Tax Court Tells IRS It Cannot Assess or Collect Certain Tax Penalties

On April 3, 2023, the US Tax Court issued its opinion in Farhy v. Commissioner, holding that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) lacked the statutory authority to both assess tax penalties under Internal Revenue Code (Code) Section 6038(b) and collect said penalties via a levy against the taxpayer.

The decision in Farhy is significant because the IRS regularly assesses civil tax penalties for the late filing of international information return forms, such as Form 5471, Information Return of US Persons with Respect to Certain Foreign Corporations. Moreover, for any taxpayer who paid a penalty for filing Form 5471 late, arguably the assessment of that penalty was improper, and the taxpayer may be able to seek a refund of the penalty paid.

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Daniel J. Bell
Daniel (Danny) J. Bell focuses his practice on domestic and international estate, gift and income tax planning. He has assisted clients with cutting-edge estate, income and gift tax mitigation strategies, including domestic and offshore tax compliance, tax controversy and litigation, pre-immigration, expatriation and business succession planning, estate and trust administration, as well as family multigenerational wealth preservation. Danny has also advised high-net-worth individuals with sophisticated tax and wealth transfer planning and implementation. Read Danny Bell's full bio.


Steven Hadjilogiou
Steven Hadjilogiou focuses his practice on tax optimization of business operations and investments with a specific emphasis in the areas of international tax and real estate. Steven provides advice on international inbound and outbound tax planning for multinational companies, family offices, private equity and ultra-high net worth individuals. He also advises funds, family offices and ultra-high net worth individuals in connection with complex real estate structuring and investment issues, including in the areas of opportunity zone funds, 1031 transactions and qualified small business stock. Read Steven Hadjilogiou's full bio.


Sarah M. Raben
Sarah M. Raben focuses her practice on private client matters with particular experience in tax controversy. Prior to joining McDermott, she worked for the IRS Office of Chief Counsel. Read Sarah Raben's full bio.


Kevin Spencer
Kevin Spencer focuses his practice on tax controversy issues. Kevin represents clients in complicated tax disputes in court and before the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at the IRS Appeals and Examination divisions. In addition to his tax controversy practice, Kevin has broad experience advising clients on various tax issues, including tax accounting, employment and reasonable compensation, civil and criminal tax penalties, IRS procedures, reportable transactions and tax shelters, renewable energy, state and local tax, and private client matters. After earning his Master of Tax degree, Kevin had the privilege to clerk for the Honorable Robert P. Ruwe on the US Tax Court. Read Kevin Spencer's full bio.

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