a proceeding, and has accorded the proposed respondent the opportuity to demonstrate or achieve compliance with all lawful requirements.
§ 8.54 Conferences.
(a) General. The Director of Practice may confer with an attorney, certified public accountant, or enrolled practioner concerning allegations of misconduct whether or not a proceeding for disbarment or suspension has been instituted. If a conference results in a stipulation in connection with a proceeding in which that person is the respondent, the stipulation may be entered in the record at the instance of either party to the proceeding.
(b) Resignation or voluntary suspension. An attorney, certified public accountant, or enrolled practitioner, in order to avoid the institution or conclusion of a disbarment or suspension proceeding, may offer his or her consent to suspension from practice before the Bureau. An enrolled practitioner may also offer a resignation. The Director of Practice, at his or her discretion, may accept the offered resignation of an enrolled practitioner and may suspend an attorney, certified public accountant, or enrolled practitioner in accordance with the consent offered.
§ 8.55 Contents of complaint.
(a) Charges. A complaint will give a plain and concise description of the allegations which constitute the basis for the proceeding. A complaint will be deemed sufficient if it fairly informs the respondent of the charges to that he or she is able to prepare a defense.
(b) Demand for answer. The complaint will give notification of the place and time prescribed for the filing of an answer by the respondent; that time will be not less than 15 days from the date of service of the complaint. Notice will be given that a decision by default may be rendered against the respondent if the complaint is not answered as required.
§ 8.56 Service of complaint and other papers.
(a) Complaint. A copy of the complaint may be served upon the respondent by certified mail or by first-class mail. The copy of the complaint may be delivered to the respondent or the respondent’s attorney or agent of record either in person or by leaving it at the office or place of business of the respondent, attorney or agent, or the complaint may be delivered in any manner which has been agreed to by the respondent. If the service is by certified mail, the post office receipt signed by or on behalf of the respondent will be proof of service. If the certified matter is not claimed or accepted by the respondent and is returned undelivered, complete service may be made upon the respondent by mailing the complaint to him or her by first-class mail, addressed to the respondent at the address under which he or she is enrolled or at the last address known to the Director of Practice. If service is made upon the respondent or the respondent’s attorney or agent in person, or by leaving the complaint at the office or place of business of the respondent, attorney or agent, the verified return by the person making service, setting forth the manner of service, will be proof of service.
(b) Service of other papers. Any paper other than the complaint may be served upon an attorney, certified public accountant, or enrolled practitioner as provided in paragraph (a) of this section, or by mailing the paper by first-class mail to the respondent at the last address known to the Director of Practice, or by mailing the paper by first-class mail to the respondent’s attorney or agent of record. This mailing will constitute complete service. Notices may be served upon the respondent or his attorney or agent by telegram.
(c) Filing of papers. When the filing of a paper is required or permitted in connection with a disbarment or suspension proceeding, and the place of filing is not specified by this subpart or by rule or order of the Administrative Law Judge, the papers will be filed with the Director of Practice, Treasury Department, Washington, DC 20220. All papers will be filed in duplicate.
§ 8.57 Answer.
(a) Filing. The respondent shall file the answer in writing within the time specified in the complaint or notice of institution of the proceeding, unless on application the time is extended by the Director of Practice or the Administrative Law Judge. The respondent shall file the answer in duplicate with the director of Practice.
(b) Contents. The respondent shall include in the answer a statement of facts which constitute the grounds of defense, and shall specifically admit or deny each allegation set forth in the complaint, except that the respondent shall not deny a material allegation in the complaint which he or she knows to be true, or state that he or she is without sufficient information to form a belief when in fact the respondent possesses that information. The respondent may also state affirmatively special matters of defense.
(c) Failure to deny or answer allegations in the complaint. Every allegation in the complaint which is not denied in the answer is deemed to be admitted and may be considered as proven, and no further evidence in respect of that allegation need be adduced at a hearing. Failure to file an answer within the time prescribed in the notice to the respondent, except as the time for answer is extended by the Director of Practice or the Administrative Law Judge, will constitute an admission of the allegations of the complaint and a waiver of hearing, and the Administrative Law Judge may make a decision by default without a hearing or further procedure.
(d) Reply by Director of Practice. No reply to the respondent’s answer is required, and new matter in the answer will be deemed to be denied, but the Director of Practice may file a reply at his or her discretion or at the request of the Administrative Law Judge.
§ 8.58 Supplemental charges.
If it appears that the respondent in his or her answer, falsely and in bad faith, denies a material allegation of fact in the complaint or states that the respondent has no knowledge sufficient to form a belief, when he or she in fact possesses that information, or if it appears that the respondent has knowingly introduced false testimony during proceedings for his or her disbarment or suspension, the Director of Practice may file supplemental charges against the respondent. These supplemental charges may be tried with other charges in the case, provided the respondent is given due notice and is afforded an opportunity to prepare to a defense to them.
§ 8.59 Proof; variance; amendment of pleadings.
In the case of a variance between the allegations in a pleading, the Administrative Law Judge may order or authorize amendment of the pleading to conform to the evidence. The party who would otherwise be prejudiced by the amendment will be given reasonable opportunty to meet the allegation of the pleading as amended, and the Administrative Law Judge shall make findings on an issue presented by the pleadings as so amended.
§ 8.60 Motions and requests.
Motions and requests may be filed with the Director of Practice or with the Administrative Law Judge.
§ 8.61 Representation.
A respondent or proposed respondent may appear in person or be represented by counsel or other representative who need not be enrolled to practice before the Bureau. The Director of Practice may be represented by an Attorney or other employee of the Treasury Department.
§ 8.62 Administrative Law Judge.
(a) Appointment. An Administrative Law Judge, appointed as provided by 5 U.S.C. 3105, shall conduct proceedings upon complaints for the disbarment or suspension of attorneys, certified public accountants, or enrolled practitioners.
(b) Responsibilities. The Administrative Law Judge in connection with any disbarment or suspension proceeding shall have authority to:
(1) Administer oaths and affirmation;
(2) Make rulings upon motions and requests; these rulings may not be appealed prior to the close of the hearing except at the discretion of the Administrative Law Judge in extraordinary circumstances;
(3) Rule upon offers of proof, receive relevant evidence, and examine witnesses;
(4) Take or authorize to the taking of depositions;
(5) Determine the time and place of hearing and regulate its course and conduct;
(6) Hold or provide for the holding of conferences to settle or simplify the issues by consent of the parties;
(7) Receive and consider oral or written arguments on facts or law;
(8) Make initial decisions;
(9) Adopt rules of procedure and modify them from time to time as occasion requires for the orderly disposition of proceedings; and
(10) Perform acts and take measures as necessary to promote the efficient conduct of any proceeding.
§ 8.63 Hearings.
(a) Conduct. The Administrative Law Judge shall preside at the hearing on a complaint for the disbarment or suspension of an attorney, certified public accountant, or enrolled practitioner. Hearings will be stenographically recorded and transcribed and the testimony of witnesses will be received under oath or affirmation. The Administrative Law Judge shall conduct hearings pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 556.
(b) Failure to appear. If either party to the proceedings fails to appear at the hearing, after due notice has been sent, the Administrative Law Judge may deem them to have waived the right to a hearing and may make a decision against the absent party by default.
§ 8.64 Evidence.
(a) Rules of evidence. The rules of evidence prevailing in courts of law and equity are not controlling in hearings. However, the Administrative Law Judge shall exclude evidence which is irrelevant, immaterial, or unduly repetitious.
(b) Depositions. Depositions of witnesses taken pursuant to § 8.65 may be admitted as evidence.
(c) Government documents. Official documents, records, and papers of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Office of the Director of Practice are admissible in evidence without the prouction of an officer or employee to authenticate them. These documents, records and papers may be evidenced by a copy attested or identified by an officer or employee of the Bureau or the Treasury Department.
(d) Exhibits. If any document, record, or other paper is introduced in evidence as an exhibit, the Administrative Law Judge may authorize the withdrawal of the exhibit subject to any conditions he or she deems proper.
(e) Objections. Objections to evidence will be in short form, stating the grounds of objection and the record may not include arguments thereon, except as ordered by the Administrative Law Judge. Rulings on objections will be a part of the record. No exception to the ruling is necessary to preserve the rights of the parties.
§ 8.65 Depositions.
Depositions for use at a hearing may, with the written approval of the Administrative Law Judge, be taken by either the Director of Practice or the respondent or their authorized representatives. Depositions may be taken upon oral or written questioning, upon not less than 10 days’ written notice to the other party before any officer authorized to administer an oath for general purposes or before an officer or employee of the Bureau authorized to administer an oath pursuant to 27 CFR 70.35. The written notice will state the names of the witnesses and the time and place where the depositions are to be taken. The requirement of 10 days’ notice may be waived by the parties in writing, and depositions may then be taken from the persons and at the times and places mutually agreed to by the parties. When a deposition is taken upon written questioning, any cross-examination will be upon written questioning. Copies of the written questioning will be served upon the other party with the notice, and copies of any written cross-interrogation will be mailed or delivered to the opposing party at least 5 days before the date of taking the depositions, unless the parties mutually agree otherwise. A party on whose behalf a deposition is taken must file it with the Administrative Law Judge and serve one copy upon the opposing party. Expenses in the reproduction of depositions will be borne by the party at whose instance the deposition is taken.
§ 8.66 Transcript.
In cases in which the hearing is stenographically reported by a Government contract reporter, copies of the transcript may be obtained from the reporter at rates not to exceed the maximum rates fixed by contract between the Government and the reporter. If the hearing is stenographically reported by a regular employee of the Bureau, a copy of the hearing will be supplied to the respondent either without charge or upon the payment of a reasonable fee. Copies of exhibits introduced at the hearing or at the taking of depositions will be supplied to the parties upon the payment of a reasonable fee.
§ 8.67 Proposed findings and conclusions.
Except in cases when the respondent has failed to answer the complaint or when a party has failed to appear at the hearing, the Administrative Law Judge, prior to making his or her decision, shall afford the parties a reasonable opportunity to submit proposed findings and conclusions and their supporting reasons.
§ 8.68 Decision of Administrative Law Judge.
As soon as practicable after the conclusion of a hearing and the receipt of any proposed findings and conclusions timely submitted by the parties, the Administrative Law Judge shall make the initial decision in the case. The decision will include (a) a statement of findings and conclusions, as well as the reasons or basis therefor, upon all the material issues of fact, law, or discretion presented on the record, and (b) an order of disbarment, suspension, or reprimand or an order of dismissal of the complaint. The Administrative Law Judge shall file the decision with the Director of Practice and shall transmit a copy to the respondent or the respondent’s attorney of record. In the absence of an appeal to the Secretary, or review of the decision upon motion of the Secretary, the decision of the Administrative Law Judge will, without further proceedings, become the decision of the Secretary of the Treasury 30 days from the date of the Administrative Law Judge’s decision.
§ 8.69 Appeal to the Secretary.
Within 30 days from the date of the Administrative Law Judge’s decision, either party may appeal to the Secretary. The appeal will be filed with the Director of Practice in duplicate and will include exceptions to the decision of the Administrative Law Judge and supporting reasons for those exceptions. If the Director of Practice files the appeal, he or she shall transmit a copy of it to the respondent. Within 30 days after receipt of an appeal or copy thereof, the other party may file a reply brief in duplicate with the Director of Practice. If the Director of Practice files the reply brief, he or she shall transmit a copy of it to the respondent. Upon the filing of an appeal and a reply brief, if any, the Director of Practice shall transmit the entire record to the Secretary.
§ 8.70 Decision of the Secretary.
On appeal from or review of the intial decision of the Administrative Law Judge, the Secretary shall make the agency decision. In making this decision, the Secretary shall review the record or those portions of the records as may be cited by the parties in order to limit the issues. The Director of Prasctice shall transmit a copy of the Secretary’s decision to the respondent.
§ 8.71 Effect of disbarment or suspension.
(a) Disbarment. If the final order against the respondent is for disbarment, the respondent will not thereafter be permitted to practice before the Bureau unless authorized to do so by the Director of Practice pursuant to § 8.72.
(b) Suspension. If the final order against the respondent is for suspension, the respondent will not thereafter be permitted to practice before the Bureau during the period of suspension.
(c) Surrender of enrollment card. If an enrolled practitioner is disbarred or suspended, he or she shall surrender the enrollment card to the Director of Practice for cancellation, in the case of disbarment, or for retention during the period of suspension.
(d) Notice of disbarment or suspension. Upon the issuance of a final order for suspension or disbarment, the Director of Practice shall give notice of the order to appropriate officers and employees of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and to interested departments and agencies of the Federal Government. The Director of Practice may also give notice as he or she may determine to the proper authorities of the State in which the disbarred or suspended person was licensed to practice as an attorney or certified public accountant.
§ 8.72 Petition for reinstatement.
The Director of Practice may entertain a petition for reinstatement from any person disbarred from practice before the Bureau after the expiration of 5 years following disbarment. The director of Practice may not grant reinstatement unless he or she is satisfied that the petitioner is not likely to conduct himself or herself contrary to the regulations in this part, and that granting reinstatement would not be contrary to the public interest.
PART 9—EFFECTS OF IMPORTED ARTICLES ON THE NATIONAL SECURITY
§ 9.2 Definitions.
As used herein, Secretary means the Secretary of the Treasury and Assistant Secretary means the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury (Enforcement, Operations, and Tariff Affairs).
§ 9.3 General.
(a) Upon request of the head of any Government department or agency, upon application of an interested party, or upon his own motion, the Assistant Secretary shall set in motion an immediate investigation to determine the effects on the national security of imports of any article.
(b) The Secretary shall report the findings of his investigation under paragraph (a) of this section with respect to the effect of the importation of such article in such quantities or under such circumstances upon the national security and, based on such findings, his recommendation for action or inaction to the President within one year after receiving an application from an interested party or otherwise beginning an investigation under this section.
§ 9.4 Criteria for determining effects of imports on national security.
(a) In determining the effect on the national security of imports of the article which is the subject of the investigation, the Secretary is required to take into consideration the following:
(1) Domestic production needed for projected national defense requirements including restoration and rehabilitation.
(2) The capacity of domestic industries to meet such projected requirements, including existing and anticipated availabilities of:
(i) Human resources.
(ii) Products.
(iii) Raw materials.
(iv) Production equipment and facilities.
(v) Other supplies and services essential to the national defense.
(3) The requirement of growth of such industries and such supplies and services including the investment, exploration and development necessary to assure capacity to meet projected defense requirements.
(4) The effect which the quantities, availabilities, character and uses of imported goods have or will have on such industries and the capacity of the United States to meet national security requirements.
(5) The economic welfare of the Nation as it is related to our national security, including the impact of foreign competition on the economic welfare of individual domestic industries. In determining whether such impact may impair the national security, any substantial unemployment, decrease in revenues of government, loss of skills or investment, or other serious effects shall be considered.
(b) The Secretary shall also consider other relevant factors in determining whether the national security is affected by imports of the article.
§ 9.5 Applications for investigation.
(a) Applications shall be in writing. Twenty-five copies shall be filed by mail with the Assistant Secretary (Enforcement, Operations, and Tariff Affairs), Department of the Treasury, Washington, DC 20220.
(b) Applications shall describe how the quantities or circumstances of imports of the particular article affect the national security and shall contain the following information:
(1) Identification of the person, partnership, association, corporation, or other entity on whose behalf the application is filed.
(2) A precise description of the article.
(3) Description of the applicant and the domestic industry concerned, including pertinent information regarding companies and their plants, locations, capacity and current output of the domestic industry concerned with the article in question.
(4) Pertinent statistics showing the quantities and values of both imports and production in the United States.
(5) Nature, sources, and degree of the competition created by imports of the article in question.
(6) The effect, if any, of imports of the article in question upon the restoration of domestic production capacity in an emergency.
(7) Employment and special skills involved in the domestic production of the article.
(8) Extent to which investment and specialized productive capacity is or will be adversely affected.
(9) Revenues of Federal, State, or local Governments which are or may be affected by the volume or circumstances of imports of the article.
(10) Defense or defense supporting uses of the article including data on defense contracts or sub-contracts, both past and current.
(c) Statistical material presented should be on a calendar-year basis for sufficient periods of time to indicate trends and afford the greatest possible assistance to the Assistant Secretary. Monthly or quarterly data for the latest complete years should be included as well as any other breakdowns which may be pertinent to show seasonal or short-term factors.
§ 9.6 Confidential information.
Information submitted in confidence which the Assistant Secretary determines would disclose trade secrets and commercial or financial information obtained from a person and privileged, within the meaning of 5 U.S.C. 552 and 31 CFR part 1, will be accorded confidential treatment. All information submitted in confidence must be on separate pages marked “Business Confidential.”
§ 9.7 Conduct of investigation.
(a) The investigation by the Assistant Secretary or by such official or agency as he may designate, shall be such as to enable the Secretary to arrive at a fully informed opinion as to the effect on the national security of imports of the article in question.
(b) If the Assistant Secretary determines that it is appropriate to hold public hearings or otherwise afford interested parties an opportunity to present information and advice relevant to an investigation, he shall issue a public notice which shall be published in the
(c) All applications filed and all comments, opinions, and data submitted pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section, except information determined to be confidential as provided in § 9.6, will be available for inspection and copying at the Office of the Assistant Secretary (Enforcement, Operations, and Tariff Affairs), Department of the Treasury, in Washington, DC. The Assistant Secretary will maintain a roster of persons who have submitted materials.
(d) The Assistant Secretary or his designee may also request further data from other sources through the use of questionnaires, correspondence, or other means.
(e) The Assistant Secretary or his delegate shall, in the course of the investigation, seek information or advice from, and consult with, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Commerce, or their delegates, and any other appropriate officer of the United States as the Assistant Secretary shall determine.
(f) In addition, the Assistant Secretary, or his designee, may, when he deems it appropriate, hold public hearings to elicit further information. If a hearing is held:
(1) The time and place thereof will be published in the
(2) It will be conducted by the Assistant Secretary or his designee, and the full record will be considered by the Secretary in arriving at his determination.
(3) Interested parties may appear, either in person or by representation, and produce oral or written evidence relevant and material to the subject matter of the investigation.
(4) After a witness has testified the Assistant Secretary or his designee may question the witness. Questions submitted to the Assistant Secretary or his designee in writing by any interested party may, at the discretion of the Assistant Secretary or his designee, be posed to the witness for reply for the purpose of assisting the Assistant Secretary in obtaining the material facts with respect to the subject matter of the investigation.
(5) The hearing will be stenographically reported. The Assistant Secretary will not cause transcripts of the record of the hearing to be distributed to the interested parties, but a transcript may be inspected at the Office of the Assistant Secretary (Enforcement, Operations, and Tariff Affairs), Department of the Treasury, in Washington, DC, or purchased from the reporter.
§ 9.8 Emergency action.
In emergency situations or when in his judgment national security interests require it, the Secretary may vary or dispense with any of the procedures set forth above and may formulate his views without following such procedures.
§ 9.9 Report.
A report will be made and published in the
PART 10—PRACTICE BEFORE THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
§ 10.0 Scope of part.
(a) This part contains rules governing the recognition of attorneys, certified public accountants, enrolled agents, enrolled retirement plan agents, registered tax return preparers, and other persons representing taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service. Subpart A of this part sets forth rules relating to the authority to practice before the Internal Revenue Service; subpart B of this part prescribes the duties and restrictions relating to such practice; subpart C of this part prescribes the sanctions for violating the regulations; subpart D of this part contains the rules applicable to disciplinary proceedings; and subpart E of this part contains general provisions relating to the availability of official records.
(b) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable beginning August 2, 2011.
Subpart A—Rules Governing Authority to Practice
§ 10.1 Offices.
(a) Establishment of office(s). The Commissioner shall establish the Office of Professional Responsibility and any other office(s) within the Internal Revenue Service necessary to administer and enforce this part. The Commissioner shall appoint the Director of the Office of Professional Responsibility and any other Internal Revenue official(s) to manage and direct any office(s) established to administer or enforce this part. Offices established under this part include, but are not limited to:
(1) The Office of Professional Responsibility, which shall generally have responsibility for matters related to practitioner conduct and shall have exclusive responsibility for discipline, including disciplinary proceedings and sanctions; and
(2) An office with responsibility for matters related to authority to practice before the Internal Revenue Service, including acting on applications for enrollment to practice before the Internal Revenue Service and administering competency testing and continuing education.
(b) Officers and employees within any office established under this part may perform acts necessary or appropriate to carry out the responsibilities of their office(s) under this part or as otherwise prescribed by the Commissioner.
(c) Acting. The Commissioner will designate an officer or employee of the Internal Revenue Service to perform the duties of an individual appointed under paragraph (a) of this section in the absence of that officer or employee or during a vacancy in that office.
(d) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable beginning August 2, 2011, except that paragraph (a)(1) is applicable beginning June 12, 2014.
§ 10.2 Definitions.
(a) As used in this part, except where the text provides otherwise—
(1) Attorney means any person who is a member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of any state, territory, or possession of the United States, including a Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
(2) Certified public accountant means any person who is duly qualified to practice as a certified public accountant in any state, territory, or possession of the United States, including a Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
(3) Commissioner refers to the Commissioner of Internal Revenue.
(4) Practice before the Internal Revenue Service comprehends all matters connected with a presentation to the Internal Revenue Service or any of its officers or employees relating to a taxpayer’s rights, privileges, or liabilities under laws or regulations administered by the Internal Revenue Service. Such presentations include, but are not limited to, preparing documents; filing documents; corresponding and communicating with the Internal Revenue Service; rendering written advice with respect to any entity, transaction, plan or arrangement, or other plan or arrangement having a potential for tax avoidance or evasion; and representing a client at conferences, hearings, and meetings.
(5) Practitioner means any individual described in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), or (f) of § 10.3.
(6) A tax return includes an amended tax return and a claim for refund.
(7) Service means the Internal Revenue Service.
(8) Tax return preparer means any individual within the meaning of section 7701(a)(36) and 26 CFR 301.7701-15.
(b) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable beginning August 2, 2011.
§ 10.3 Who may practice.
(a) Attorneys. Any attorney who is not currently under suspension or disbarment from practice before the Internal Revenue Service may practice before the Internal Revenue Service by filing with the Internal Revenue Service a written declaration that the attorney is currently qualified as an attorney and is authorized to represent the party or parties. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, attorneys who are not currently under suspension or disbarment from practice before the Internal Revenue Service are not required to file a written declaration with the IRS before rendering written advice covered under § 10.37, but their rendering of this advice is practice before the Internal Revenue Service.
(b) Certified public accountants. Any certified public accountant who is not currently under suspension or disbarment from practice before the Internal Revenue Service may practice before the Internal Revenue Service by filing with the Internal Revenue Service a written declaration that the certified public accountant is currently qualified as a certified public accountant and is authorized to represent the party or parties. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, certified public accountants who are not currently under suspension or disbarment from practice before the Internal Revenue Service are not required to file a written declaration with the IRS before rendering written advice covered under § 10.37, but their rendering of this advice is practice before the Internal Revenue Service.
(c) Enrolled agents. Any individual enrolled as an agent pursuant to this part who is not currently under suspension or disbarment from practice before the Internal Revenue Service may practice before the Internal Revenue Service.
(d) Enrolled actuaries. (1) Any individual who is enrolled as an actuary by the Joint Board for the Enrollment of Actuaries pursuant to 29 U.S.C. 1242 who is not currently under suspension or disbarment from practice before the Internal Revenue Service may practice before the Internal Revenue Service by filing with the Internal Revenue Service a written declaration stating that he or she is currently qualified as an enrolled actuary and is authorized to represent the party or parties on whose behalf he or she acts.
(2) Practice as an enrolled actuary is limited to representation with respect to issues involving the following statutory provisions in title 26 of the United States Code: sections 401 (relating to qualification of employee plans), 403(a) (relating to whether an annuity plan meets the requirements of section 404(a)(2)), 404 (relating to deductibility of employer contributions), 405 (relating to qualification of bond purchase plans), 412 (relating to funding requirements for certain employee plans), 413 (relating to application of qualification requirements to collectively bargained plans and to plans maintained by more than one employer), 414 (relating to definitions and special rules with respect to the employee plan area), 419 (relating to treatment of funded welfare benefits), 419A (relating to qualified asset accounts), 420 (relating to transfers of excess pension assets to retiree health accounts), 4971 (relating to excise taxes payable as a result of an accumulated funding deficiency under section 412), 4972 (relating to tax on nondeductible contributions to qualified employer plans), 4976 (relating to taxes with respect to funded welfare benefit plans), 4980 (relating to tax on reversion of qualified plan assets to employer), 6057 (relating to annual registration of plans), 6058 (relating to information required in connection with certain plans of deferred compensation), 6059 (relating to periodic report of actuary), 6652(e) (relating to the failure to file annual registration and other notifications by pension plan), 6652(f) (relating to the failure to file information required in connection with certain plans of deferred compensation), 6692 (relating to the failure to file actuarial report), 7805(b) (relating to the extent to which an Internal Revenue Service ruling or determination letter coming under the statutory provisions listed here will be applied without retroactive effect); and 29 U.S.C. 1083 (relating to the waiver of funding for nonqualified plans).
(3) An individual who practices before the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to paragraph (d)(1) of this section is subject to the provisions of this part in the same manner as attorneys, certified public accountants, enrolled agents, enrolled retirement plan agents, and registered tax return preparers.
(e) Enrolled Retirement Plan Agents—(1) Any individual enrolled as a retirement plan agent pursuant to this part who is not currently under suspension or disbarment from practice before the Internal Revenue Service may practice before the Internal Revenue Service.
(2) Practice as an enrolled retirement plan agent is limited to representation with respect to issues involving the following programs: Employee Plans Determination Letter program; Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System; and Employee Plans Master and Prototype and Volume Submitter program. In addition, enrolled retirement plan agents are generally permitted to represent taxpayers with respect to IRS forms under the 5300 and 5500 series which are filed by retirement plans and plan sponsors, but not with respect to actuarial forms or schedules.
(3) An individual who practices before the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to paragraph (e)(1) of this section is subject to the provisions of this part in the same manner as attorneys, certified public accountants, enrolled agents, enrolled actuaries, and registered tax return preparers.
(f) Registered tax return preparers. (1) Any individual who is designated as a registered tax return preparer pursuant to § 10.4(c) of this part who is not currently under suspension or disbarment from practice before the Internal Revenue Service may practice before the Internal Revenue Service.
(2) Practice as a registered tax return preparer is limited to preparing and signing tax returns and claims for refund, and other documents for submission to the Internal Revenue Service. A registered tax return preparer may prepare all or substantially all of a tax return or claim for refund of tax. The Internal Revenue Service will prescribe by forms, instructions, or other appropriate guidance the tax returns and claims for refund that a registered tax return preparer may prepare and sign.
(3) A registered tax return preparer may represent taxpayers before revenue agents, customer service representatives, or similar officers and employees of the Internal Revenue Service (including the Taxpayer Advocate Service) during an examination if the registered tax return preparer signed the tax return or claim for refund for the taxable year or period under examination. Unless otherwise prescribed by regulation or notice, this right does not permit such individual to represent the taxpayer, regardless of the circumstances requiring representation, before appeals officers, revenue officers, Counsel or similar officers or employees of the Internal Revenue Service or the Treasury Department. A registered tax return preparer’s authorization to practice under this part also does not include the authority to provide tax advice to a client or another person except as necessary to prepare a tax return, claim for refund, or other document intended to be submitted to the Internal Revenue Service.
(4) An individual who practices before the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to paragraph (f)(1) of this section is subject to the provisions of this part in the same manner as attorneys, certified public accountants, enrolled agents, enrolled retirement plan agents, and enrolled actuaries.
(g) Others. Any individual qualifying under § 10.5(e) or § 10.7 is eligible to practice before the Internal Revenue Service to the extent provided in those sections.
(h) Government officers and employees, and others. An individual, who is an officer or employee of the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of the United States Government; an officer or employee of the District of Columbia; a Member of Congress; or a Resident Commissioner may not practice before the Internal Revenue Service if such practice violates 18 U.S.C. 203 or 205.
(i) State officers and employees. No officer or employee of any State, or subdivision of any State, whose duties require him or her to pass upon, investigate, or deal with tax matters for such State or subdivision, may practice before the Internal Revenue Service, if such employment may disclose facts or information applicable to Federal tax matters.
(j) Effective/applicability date. Paragraphs (a), (b), and (g) of this section are applicable beginning June 12, 2014. Paragraphs (c) through (f), (h), and (i) of this section are applicable beginning August 2, 2011.
§ 10.4 Eligibility to become an enrolled agent, enrolled retirement plan agent, or registered tax return preparer.
(a) Enrollment as an enrolled agent upon examination. The Commissioner, or delegate, will grant enrollment as an enrolled agent to an applicant eighteen years of age or older who demonstrates special competence in tax matters by written examination administered by, or administered under the oversight of, the Internal Revenue Service, who possesses a current or otherwise valid preparer tax identification number or other prescribed identifying number, and who has not engaged in any conduct that would justify the suspension or disbarment of any practitioner under the provisions of this part.
(b) Enrollment as a retirement plan agent upon examination. The Commissioner, or delegate, will grant enrollment as an enrolled retirement plan agent to an applicant eighteen years of age or older who demonstrates special competence in qualified retirement plan matters by written examination administered by, or administered under the oversight of, the Internal Revenue Service, who possesses a current or otherwise valid preparer tax identification number or other prescribed identifying number, and who has not engaged in any conduct that would justify the suspension or disbarment of any practitioner under the provisions of this part.
(c) Designation as a registered tax return preparer. The Commissioner, or delegate, may designate an individual eighteen years of age or older as a registered tax return preparer provided an applicant demonstrates competence in Federal tax return preparation matters by written examination administered by, or administered under the oversight of, the Internal Revenue Service, or otherwise meets the requisite standards prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service, possesses a current or otherwise valid preparer tax identification number or other prescribed identifying number, and has not engaged in any conduct that would justify the suspension or disbarment of any practitioner under the provisions of this part.
(d) Enrollment of former Internal Revenue Service employees. The Commissioner, or delegate, may grant enrollment as an enrolled agent or enrolled retirement plan agent to an applicant who, by virtue of past service and technical experience in the Internal Revenue Service, has qualified for such enrollment and who has not engaged in any conduct that would justify the suspension or disbarment of any practitioner under the provisions of this part, under the following circumstances:
(1) The former employee applies for enrollment on an Internal Revenue Service form and supplies the information requested on the form and such other information regarding the experience and training of the applicant as may be relevant.
(2) The appropriate office of the Internal Revenue Service provides a detailed report of the nature and rating of the applicant’s work while employed by the Internal Revenue Service and a recommendation whether such employment qualifies the applicant technically or otherwise for the desired authorization.
(3) Enrollment as an enrolled agent based on an applicant’s former employment with the Internal Revenue Service may be of unlimited scope or it may be limited to permit the presentation of matters only of the particular specialty or only before the particular unit or division of the Internal Revenue Service for which the applicant’s former employment has qualified the applicant. Enrollment as an enrolled retirement plan agent based on an applicant’s former employment with the Internal Revenue Service will be limited to permit the presentation of matters only with respect to qualified retirement plan matters.
(4) Application for enrollment as an enrolled agent or enrolled retirement plan agent based on an applicant’s former employment with the Internal Revenue Service must be made within three years from the date of separation from such employment.
(5) An applicant for enrollment as an enrolled agent who is requesting such enrollment based on former employment with the Internal Revenue Service must have had a minimum of five years continuous employment with the Internal Revenue Service during which the applicant must have been regularly engaged in applying and interpreting the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations relating to income, estate, gift, employment, or excise taxes.
(6) An applicant for enrollment as an enrolled retirement plan agent who is requesting such enrollment based on former employment with the Internal Revenue Service must have had a minimum of five years continuous employment with the Internal Revenue Service during which the applicant must have been regularly engaged in applying and interpreting the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations relating to qualified retirement plan matters.
(7) For the purposes of paragraphs (d)(5) and (6) of this section, an aggregate of 10 or more years of employment in positions involving the application and interpretation of the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, at least three of which occurred within the five years preceding the date of application, is the equivalent of five years continuous employment.
(e) Natural persons. Enrollment or authorization to practice may be granted only to natural persons.
(f) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable beginning August 2, 2011.
§ 10.5 Application to become an enrolled agent, enrolled retirement plan agent, or registered tax return preparer.
(a) Form; address. An applicant to become an enrolled agent, enrolled retirement plan agent, or registered tax return preparer must apply as required by forms or procedures established and published by the Internal Revenue Service, including proper execution of required forms under oath or affirmation. The address on the application will be the address under which a successful applicant is enrolled or registered and is the address to which all correspondence concerning enrollment or registration will be sent.
(b) Fee. A reasonable nonrefundable fee may be charged for each application to become an enrolled agent, enrolled retirement plan agent, or registered tax return preparer. See 26 CFR part 300.
(c) Additional information; examination. The Internal Revenue Service may require the applicant, as a condition to consideration of an application, to file additional information and to submit to any written or oral examination under oath or otherwise. Upon the applicant’s written request, the Internal Revenue Service will afford the applicant the opportunity to be heard with respect to the application.
(d) Compliance and suitability checks. (1) As a condition to consideration of an application, the Internal Revenue Service may conduct a Federal tax compliance check and suitability check. The tax compliance check will be limited to an inquiry regarding whether an applicant has filed all required individual or business tax returns and whether the applicant has failed to pay, or make proper arrangements with the Internal Revenue Service for payment of, any Federal tax debts. The suitability check will be limited to an inquiry regarding whether an applicant has engaged in any conduct that would justify suspension or disbarment of any practitioner under the provisions of this part on the date the application is submitted, including whether the applicant has engaged in disreputable conduct as defined in § 10.51. The application will be denied only if the results of the compliance or suitability check are sufficient to establish that the practitioner engaged in conduct subject to sanctions under §§ 10.51 and 10.52.
(2) If the applicant does not pass the tax compliance or suitability check, the applicant will not be issued an enrollment or registration card or certificate pursuant to § 10.6(b) of this part. An applicant who is initially denied enrollment or registration for failure to pass a tax compliance check may reapply after the initial denial if the applicant becomes current with respect to the applicant’s tax liabilities.
(e) Temporary recognition. On receipt of a properly executed application, the Commissioner, or delegate, may grant the applicant temporary recognition to practice pending a determination as to whether status as an enrolled agent, enrolled retirement plan agent, or registered tax return preparer should be granted. Temporary recognition will be granted only in unusual circumstances and it will not be granted, in any circumstance, if the application is not regular on its face, if the information stated in the application, if true, is not sufficient to warrant granting the application to practice, or the Commissioner, or delegate, has information indicating that the statements in the application are untrue or that the applicant would not otherwise qualify to become an enrolled agent, enrolled retirement plan agent, or registered tax return preparer. Issuance of temporary recognition does not constitute either a designation or a finding of eligibility as an enrolled agent, enrolled retirement plan agent, or registered tax return preparer, and the temporary recognition may be withdrawn at any time.
(f) Protest of application denial. The applicant will be informed in writing as to the reason(s) for any denial of an application. The applicant may, within 30 days after receipt of the notice of denial of the application, file a written protest of the denial as prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service in forms, guidance, or other appropriate guidance. A protest under this section is not governed by subpart D of this part.
(g) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable to applications received on or after August 2, 2011.
§ 10.6 Term and renewal of status as an enrolled agent, enrolled retirement plan agent, or registered tax return preparer.
(a) Term. Each individual authorized to practice before the Internal Revenue Service as an enrolled agent, enrolled retirement plan agent, or registered tax return preparer will be accorded active enrollment or registration status subject to renewal of enrollment or registration as provided in this part.
(b) Enrollment or registration card or certificate. The Internal Revenue Service will issue an enrollment or registration card or certificate to each individual whose application to practice before the Internal Revenue Service is approved. Each card or certificate will be valid for the period stated on the card or certificate. An enrolled agent, enrolled retirement plan agent, or registered tax return preparer may not practice before the Internal Revenue Service if the card or certificate is not current or otherwise valid. The card or certificate is in addition to any notification that may be provided to each individual who obtains a preparer tax identification number.
(c) Change of address. An enrolled agent, enrolled retirement plan agent, or registered tax return preparer must send notification of any change of address to the address specified by the Internal Revenue Service within 60 days of the change of address. This notification must include the enrolled agent’s, enrolled retirement plan agent’s, or registered tax return preparer’s name, prior address, new address, tax identification number(s) (including preparer tax identification number), and the date the change of address is effective. Unless this notification is sent, the address for purposes of any correspondence from the appropriate Internal Revenue Service office responsible for administering this part shall be the address reflected on the practitioner’s most recent application for enrollment or registration, or application for renewal of enrollment or registration. A practitioner’s change of address notification under this part will not constitute a change of the practitioner’s last known address for purposes of section 6212 of the Internal Revenue Code and regulations thereunder.
(d) Renewal—(1) In general. Enrolled agents, enrolled retirement plan agents, and registered tax return preparers must renew their status with the Internal Revenue Service to maintain eligibility to practice before the Internal Revenue Service. Failure to receive notification from the Internal Revenue Service of the renewal requirement will not be justification for the individual’s failure to satisfy this requirement.
(2) Renewal period for enrolled agents. (i) All enrolled agents must renew their preparer tax identification number as prescribed by forms, instructions, or other appropriate guidance.
(ii) Enrolled agents who have a Social Security number or tax identification number that ends with the numbers 0, 1, 2, or 3, except for those individuals who received their initial enrollment after November 1, 2003, must apply for renewal between November 1, 2003, and January 31, 2004. The renewal will be effective April 1, 2004.
(iii) Enrolled agents who have a social security number or tax identification number that ends with the numbers 4, 5, or 6, except for those individuals who received their initial enrollment after November 1, 2004, must apply for renewal between November 1, 2004, and January 31, 2005. The renewal will be effective April 1, 2005.
(iv) Enrolled agents who have a social security number or tax identification number that ends with the numbers 7, 8, or 9, except for those individuals who received their initial enrollment after November 1, 2005, must apply for renewal between November 1, 2005, and January 31, 2006. The renewal will be effective April 1, 2006.
(v) Thereafter, applications for renewal as an enrolled agent will be required between November 1 and January 31 of every subsequent third year as specified in paragraph (d)(2)(i), (d)(2)(ii), or (d)(2)(iii) of this section according to the last number of the individual’s Social Security number or tax identification number. Those individuals who receive initial enrollment as an enrolled agent after November 1 and before April 2 of the applicable renewal period will not be required to renew their enrollment before the first full renewal period following the receipt of their initial enrollment.
(3) Renewal period for enrolled retirement plan agents. (i) All enrolled retirement plan agents must renew their preparer tax identification number as prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service in forms, instructions, or other appropriate guidance.
(ii) Enrolled retirement plan agents will be required to renew their status as enrolled retirement plan agents between April 1 and June 30 of every third year subsequent to their initial enrollment.
(4) Renewal period for registered tax return preparers. Registered tax return preparers must renew their preparer tax identification number and their status as a registered tax return preparer as prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service in forms, instructions, or other appropriate guidance.
(5) Notification of renewal. After review and approval, the Internal Revenue Service will notify the individual of the renewal and will issue the individual a card or certificate evidencing current status as an enrolled agent, enrolled retirement plan agent, or registered tax return preparer.
(6) Fee. A reasonable nonrefundable fee may be charged for each application for renewal filed. See 26 CFR part 300.
(7) Forms. Forms required for renewal may be obtained by sending a written request to the address specified by the Internal Revenue Service or from such other source as the Internal Revenue Service will publish in the Internal Revenue Bulletin (see 26 CFR 601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b)) and on the Internal Revenue Service webpage (http://www.irs.gov).
(e) Condition for renewal: continuing education. In order to qualify for renewal as an enrolled agent, enrolled retirement plan agent, or registered tax return preparer, an individual must certify, in the manner prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service, that the individual has satisfied the requisite number of continuing education hours.
(1) Definitions. For purposes of this section—
(i) Enrollment year means January 1 to December 31 of each year of an enrollment cycle.
(ii) Enrollment cycle means the three successive enrollment years preceding the effective date of renewal.
(iii) Registration year means each 12-month period the registered tax return preparer is authorized to practice before the Internal Revenue Service.
(iv) The effective date of renewal is the first day of the fourth month following the close of the period for renewal described in paragraph (d) of this section.
(2) For renewed enrollment as an enrolled agent or enrolled retirement plan agent—(i) Requirements for enrollment cycle. A minimum of 72 hours of continuing education credit, including six hours of ethics or professional conduct, must be completed during each enrollment cycle.
(ii) Requirements for enrollment year. A minimum of 16 hours of continuing education credit, including two hours of ethics or professional conduct, must be completed during each enrollment year of an enrollment cycle.
(iii) Enrollment during enrollment cycle—(A) In general. Subject to paragraph (e)(2)(iii)(B) of this section, an individual who receives initial enrollment during an enrollment cycle must complete two hours of qualifying continuing education credit for each month enrolled during the enrollment cycle. Enrollment for any part of a month is considered enrollment for the entire month.
(B) Ethics. An individual who receives initial enrollment during an enrollment cycle must complete two hours of ethics or professional conduct for each enrollment year during the enrollment cycle. Enrollment for any part of an enrollment year is considered enrollment for the entire year.
(3) Requirements for renewal as a registered tax return preparer. A minimum of 15 hours of continuing education credit, including two hours of ethics or professional conduct, three hours of Federal tax law updates, and 10 hours of Federal tax law topics, must be completed during each registration year.
(f) Qualifying continuing education—(1) General—(i) Enrolled agents. To qualify for continuing education credit for an enrolled agent, a course of learning must—
(A) Be a qualifying continuing education program designed to enhance professional knowledge in Federal taxation or Federal tax related matters (programs comprised of current subject matter in Federal taxation or Federal tax related matters, including accounting, tax return preparation software, taxation, or ethics); and
(B) Be a qualifying continuing education program consistent with the Internal Revenue Code and effective tax administration.
(ii) Enrolled retirement plan agents. To qualify for continuing education credit for an enrolled retirement plan agent, a course of learning must—
(A) Be a qualifying continuing education program designed to enhance professional knowledge in qualified retirement plan matters; and
(B) Be a qualifying continuing education program consistent with the Internal Revenue Code and effective tax administration.
(iii) Registered tax return preparers. To qualify for continuing education credit for a registered tax return preparer, a course of learning must—
(A) Be a qualifying continuing education program designed to enhance professional knowledge in Federal taxation or Federal tax related matters (programs comprised of current subject matter in Federal taxation or Federal tax related matters, including accounting, tax return preparation software, taxation, or ethics); and
(B) Be a qualifying continuing education program consistent with the Internal Revenue Code and effective tax administration.
(2) Qualifying programs—(i) Formal programs. A formal program qualifies as a continuing education program if it—
(A) Requires attendance and provides each attendee with a certificate of attendance;
(B) Is conducted by a qualified instructor, discussion leader, or speaker (in other words, a person whose background, training, education, and experience is appropriate for instructing or leading a discussion on the subject matter of the particular program);
(C) Provides or requires a written outline, textbook, or suitable electronic educational materials; and
(D) Satisfies the requirements established for a qualified continuing education program pursuant to § 10.9.
(ii) Correspondence or individual study programs (including taped programs). Qualifying continuing education programs include correspondence or individual study programs that are conducted by continuing education providers and completed on an individual basis by the enrolled individual. The allowable credit hours for such programs will be measured on a basis comparable to the measurement of a seminar or course for credit in an accredited educational institution. Such programs qualify as continuing education programs only if they—
(A) Require registration of the participants by the continuing education provider;
(B) Provide a means for measuring successful completion by the participants (for example, a written examination), including the issuance of a certificate of completion by the continuing education provider;
(C) Provide a written outline, textbook, or suitable electronic educational materials; and
(D) Satisfy the requirements established for a qualified continuing education program pursuant to § 10.9.
(iii) Serving as an instructor, discussion leader or speaker. (A) One hour of continuing education credit will be awarded for each contact hour completed as an instructor, discussion leader, or speaker at an educational program that meets the continuing education requirements of paragraph (f) of this section.
(B) A maximum of two hours of continuing education credit will be awarded for actual subject preparation time for each contact hour completed as an instructor, discussion leader, or speaker at such programs. It is the responsibility of the individual claiming such credit to maintain records to verify preparation time.
(C) The maximum continuing education credit for instruction and preparation may not exceed four hours annually for registered tax return preparers and six hours annually for enrolled agents and enrolled retirement plan agents.
(D) An instructor, discussion leader, or speaker who makes more than one presentation on the same subject matter during an enrollment cycle or registration year will receive continuing education credit for only one such presentation for the enrollment cycle or registration year.
(3) Periodic examination. Enrolled Agents and Enrolled Retirement Plan Agents may establish eligibility for renewal of enrollment for any enrollment cycle by—
(i) Achieving a passing score on each part of the Special Enrollment Examination administered under this part during the three year period prior to renewal; and
(ii) Completing a minimum of 16 hours of qualifying continuing education during the last year of an enrollment cycle.
(g) Measurement of continuing education coursework. (1) All continuing education programs will be measured in terms of contact hours. The shortest recognized program will be one contact hour.
(2) A contact hour is 50 minutes of continuous participation in a program. Credit is granted only for a full contact hour, which is 50 minutes or multiples thereof. For example, a program lasting more than 50 minutes but less than 100 minutes will count as only one contact hour.
(3) Individual segments at continuous conferences, conventions and the like will be considered one total program. For example, two 90-minute segments (180 minutes) at a continuous conference will count as three contact hours.
(4) For university or college courses, each semester hour credit will equal 15 contact hours and a quarter hour credit will equal 10 contact hours.
(h) Recordkeeping requirements. (1) Each individual applying for renewal must retain for a period of four years following the date of renewal the information required with regard to qualifying continuing education credit hours. Such information includes—
(i) The name of the sponsoring organization;
(ii) The location of the program;
(iii) The title of the program, qualified program number, and description of its content;
(iv) Written outlines, course syllibi, textbook, and/or electronic materials provided or required for the course;
(v) The dates attended;
(vi) The credit hours claimed;
(vii) The name(s) of the instructor(s), discussion leader(s), or speaker(s), if appropriate; and
(viii) The certificate of completion and/or signed statement of the hours of attendance obtained from the continuing education provider.
(2) To receive continuing education credit for service completed as an instructor, discussion leader, or speaker, the following information must be maintained for a period of four years following the date of renewal—
(i) The name of the sponsoring organization;
(ii) The location of the program;
(iii) The title of the program and copy of its content;
(iv) The dates of the program; and
(v) The credit hours claimed.
(i) Waivers. (1) Waiver from the continuing education requirements for a given period may be granted for the following reasons—
(i) Health, which prevented compliance with the continuing education requirements;
(ii) Extended active military duty;
(iii) Absence from the United States for an extended period of time due to employment or other reasons, provided the individual does not practice before the Internal Revenue Service during such absence; and
(iv) Other compelling reasons, which will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
(2) A request for waiver must be accompanied by appropriate documentation. The individual is required to furnish any additional documentation or explanation deemed necessary. Examples of appropriate documentation could be a medical certificate or military orders.
(3) A request for waiver must be filed no later than the last day of the renewal application period.
(4) If a request for waiver is not approved, the individual will be placed in inactive status. The individual will be notified that the waiver was not approved and that the individual has been placed on a roster of inactive enrolled agents, enrolled retirement plan agents, or registered tax return preparers.
(5) If the request for waiver is not approved, the individual may file a protest as prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service in forms, instructions, or other appropriate guidance. A protest filed under this section is not governed by subpart D of this part.
(6) If a request for waiver is approved, the individual will be notified and issued a card or certificate evidencing renewal.
(7) Those who are granted waivers are required to file timely applications for renewal of enrollment or registration.
(j) Failure to comply. (1) Compliance by an individual with the requirements of this part is determined by the Internal Revenue Service. The Internal Revenue Service will provide notice to any individual who fails to meet the continuing education and fee requirements of eligibility for renewal. The notice will state the basis for the determination of noncompliance and will provide the individual an opportunity to furnish the requested information in writing relating to the matter within 60 days of the date of the notice. Such information will be considered in making a final determination as to eligibility for renewal. The individual must be informed of the reason(s) for any denial of a renewal. The individual may, within 30 days after receipt of the notice of denial of renewal, file a written protest of the denial as prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service in forms, instructions, or other appropriate guidance. A protest under this section is not governed by subpart D of this part.
(2) The continuing education records of an enrolled agent, enrolled retirement plan agent, or registered tax return preparer may be reviewed to determine compliance with the requirements and standards for renewal as provided in paragraph (f) of this section. As part of this review, the enrolled agent, enrolled retirement plan agent or registered tax return preparer may be required to provide the Internal Revenue Service with copies of any continuing education records required to be maintained under this part. If the enrolled agent, enrolled retirement plan agent or registered tax return preparer fails to comply with this requirement, any continuing education hours claimed may be disallowed.
(3) An individual who has not filed a timely application for renewal, who has not made a timely response to the notice of noncompliance with the renewal requirements, or who has not satisfied the requirements of eligibility for renewal will be placed on a roster of inactive enrolled individuals or inactive registered individuals. During this time, the individual will be ineligible to practice before the Internal Revenue Service.
(4) Individuals placed in inactive status and individuals ineligible to practice before the Internal Revenue Service may not state or imply that they are eligible to practice before the Internal Revenue Service, or use the terms enrolled agent, enrolled retirement plan agent, or registered tax return preparer, the designations “EA” or “ERPA” or other form of reference to eligibility to practice before the Internal Revenue Service.
(5) An individual placed in inactive status may be reinstated to an active status by filing an application for renewal and providing evidence of the completion of all required continuing education hours for the enrollment cycle or registration year. Continuing education credit under this paragraph (j)(5) may not be used to satisfy the requirements of the enrollment cycle or registration year in which the individual has been placed back on the active roster.
(6) An individual placed in inactive status must file an application for renewal and satisfy the requirements for renewal as set forth in this section within three years of being placed in inactive status. Otherwise, the name of such individual will be removed from the inactive status roster and the individual’s status as an enrolled agent, enrolled retirement plan agent, or registered tax return preparer will terminate. Future eligibility for active status must then be reestablished by the individual as provided in this section.
(7) Inactive status is not available to an individual who is the subject of a pending disciplinary matter before the Internal Revenue Service.
(k) Inactive retirement status. An individual who no longer practices before the Internal Revenue Service may request to be placed in an inactive retirement status at any time and such individual will be placed in an inactive retirement status. The individual will be ineligible to practice before the Internal Revenue Service. An individual who is placed in an inactive retirement status may be reinstated to an active status by filing an application for renewal and providing evidence of the completion of the required continuing education hours for the enrollment cycle or registration year. Inactive retirement status is not available to an individual who is ineligible to practice before the Internal Revenue Service or an individual who is the subject of a pending disciplinary matter under this part.
(l) Renewal while under suspension or disbarment. An individual who is ineligible to practice before the Internal Revenue Service by virtue of disciplinary action under this part is required to conform to the requirements for renewal of enrollment or registration before the individual’s eligibility is restored.
(m) Enrolled actuaries. The enrollment and renewal of enrollment of actuaries authorized to practice under paragraph (d) of § 10.3 are governed by the regulations of the Joint Board for the Enrollment of Actuaries at 20 CFR 901.1 through 901.72.
(n) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable to enrollment or registration effective beginning August 2, 2011.
§ 10.7 Representing oneself; participating in rulemaking; limited practice; and special appearances.
(a) Representing oneself. Individuals may appear on their own behalf before the Internal Revenue Service provided they present satisfactory identification.
(b) Participating in rulemaking. Individuals may participate in rulemaking as provided by the Administrative Procedure Act. See 5 U.S.C. 553.
(c) Limited practice—(1) In general. Subject to the limitations in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, an individual who is not a practitioner may represent a taxpayer before the Internal Revenue Service in the circumstances described in this paragraph (c)(1), even if the taxpayer is not present, provided the individual presents satisfactory identification and proof of his or her authority to represent the taxpayer. The circumstances described in this paragraph (c)(1) are as follows:
(i) An individual may represent a member of his or her immediate family.
(ii) A regular full-time employee of an individual employer may represent the employer.
(iii) A general partner or a regular full-time employee of a partnership may represent the partnership.
(iv) A bona fide officer or a regular full-time employee of a corporation (including a parent, subsidiary, or other affiliated corporation), association, or organized group may represent the corporation, association, or organized group.
(v) A regular full-time employee of a trust, receivership, guardianship, or estate may represent the trust, receivership, guardianship, or estate.
(vi) An officer or a regular employee of a governmental unit, agency, or authority may represent the governmental unit, agency, or authority in the course of his or her official duties.
(vii) An individual may represent any individual or entity, who is outside the United States, before personnel of the Internal Revenue Service when such representation takes place outside the United States.
(2) Limitations. (i) An individual who is under suspension or disbarment from practice before the Internal Revenue Service may not engage in limited practice before the Internal Revenue Service under paragraph (c)(1) of this section.
(ii) The Commissioner, or delegate, may, after notice and opportunity for a conference, deny eligibility to engage in limited practice before the Internal Revenue Service under paragraph (c)(1) of this section to any individual who has engaged in conduct that would justify a sanction under § 10.50.
(iii) An individual who represents a taxpayer under the authority of paragraph (c)(1) of this section is subject, to the extent of his or her authority, to such rules of general applicability regarding standards of conduct and other matters as prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service.
(d) Special appearances. The Commissioner, or delegate, may, subject to conditions deemed appropriate, authorize an individual who is not otherwise eligible to practice before the Internal Revenue Service to represent another person in a particular matter.
(e) Fiduciaries. For purposes of this part, a fiduciary (for example, a trustee, receiver, guardian, personal representative, administrator, or executor) is considered to be the taxpayer and not a representative of the taxpayer.
(f) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable beginning August 2, 2011.
§ 10.8 Return preparation and application of rules to other individuals.
(a) Preparing all or substantially all of a tax return. Any individual who for compensation prepares or assists with the preparation of all or substantially all of a tax return or claim for refund must have a preparer tax identification number. Except as otherwise prescribed in forms, instructions, or other appropriate guidance, an individual must be an attorney, certified public accountant, enrolled agent, or registered tax return preparer to obtain a preparer tax identification number. Any individual who for compensation prepares or assists with the preparation of all or substantially all of a tax return or claim for refund is subject to the duties and restrictions relating to practice in subpart B, as well as subject to the sanctions for violation of the regulations in subpart C.
(b) Preparing a tax return and furnishing information. Any individual may for compensation prepare or assist with the preparation of a tax return or claim for refund (provided the individual prepares less than substantially all of the tax return or claim for refund), appear as a witness for the taxpayer before the Internal Revenue Service, or furnish information at the request of the Internal Revenue Service or any of its officers or employees.
(c) Application of rules to other individuals. Any individual who for compensation prepares, or assists in the preparation of, all or a substantial portion of a document pertaining to any taxpayer’s tax liability for submission to the Internal Revenue Service is subject to the duties and restrictions relating to practice in subpart B, as well as subject to the sanctions for violation of the regulations in subpart C. Unless otherwise a practitioner, however, an individual may not for compensation prepare, or assist in the preparation of, all or substantially all of a tax return or claim for refund, or sign tax returns and claims for refund. For purposes of this paragraph, an individual described in 26 CFR 301.7701-15(f) is not treated as having prepared all or a substantial portion of the document by reason of such assistance.
(d) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable beginning August 2, 2011.
§ 10.9 Continuing education providers and continuing education programs.
(a) Continuing education providers—(1) In general. Continuing education providers are those responsible for presenting continuing education programs. A continuing education provider must—
(i) Be an accredited educational institution;
(ii) Be recognized for continuing education purposes by the licensing body of any State, territory, or possession of the United States, including a Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia;
(iii) Be recognized and approved by a qualifying organization as a provider of continuing education on subject matters within § 10.6(f) of this part. The Internal Revenue Service may, at its discretion, identify a professional organization, society or business entity that maintains minimum education standards comparable to those set forth in this part as a qualifying organization for purposes of this part in appropriate forms, instructions, and other appropriate guidance; or
(iv) Be recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a professional organization, society, or business whose programs include offering continuing professional education opportunities in subject matters within § 10.6(f) of this part. The Internal Revenue Service, at its discretion, may require such professional organizations, societies, or businesses to file an agreement and/or obtain Internal Revenue Service approval of each program as a qualified continuing education program in appropriate forms, instructions or other appropriate guidance.
(2) Continuing education provider numbers—(i) In general. A continuing education provider is required to obtain a continuing education provider number and pay any applicable user fee.
(ii) Renewal. A continuing education provider maintains its status as a continuing education provider during the continuing education provider cycle by renewing its continuing education provider number as prescribed by forms, instructions or other appropriate guidance and paying any applicable user fee.
(3) Requirements for qualified continuing education programs. A continuing education provider must ensure the qualified continuing education program complies with all the following requirements—
(i) Programs must be developed by individual(s) qualified in the subject matter;
(ii) Program subject matter must be current;
(iii) Instructors, discussion leaders, and speakers must be qualified with respect to program content;
(iv) Programs must include some means for evaluation of the technical content and presentation to be evaluated;
(v) Certificates of completion bearing a current qualified continuing education program number issued by the Internal Revenue Service must be provided to the participants who successfully complete the program; and
(vi) Records must be maintained by the continuing education provider to verify the participants who attended and completed the program for a period of four years following completion of the program. In the case of continuous conferences, conventions, and the like, records must be maintained to verify completion of the program and attendance by each participant at each segment of the program.
(4) Program numbers—(i) In general. Every continuing education provider is required to obtain a continuing education provider program number and pay any applicable user fee for each program offered. Program numbers shall be obtained as prescribed by forms, instructions or other appropriate guidance. Although, at the discretion of the Internal Revenue Service, a continuing education provider may be required to demonstrate that the program is designed to enhance professional knowledge in Federal taxation or Federal tax related matters (programs comprised of current subject matter in Federal taxation or Federal tax related matters, including accounting, tax return preparation software, taxation, or ethics) and complies with the requirements in paragraph (a)(2)of this section before a program number is issued.
(ii) Update programs. Update programs may use the same number as the program subject to update. An update program is a program that instructs on a change of existing law occurring within one year of the update program offering. The qualifying education program subject to update must have been offered within the two year time period prior to the change in existing law.
(iii) Change in existing law. A change in existing law means the effective date of the statute or regulation, or date of entry of judicial decision, that is the subject of the update.
(b) Failure to comply. Compliance by a continuing education provider with the requirements of this part is determined by the Internal Revenue Service. A continuing education provider who fails to meet the requirements of this part will be notified by the Internal Revenue Service. The notice will state the basis for the determination of noncompliance and will provide the continuing education provider an opportunity to furnish the requested information in writing relating to the matter within 60 days of the date of the notice. The continuing education provider may, within 30 days after receipt of the notice of denial, file a written protest as prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service in forms, instructions, or other appropriate guidance. A protest under this section is not governed by subpart D of this part.
(c) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable beginning August 2, 2011.
Subpart B—Duties and Restrictions Relating to Practice Before the Internal Revenue Service
§ 10.20 Information to be furnished.
(a) To the Internal Revenue Service. (1) A practitioner must, on a proper and lawful request by a duly authorized officer or employee of the Internal Revenue Service, promptly submit records or information in any matter before the Internal Revenue Service unless the practitioner believes in good faith and on reasonable grounds that the records or information are privileged.
(2) Where the requested records or information are not in the possession of, or subject to the control of, the practitioner or the practitioner’s client, the practitioner must promptly notify the requesting Internal Revenue Service officer or employee and the practitioner must provide any information that the practitioner has regarding the identity of any person who the practitioner believes may have possession or control of the requested records or information. The practitioner must make reasonable inquiry of his or her client regarding the identity of any person who may have possession or control of the requested records or information, but the practitioner is not required to make inquiry of any other person or independently verify any information provided by the practitioner’s client regarding the identity of such persons.
(3) When a proper and lawful request is made by a duly authorized officer or employee of the Internal Revenue Service, concerning an inquiry into an alleged violation of the regulations in this part, a practitioner must provide any information the practitioner has concerning the alleged violation and testify regarding this information in any proceeding instituted under this part, unless the practitioner believes in good faith and on reasonable grounds that the information is privileged.
(b) Interference with a proper and lawful request for records or information. A practitioner may not interfere, or attempt to interfere, with any proper and lawful effort by the Internal Revenue Service, its officers or employees, to obtain any record or information unless the practitioner believes in good faith and on reasonable grounds that the record or information is privileged.
(c) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable beginning August 2, 2011.
§ 10.21 Knowledge of client’s omission.
A practitioner who, having been retained by a client with respect to a matter administered by the Internal Revenue Service, knows that the client has not complied with the revenue laws of the United States or has made an error in or omission from any return, document, affidavit, or other paper which the client submitted or executed under the revenue laws of the United States, must advise the client promptly of the fact of such noncompliance, error, or omission. The practitioner must advise the client of the consequences as provided under the Code and regulations of such noncompliance, error, or omission.
§ 10.22 Diligence as to accuracy.
(a) In general. A practitioner must exercise due diligence—
(1) In preparing or assisting in the preparation of, approving, and filing tax returns, documents, affidavits, and other papers relating to Internal Revenue Service matters;
(2) In determining the correctness of oral or written representations made by the practitioner to the Department of the Treasury; and
(3) In determining the correctness of oral or written representations made by the practitioner to clients with reference to any matter administered by the Internal Revenue Service.
(b) Reliance on others. Except as modified by §§ 10.34 and 10.37, a practitioner will be presumed to have exercised due diligence for purposes of this section if the practitioner relies on the work product of another person and the practitioner used reasonable care in engaging, supervising, training, and evaluating the person, taking proper account of the nature of the relationship between the practitioner and the person.
(c) Effective/applicability date. Paragraph (a) of this section is applicable on September 26, 2007. Paragraph (b) of this section is applicable beginning June 12, 2014.
§ 10.23 Prompt disposition of pending matters.
A practitioner may not unreasonably delay the prompt disposition of any matter before the Internal Revenue Service.
§ 10.24 Assistance from or to disbarred or suspended persons and former Internal Revenue Service employees.
A practitioner may not, knowingly and directly or indirectly:
(a) Accept assistance from or assist any person who is under disbarment or suspension from practice before the Internal Revenue Service if the assistance relates to a matter or matters constituting practice before the Internal Revenue Service.
(b) Accept assistance from any former government employee where the provisions of § 10.25 or any Federal law would be violated.
§ 10.25 Practice by former government employees, their partners and their associates.
(a) Definitions. For purposes of this section—
(1) Assist means to act in such a way as to advise, furnish information to, or otherwise aid another person, directly, or indirectly.
(2) Government employee is an officer or employee of the United States or any agency of the United States, including a special Government employee as defined in 18 U.S.C. 202(a), or of the District of Columbia, or of any State, or a member of Congress or of any State legislature.
(3) Member of a firm is a sole practitioner or an employee or associate thereof, or a partner, stockholder, associate, affiliate or employee of a partnership, joint venture, corporation, professional association or other affiliation of two or more practitioners who represent nongovernmental parties.
(4) Particular matter involving specific parties is defined at 5 CFR 2637.201(c), or superseding post-employment regulations issued by the U.S. Office of Government Ethics.
(5) Rule includes Treasury regulations, whether issued or under preparation for issuance as notices of proposed rulemaking or as Treasury decisions, revenue rulings, and revenue procedures published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin (see 26 CFR 601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b)).
(b) General rules. (1) No former Government employee may, subsequent to Government employment, represent anyone in any matter administered by the Internal Revenue Service if the representation would violate 18 U.S.C. 207 or any other laws of the United States.
(2) No former Government employee who personally and substantially participated in a particular matter involving specific parties may, subsequent to Government employment, represent or knowingly assist, in that particular matter, any person who is or was a specific party to that particular matter.
(3) A former Government employee who within a period of one year prior to the termination of Government employment had official responsibility for a particular matter involving specific parties may not, within two years after Government employment is ended, represent in that particular matter any person who is or was a specific party to that particular matter.
(4) No former Government employee may, within one year after Government employment is ended, communicate with or appear before, with the intent to influence, any employee of the Treasury Department in connection with the publication, withdrawal, amendment, modification, or interpretation of a rule the development of which the former Government employee participated in, or for which, within a period of one year prior to the termination of Government employment, the former government employee had official responsibility. This paragraph (b)(4) does not, however, preclude any former employee from appearing on one’s own behalf or from representing a taxpayer before the Internal Revenue Service in connection with a particular matter involving specific parties involving the application or interpretation of a rule with respect to that particular matter, provided that the representation is otherwise consistent with the other provisions of this section and the former employee does not utilize or disclose any confidential information acquired by the former employee in the development of the rule.
(c) Firm representation. (1) No member of a firm of which a former Government employee is a member may represent or knowingly assist a person who was or is a specific party in any particular matter with respect to which the restrictions of paragraph (b)(2) of this section apply to the former Government employee, in that particular matter, unless the firm isolates the former Government employee in such a way to ensure that the former Government employee cannot assist in the representation.
(2) When isolation of a former Government employee is required under paragraph (c)(1) of this section, a statement affirming the fact of such isolation must be executed under oath by the former Government employee and by another member of the firm acting on behalf of the firm. The statement must clearly identify the firm, the former Government employee, and the particular matter(s) requiring isolation. The statement must be retained by the firm and, upon request, provided to the office(s) of the Internal Revenue Service administering or enforcing this part.
(d) Pending representation. The provisions of this regulation will govern practice by former Government employees, their partners and associates with respect to representation in particular matters involving specific parties where actual representation commenced before the effective date of this regulation.
(e) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable beginning August 2, 2011.
§ 10.26 Notaries.
A practitioner may not take acknowledgments, administer oaths, certify papers, or perform any official act as a notary public with respect to any matter administered by the Internal Revenue Service and for which he or she is employed as counsel, attorney, or agent, or in which he or she may be in any way interested.
§ 10.27 Fees.
(a) In general. A practitioner may not charge an unconscionable fee in connection with any matter before the Internal Revenue Service.
(b) Contingent fees. (1) Except as provided in paragraphs (b)(2), (3), and (4) of this section, a practitioner may not charge a contingent fee for services rendered in connection with any matter before the Internal Revenue Service.
(2) A practitioner may charge a contingent fee for services rendered in connection with the Service’s examination of, or challenge to—
(i) An original tax return; or
(ii) An amended return or claim for refund or credit where the amended return or claim for refund or credit was filed within 120 days of the taxpayer receiving a written notice of the examination of, or a written challenge to the original tax return.
(3) A practitioner may charge a contingent fee for services rendered in connection with a claim for credit or refund filed solely in connection with the determination of statutory interest or penalties assessed by the Internal Revenue Service.
(4) A practitioner may charge a contingent fee for services rendered in connection with any judicial proceeding arising under the Internal Revenue Code.
(c) Definitions. For purposes of this section—
(1) Contingent fee is any fee that is based, in whole or in part, on whether or not a position taken on a tax return or other filing avoids challenge by the Internal Revenue Service or is sustained either by the Internal Revenue Service or in litigation. A contingent fee includes a fee that is based on a percentage of the refund reported on a return, that is based on a percentage of the taxes saved, or that otherwise depends on the specific result attained. A contingent fee also includes any fee arrangement in which the practitioner will reimburse the client for all or a portion of the client’s fee in the event that a position taken on a tax return or other filing is challenged by the Internal Revenue Service or is not sustained, whether pursuant to an indemnity agreement, a guarantee, rescission rights, or any other arrangement with a similar effect.
(2) Matter before the Internal Revenue Service includes tax planning and advice, preparing or filing or assisting in preparing or filing returns or claims for refund or credit, and all matters connected with a presentation to the Internal Revenue Service or any of its officers or employees relating to a taxpayer’s rights, privileges, or liabilities under laws or regulations administered by the Internal Revenue Service. Such presentations include, but are not limited to, preparing and filing documents, corresponding and communicating with the Internal Revenue Service, rendering written advice with respect to any entity, transaction, plan or arrangement, and representing a client at conferences, hearings, and meetings.
(d) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable for fee arrangements entered into after March 26, 2008.
§ 10.28 Return of client’s records.
(a) In general, a practitioner must, at the request of a client, promptly return any and all records of the client that are necessary for the client to comply with his or her Federal tax obligations. The practitioner may retain copies of the records returned to a client. The existence of a dispute over fees generally does not relieve the practitioner of his or her responsibility under this section. Nevertheless, if applicable state law allows or permits the retention of a client’s records by a practitioner in the case of a dispute over fees for services rendered, the practitioner need only return those records that must be attached to the taxpayer’s return. The practitioner, however, must provide the client with reasonable access to review and copy any additional records of the client retained by the practitioner under state law that are necessary for the client to comply with his or her Federal tax obligations.
(b) For purposes of this section, Records of the client include all documents or written or electronic materials provided to the practitioner, or obtained by the practitioner in the course of the practitioner’s representation of the client, that preexisted the retention of the practitioner by the client. The term also includes materials that were prepared by the client or a third party (not including an employee or agent of the practitioner) at any time and provided to the practitioner with respect to the subject matter of the representation. The term also includes any return, claim for refund, schedule, affidavit, appraisal or any other document prepared by the practitioner, or his or her employee or agent, that was presented to the client with respect to a prior representation if such document is necessary for the taxpayer to comply with his or her current Federal tax obligations. The term does not include any return, claim for refund, schedule, affidavit, appraisal or any other document prepared by the practitioner or the practitioner’s firm, employees or agents if the practitioner is withholding such document pending the client’s performance of its contractual obligation to pay fees with respect to such document.
§ 10.29 Conflicting interests.
(a) Except as provided by paragraph (b) of this section, a practitioner shall not represent a client before the Internal Revenue Service if the representation involves a conflict of interest. A conflict of interest exists if—
(1) The representation of one client will be directly adverse to another client; or
(2) There is a significant risk that the representation of one or more clients will be materially limited by the practitioner’s responsibilities to another client, a former client or a third person, or by a personal interest of the practitioner.
(b) Notwithstanding the existence of a conflict of interest under paragraph (a) of this section, the practitioner may represent a client if—
(1) The practitioner reasonably believes that the practitioner will be able to provide competent and diligent representation to each affected client;
(2) The representation is not prohibited by law; and
(3) Each affected client waives the conflict of interest and gives informed consent, confirmed in writing by each affected client, at the time the existence of the conflict of interest is known by the practitioner. The confirmation may be made within a reasonable period after the informed consent, but in no event later than 30 days.
(c) Copies of the written consents must be retained by the practitioner for at least 36 months from the date of the conclusion of the representation of the affected clients, and the written consents must be provided to any officer or employee of the Internal Revenue Service on request.
(d) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable on September 26, 2007.
§ 10.30 Solicitation.
(a) Advertising and solicitation restrictions. (1) A practitioner may not, with respect to any Internal Revenue Service matter, in any way use or participate in the use of any form of public communication or private solicitation containing a false, fraudulent, or coercive statement or claim; or a misleading or deceptive statement or claim. Enrolled agents, enrolled retirement plan agents, or registered tax return preparers, in describing their professional designation, may not utilize the term “certified” or imply an employer/employee relationship with the Internal Revenue Service. Examples of acceptable descriptions for enrolled agents are “enrolled to represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service,” “enrolled to practice before the Internal Revenue Service,” and “admitted to practice before the Internal Revenue Service.” Similarly, examples of acceptable descriptions for enrolled retirement plan agents are “enrolled to represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service as a retirement plan agent” and “enrolled to practice before the Internal Revenue Service as a retirement plan agent.” An example of an acceptable description for registered tax return preparers is “designated as a registered tax return preparer by the Internal Revenue Service.”
(2) A practitioner may not make, directly or indirectly, an uninvited written or oral solicitation of employment in matters related to the Internal Revenue Service if the solicitation violates Federal or State law or other applicable rule, e.g., attorneys are precluded from making a solicitation that is prohibited by conduct rules applicable to all attorneys in their State(s) of licensure. Any lawful solicitation made by or on behalf of a practitioner eligible to practice before the Internal Revenue Service must, nevertheless, clearly identify the solicitation as such and, if applicable, identify the source of the information used in choosing the recipient.
(b) Fee information. (1)(i) A practitioner may publish the availability of a written schedule of fees and disseminate the following fee information—
(A) Fixed fees for specific routine services.
(B) Hourly rates.
(C) Range of fees for particular services.
(D) Fee charged for an initial consultation.
(ii) Any statement of fee information concerning matters in which costs may be incurred must include a statement disclosing whether clients will be responsible for such costs.
(2) A practitioner may charge no more than the rate(s) published under paragraph (b)(1) of this section for at least 30 calendar days after the last date on which the schedule of fees was published.
(c) Communication of fee information. Fee information may be communicated in professional lists, telephone directories, print media, mailings, electronic mail, facsimile, hand delivered flyers, radio, television, and any other method. The method chosen, however, must not cause the communication to become untruthful, deceptive, or otherwise in violation of this part. A practitioner may not persist in attempting to contact a prospective client if the prospective client has made it known to the practitioner that he or she does not desire to be solicited. In the case of radio and television broadcasting, the broadcast must be recorded and the practitioner must retain a recording of the actual transmission. In the case of direct mail and e-commerce communications, the practitioner must retain a copy of the actual communication, along with a list or other description of persons to whom the communication was mailed or otherwise distributed. The copy must be retained by the practitioner for a period of at least 36 months from the date of the last transmission or use.
(d) Improper associations. A practitioner may not, in matters related to the Internal Revenue Service, assist, or accept assistance from, any person or entity who, to the knowledge of the practitioner, obtains clients or otherwise practices in a manner forbidden under this section.
(e) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable beginning August 2, 2011.
§ 10.31 Negotiation of taxpayer checks.
(a) A practitioner may not endorse or otherwise negotiate any check (including directing or accepting payment by any means, electronic or otherwise, into an account owned or controlled by the practitioner or any firm or other entity with whom the practitioner is associated) issued to a client by the government in respect of a Federal tax liability.
(b) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable beginning June 12, 2014.
§ 10.32 Practice of law.
Nothing in the regulations in this part may be construed as authorizing persons not members of the bar to practice law.
§ 10.33 Best practices for tax advisors.
(a) Best practices. Tax advisors should provide clients with the highest quality representation concerning Federal tax issues by adhering to best practices in providing advice and in preparing or assisting in the preparation of a submission to the Internal Revenue Service. In addition to compliance with the standards of practice provided elsewhere in this part, best practices include the following:
(1) Communicating clearly with the client regarding the terms of the engagement. For example, the advisor should determine the client’s expected purpose for and use of the advice and should have a clear understanding with the client regarding the form and scope of the advice or assistance to be rendered.
(2) Establishing the facts, determining which facts are relevant, evaluating the reasonableness of any assumptions or representations, relating the applicable law (including potentially applicable judicial doctrines) to the relevant facts, and arriving at a conclusion supported by the law and the facts.
(3) Advising the client regarding the import of the conclusions reached, including, for example, whether a taxpayer may avoid accuracy-related penalties under the Internal Revenue Code if a taxpayer acts in reliance on the advice.
(4) Acting fairly and with integrity in practice before the Internal Revenue Service.
(b) Procedures to ensure best practices for tax advisors. Tax advisors with responsibility for overseeing a firm’s practice of providing advice concerning Federal tax issues or of preparing or assisting in the preparation of submissions to the Internal Revenue Service should take reasonable steps to ensure that the firm’s procedures for all members, associates, and employees are consistent with the best practices set forth in paragraph (a) of this section.
(c) Applicability date. This section is effective after June 20, 2005.
§ 10.34 Standards with respect to tax returns and documents, affidavits and other papers.
(a) Tax returns. (1) A practitioner may not willfully, recklessly, or through gross incompetence—
(i) Sign a tax return or claim for refund that the practitioner knows or reasonably should know contains a position that—
(A) Lacks a reasonable basis;
(B) Is an unreasonable position as described in section 6694(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue code (Code) (including the related regulations and other published guidance); or
(C) Is a willful attempted by the practitioner to understate the liability for tax or a reckless or intentional disregard of rules or regulations by the practitioner as described in section 6694(b)(2) of the Code (including the related regulations and other published guidance).
(ii) Advise a client to take a position on a tax return or claim for refund, or prepare a portion off a tax return or claim for refund containing a position, that—
(A) Lacks a reasonable basis;
(B) Is an unreasonable position as described in section 6694(a)(2) of the Code (including the related regulations and other published guidance); or
(C) Is a willful attempt by the practitioner to understate the liability for tax or a reckless or intentional disregard of rules or regulations by the practitioner as described in section 6694(b)(2) of the Code (including the related regulations and other published guidance).
(2) A pattern of conduct is a factor that will be taken into account in determining whether a practitioner acted willfully, recklessly, or through gross incompetence.
(b) Documents, affidavits and other papers. (1) A practitioner may not advise a client to take a position on a document, affidavit or other paper submitted to the Internal Revenue Service unless the position is not frivolous.
(2) A practitioner may not advise a client to submit a document, affidavit or other paper to the Internal Revenue Service—
(i) The purpose of which is to delay or impede the administration of the Federal tax laws;
(ii) That is frivolous; or
(iii) That contains or omits information in a manner that demonstrates an intentional disregard of a rule or regulation unless the practitioner also advises the client to submit a document that evidences a good faith challenge to the rule or regulation.
(c) Advising clients on potential penalties. (1) A practitioner must inform a client of any penalties that are reasonably likely to apply to the client with respect to—
(i) A position taken on a tax return if—
(A) The practitioner advised the client with respect to the position; or
(B) The practitioner prepared or signed the tax return; and
(ii) Any document, affidavit or other paper submitted to the Internal Revenue Service.
(2) The practitioner also must inform the client of any opportunity to avoid any such penalties by disclosure, if relevant, and of the requirements for adequate disclosure.
(3) This paragraph (c) applies even if the practitioner is not subject to a penalty under the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the position or with respect to the document, affidavit or other paper submitted.
(d) Relying on information furnished by clients. A practitioner advising a client to take a position on a tax return, document, affidavit or other paper submitted to the Internal Revenue Service, or preparing or signing a tax return as a preparer, generally may rely in good faith without verification upon information furnished by the client. The practitioner may not, however, ignore the implications of information furnished to, or actually known by, the practitioner, and must make reasonable inquiries if the information as furnished appears to be incorrect, inconsistent with an important fact or another factual assumption, or incomplete.
(e) Effective/applicability date. Paragraph (a) of this section is applicable for returns or claims for refund filed, or advice provided, beginning August 2, 2011. Paragraphs (b) through (d) of this section are applicable to tax returns, documents, affidavits, and other papers filed on or after September 26, 2007.
§ 10.35 Competence.
(a) A practitioner must possess the necessary competence to engage in practice before the Internal Revenue Service. Competent practice requires the appropriate level of knowledge, skill, thoroughness, and preparation necessary for the matter for which the practitioner is engaged. A practitioner may become competent for the matter for which the practitioner has been engaged through various methods, such as consulting with experts in the relevant area or studying the relevant law.
(b) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable beginning June 12, 2014.
§ 10.36 Procedures to ensure compliance.
(a) Any individual subject to the provisions of this part who has (or individuals who have or share) principal authority and responsibility for overseeing a firm’s practice governed by this part, including the provision of advice concerning Federal tax matters and preparation of tax returns, claims for refund, or other documents for submission to the Internal Revenue Service, must take reasonable steps to ensure that the firm has adequate procedures in effect for all members, associates, and employees for purposes of complying with subparts A, B, and C of this part, as applicable. In the absence of a person or persons identified by the firm as having the principal authority and responsibility described in this paragraph, the Internal Revenue Service may identify one or more individuals subject to the provisions of this part responsible for compliance with the requirements of this section.
(b) Any such individual who has (or such individuals who have or share) principal authority as described in paragraph (a) of this section will be subject to discipline for failing to comply with the requirements of this section if—
(1) The individual through willfulness, recklessness, or gross incompetence does not take reasonable steps to ensure that the firm has adequate procedures to comply with this part, as applicable, and one or more individuals who are members of, associated with, or employed by, the firm are, or have, engaged in a pattern or practice, in connection with their practice with the firm, of failing to comply with this part, as applicable;
(2) The individual through willfulness, recklessness, or gross incompetence does not take reasonable steps to ensure that firm procedures in effect are properly followed, and one or more individuals who are members of, associated with, or employed by, the firm are, or have, engaged in a pattern or practice, in connection with their practice with the firm, of failing to comply with this part, as applicable; or
(3) The individual knows or should know that one or more individuals who are members of, associated with, or employed by, the firm are, or have, engaged in a pattern or practice, in connection with their practice with the firm, that does not comply with this part, as applicable, and the individual, through willfulness, recklessness, or gross incompetence fails to take prompt action to correct the noncompliance.
(c) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable beginning June 12, 2014.
§ 10.37 Requirements for written advice.
(a) Requirements. (1) A practitioner may give written advice (including by means of electronic communication) concerning one or more Federal tax matters subject to the requirements in paragraph (a)(2) of this section. Government submissions on matters of general policy are not considered written advice on a Federal tax matter for purposes of this section. Continuing education presentations provided to an audience solely for the purpose of enhancing practitioners’ professional knowledge on Federal tax matters are not considered written advice on a Federal tax matter for purposes of this section. The preceding sentence does not apply to presentations marketing or promoting transactions.
(2) The practitioner must—
(i) Base the written advice on reasonable factual and legal assumptions (including assumptions as to future events);
(ii) Reasonably consider all relevant facts and circumstances that the practitioner knows or reasonably should know;
(iii) Use reasonable efforts to identify and ascertain the facts relevant to written advice on each Federal tax matter;
(iv) Not rely upon representations, statements, findings, or agreements (including projections, financial forecasts, or appraisals) of the taxpayer or any other person if reliance on them would be unreasonable;
(v) Relate applicable law and authorities to facts; and
(vi) Not, in evaluating a Federal tax matter, take into account the possibility that a tax return will not be audited or that a matter will not be raised on audit.
(3) Reliance on representations, statements, findings, or agreements is unreasonable if the practitioner knows or reasonably should know that one or more representations or assumptions on which any representation is based are incorrect, incomplete, or inconsistent.
(b) Reliance on advice of others. A practitioner may only rely on the advice of another person if the advice was reasonable and the reliance is in good faith considering all the facts and circumstances. Reliance is not reasonable when—
(1) The practitioner knows or reasonably should know that the opinion of the other person should not be relied on;
(2) The practitioner knows or reasonably should know that the other person is not competent or lacks the necessary qualifications to provide the advice; or
(3) The practitioner knows or reasonably should know that the other person has a conflict of interest in violation of the rules described in this part.
(c) Standard of review. (1) In evaluating whether a practitioner giving written advice concerning one or more Federal tax matters complied with the requirements of this section, the Commissioner, or delegate, will apply a reasonable practitioner standard, considering all facts and circumstances, including, but not limited to, the scope of the engagement and the type and specificity of the advice sought by the client.
(2) In the case of an opinion the practitioner knows or has reason to know will be used or referred to by a person other than the practitioner (or a person who is a member of, associated with, or employed by the practitioner’s firm) in promoting, marketing, or recommending to one or more taxpayers a partnership or other entity, investment plan or arrangement a significant purpose of which is the avoidance or evasion of any tax imposed by the Internal Revenue Code, the Commissioner, or delegate, will apply a reasonable practitioner standard, considering all facts and circumstances, with emphasis given to the additional risk caused by the practitioner’s lack of knowledge of the taxpayer’s particular circumstances, when determining whether a practitioner has failed to comply with this section.
(d) Federal tax matter. A Federal tax matter, as used in this section, is any matter concerning the application or interpretation of—
(1) A revenue provision as defined in section 6110(i)(1)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code;
(2) Any provision of law impacting a person’s obligations under the internal revenue laws and regulations, including but not limited to the person’s liability to pay tax or obligation to file returns; or
(3) Any other law or regulation administered by the Internal Revenue Service.
(e) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable to written advice rendered after June 12, 2014.
§ 10.38 Establishment of advisory committees.
(a) Advisory committees. To promote and maintain the public’s confidence in tax advisors, the Internal Revenue Service is authorized to establish one or more advisory committees composed of at least six individuals authorized to practice before the Internal Revenue Service. Membership of an advisory committee must be balanced among those who practice as attorneys, accountants, enrolled agents, enrolled actuaries, enrolled retirement plan agents, and registered tax return preparers. Under procedures prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service, an advisory committee may review and make general recommendations regarding the practices, procedures, and policies of the offices described in § 10.1.
(b) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable beginning August 2, 2011.
Subpart C—Sanctions for Violation of the Regulations
§ 10.50 Sanctions.
(a) Authority to censure, suspend, or disbar. The Secretary of the Treasury, or delegate, after notice and an opportunity for a proceeding, may censure, suspend, or disbar any practitioner from practice before the Internal Revenue Service if the practitioner is shown to be incompetent or disreputable (within the meaning of § 10.51), fails to comply with any regulation in this part (under the prohibited conduct standards of § 10.52), or with intent to defraud, willfully and knowingly misleads or threatens a client or prospective client. Censure is a public reprimand.
(b) Authority to disqualify. The Secretary of the Treasury, or delegate, after due notice and opportunity for hearing, may disqualify any appraiser for a violation of these rules as applicable to appraisers.
(1) If any appraiser is disqualified pursuant to this subpart C, the appraiser is barred from presenting evidence or testimony in any administrative proceeding before the Department of Treasury or the Internal Revenue Service, unless and until authorized to do so by the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to § 10.81, regardless of whether the evidence or testimony would pertain to an appraisal made prior to or after the effective date of disqualification.
(2) Any appraisal made by a disqualified appraiser after the effective date of disqualification will not have any probative effect in any administrative proceeding before the Department of the Treasury or the Internal Revenue Service. An appraisal otherwise barred from admission into evidence pursuant to this section may be admitted into evidence solely for the purpose of determining the taxpayer’s reliance in good faith on such appraisal.
(c) Authority to impose monetary penalty—(1) In general. (i) The Secretary of the Treasury, or delegate, after notice and an opportunity for a proceeding, may impose a monetary penalty on any practitioner who engages in conduct subject to sanction under paragraph (a) of this section.
(ii) If the practitioner described in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section was acting on behalf of an employer or any firm or other entity in connection with the conduct giving rise to the penalty, the Secretary of the Treasury, or delegate, may impose a monetary penalty on the employer, firm, or entity if it knew, or reasonably should have known, of such conduct.
(2) Amount of penalty. The amount of the penalty shall not exceed the gross income derived (or to be derived) from the conduct giving rise to the penalty.
(3) Coordination with other sanctions. Subject to paragraph (c)(2) of this section—
(i) Any monetary penalty imposed on a practitioner under this paragraph (c) may be in addition to or in lieu of any suspension, disbarment or censure and may be in addition to a penalty imposed on an employer, firm or other entity under paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section.
(ii) Any monetary penalty imposed on an employer, firm or other entity may be in addition to or in lieu of penalties imposed under paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section.
(d) Authority to accept a practitioner’s consent to sanction. The Internal Revenue Service may accept a practitioner’s offer of consent to be sanctioned under § 10.50 in lieu of instituting or continuing a proceeding under § 10.60(a).
(e) Sanctions to be imposed. The sanctions imposed by this section shall take into account all relevant facts and circumstances.
(f) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable to conduct occurring on or after August 2, 2011, except that paragraphs (a), (b)(2), and (e) apply to conduct occurring on or after September 26, 2007, and paragraph (c) applies to prohibited conduct that occurs after October 22, 2004.
§ 10.51 Incompetence and disreputable conduct.
(a) Incompetence and disreputable conduct. Incompetence and disreputable conduct for which a practitioner may be sanctioned under § 10.50 includes, but is not limited to—
(1) Conviction of any criminal offense under the Federal tax laws.
(2) Conviction of any criminal offense involving dishonesty or breach of trust.
(3) Conviction of any felony under Federal or State law for which the conduct involved renders the practitioner unfit to practice before the Internal Revenue Service.
(4) Giving false or misleading information, or participating in any way in the giving of false or misleading information to the Department of the Treasury or any officer or employee thereof, or to any tribunal authorized to pass upon Federal tax matters, in connection with any matter pending or likely to be pending before them, knowing the information to be false or misleading. Facts or other matters contained in testimony, Federal tax returns, financial statements, applications for enrollment, affidavits, declarations, and any other document or statement, written or oral, are included in the term “information.”
(5) Solicitation of employment as prohibited under § 10.30, the use of false or misleading representations with intent to deceive a client or prospective client in order to procure employment, or intimating that the practitioner is able improperly to obtain special consideration or action from the Internal Revenue Service or any officer or employee thereof.
(6) Willfully failing to make a Federal tax return in violation of the Federal tax laws, or willfully evading, attempting to evade, or participating in any way in evading or attempting to evade any assessment or payment of any Federal tax.
(7) Willfully assisting, counseling, encouraging a client or prospective client in violating, or suggesting to a client or prospective client to violate, any Federal tax law, or knowingly counseling or suggesting to a client or prospective client an illegal plan to evade Federal taxes or payment thereof.
(8) Misappropriation of, or failure properly or promptly to remit, funds received from a client for the purpose of payment of taxes or other obligations due the United States.
(9) Directly or indirectly attempting to influence, or offering or agreeing to attempt to influence, the official action of any officer or employee of the Internal Revenue Service by the use of threats, false accusations, duress or coercion, by the offer of any special inducement or promise of an advantage, or by the bestowing of any gift, favor or thing of value.
(10) Disbarment or suspension from practice as an attorney, certified public accountant, public accountant or actuary by any duly constituted authority of any State, territory, or possession of the United States, including a Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, any Federal court of record or any Federal agency, body or board.
(11) Knowingly aiding and abetting another person to practice before the Internal Revenue Service during a period of suspension, disbarment or ineligibility of such other person.
(12) Contemptuous conduct in connection with practice before the Internal Revenue Service, including the use of abusive language, making false accusations or statements, knowing them to be false or circulating or publishing malicious or libelous matter.
(13) Giving a false opinion, knowingly, recklessly, or through gross incompetence, including an opinion which is intentionally or recklessly misleading, or engaging in a pattern of providing incompetent opinions on questions arising under the Federal tax laws. False opinions described in this paragraph (a)(13) include those which reflect or result from a knowing misstatement of fact or law, from an assertion of a position known to be unwarranted under existing law, from counseling or assisting in conduct known to be illegal or fraudulent, from concealing matters required by law to be revealed, or from consciously disregarding information indicating that material facts expressed in the opinion or offering material are false or misleading. For purposes of this paragraph (a)(13), reckless conduct is a highly unreasonable omission or misrepresentation involving an extreme departure from the standards of ordinary care that a practitioner should observe under the circumstances. A pattern of conduct is a factor that will be taken into account in determining whether a practitioner acted knowingly, recklessly, or through gross incompetence. Gross incompetence includes conduct that reflects gross indifference, preparation which is grossly inadequate under the circumstances, and a consistent failure to perform obligations to the client.
(14) Willfully failing to sign a tax return prepared by the practitioner when the practitioner’s signature is required by the Federal tax laws unless the failure is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect.
(15) Willfully disclosing or otherwise using a tax return or tax return information in a manner not authorized by the Internal Revenue Code, contrary to the order of a court of competent jurisdiction, or contrary to the order of an administrative law judge in a proceeding instituted under § 10.60.
(16) Willfully failing to file on magnetic or other electronic media a tax return prepared by the practitioner when the practitioner is required to do so by the Federal tax laws unless the failure is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect.
(17) Willfully preparing all or substantially all of, or signing, a tax return or claim for refund when the practitioner does not possess a current or otherwise valid preparer tax identification number or other prescribed identifying number.
(18) Willfully representing a taxpayer before an officer or employee of the Internal Revenue Service unless the practitioner is authorized to do so pursuant to this part.
(b) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable beginning August 2, 2011.
§ 10.52 Violations subject to sanction.
(a) A practitioner may be sanctioned under § 10.50 if the practitioner—
(1) Willfully violates any of the regulations (other than § 10.33) contained in this part; or
(2) Recklessly or through gross incompetence (within the meaning of § 10.51(a)(13)) violates § 10.34, § 10.35, § 10.36 or § 10.37.
(b) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable to conduct occurring on or after September 26, 2007.
§ 10.53 Receipt of information concerning practitioner.
(a) Officer or employee of the Internal Revenue Service. If an officer or employee of the Internal Revenue Service has reason to believe a practitioner has violated any provision of this part, the officer or employee will promptly make a written report of the suspected violation. The report will explain the facts and reasons upon which the officer’s or employee’s belief rests and must be submitted to the office(s) of the Internal Revenue Service responsible for administering or enforcing this part.
(b) Other persons. Any person other than an officer or employee of the Internal Revenue Service having information of a violation of any provision of this part may make an oral or written report of the alleged violation to the office(s) of the Internal Revenue Service responsible for administering or enforcing this part or any officer or employee of the Internal Revenue Service. If the report is made to an officer or employee of the Internal Revenue Service, the officer or employee will make a written report of the suspected violation and submit the report to the office(s) of the Internal Revenue Service responsible for administering or enforcing this part.
(c) Destruction of report. No report made under paragraph (a) or (b) of this section shall be maintained unless retention of the report is permissible under the applicable records control schedule as approved by the National Archives and Records Administration and designated in the Internal Revenue Manual. Reports must be destroyed as soon as permissible under the applicable records control schedule.
(d) Effect on proceedings under subpart D. The destruction of any report will not bar any proceeding under subpart D of this part, but will preclude the use of a copy of the report in a proceeding under subpart D of this part.
(e) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable beginning August 2, 2011.
Subpart D—Rules Applicable to Disciplinary Proceedings
§ 10.60 Institution of proceeding.
(a) Whenever it is determined that a practitioner (or employer, firm or other entity, if applicable) violated any provision of the laws governing practice before the Internal Revenue Service or the regulations in this part, the practitioner may be reprimanded or, in accordance with § 10.62, subject to a proceeding for sanctions described in § 10.50.
(b) Whenever a penalty has been assessed against an appraiser under the Internal Revenue Code and an appropriate officer or employee in an office established to enforce this part determines that the appraiser acted willfully, recklessly, or through gross incompetence with respect to the proscribed conduct, the appraiser may be reprimanded or, in accordance with § 10.62, subject to a proceeding for disqualification. A proceeding for disqualification of an appraiser is instituted by the filing of a complaint, the contents of which are more fully described in § 10.62.
(c) Except as provided in § 10.82, a proceeding will not be instituted under this section unless the proposed respondent previously has been advised in writing of the law, facts and conduct warranting such action and has been accorded an opportunity to dispute facts, assert additional facts, and make arguments (including an explanation or description of mitigating circumstances).
(d) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable beginning August 2, 2011.
§ 10.61 Conferences.
(a) In general. The Commissioner, or delegate, may confer with a practitioner, employer, firm or other entity, or an appraiser concerning allegations of misconduct irrespective of whether a proceeding has been instituted. If the conference results in a stipulation in connection with an ongoing proceeding in which the practitioner, employer, firm or other entity, or appraiser is the respondent, the stipulation may be entered in the record by either party to the proceeding.
(b) Voluntary sanction—(1) In general. In lieu of a proceeding being instituted or continued under § 10.60(a), a practitioner or appraiser (or employer, firm or other entity, if applicable) may offer a consent to be sanctioned under § 10.50.
(2) Discretion; acceptance or declination. The Commissioner, or delegate, may accept or decline the offer described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section. When the decision is to decline the offer, the written notice of declination may state that the offer described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section would be accepted if it contained different terms. The Commissioner, or delegate, has the discretion to accept or reject a revised offer submitted in response to the declination or may counteroffer and act upon any accepted counteroffer.
(c) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable beginning August 2, 2011.
§ 10.62 Contents of complaint.
(a) Charges. A complaint must name the respondent, provide a clear and concise description of the facts and law that constitute the basis for the proceeding, and be signed by an authorized representative of the Internal Revenue Service under § 10.69(a)(1). A complaint is sufficient if it fairly informs the respondent of the charges brought so that the respondent is able to prepare a defense.
(b) Specification of sanction. The complaint must specify the sanction sought against the practitioner or appraiser. If the sanction sought is a suspension, the duration of the suspension sought must be specified.
(c) Demand for answer. The respondent must be notified in the complaint or in a separate paper attached to the complaint of the time for answering the complaint, which may not be less than 30 days from the date of service of the complaint, the name and address of the Administrative Law Judge with whom the answer must be filed, the name and address of the person representing the Internal Revenue Service to whom a copy of the answer must be served, and that a decision by default may be rendered against the respondent in the event an answer is not filed as required.
(d) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable beginning August 2, 2011.
§ 10.63 Service of complaint; service of other papers; service of evidence in support of complaint; filing of papers.
(a) Service of complaint—(1) In general. The complaint or a copy of the complaint must be served on the respondent by any manner described in paragraphs (a)(2) or (3) of this section.
(2) Service by certified or first class mail. (i) Service of the complaint may be made on the respondent by mailing the complaint by certified mail to the last known address (as determined under section 6212 of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder) of the respondent. Where service is by certified mail, the returned post office receipt duly signed by the respondent will be proof of service.
(ii) If the certified mail is not claimed or accepted by the respondent, or is returned undelivered, service may be made on the respondent, by mailing the complaint to the respondent by first class mail. Service by this method will be considered complete upon mailing, provided the complaint is addressed to the respondent at the respondent’s last known address as determined under section 6212 of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder.
(3) Service by other than certified or first class mail. (i) Service of the complaint may be made on the respondent by delivery by a private delivery service designated pursuant to section 7502(f) of the Internal Revenue Code to the last known address (as determined under section 6212 of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder) of the respondent. Service by this method will be considered complete, provided the complaint is addressed to the respondent at the respondent’s last known address as determined under section 6212 of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder.
(ii) Service of the complaint may be made in person on, or by leaving the complaint at the office or place of business of, the respondent. Service by this method will be considered complete and proof of service will be a written statement, sworn or affirmed by the person who served the complaint, identifying the manner of service, including the recipient, relationship of recipient to respondent, place, date and time of service.
(iii) Service may be made by any other means agreed to by the respondent. Proof of service will be a written statement, sworn or affirmed by the person who served the complaint, identifying the manner of service, including the recipient, relationship of recipient to respondent, place, date and time of service.
(4) For purposes of this section, respondent means the practitioner, employer, firm or other entity, or appraiser named in the complaint or any other person having the authority to accept mail on behalf of the practitioner, employer, firm or other entity, or appraiser.
(b) Service of papers other than complaint. Any paper other than the complaint may be served on the respondent, or his or her authorized representative under § 10.69(a)(2) by:
(1) Mailing the paper by first class mail to the last known address (as determined under section 6212 of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder) of the respondent or the respondent’s authorized representative,
(2) Delivery by a private delivery service designated pursuant to section 7502(f) of the Internal Revenue Code to the last known address (as determined under section 6212 of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder) of the respondent or the respondent’s authorized representative, or
(3) As provided in paragraphs (a)(3)(ii) and (a)(3)(iii) of this section.
(c) Service of papers on the Internal Revenue Service. Whenever a paper is required or permitted to be served on the Internal Revenue Service in connection with a proceeding under this part, the paper will be served on the Internal Revenue Service’s authorized representative under § 10.69(a)(1) at the address designated in the complaint, or at an address provided in a notice of appearance. If no address is designated in the complaint or provided in a notice of appearance, service will be made on the office(s) established to enforce this part under the authority of § 10.1, Internal Revenue Service, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20224.
(d) Service of evidence in support of complaint. Within 10 days of serving the complaint, copies of the evidence in support of the complaint must be served on the respondent in any manner described in paragraphs (a)(2) and (3) of this section.
(e) Filing of papers. Whenever the filing of a paper is required or permitted in connection with a proceeding under this part, the original paper, plus one additional copy, must be filed with the Administrative Law Judge at the address specified in the complaint or at an address otherwise specified by the Administrative Law Judge. All papers filed in connection with a proceeding under this part must be served on the other party, unless the Administrative Law Judge directs otherwise. A certificate evidencing such must be attached to the original paper filed with the Administrative Law Judge.
(f) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable beginning August 2, 2011.
§ 10.64 Answer; default.
(a) Filing. The respondent’s answer must be filed with the Administrative Law Judge, and served on the Internal Revenue Service, within the time specified in the complaint unless, on request or application of the respondent, the time is extended by the Administrative Law Judge.
(b) Contents. The answer must be written and contain a statement of facts that constitute the respondent’s grounds of defense. General denials are not permitted. The respondent must specifically admit or deny each allegation set forth in the complaint, except that the respondent may state that the respondent is without sufficient information to admit or deny a specific allegation. The respondent, nevertheless, may not deny a material allegation in the complaint that the respondent knows to be true, or state that the respondent is without sufficient information to form a belief, when the respondent possesses the required information. The respondent also must state affirmatively any special matters of defense on which he or she relies.
(c) Failure to deny or answer allegations in the complaint. Every allegation in the complaint that is not denied in the answer is deemed admitted and will be considered proved; no further evidence in respect of such allegation need be adduced at a hearing.
(d) Default. Failure to file an answer within the time prescribed (or within the time for answer as extended by the Administrative Law Judge), constitutes an admission of the allegations of the complaint and a waiver of hearing, and the Administrative Law Judge may make the decision by default without a hearing or further procedure. A decision by default constitutes a decision under § 10.76.
(e) Signature. The answer must be signed by the respondent or the respondent’s authorized representative under § 10.69(a)(2) and must include a statement directly above the signature acknowledging that the statements made in the answer are true and correct and that knowing and willful false statements may be punishable under 18 U.S.C. 1001.
(f) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable beginning August 2, 2011.
§ 10.65 Supplemental charges.
(a) In general. Supplemental charges may be filed against the respondent by amending the complaint with the permission of the Administrative Law Judge if, for example—
(1) It appears that the respondent, in the answer, falsely and in bad faith, denies a material allegation of fact in the complaint or states that the respondent has insufficient knowledge to form a belief, when the respondent possesses such information; or
(2) It appears that the respondent has knowingly introduced false testimony during the proceedings against the respondent.
(b) Hearing. The supplemental charges may be heard with other charges in the case, provided the respondent is given due notice of the charges and is afforded a reasonable opportunity to prepare a defense to the supplemental charges.
(c) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable beginning August 2, 2011.
§ 10.66 Reply to answer.
(a) The Internal Revenue Service may file a reply to the respondent’s answer, but unless otherwise ordered by the Administrative Law Judge, no reply to the respondent’s answer is required. If a reply is not filed, new matter in the answer is deemed denied.
(b) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable beginning August 2, 2011.
§ 10.67 Proof; variance; amendment of pleadings.
In the case of a variance between the allegations in pleadings and the evidence adduced in support of the pleadings, the Administrative Law Judge, at any time before decision, may order or authorize amendment of the pleadings to conform to the evidence. The party who would otherwise be prejudiced by the amendment must be given a reasonable opportunity to address the allegations of the pleadings as amended and the Administrative Law Judge must make findings on any issue presented by the pleadings as amended.
§ 10.68 Motions and requests.
(a) Motions—(1) In general. At any time after the filing of the complaint, any party may file a motion with the Administrative Law Judge. Unless otherwise ordered by the Administrative Law Judge, motions must be in writing and must be served on the opposing party as provided in § 10.63(b). A motion must concisely specify its grounds and the relief sought, and, if appropriate, must contain a memorandum of facts and law in support.
(2) Summary adjudication. Either party may move for a summary adjudication upon all or any part of the legal issues in controversy. If the non-moving party opposes summary adjudication in the moving party’s favor, the non-moving party must file a written response within 30 days unless ordered otherwise by the Administrative Law Judge.
(3) Good Faith. A party filing a motion for extension of time, a motion for postponement of a hearing, or any other non-dispositive or procedural motion must first contact the other party to determine whether there is any objection to the motion, and must state in the motion whether the other party has an objection.
(b) Response. Unless otherwise ordered by the Administrative Law Judge, the nonmoving party is not required to file a response to a motion. If the Administrative Law Judge does not order the nonmoving party to file a response, and the nonmoving party files no response, the nonmoving party is deemed to oppose the motion. If a nonmoving party does not respond within 30 days of the filing of a motion for decision by default for failure to file a timely answer or for failure to prosecute, the nonmoving party is deemed not to oppose the motion.
(c) Oral motions; oral argument. (1) The Administrative Law Judge may, for good cause and with notice to the parties, permit oral motions and oral opposition to motions.
(2) The Administrative Law Judge may, within his or her discretion, permit oral argument on any motion.
(d) Orders. The Administrative Law Judge should issue written orders disposing of any motion or request and any response thereto.
(e) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable on September 26, 2007.
§ 10.69 Representation; ex parte communication.
(a) Representation. (1) The Internal Revenue Service may be represented in proceedings under this part by an attorney or other employee of the Internal Revenue Service. An attorney or an employee of the Internal Revenue Service representing the Internal Revenue Service in a proceeding under this part may sign the complaint or any document required to be filed in the proceeding on behalf of the Internal Revenue Service.
(2) A respondent may appear in person, be represented by a practitioner, or be represented by an attorney who has not filed a declaration with the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to § 10.3. A practitioner or an attorney representing a respondent or proposed respondent may sign the answer or any document required to be filed in the proceeding on behalf of the respondent.
(b) Ex parte communication. The Internal Revenue Service, the respondent, and any representatives of either party, may not attempt to initiate or participate in ex parte discussions concerning a proceeding or potential proceeding with the Administrative Law Judge (or any person who is likely to advise the Administrative Law Judge on a ruling or decision) in the proceeding before or during the pendency of the proceeding. Any memorandum, letter or other communication concerning the merits of the proceeding, addressed to the Administrative Law Judge, by or on behalf of any party shall be regarded as an argument in the proceeding and shall be served on the other party.
(c) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable beginning August 2, 2011.
§ 10.70 Administrative Law Judge.
(a) Appointment. Proceedings on complaints for the sanction (as described in § 10.50) of a practitioner, employer, firm or other entity, or appraiser will be conducted by an Administrative Law Judge appointed as provided by 5 U.S.C. 3105.
(b) Powers of the Administrative Law Judge. The Administrative Law Judge, among other powers, has the authority, in connection with any proceeding under § 10.60 assigned or referred to him or her, to do the following:
(1) Administer oaths and affirmations;
(2) Make rulings on motions and requests, which rulings may not be appealed prior to the close of a hearing except in extraordinary circumstances and at the discretion of the Administrative Law Judge;
(3) Determine the time and place of hearing and regulate its course and conduct;
(4) Adopt rules of procedure and modify the same from time to time as needed for the orderly disposition of proceedings;
(5) Rule on offers of proof, receive relevant evidence, and examine witnesses;
(6) Take or authorize the taking of depositions or answers to requests for admission;
(7) Receive and consider oral or written argument on facts or law;
(8) Hold or provide for the holding of conferences for the settlement or simplification of the issues with the consent of the parties;
(9) Perform such acts and take such measures as are necessary or appropriate to the efficient conduct of any proceeding; and
(10) Make decisions.
(c) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable on September 26, 2007.
§ 10.71 Discovery.
(a) In general. Discovery may be permitted, at the discretion of the Administrative Law Judge, only upon written motion demonstrating the relevance, materiality and reasonableness of the requested discovery and subject to the requirements of § 10.72(d)(2) and (3). Within 10 days of receipt of the answer, the Administrative Law Judge will notify the parties of the right to request discovery and the timeframes for filing a request. A request for discovery, and objections, must be filed in accordance with § 10.68. In response to a request for discovery, the Administrative Law Judge may order—
(1) Depositions upon oral examination; or
(2) Answers to requests for admission.
(b) Depositions upon oral examination—(1) A deposition must be taken before an officer duly authorized to administer an oath for general purposes or before an officer or employee of the Internal Revenue Service who is authorized to administer an oath in Federal tax law matters.
(2) In ordering a deposition, the Administrative Law Judge will require reasonable notice to the opposing party as to the time and place of the deposition. The opposing party, if attending, will be provided the opportunity for full examination and cross-examination of any witness.
(3) Expenses in the reporting of depositions shall be borne by the party at whose instance the deposition is taken. Travel expenses of the deponent shall be borne by the party requesting the deposition, unless otherwise authorized by Federal law or regulation.
(c) Requests for admission. Any party may serve on any other party a written request for admission of the truth of any matters which are not privileged and are relevant to the subject matter of this proceeding. Requests for admission shall not exceed a total of 30 (including any subparts within a specific request) without the approval from the Administrative Law Judge.
(d) Limitations. Discovery shall not be authorized if—
(1) The request fails to meet any requirement set forth in paragraph (a) of this section;
(2) It will unduly delay the proceeding;
(3) It will place an undue burden on the party required to produce the discovery sought;
(4) It is frivolous or abusive;
(5) It is cumulative or duplicative;
(6) The material sought is privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure by law;
(7) The material sought relates to mental impressions, conclusions, or legal theories of any party, attorney, or other representative, of a party prepared in anticipation of a proceeding; or
(8) The material sought is available generally to the public, equally to the parties, or to the party seeking the discovery through another source.
(e) Failure to comply. Where a party fails to comply with an order of the Administrative Law Judge under this section, the Administrative Law Judge may, among other things, infer that the information would be adverse to the party failing to provide it, exclude the information from evidence or issue a decision by default.
(f) Other discovery. No discovery other than that specifically provided for in this section is permitted.
(g) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable to proceedings initiated on or after September 26, 2007.
§ 10.72 Hearings.
(a) In general—(1) Presiding officer. An Administrative Law Judge will preside at the hearing on a complaint filed under § 10.60 for the sanction of a practitioner, employer, firm or other entity, or appraiser.
(2) Time for hearing. Absent a determination by the Administrative Law Judge that, in the interest of justice, a hearing must be held at a later time, the Administrative Law Judge should, on notice sufficient to allow proper preparation, schedule the hearing to occur no later than 180 days after the time for filing the answer.
(3) Procedural requirements. (i) Hearings will be stenographically recorded and transcribed and the testimony of witnesses will be taken under oath or affirmation.
(ii) Hearings will be conducted pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 556.
(iii) A hearing in a proceeding requested under § 10.82(g) will be conducted de novo.
(iv) An evidentiary hearing must be held in all proceedings prior to the issuance of a decision by the Administrative Law Judge unless—
(A) The Internal Revenue Service withdraws the complaint;
(B) A decision is issued by default pursuant to § 10.64(d);
(C) A decision is issued under § 10.82(e);
(D) The respondent requests a decision on the written record without a hearing; or
(E) The Administrative Law Judge issues a decision under § 10.68(d) or rules on another motion that disposes of the case prior to the hearing.
(b) Cross-examination. A party is entitled to present his or her case or defense by oral or documentary evidence, to submit rebuttal evidence, and to conduct cross-examination, in the presence of the Administrative Law Judge, as may be required for a full and true disclosure of the facts. This paragraph (b) does not limit a party from presenting evidence contained within a deposition when the Administrative Law Judge determines that the deposition has been obtained in compliance with the rules of this subpart D.
(c) Prehearing memorandum. Unless otherwise ordered by the Administrative Law Judge, each party shall file, and serve on the opposing party or the opposing party’s representative, prior to any hearing, a prehearing memorandum containing—
(1) A list (together with a copy) of all proposed exhibits to be used in the party’s case in chief;
(2) A list of proposed witnesses, including a synopsis of their expected testimony, or a statement that no witnesses will be called;
(3) Identification of any proposed expert witnesses, including a synopsis of their expected testimony and a copy of any report prepared by the expert or at his or her direction; and
(4) A list of undisputed facts.
(d) Publicity—(1) In general. All reports and decisions of the Secretary of the Treasury, or delegate, including any reports and decisions of the Administrative Law Judge, under this subpart D are, subject to the protective measures in paragraph (d)(4) of this section, public and open to inspection within 30 days after the agency’s decision becomes final.
(2) Request for additional publicity. The Administrative Law Judge may grant a request by a practitioner or appraiser that all the pleadings and evidence of the disciplinary proceeding be made available for inspection where the parties stipulate in advance to adopt the protective measures in paragraph (d)(4) of this section.
(3) Returns and return information—(i) Disclosure to practitioner or appraiser. Pursuant to section 6103(l)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code, the Secretary of the Treasury, or delegate, may disclose returns and return information to any practitioner or appraiser, or to the authorized representative of the practitioner or appraiser, whose rights are or may be affected by an administrative action or proceeding under this subpart D, but solely for use in the action or proceeding and only to the extent that the Secretary of the Treasury, or delegate, determines that the returns or return information are or may be relevant and material to the action or proceeding.
(ii) Disclosure to officers and employees of the Department of the Treasury. Pursuant to section 6103(l)(4)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code, the Secretary of the Treasury, or delegate, may disclose returns and return information to officers and employees of the Department of the Treasury for use in any action or proceeding under this subpart D, to the extent necessary to advance or protect the interests of the United States.
(iii) Use of returns and return information. Recipients of returns and return information under this paragraph (d)(3) may use the returns or return information solely in the action or proceeding, or in preparation for the action or proceeding, with respect to which the disclosure was made.
(iv) Procedures for disclosure of returns and return information. When providing returns or return information to the practitioner or appraiser, or authorized representative, the Secretary of the Treasury, or delegate, will—
(A) Redact identifying information of any third party taxpayers and replace it with a code;
(B) Provide a key to the coded information; and
(C) Notify the practitioner or appraiser, or authorized representative, of the restrictions on the use and disclosure of the returns and return information, the applicable damages remedy under section 7431 of the Internal Revenue Code, and that unauthorized disclosure of information provided by the Internal Revenue Service under this paragraph (d)(3) is also a violation of this part.
(4) Protective measures—(i) Mandatory protective order. If redaction of names, addresses, and other identifying information of third party taxpayers may still permit indirect identification of any third party taxpayer, the Administrative Law Judge will issue a protective order to ensure that the identifying information is available to the parties and the Administrative Law Judge for purposes of the proceeding, but is not disclosed to, or open to inspection by, the public.
(ii) Authorized orders. (A) Upon motion by a party or any other affected person, and for good cause shown, the Administrative Law Judge may make any order which justice requires to protect any person in the event disclosure of information is prohibited by law, privileged, confidential, or sensitive in some other way, including, but not limited to, one or more of the following—
(1) That disclosure of information be made only on specified terms and conditions, including a designation of the time or place;
(2) That a trade secret or other information not be disclosed, or be disclosed only in a designated way.
(iii) Denials. If a motion for a protective order is denied in whole or in part, the Administrative Law Judge may, on such terms or conditions as the Administrative Law Judge deems just, order any party or person to comply with, or respond in accordance with, the procedure involved.
(iv) Public inspection of documents. The Secretary of the Treasury, or delegate, shall ensure that all names, addresses or other identifying details of third party taxpayers are redacted and replaced with the code assigned to the corresponding taxpayer in all documents prior to public inspection of such documents.
(e) Location. The location of the hearing will be determined by the agreement of the parties with the approval of the Administrative Law Judge, but, in the absence of such agreement and approval, the hearing will be held in Washington, D.C.
(f) Failure to appear. If either party to the proceeding fails to appear at the hearing, after notice of the proceeding has been sent to him or her, the party will be deemed to have waived the right to a hearing and the Administrative Law Judge may make his or her decision against the absent party by default.
(g) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable beginning August 2, 2011.
§ 10.73 Evidence.
(a) In general. The rules of evidence prevailing in courts of law and equity are not controlling in hearings or proceedings conducted under this part. The Administrative Law Judge may, however, exclude evidence that is irrelevant, immaterial, or unduly repetitious,
(b) Depositions. The deposition of any witness taken pursuant to § 10.71 may be admitted into evidence in any proceeding instituted under § 10.60.
(c) Requests for admission. Any matter admitted in response to a request for admission under § 10.71 is conclusively established unless the Administrative Law Judge on motion permits withdrawal or modification of the admission. Any admission made by a party is for the purposes of the pending action only and is not an admission by a party for any other purpose, nor may it be used against a party in any other proceeding.
(d) Proof of documents. Official documents, records, and papers of the Internal Revenue Service and the Office of Professional Responsibility are admissible in evidence without the production of an officer or employee to authenticate them. Any documents, records, and papers may be evidenced by a copy attested to or identified by an officer or employee of the Internal Revenue Service or the Treasury Department, as the case may be.
(e) Withdrawal of exhibits. If any document, record, or other paper is introduced in evidence as an exhibit, the Administrative Law Judge may authorize the withdrawal of the exhibit subject to any conditions that he or she deems proper.
(f) Objections. Objections to evidence are to be made in short form, stating the grounds for the objection. Except as ordered by the Administrative Law Judge, argument on objections will not be recorded or transcribed. Rulings on objections are to be a part of the record, but no exception to a ruling is necessary to preserve the rights of the parties.
(g) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable on September 26, 2007.
§ 10.74 Transcript.
In cases where the hearing is stenographically reported by a Government contract reporter, copies of the transcript may be obtained from the reporter at rates not to exceed the maximum rates fixed by contract between the Government and the reporter. Where the hearing is stenographically reported by a regular employee of the Internal Revenue Service, a copy will be supplied to the respondent either without charge or upon the payment of a reasonable fee. Copies of exhibits introduced at the hearing or at the taking of depositions will be supplied to the parties upon the payment of a reasonable fee (Sec. 501, Public Law 82-137)(65 Stat. 290)(31 U.S.C. 483a).
§ 10.75 Proposed findings and conclusions.
Except in cases where the respondent has failed to answer the complaint or where a party has failed to appear at the hearing, the parties must be afforded a reasonable opportunity to submit proposed findings and conclusions and their supporting reasons to the Administrative Law Judge.
§ 10.76 Decision of Administrative Law Judge.
(a) In general—(1) Hearings. Within 180 days after the conclusion of a hearing and the receipt of any proposed findings and conclusions timely submitted by the parties, the Administrative Law Judge should enter a decision in the case. The decision must include a statement of findings and conclusions, as well as the reasons or basis for making such findings and conclusions, and an order of censure, suspension, disbarment, monetary penalty, disqualification, or dismissal of the complaint.
(2) Summary adjudication. In the event that a motion for summary adjudication is filed, the Administrative Law Judge should rule on the motion for summary adjudication within 60 days after the party in opposition files a written response, or if no written response is filed, within 90 days after the motion for summary adjudication is filed. A decision shall thereafter be rendered if the pleadings, depositions, admissions, and any other admissible evidence show that there is no genuine issue of material fact and that a decision may be rendered as a matter of law. The decision must include a statement of conclusions, as well as the reasons or basis for making such conclusions, and an order of censure, suspension, disbarment, monetary penalty, disqualification, or dismissal of the complaint.
(3) Returns and return information. In the decision, the Administrative Law Judge should use the code assigned to third party taxpayers (described in § 10.72(d)).
(b) Standard of proof. If the sanction is censure or a suspension of less than six months’ duration, the Administrative Law Judge, in rendering findings and conclusions, will consider an allegation of fact to be proven if it is established by the party who is alleging the fact by a preponderance of the evidence in the record. If the sanction is a monetary penalty, disbarment or a suspension of six months or longer duration, an allegation of fact that is necessary for a finding against the practitioner must be proven by clear and convincing evidence in the record. An allegation of fact that is necessary for a finding of disqualification against an appraiser must be proven by clear and convincing evidence in the record.
(c) Copy of decision. The Administrative Law Judge will provide the decision to the Internal Revenue Service’s authorized representative, and a copy of the decision to the respondent or the respondent’s authorized representative.
(d) When final. In the absence of an appeal to the Secretary of the Treasury or delegate, the decision of the Administrative Law Judge will, without further proceedings, become the decision of the agency 30 days after the date of the Administrative Law Judge’s decision.
(e) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable beginning August 2, 2011.
§ 10.77 Appeal of decision of Administrative Law Judge.
(a) Appeal. Any party to the proceeding under this subpart D may appeal the decision of the Administrative Law Judge by filing a notice of appeal with the Secretary of the Treasury, or delegate deciding appeals. The notice of appeal must include a brief that states exceptions to the decision of Administrative Law Judge and supporting reasons for such exceptions.
(b) Time and place for filing of appeal. The notice of appeal and brief must be filed, in duplicate, with the Secretary of the Treasury, or delegate deciding appeals, at an address for appeals that is identified to the parties with the decision of the Administrative Law Judge. The notice of appeal and brief must be filed within 30 days of the date that the decision of the Administrative Law Judge is served on the parties. The appealing party must serve a copy of the notice of appeal and the brief to any non-appealing party or, if the party is represented, the non-appealing party’s representative.
(c) Response. Within 30 days of receiving the copy of the appellant’s brief, the other party may file a response brief with the Secretary of the Treasury, or delegate deciding appeals, using the address identified for appeals. A copy of the response brief must be served at the same time on the opposing party or, if the party is represented, the opposing party’s representative.
(d) No other briefs, responses or motions as of right. Other than the appeal brief and response brief, the parties are not permitted to file any other briefs, responses or motions, except on a grant of leave to do so after a motion demonstrating sufficient cause, or unless otherwise ordered by the Secretary of the Treasury, or delegate deciding appeals.
(e) Additional time for briefs and responses. Notwithstanding the time for filing briefs and responses provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, the Secretary of the Treasury, or delegate deciding appeals, may, for good cause, authorize additional time for filing briefs and responses upon a motion of a party or upon the initiative of the Secretary of the Treasury, or delegate deciding appeals.
(f) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable beginning August 2, 2011.
§ 10.78 Decision on review.
(a) Decision on review. On appeal from or review of the decision of the Administrative Law Judge, the Secretary of the Treasury, or delegate, will make the agency decision. The Secretary of the Treasury, or delegate, should make the agency decision within 180 days after receipt of the appeal.
(b) Standard of review. The decision of the Administrative Law Judge will not be reversed unless the appellant establishes that the decision is clearly erroneous in light of the evidence in the record and applicable law. Issues that are exclusively matters of law will be reviewed de novo. In the event that the Secretary of the Treasury, or delegate, determines that there are unresolved issues raised by the record, the case may be remanded to the Administrative Law Judge to elicit additional testimony or evidence.
(c) Copy of decision on review. The Secretary of the Treasury, or delegate, will provide copies of the agency decision to the authorized representative of the Internal Revenue Service and the respondent or the respondent’s authorized representative.
(d) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable beginning August 2, 2011.
§ 10.79 Effect of disbarment, suspension, or censure.
(a) Disbarment. When the final decision in a case is against the respondent (or the respondent has offered his or her consent and such consent has been accepted by the Internal Revenue Service) and such decision is for disbarment, the respondent will not be permitted to practice before the Internal Revenue Service unless and until authorized to do so by the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to § 10.81.
(b) Suspension. When the final decision in a case is against the respondent (or the respondent has offered his or her consent and such consent has been accepted by the Internal Revenue Service) and such decision is for suspension, the respondent will not be permitted to practice before the Internal Revenue Service during the period of suspension. For periods after the suspension, the practitioner’s future representations may be subject to conditions as authorized by paragraph (d) of this section.
(c) Censure. When the final decision in the case is against the respondent (or the Internal Revenue Service has accepted the respondent’s offer to consent, if such offer was made) and such decision is for censure, the respondent will be permitted to practice before the Internal Revenue Service, but the respondent’s future representations may be subject to conditions as authorized by paragraph (d) of this section.
(d) Conditions. After being subject to the sanction of either suspension or censure, the future representations of a practitioner so sanctioned shall be subject to specified conditions designed to promote high standards of conduct. These conditions can be imposed for a reasonable period in light of the gravity of the practitioner’s violations. For example, where a practitioner is censured because the practitioner failed to advise the practitioner’s clients about a potential conflict of interest or failed to obtain the clients’ written consents, the practitioner may be required to provide the Internal Revenue Service with a copy of all consents obtained by the practitioner for an appropriate period following censure, whether or not such consents are specifically requested.
(e) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable beginning August 2, 2011.
§ 10.80 Notice of disbarment, suspension, censure, or disqualification.
(a) In general. On the issuance of a final order censuring, suspending, or disbarring a practitioner or a final order disqualifying an appraiser, notification of the censure, suspension, disbarment or disqualification will be given to appropriate officers and employees of the Internal Revenue Service and interested departments and agencies of the Federal government. The Internal Revenue Service may determine the manner of giving notice to the proper authorities of the State by which the censured, suspended, or disbarred person was licensed to practice.
(b) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable beginning August 2, 2011.
§ 10.81 Petition for reinstatement.
(a) In general. A practitioner disbarred or suspended under § 10.60, or suspended under § 10.82, or a disqualified appraiser may petition for reinstatement before the Internal Revenue Service after the expiration of 5 years following such disbarment, suspension, or disqualification (or immediately following the expiration of the suspension or disqualification period, if shorter than 5 years). Reinstatement will not be granted unless the Internal Revenue Service is satisfied that the petitioner is not likely to engage thereafter in conduct contrary to the regulations in this part, and that granting such reinstatement would not be contrary to the public interest.
(b) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable beginning June 12, 2014.
§ 10.82 Expedited suspension.
(a) When applicable. Whenever the Commissioner, or delegate, determines that a practitioner is described in paragraph (b) of this section, the expedited procedures described in this section may be used to suspend the practitioner from practice before the Internal Revenue Service.
(b) To whom applicable. This section applies to any practitioner who, within 5 years prior to the date that a show cause order under this section’s expedited suspension procedures is served:
(1) Has had a license to practice as an attorney, certified public accountant, or actuary suspended or revoked for cause (not including failure to pay a professional licensing fee) by any authority or court, agency, body, or board described in § 10.51(a)(10).
(2) Has, irrespective of whether an appeal has been taken, been convicted of any crime under title 26 of the United States Code, any crime involving dishonesty or breach of trust, or any felony for which the conduct involved renders the practitioner unfit to practice before the Internal Revenue Service.
(3) Has violated conditions imposed on the practitioner pursuant to § 10.79(d).
(4) Has been sanctioned by a court of competent jurisdiction, whether in a civil or criminal proceeding (including suits for injunctive relief), relating to any taxpayer’s tax liability or relating to the practitioner’s own tax liability, for—
(i) Instituting or maintaining proceedings primarily for delay;
(ii) Advancing frivolous or groundless arguments; or
(iii) Failing to pursue available administrative remedies.
(5) Has demonstrated a pattern of willful disreputable conduct by—
(i) Failing to make an annual Federal tax return, in violation of the Federal tax laws, during 4 of the 5 tax years immediately preceding the institution of a proceeding under paragraph (c) of this section and remains noncompliant with any of the practitioner’s Federal tax filing obligations at the time the notice of suspension is issued under paragraph (f) of this section; or
(ii) Failing to make a return required more frequently than annually, in violation of the Federal tax laws, during 5 of the 7 tax periods immediately preceding the institution of a proceeding under paragraph (c) of this section and remains noncompliant with any of the practitioner’s Federal tax filing obligations at the time the notice of suspension is issued under paragraph (f) of this section.
(c) Expedited suspension procedures. A suspension under this section will be proposed by a show cause order that names the respondent, is signed by an authorized representative of the Internal Revenue Service under § 10.69(a)(1), and served according to the rules set forth in § 10.63(a). The show cause order must give a plain and concise description of the allegations that constitute the basis for the proposed suspension. The show cause order must notify the respondent—
(1) Of the place and due date for filing a response;
(2) That an expedited suspension decision by default may be rendered if the respondent fails to file a response as required;
(3) That the respondent may request a conference to address the merits of the show cause order and that any such request must be made in the response; and
(4) That the respondent may be suspended either immediately following the expiration of the period within which a response must be filed or, if a conference is requested, immediately following the conference.
(d) Response. The response to the show cause order described in this section must be filed no later than 30 calendar days following the date the show cause order is served, unless the time for filing is extended. The response must be filed in accordance with the rules set forth for answers to a complaint in § 10.64, except as otherwise provided in this section. The response must include a request for a conference, if a conference is desired. The respondent is entitled to the conference only if the request is made in a timely filed response.
(e) Conference. An authorized representative of the Internal Revenue Service will preside at a conference described in this section. The conference will be held at a place and time selected by the Internal Revenue Service, but no sooner than 14 calendar days after the date by which the response must be filed with the Internal Revenue Service, unless the respondent agrees to an earlier date. An authorized representative may represent the respondent at the conference.
(f) Suspension—(1) In general. The Commissioner, or delegate, may suspend the respondent from practice before the Internal Revenue Service by a written notice of expedited suspension immediately following:
(i) The expiration of the period within which a response to a show cause order must be filed if the respondent does not file a response as required by paragraph (d) of this section;
(ii) The conference described in paragraph (e) of this section if the Internal Revenue Service finds that the respondent is described in paragraph (b) of this section; or
(iii) The respondent’s failure to appear, either personally or through an authorized representative, at a conference scheduled by the Internal Revenue Service under paragraph (e) of this section.
(2) Duration of suspension. A suspension under this section will commence on the date that the written notice of expedited suspension is served on the practitioner, either personally or through an authorized representative. The suspension will remain effective until the earlier of:
(i) The date the Internal Revenue Service lifts the suspension after determining that the practitioner is no longer described in paragraph (b) of this section or for any other reason; or
(ii) The date the suspension is lifted or otherwise modified by an Administrative Law Judge or the Secretary of the Treasury, or delegate deciding appeals, in a proceeding referred to in paragraph (g) of this section and instituted under § 10.60.
(g) Practitioner demand for § 10.60 proceeding. If the Internal Revenue Service suspends a practitioner under the expedited suspension procedures described in this section, the practitioner may demand that the Internal Revenue Service institute a proceeding under § 10.60 and issue the complaint described in § 10.62. The demand must be in writing, specifically reference the suspension action under § 10.82, and be made within 2 years from the date on which the practitioner’s suspension commenced. The Internal Revenue Service must issue a complaint demanded under this paragraph (g) within 60 calendar days of receiving the demand. If the Internal Revenue Service does not issue such complaint within 60 days of receiving the demand, the suspension is lifted automatically. The preceding sentence does not, however, preclude the Commissioner, or delegate, from instituting a regular proceeding under § 10.60 of this part.
(h) Effective/applicability date. This section is generally applicable beginning June 12, 2014, except that paragraphs (b)(1) through (4) of this section are applicable beginning August 2, 2011.
Subpart E—General Provisions
§ 10.90 Records.
(a) Roster. The Internal Revenue Service will maintain and make available for public inspection in the time and manner prescribed by the Secretary, or delegate, the following rosters—
(1) Individuals (and employers, firms, or other entities, if applicable) censured, suspended, or disbarred from practice before the Internal Revenue Service or upon whom a monetary penalty was imposed.
(2) Enrolled agents, including individuals—
(i) Granted active enrollment to practice;
(ii) Whose enrollment has been placed in inactive status for failure to meet the requirements for renewal of enrollment;
(iii) Whose enrollment has been placed in inactive retirement status; and
(iv) Whose offer of consent to resign from enrollment has been accepted by the Internal Revenue Service under § 10.61.
(3) Enrolled retirement plan agents, including individuals—
(i) Granted active enrollment to practice;
(ii) Whose enrollment has been placed in inactive status for failure to meet the requirements for renewal of enrollment;
(iii) Whose enrollment has been placed in inactive retirement status; and
(iv) Whose offer of consent to resign from enrollment has been accepted under § 10.61.
(4) Registered tax return preparers, including individuals—
(i) Authorized to prepare all or substantially all of a tax return or claim for refund;
(ii) Who have been placed in inactive status for failure to meet the requirements for renewal;
(iii) Who have been placed in inactive retirement status; and
(iv) Whose offer of consent to resign from their status as a registered tax return preparer has been accepted by the Internal Revenue Service under § 10.61.
(5) Disqualified appraisers.
(6) Qualified continuing education providers, including providers—
(i) Who have obtained a qualifying continuing education provider number; and
(ii) Whose qualifying continuing education number has been revoked for failure to comply with the requirements of this part.
(b) Other records. Other records of the Director of the Office of Professional Responsibility may be disclosed upon specific request, in accordance with the applicable law.
(c) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable beginning August 2, 2011.
§ 10.91 Saving provision.
Any proceeding instituted under this part prior to June 12, 2014, for which a final decision has not been reached or for which judicial review is still available is not affected by these revisions. Any proceeding under this part based on conduct engaged in prior to June 12, 2014, which is instituted after that date, will apply subpart D and E of this part as revised, but the conduct engaged in prior to the effective date of these revisions will be judged by the regulations in effect at the time the conduct occurred.
§ 10.92 Special orders.
The Secretary of the Treasury reserves the power to issue such special orders as he or she deems proper in any cases within the purview of this part.
§ 10.93 Effective date.
Except as otherwise provided in each section and subject to § 10.91, Part 10 is applicable on July 26, 2002.
PART 11—OPERATION OF VENDING FACILITIES BY THE BLIND ON FEDERAL PROPERTY UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
§ 11.1 Purpose.
This part contains policy and procedures to ensure the priority of blind vendors in operating vending facilities on property controlled by the Department of the Treasury. The provisions of this part apply to all bureaus, the Departmental Offices and the Office of Inspector General.
§ 11.2 Policy.
Blind vendors licensed by State licensing agencies designated by the Secretary of Education under the provisions of the Randolph-Sheppard Act (20 U.S.C. 107 et seq.) shall be given priority in the location and operation of vending facilities, including vending machines, on property controlled by the Department of the Treasury, provided the location or operation of such facility would not adversely affect the interests of the United States. Treasury bureaus shall ensure that the collection and distribution of vending machine income from vending machines on Treasury-controlled property shall be in compliance with the regulations set forth in 34 CFR 395.32. Blind vendors shall also be given priority on Treasury-controlled property in the operation of cafeterias according to 34 CFR 395.33.
§ 11.3 Definitions.
Terms used are defined in 34 CFR 395.1, except that as used in this part, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
(a) Department of the Treasury controlled property means any Federal building, land, or other real property owned, leased, or occupied by a bureau or office of the Department of the Treasury, of which the maintenance, operation, and protection is under the control of the Department of the Treasury.
(b) The term bureau means any bureau or office of the Department of the Treasury and such comparable administrative units as may hereafter be created or made a part of the Department, and includes the Departmental Offices and the Office of Inspector General. The “head of the bureau” for the Departmental Offices is the Deputy Assistant Secretary (Administration).
§ 11.4 Establishing vending facilities.
(a) Treasury bureaus shall not acquire a building by ownership, rent, or lease, or occupy a building to be constructed, substantially altered, or renovated unless it is determined that such buildings contain or will contain a “satisfactory site,” as defined in 34 CFR 395.1(q), for the location and operation of a blind vending facility.
(b) In accordance with 34 CFR 395.31, Treasury bureaus shall provide the appropriate State licensing agency with written notice of the intention to acquire or otherwise occupy such building. Providing notification shall be the responsibility of the bureau on-site property management official.
§ 11.5 Application for permit.
Applications for permits for the operation of vending facilities other than cafeterias shall be made in writing and submitted for the review and approval of the head of the appropriate Treasury bureau or that official’s designee.
§ 11.6 Terms of permit.
Every permit shall describe the location of the vending facility, including any vending machines located on other than facility premises, and shall be subject to the following provisions:
(a) The permit shall be issued in the name of the applicant State licensing agency which shall perform the responsibilities set forth in 34 CFR 395.35 (a);
(b) The permit shall be issued for an indefinite period of time subject to suspension or termination on the basis of compliance or noncompliance with agreed upon terms.
(c) The permit shall provide that:
(1) No charge shall be made to the State licensing agency for normal cleaning, maintenance, and repair of the building structure in and adjacent to the vending facility areas;
(2) Cleaning necessary for sanitation; the maintenance of vending facilities and vending machines in an orderly condition at all times; the installation, maintenance, repair, replacement, servicing, and removal of vending facility equipment shall be without cost to the Department of the Treasury; and
(3) Articles sold at vending facilities operated by blind licensees may consist of newspapers, periodicals, publications, confections, tobacco products, foods, beverages, chances for any lottery authorized by State law and conducted by an agency of a State within such State, and other articles or services as are determined by the State licensing agency, in consultation with the appropriate Treasury bureau, to be suitable for a particular location. Such articles and services may be dispensed automatically or manually and may be prepared on or off the premises.
(d) The permit shall further provide that vending facilities shall be operated in compliance with applicable health, sanitation, and building codes or ordinances.
(e) The permit shall further provide that installation, modification, relocation, removal, and renovation of vending facilities shall be subject to the prior approval and supervision of the bureau on-site property management officer of the appropriate Treasury bureau and the State licensing agency; that costs of relocations initiated by the State licensing agency shall be paid by the State licensing agency; that costs of relocations initiated by a Treasury bureau shall be paid by the Treasury bureau; and that all plumbing, electrical, and mechanical costs related to the renovation of existing facilities shall be paid by the appropriate Treasury bureau.
(f) The operation of a cafeteria by a blind vendor shall be covered by a contractual agreement and not by a permit. The State licensing agency shall be expected to perform under the same contractual arrangement applicable to commercial cafeteria operators.
§ 11.7 Enforcement procedures.
(a) The State licensing agency shall attempt to resolve day-to-day problems pertaining to the operation of the vending facility in an informal manner with the participation of the blind vendor and the on-site property management officials of the respective Treasury bureaus who are responsible for the Treasury-controlled property.
(b) Unresolved disagreements concerning the terms of the permit, the Act, or the regulations in this part and any other unresolved matters shall be reported in writing to the State licensing agency supervisory personnel by the bureau on-site supervisory property management official in an attempt to resolve the issue.
§ 11.8 Reports.
This section establishes a Department of the Treasury reporting requirement to comply with 34 CFR 395.38. At the end of each fiscal year, each property managing bureau shall submit a report to the Director, Office of Management Support Systems, Departmental Offices, containing the elements set forth in 34 CFR 395.38. The Director, Office of Management Support Systems, shall submit a consolidated report to the Secretary of Education after the end of the fiscal year.
PART 12—RESTRICTION OF SALE AND DISTRIBUTION OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS
§ 12.1 Purpose.
This part contains regulations implementing the “Prohibition of Cigarette Sales to Minors in Federal Buildings Act,” Public Law 104-52, Section 636, with respect to buildings under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Treasury.
§ 12.2 Definitions.
As used in this part—
(1) The term Federal building under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Treasury includes the real property on which such building is located;
(2) The term minor means an individual under the age of 18 years; and
(3) The term tobacco product means cigarettes, cigars, little cigars, pipe tobacco, smokeless tobacco, snuff, and chewing tobacco.
§ 12.3 Sale of tobacco products in vending machines prohibited.
The sale of tobacco products in vending machines located in or around any Federal building under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Treasury is prohibited, except in areas designated pursuant to § 12.5 of this part.
§ 12.4 Distribution of free samples of tobacco products prohibited.
The distribution of free samples of tobacco products in or around any Federal building under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Treasury is prohibited, except in areas designated pursuant to § 12.5 of this part.
§ 12.5 Prohibitions not applicable in areas designated by the Secretary of the Treasury.
The prohibitions set forth in this part shall not apply in areas designated by the Secretary as exempt from the prohibitions, but all designated areas must prohibit the presence of minors.
PART 13—PROCEDURES FOR PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN PROTECTING FOREIGN DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS
§ 13.1 Purpose.
This part prescribes the procedures governing protective and financial assistance to State and local governments when an extraordinary protective need requires the protection of foreign diplomatic missions as authorized by sections 202 and 208 of Title 3, U.S. Code, as amended and added, respectively, by Pub. L. 94-196 (89 Stat. 1109).
§ 13.2 Definitions.
As used in this part, these terms shall have the following meaning:
(a) The term Assistant Secretary means the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury (Enforcement and Operations).
(b) The term extraordinary protective need means a need for protection requiring measurable reinforcements of police personnel or equipment, or both, significantly beyond the ordinary deployment of the State or local government, arising out of actual or potential violence related to: (1) Confrontations between nationalist or other groups, (2) threats or acts of violence by terrorist or other groups, (3) a specific diplomatic event or visit, or (4) a specific international event.
(c) The term foreign diplomatic mission means a mission (including foreign consular offices) of a foreign country located in the United States.
(d) The term full time officers means permanent officers whose duties as foreign diplomatic officers occupy their full time.
(e) The term international organization means those international organizations designated by Presidential Executive Order as being entitled to the privileges, immunities, and exemptions accorded under the International Organization Immunities Act of December 29, 1945 (22 U.S.C. 288).
(f) The term metropolitan area means a city in the United States (other than the District of Columbia) and those areas contiguous to it.
(g) The term observer mission means a mission invited to participate in the work of an international organization by that organization. The invitation to participate shall be extended by the international organization pursuant to the same internal rules of the international organization as are applicable to any permanent mission.
(h) The term permanent mission means a fixed continuing mission staffed by full time officers and maintained by a member state of an international organization.
(i) The term temporary domicile means a domicile of limited duration of a visiting foreign dignitary or officer in connection with a visit to a permanent or observer mission to an international organization in a metropolitan area.
§ 13.3 Eligibility to receive protection or reimbursement.
(a) Protection, as determined by the Assistant Secretary, will be provided by the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division, pursuant to section 202 of Title 3, U.S. Code, as amended by Pub. L. 94-196, only to foreign diplomatic missions located in metropolitan areas (other than the District of Columbia) where there are located twenty or more such missions, as determined by the Secretary of State, which are headed by full time officers. According to present State Department figures, the following metropolitan areas have 20 or more such foreign diplomatic missions: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, New Orleans and San Francisco. The protection provided by State or local governments rather than the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division will be reimbursed pursuant to section 208(a) of Title 3, U.S. Code and §§ 13.6, 13.7 and 13.8 of this part.
(b) Protection or reimbursement will be provided for the metropolitan areas described in paragraph (a) of this section only if:
(1) The affected metropolitan area requests such protection or reimbursement;
(2) The Assistant Secretary determines that an extraordinary protective need exists; and
(3) The extraordinary need arises in association with a visit to or occurs at or, pursuant to § 13.6, in the vicinity of: (i) A permanent mission to an international organization of which the United States is a member, (ii) an observer mission invited to participate in the work of an international organization of which the United States is a member, or (iii) in the case of a visit by a foreign official or dignitary to participate in an activity of an international organization of which the United States is a member, a foreign diplomatic mission, including a consular office of the same country as the visitor.
(c) Protection (or reimbursement) may be extended at places of temporary domicile in connection with a visit under paragraph (b) of this section.
(d) Where an extraordinary protective need exists, protection (or reimbursement) may be extended to missions as described in §§ 13.3(b)(3) (i) and (ii) whether or not associated with a visit by a foreign dignitary.
§ 13.4 Requests for protection and advance notices of reimbursement requests.
(a) In cases where they believe that an extraordinary protective need exists, the State or local governments may request that protection be provided by the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division; or they may give advance notice of their intention to provide, on a reimbursable basis, all or part of the protection themselves.
(1) Requests for protection or advance notices of reimbursement requests shall be made to: Assistant Secretary (Enforcement and Operations), Department of the Treasury, Washington, DC 20220. Each government requesting the protection authorized pursuant to section 202 of Title 3, U.S. Code, as amended by Pub. L. 94-196, or which intends to seek reimbursement pursuant to section 208(a) of Title 3, U.S. Code and §§ 13.6 and 13.7 of this part, shall submit an application describing the extraordinary protective need. Applications made pursuant to this section shall be submitted to the Assistant Secretary 14 days before the extraordinary protective need arises. In association with a visit, the application shall include the name and title of the visiting foreign official or dignitary, the country he represents, and the name and location of the international organization or mission he will be visting. The application shall also include, if available, the temporary domicile of the visiting official or dignitary and his schedule, including dates and times of arrival and departure from the United States. If the extraordinary protective need occurs at a permanent mission to an international organization of which the United States is a member or an observer mission invited to participate in the work of such organization, or if another foreign diplomatic mission of the country qualifies under § 13.3 (b) or (d), the application shall include the name and location of the mission.
(b) State and local governments shall also indicate on the application whether they are requesting the use of the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division or whether they are giving advance notice of their intention to provide, on a reimbursable basis, all or part of the protection themselves. In order to assist the Assistant Secretary in determining whether to utilize the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division to meet all or part of the extraordinary protective need, or to utilize, with their consent, the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of the State or local government, or both, the application must include an estimate of the approximate number of personnel by grade and rank, the services, equipment, and facilities required, along with an estimate of the cost of such personnel, services, equipment and facilities. This application must be submitted in a format consistent with that illustrated in a
appendix I of this part.
(1) Upon receipt of a request for protection pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of this section and for the purposes of reimbursement pursuant to §§ 13.6 and 13.7, the Assistant Secretary will determine whether an extraordinary protective need exists and whether the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division will be used for all, part or none of the protection. In making determinations, the Assistant Secretary may consult with appropriate Federal, State and local government agencies.
§ 13.5 Utilization of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of State and local governments.
The Assistant Secretary may decide to utilize, on a reimbursable basis, the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of State and local governments of the affected metropolitan area desiring to provide protection, or he may utilize the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division, or both. If the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division is utilized to meet all the extraordinary protective need, the governments of the affected metropolitan area will not be reimbursed. If the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division is utilized to meet part of the extraordinary protective needs, the governments of the affected metropolitan area will be reimbursed for that qualifying portion of the protection which is provided by State and local police authorities. If the Assistant Secretary decides to utilize, with their consent, the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of such State and local governments to meet the extraordinary protective need, he will so notify the government as soon as possible after receipt of a request for protection or an advance notice of a reimbursement request made pursuant to § 13.4.
§ 13.6 Reimbursement of State and local governments.
(a) State and local governments providing services, personnel, equipment, or facilities to the affected metropolitan area pursuant to § 13.5 may forward to the Assistant Secretary a bill for reimbursement for the personnel, equipment, facilities, and services utilized in meeting the extraordinary protective need. The bill shall be in accordance with the format in appendix II of this part. The Assistant Secretary will reimburse only those costs directly related to the extraordinary protective need including personnel and equipment costs resulting from assignments made to assist in providing security at an otherwise qualified location in connection with the arrival, departure, or during the visit of a foreign dignitary. Reimbursable costs will also include the costs for establishing both fixed posts at a qualified location and protective perimeters outside of a qualified location when it is clearly established to the satisfaction of the Assistant Secretary that such assignments were necessary to assure the safety of the qualified location. Overhead and administrative costs associated with an extraordinary protective need are reimbursable as either a flat 18 percent of the total extraordinary protective need costs, or, if such costs can be clearly segregated from routine police costs, on a dollar-for-dollar basis. The jurisdiction seeking such reimbursement may select either method but may not use both. For the purposes of reimbursement the Assistant Secretary will, in all cases, determine when the extraordinary protective need began and terminated.
§ 13.7 Reimbursement when the Assistant Secretary makes no determination to utilize State and local government services, personnel, equipment and facilities.
(a) Where events require the State or local governments of the affected metropolitan area to provide protection to meet an extraordinary protective need otherwise qualifying for reimbursement, such reimbursement may be made even if the provisions of §§ 13.4 and 13.5 have not been complied with fully. In such circumstances the provisions of § 13.6 shall apply.
(b) In cases where State or local governments, or both, utilized their own services, personnel, equipment, and facilities to provide protection for an extraordinary protective need, and no request for protective assistance pursuant to § 13.4 was made because the extraordinary protective need occurred prior to the promulgation of this part but after July 1, 1974, an application by such government to the Assistant Secretary for reimbursement otherwise conforming to the requirements of this part will be considered.
§ 13.8 Protection for motorcades and other places associated with a visit qualifying under section 202(7) of Title 3, U.S. Code.
(a) State and local governments furnishing services, personnel, equipment, and facilities to provide protection for motorcades and at other places associated with a visit qualifying under section 202(7) of Title 3, U.S. Code may forward to the Assistant Secretary a bill for reimbursement for the personnel, equipment, facilities, and services utilized in providing such protection.
(b) Requests for payments under this section shall conform to the procedures established elsewhere in this part governing reimbursements arising out of an extraordinary protective need.
Appendix I(F) to Part 13—Estimated Overhead and Administrative Costs
Appendix II(F) to Part 13—Overhead and Administrative Costs
Appendix I to Part 13—Form of Request for Assistance
I hereby request assistance from the Department of the Treasury pursuant to Section 202 of Title 3, U.S. Code, as amended by Pub. L. 94-196. This assistance is needed to enable the affected metropolitan area of ______ to meet an extraordinary protective need, which is expected to arise on ______ (date).
The nature of the extraordinary protective need prompting this request is as follows:
(If in association with a visit, include the name and title of the visiting foreign official or dignitary, the country represented and the name and location of the international organization involved and/or mission to be visited. The temporary domicile of the visiting official or dignitary and his schedule, including dates and times of arrival and departure from the United States, if available, must also be included. If the extraordinary protective need occurs at or, pursuant to § 13.6 of 31 CFR part 13, in the vicinity of, a permanent mission to an international organization of which the United States is a member or at an observer mission invited to participate in the work of the organization, the application shall include the name and location of the mission. If the extraordinary protective need occurs at a foreign diplomatic mission, including a consular office, in conjunction with a qualifying visit by a foreign official or dignitary of the same country as that mission, the application shall include the name and location of the mission or office. If, pursuant to § 13.8, the visiting foreign official is to travel by motorcade and/or visit locations other than his foreign mission or temporary domicile, the application shall include a description of the anticipated motorcade routes and all stops on the routes as well as the name (or description) and location of any other places to be visited.
The ______ (Government entity) ______ (is or is not) ______ prepared to provide ______ (all or a portion of) the protection required to meet this need. Attached is an estimate of the appropriate number of personnel, by grade and rank, and the specific services, equipment and facilities which will be required to meet this extraordinary protective need, along with an estimate of the cost of such personnel, services, equipment, and facilities.
Appendix II to Part 13—Form of Bill for Reimbursement
I hereby request that ______ (Governmental entity) be reimbursed by the Department of the Treasury pursuant to sections 202 and 208 of Title 3, U.S. Code, as amended and added, respectively, by Public Law 94-196 (89 Stat. 1109) (and/or pursuant to Public Law 96-74) for expenses incurred while providing an adequate level of protection during the extraordinary protective need arising in association with a visit of ______ (Official or dignitary’s name and title) of ______ (Country) to participate in the work of ______ (International Organization) or occurring at the _______ (Permanent or observer mission) to ______ (International organization) during the period ______ (Date) through ______ (Date).
I certify that the level of protection provided was both reasonable and necessary; that the costs herein billed are only those direct costs associated with meeting the extraordinary protective need; and that the costs herein billed are not costs of an indirect nature such as administrative costs, overhead, and depreciation, except as provided in § 13.6(a) of 31 CFR 13.
Access to all records, accounts, receipts, etc., pertaining to the costs herein billed will be accorded to representatives of the Assistant Secretary (Enforcement and Operations) and the General Accounting Office at such reasonable times and places as may be mutually agreed upon by said representatives and ______ (Governmental entity).
PART 14—RIGHT TO FINANCIAL PRIVACY ACT
§ 14.1 Definitions.
For purposes of this regulation, the term:
(a) Financial institution means any office of a bank, savings bank, card issuer as defined in section 103 of the Consumer Credit Protection Act (15 U.S.C. 1602(n)), industrial loan company, trust company, savings and loan, building and loan, or homestead association (including cooperative bank), credit union, or consumer financial institution, located in any State or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, or the Virgin Islands.
(b) Financial record means an original of, a copy of, or information known to have been derived from, any record held by a financial institution pertaining to a customer’s relationship with the financial institution.
(c) Person means an individual or a partnership of five or fewer individuals.
(d) Customer means any person or authorized representative of that person who utilized or is utilizing any service of a financial institution, or for whom a financial institution is acting or has acted as a fiduciary, in relation to an account maintained in the person’s name.
(e) Law enforcement inquiry means a lawful investigation or official proceeding inquiring into a violation of or failure to comply with any criminal or civil statute or any regulation, rule, or order issued pursuant thereto.
(f) Departmental unit means those offices, divisions, bureaus, or other components of the Department of the treasury authorized to conduct law enforcement inquiries.
(g) Act means the Right to Financial Privacy Act of 1978.
§ 14.2 Purpose.
The purpose of these regulations is to authorize Departmental units to request financial records from a financial institution pursuant to the formal written request procedure authorized by section 1108 of the Act, and to set forth the conditions under which such requests may be made.
§ 14.3 Authorization.
Departmental units are hereby authorized to request financial records of any customer from a financial institution pursuant to a formal written request under the Act only if:
(a) No administrative summons or subpoena authority reasonably appears to be available to the Departmental unit to obtain financial records for the purpose for which the records are sought;
(b) There is reason to believe that the records sought are relevant to a legitimate law enforcement inquiry and will further that inquiry;
(c) The request is issued by a supervisory official of a rank designated by the head of the requesting Departmental unit. Officials so designated shall not delegate this authority to others;
(d) The request adheres to the requirements set forth in § 14.4; and
(e) The notice requirements set forth in section 1108(4) of the Act, or the requirements pertaining to delay of notice in section 1109 of the Act are satisfied, except in situations where no notice is required. (e.g., section 1113(g))
§ 14.4 Contents of request.
The formal written request shall be in the form of a letter or memorandum to an appropriate official of the financial institution from which financial records are requested. The request shall be signed by an issuing official of the requesting Department unit. It shall set forth that official’s name, title, business address and business phone number. The request shall also contain the following:
(a) The identity of the customer or customers to whom the records pertain;
(b) A reasonable description of the records sought;
(c) Any other information that the issuing official deems appropriate, e.g., the date on which the requesting Departmental unit expects to present a certificate of compliance with the applicable provisions of the Act, the name and title of the individual to whom disclosure is to be made, etc.
§ 14.5 Certification.
Prior to obtaining the requested records pursuant to a formal written request, an official of a rank designated by the head of the requesting Departmental unit shall certify in writing to the financial institution that the Departmental unit has complied with the applicable provisions of the Act.
PART 15—POST EMPLOYMENT CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Subpart A—General Provisions
§ 15.737-1 Scope.
This part contains rules governing discipline of a former officer or employee of the Department of the Treasury because of a post employment conflict of interest. Such discipline may include prohibition from practice before the Department or a separate statutory agency thereof as those terms are defined in this part.
§ 15.737-2 Definitions.
For the purpose of this part—
(a) The term Department means the Department of the Treasury and includes the separate statutory agencies thereof.
(b) The term Director means the Director of Practice.
(c) The term General Counsel means the General Counsel of the Department.
(d) The term practice means any informal or formal appearance before, or, with the intent to influence, any oral or written communication to the Department or, where applicable, to a separate statutory agency thereof on a pending matter of business on behalf of any other person (except the United States).
(e) The term separate statutory agency thereof means an agency or bureau within the Department designated by rule by the Director, Office of Government Ethics, as a separate agency or bureau. The Internal Revenue Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, United States Secret Service, Bureau of the Mint, United States Customs Service, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and Comptroller of the Currency were so designated effective July 1, 1979.
§ 15.737-3 Director of Practice.
There is, in the Office of the Secretary of the Treasury, the Office of Director of Practice. The Director shall institute and provide for the conduct of disciplinary proceedings involving former employees of the Department as authorized by 18 U.S.C. 207(j), and perform such other duties as are necessary or appropriate to carry out his/her functions under this part.
§ 15.737-4 Other discipline.
For activity alleged to violate 18 U.S.C. 207 (a), (b) or (c), the Director may also bring a disciplinary proceeding pursuant to the regulations governing practice before the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms or the Internal Revenue Service as found in 31 CFR part 8 and 31 CFR part 10, respectively. Such proceeding may be consolidated with any proceeding brought pursuant to this part.
§ 15.737-5 Records.
There are made available to public inspection at the Office of Director of Practice the roster of all persons prohibited from practice before the Department. Other records may be disclosed upon specific request, in accordance with appropriate disclosure regulations of the Department.
Subpart B—Rules Applicable to Post Employment Practice by Officers and Employees of the Department
§ 15.737-6 Interpretative standards.
A determination that a former officer or employee of the Department violated 18 U.S.C. 207 (a), (b) or (c) will be made in conformance with the standards established in the interpretative regulations promulgated by the Office of Government Ethics and published at 5 CFR part 737.
Subpart C—Administrative Enforcement Proceedings
§ 15.737-7 Authority to prohibit practice.
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 207(j), if the General Counsel finds, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, that a former officer or employee of the Department violated 18 U.S.C. 207 (a), (b) or (c), the General Counsel in his/her discretion may prohibit that person from engaging in practice before the Department or a separate statutory agency thereof for a period not to exceed five years, or may take other appropriate disciplinary action.
§ 15.737-8 Special orders.
The General Counsel may issue special orders as he/she may consider proper in any case within the purview of this part.
§ 15.737-9 Receipt of information concerning former Treasury employee.
If an officer or employee of the Department has reason to believe that a former officer or employee of the Department has violated 18 U.S.C. 207 (a), (b) or (c), or if any such officer or employee receives information to that effect, he/she shall promptly make a written report thereof, which report or a copy thereof shall be forwarded to the Inspector General, Department of the Treasury. If any other person has information of such violations, he/she may make a report thereof to the Inspector General or to any officer or employee of the Department. The Inspector General shall refer any information he/she deems warranted to the Director.
§ 15.737-10 Conferences.
(a) In general. The Director may confer with a former officer or employee concerning allegations of misconduct irrespective of whether an administrative disciplinary proceeding has been instituted against him/her. If such conference results in a stipulation in connection with a proceeding in which such person is the respondent, the stipulation may be entered in the record at the instance of either party to the proceeding.
(b) Voluntary suspension. A former officer or employee, in order to avoid the institution or conclusion of a proceeding, may offer his/her consent to suspension from practice before the Department or a separate statutory agency thereof. The Director in his/her discretion, may suspend a former officer or employee in accordance with the consent offered.
§ 15.737-11 Institution of proceeding.
(a) Whenever the Director has reason to believe that any former officer or employee of the Department has violated 18 U.S.C. 207 (a), (b) or (c), he/she may reprimand such person or institute an administrative disciplinary proceeding for that person’s suspension from practice before the Department or a separate statutory agency thereof. The proceeding shall be instituted by a complaint which names the respondent and is signed by the Director and filed in his/her office. Except in cases of willfulness, or where time, the nature of the proceeding, or the public interest does not permit, a proceeding will not be instituted under this section until facts or conduct which may warrant such action have been called to the attention of the proposed respondent in writing and he/she has been accorded the opportunity to provide his/her position on the matter.
(b) The Director shall coordinate proceedings under this part with the Department of Justice in cases where it initiates criminal prosecution.
§ 15.737-12 Contents of complaint.
(a) Charges. A complaint shall give a plain and concise description of the allegations which constitute the basis for the proceeding. A complaint shall be deemed sufficient if it fairly informs the respondent of the charges against him/her so that the respondent is able to prepare a defense.
(b) Demand for answer. In the complaint, or in a separate paper attached to the complaint, notification shall be given of the place and time within which the respondent shall file his/her answer, which time shall not be less than 15 days from the date of service of the complaint, and notice shall be given that a decision by default may be rendered against the respondent in the event he/she fails to file an answer as required.
§ 15.737-13 Service of complaint and other papers.
(a) Complaint. The complaint or a copy thereof may be served upon the respondent by certified mail, or first-class mail as hereinafter provided; by delivering it to the respondent or his/her attorney or agent of record either in person or by leaving it at the office or place of business of the respondent, attorney or agent; or in any other manner which has been agreed to by the respondent. Where the service is by certified mail, the return post office receipt duly signed by or on behalf of the respondent shall be proof of service. If the certified mail is not claimed or accepted by the respondent and is returned undelivered, complete service may be made upon the respondent by mailing the complaint to him/her by first-class mail, addressed to him/her at the last address known to the Director. If service is made upon the respondent or his/her attorney or agent of record in person or by leaving the complaint at the office or place of