PROPOSED REGS CLARIFYING NOTIFICATION, CLAIMS PROCEDURES INVOLVING LIENS AND LEVIES.

[Editor's Note: At 72 F.R. 48249, Aug. 23, 2007, the IRS published minor corrections to the following proposed regs preamble, which have been incorporated below.]

[Editor's Note: At 73 F.R. 38915-38917, July 8, 2008, the IRS published Treasury Decision 9410 which adopted the following proposed regs without substantive change, and removed the temporary regs set out below.]

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking by cross-reference to temporary regulations.

SUMMARY: In the Rules and Regulations section of this issue of the Federal Register, the IRS is issuing temporary regulations relating to the discharge of liens under section 7425 and return of wrongfully levied upon property under section 6343 of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) of 1986. Those regulations clarify that such notices and claims should be sent to the IRS official and office specified in the relevant IRS publications. The regulations will affect parties seeking to provide the IRS with notice of a nonjudicial foreclosure sale and parties making administrative requests for return of wrongfully levied property. The text of those regulations also serves as the text of these proposed regulations.

DATES: Written or electronic comments and requests for a public hearing must be received by October 18, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Send submissions to: CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG-148951-05), Room 5203, Internal Revenue Service, PO Box 7604, Ben Franklin Station, Washington, DC 20044. Submissions may be hand-delivered to CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG-148951-05), Courier's Desk, Internal Revenue Service, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC, 20224. Alternatively, taxpayers may submit comments electronically to the IRS Internet site via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at WWW.regulations.gov (IRS REG-148951-05).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Concerning the proposed regulations, Robin M. Ferguson, (202) 622-3630; concerning submissions of comments, the hearing, call Kelly Banks, (202) 622-7180 (not toll-free numbers).

Temporary regulations in the Rules and Regulations section of this issue of the Federal Register contain amendments to the Procedure and Administration Regulations (26 CFR part 301) relating to the giving of notice of nonjudicial sales under section 7425(b) of the Code and requests for return of wrongfully levied property under section 6343(b) of the Code. The text of those regulations also serves as the text of these proposed regulations. The preamble to the temporary regulations explains the temporary regulations and these proposed regulations.

Proposed Effective Date

These regulations are proposed to apply to any notice of sale filed or request for return of property made after the date that these regulations are published as final regulations in the Federal Register.

Special Analyses

It has been determined that this notice of proposed rulemaking is not a significant regulatory action as defined in Executive Order 12866. Therefore, a regulatory assessment is not required. It also has been determined that section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 5) does not apply to these regulations, and because the regulations do not impose a collection of information on small entities, the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6) does not apply. Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Internal Revenue Code, this regulation has been submitted to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration for comment on its impact on small business.

Comments and Requests for Public Hearing

Before these proposed regulations are adopted as final regulations, consideration will be given to any electronic and written comments (a signed original and eight (8) copies) or electronic comments that are submitted timely to the IRS. The IRS and Treasury Department specifically request comments on the clarity of the proposed rules and how they may be made easier to understand. All comments will be available for public inspection and copying. A public hearing will be scheduled if requested in writing by any person that timely submits written comments. If a public hearing is scheduled, notice of the date, time, and place for the public hearing will be published in the Federal Register.

Drafting Information

The principal author of these regulations is Robin M. Ferguson, Office of Associate Chief Counsel, Procedure and Administration.

List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 301

Employment taxes, Estate taxes, Excise taxes, Gift taxes, Income taxes, Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

Proposed Amendments to the Regulations

Accordingly, 26 CFR part 301 is proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 301 -- PROCEDURE AND ADMINISTRATION

Paragraph 1. The authority citation for part 301 continues to read in part as follows:

Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * *

Par. 2. Section 301.6343-2 is amended by revising paragraphs (a)(1) introductory text, (b) introductory text, and (e) to read as follows:

§ 301.6343-2 Return of wrongfully levied upon property.

(a)(1) [The text of the proposed amendment for § 301.6343-2(a)(1) introductory text is the same as the text of § 301.6343-2T(a)(1) introductory text published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register].

* * * * *

(b) [The text of the proposed amendment for § 301.6343-2(b) introductory text is the same as the text of § 301.6343-2T(b) introductory text published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register].

* * * * *

(e) [The text of the proposed amendment for § 301.6343-2(e) is the same as the text of § 301.6343-2T(e) published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register].

Par. 3. Section 301.7425-3 is amended by revising paragraphs (a) (1), (b)(1), (b)(2), (c)(1), (d)(2), (d)(3), and (d)(4), and adding paragraph (e) to read as follows:

§ 301.7425-3 Discharge of liens; special rules.

(a) * * * (1) [The text of the proposed amendment for § 301.7425-3(a)(1) is the same as the text of § 301.7425-3T(a)(1) published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register].

* * * * *

(b) * * * (1) [The text of the proposed amendment for § 301.7425-3(b)(1) is the same as the text of § 301.7425-3T(b)(1) published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register].

(2) [The text of the proposed amendment for § 301.7425-3(b)(2) is the same as the text of § 301.7425-3T(b)(2) published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register].

(c) * * * (1) [The text of the proposed amendment for § 301.7425-3(c)(1) is the same as the text of § 301.7425-3T(c)(1) published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register].

* * * * *

(d) * * *

(2) [The text of the proposed amendment for § 301.7425-3(d)(2) is the same as the text of § 301.7425-3T(d)(2) published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register].

(3) [The text of the proposed amendment for § 301.7425-3(d)(3) is the same as the text of § 301.7425-3T(d)(3) published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register].

(4) [The text of the proposed amendment for § 301.7425-3(d)(4) is the same as the text of § 301.7425-3T(d)(4) published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register].

(e) [The text of the proposed amendment for § 301.7425-3(e) is the same as the text of § 301.7425-3T(e) published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register].

ACTION: Final and temporary regulations.

SUMMARY: This document contains final and temporary regulations relating to the discharge of liens under section 7425 and return of wrongfully levied upon property under section 6343 of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) of 1986. These temporary regulations clarify that such notices and claims should be sent to the IRS official and office specified in the relevant IRS publications. The temporary regulations will affect parties seeking to provide the IRS with notice of a nonjudicial foreclosure sale and parties making administrative requests for return of wrongfully levied property. The text of the temporary regulations also serves as the text of the proposed regulations set forth in the notice of proposed rulemaking on this subject in the Proposed Rules section in this issue of the Federal Register.

DATES: Effective/applicability Date: These regulations are effective August 20, 2007.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robin M. Ferguson, (202) 622-3610 (not a toll-free call).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

This document contains amendments to the Procedure and Administration Regulations (26 CFR part 301) relating to the giving of notice of nonjudicial sales under section 7425(b) of the Code. Final regulations ( TD 7430) were published on August 20, 1976, in the Federal Register (41 FR 35174). This document also contains amendments to the Procedure and Administration Regulations relating to requests for return of wrongfully levied property under section 6343(b) of the Code. Final regulations ( TD 8587) were published on January 3, 1995, in the Federal Register (60 FR 33).

For notices of nonjudicial foreclosure sale under Section 7425(b) and requests for return of property wrongfully levied upon under Section 6343(b), the existing regulations direct the notices and requests to be sent to the "district director (marked for the attention of the Chief, Special Procedures Staff)." The offices of the district director and Special Procedures were eliminated by the IRS reorganization implemented pursuant to the IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998, Public Law 105-206 (RRA 1998), creating uncertainty as to the timeliness of notices and requests under these provisions.

Explanation of Provisions

Section 7425(b) provides for the discharge of a junior federal tax lien by a nonjudicial sale, if proper notice is provided to the IRS. Treas. Reg. § 301.7425-2(a). Notice of a nonjudicial sale is required if notice of the federal tax lien has been properly filed more than 30 days before the nonjudicial sale. Section 7425(b)(1). A party holding a nonjudicial sale must provide written notification to the IRS at least 25 days prior to the scheduled sale of the property or the federal tax lien remains on the property after the sale. Section 7425(c)(1). When the notice is properly sent, and the federal tax lien discharged, the IRS may redeem the property within 120 days from the date of sale or any longer period allowed under state law. Section 7425(d). If the notice is not properly sent, the nonjudicial sale is made subject to and without disturbing the federal tax lien. Section 7425(b); Treas. Reg. § 301.7425-2(a); Tompkins v. United States, 946 F.2d 817, 820 (11th Cir. 1991); Simon v. United States, 756 F.2d 696, 697-98 (9th Cir. 1985).

Treas. Reg. § 301.7425-3(a)(1) specifies that notice "shall be given, in writing by registered or certified mail or by personal service . . . to the district director (marked for the attention of the chief, special procedures staff) for the Internal Revenue district in which the sale is to be conducted." The regulation further provides that such notice of sale is not effective if given to a district director other than the district director for the Internal Revenue district in which the sale is to be conducted.

In light of the IRS reorganization subsequent to RRA 1998, the district and special procedures offices referenced in the regulations no longer exist. Notices of sale, if addressed to an office other than that stated in the regulation, may be misdirected. As a result, the IRS office responsible for evaluating notices of nonjudicial sale may not receive notice of the sale and the IRS may not have the opportunity to timely redeem. In Glasgow Realty, LLC v. Withington, 345 F. Supp. 2d 1025 (E.D. Mo. 2004), the court held that the federal tax lien was discharged by a nonjudicial sale under section 7425(b) where the notice of sale was addressed to a local IRS taxpayer assistance center rather than the district director's office. Glasgow Realty demonstrates the confusion that resulted from attempts to comply with the current regulation in light of the IRS reorganization. An amendment is necessary to both assist the public so as to prevent further confusion on where to send notices of nonjudicial foreclosure sales, and to prevent the possible loss of proceeds that the IRS could acquire from redemptions if the proper office has timely notice of the sale.

Similar problems arise with respect to requests for return of wrongfully levied property under section 6343(b). Requests for the return of the amount of money levied upon or received from the sale of property must be filed within nine months from the date of the levy. Treas. Reg. § 301.6343-2(a)(2). The nine month period for filing a wrongful levy suit is extended by the filing of a timely administrative claim. Section 6532(c).

As is the case with notices of nonjudicial sale, the regulations specify that the request for return of wrongfully levied property be addressed to the district director (marked for the attention of the Chief, Special Procedures Staff) for the Internal Revenue district in which the levy is made. Treas. Reg. § 301.6343-2(b). The elimination of these offices by the IRS reorganization can similarly result in misdirected requests. An amendment is necessary to assist the public in filing timely requests with the proper office.

In order to account for the IRS's current organizational structure and to allow for future reorganizations of the IRS, the temporary regulations remove the title "district director" throughout Treas. Reg. §§ 301.7425-3 and 301.6343-2. The title is not replaced with any specific official or office. Instead, the public is directed to refer to the current relevant IRS publications or their successor publications for where to send notices or claims. The temporary regulations provide the web address for the IRS Internet site which may be used to obtain copies of IRS publications. The current publications for nonjudicial foreclosure sales are IRS Publication 786, "Instructions for Preparing a Notice of Nonjudicial Sale of Property and Application for Consent to Sale," and IRS Publication 4235, "Technical Services (Advisory) Group Addresses." According to Publication 786, the application or notice should be addressed to the Technical Services Group Manager for the area in which the notice of federal tax lien was filed. Publication 786 then instructs the reader to use Publication 4235 to determine where to mail the request. Publication 4235 lists the addresses for the Technical Services offices. The current publication for requests for return of wrongfully levied property is IRS Publication 4528, "Making an Administrative Wrongful Levy Claim Under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 6343(b)." According to Publication 4528, the claim should be marked for the attention of the Advisory Territory Manager for the area where the taxpayer whose tax liability was the basis for the levy or seizure resides. Publication 4528 then instructs the reader to use Publication 4235 to locate the mailing address for the appropriate Advisory Territory Manager.

Effective Date

These temporary regulations apply to any notice of sale filed or request for return of property made after August 20, 2007.

Special Analyses

It has been determined that this Treasury decision is not a significant regulatory action as defined in Executive Order 12866. Therefore, a regulatory assessment is not required. For applicability of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, please refer to the cross-reference notice of proposed rulemaking published elsewhere in this Federal Register. Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Internal Revenue Code, these regulations have been submitted to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration for comment on its impact on small business.

Drafting Information

The principal author of these regulations is Robin M. Ferguson, Office of Associate Chief Counsel, Procedure and Administration (Collection, Bankruptcy and Summonses Division).

List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 301

Employment taxes, Estate taxes, Excise taxes, Gift taxes, Income taxes, Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

Amendments to the Regulations

Accordingly, 26 CFR part 301 is amended as follows:

PART 301 -- PROCEDURE AND ADMINISTRATION

Paragraph 1. The authority citation for part 301 continues to read in part as follows:

Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * *

Par. 2. Section 301.6343-2 is amended as follows:

      1. Paragraphs (a)(1) introductory text and (b) introductory text

§ 301.6343-2 Return of wrongfully levied upon property.

(a) * * * (1) [Reserved]. For further guidance, See § 301.6343-2T(a) introductory text.

* * *

(b) [Reserved]. For further guidance, See § 301.6343-2T(b) introductory text.

* * *

(e) [Reserved]. For further guidance, See § 301.6343-2T(e).

Par. 3. Section 301.6343-2T is added to read as follows:

§ 301.6343-2T Return of wrongfully levied upon property.

(a) Return of property -- (1) General rule. If the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) determines that property has been wrongfully levied upon, the IRS may return --

(a)(1)(i) through (a)(4) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 301.6343-2(a)(1)(i) through (a)(4).

(b) Request for return of property. A written request for the return of property wrongfully levied upon must be given to the IRS official, office and address specified in IRS Publication 4528, "Making an Administrative Wrongful Levy Claim Under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 6343(b)," or its successor publication. The relevant IRS publications may be downloaded from the IRS internet site at www.irs.gov. Under this section, a request for the return of property wrongfully levied upon is not effective if it is given to an office other than the office listed in the relevant publication. The written request must contain the following information --

(b)(1) through (d)(2) [Reserved]. For further guidance see § 301.6343-2(b)(1) through (d)(2).

(e) Effective/applicability date. This section applies to any request for return of wrongfully levied property that is filed after August 20, 2007.

Par. 4. Section 301.7425-3 is amended as follows:

1. Paragraphs (a)(1), (b)(1), (b)(2), (c)(1), (d)(2), (d)(3), and (d)(4) are revised.

2. Paragraphs (a)(2)(i), (a)(2)(ii)(C), and (a)(2)(iii) Examples 1, 2, and 3 are amended by removing the language "district director" and adding the language "IRS" in its place wherever it appears.

3. Paragraph (d)(1)(ii)(A) is amended by removing the language "internal revenue district" and adding the language "IRS office" in its place.

4. Paragraph (e) is added.

The revisions and addition read as follows:

 § 301.7425-3 Discharge of liens; special rules.

§ 301.7425-3T Discharge of liens; special rules.

(a) Notice of sale requirements -- (1) In general. Except in the case of the sale of perishable goods described in paragraph (c) of this section, a notice (as described in paragraph (d) of this section) of a nonjudicial sale shall be given, in writing by registered or certified mail or by personal service, not less than 25 days prior to the date of sale (determined under the provisions of § 301.7425-2(b)), to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) official, office and address specified in IRS Publication 786, "Instructions for Preparing a Notice of Nonjudicial Sale of Property and Application for Consent to Sale," or its successor publication. The relevant IRS publications may be downloaded from the IRS internet site at www.irs.gov. Under this section, a notice of sale is not effective if it is given to an office other than the office listed in the relevant publication. The provisions of sections 7502 (relating to timely mailing treated as timely filing) and 7503 (relating to time for performance of acts where the last day falls on Saturday, Sunday, or a legal holiday) apply in the case of notices required to be made under this paragraph.

(a)(2) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 301.7425-3(a)(2).

(b) Consent to sale -- (1) In general. Notwithstanding the notice of sale provisions of paragraph (a) of this section, a nonjudicial sale of property shall discharge or divest the property of the lien and title of the United States if the IRS consents to the sale of the property free of the lien or title. Pursuant to section 7425(c)(2), where adequate protection is afforded the lien or title of the United States, the IRS may, in its discretion, consent with respect to the sale of property in appropriate cases. Such consent shall be effective only if given in writing and shall be subject to such limitations and conditions as the IRS may require. However, the IRS may not consent to a sale of property under this section after the date of sale, as determined under § 301.7425-2(b). For provisions relating to the authority of the IRS to release a lien or discharge property subject to a tax lien, see section 6325 and the section 6325 regulations.

(2) Application for consent. Any person desiring the IRS's consent to sell property free of a tax lien or a title derived from the enforcement of a tax lien of the United States in the property shall submit to the IRS, at the office and address specified in the relevant IRS publications, a written application, in triplicate, declaring that it is made under penalties of perjury, and requesting that such consent be given. The application shall contain the information required in the case of a notice of sale, as set forth in paragraph (d)(1) of this section, and, in addition, shall contain a statement of the reasons why the consent is desired.

(c) Sale of perishable good -- (1) In general. A notice (as described in paragraph (d) of this section) of a nonjudicial sale of perishable goods (as defined in paragraph (c)(2) of this section) shall be given in writing, by registered or certified mail or delivered by personal service, at any time before the sale, to the IRS official and office specified in the relevant IRS publications, at the address specified in such publications. Under this section, a notice of sale is not effective if it is given to an office other than the office listed in the relevant publication. If a notice of a nonjudicial sale is timely given in the manner described in this paragraph, the nonjudicial sale shall discharge or divest the tax lien, or a title derived from the enforcement of a tax lien, of the United States in the property. The provisions of sections 7502 (relating to timely mailing treated as timely filing) and 7503 (relating to time for performance of acts where the last day falls on Saturday, Sunday, or a legal holiday) apply in the case of notices required to be made under this paragraph. The seller of the perishable goods shall hold the proceeds (exclusive of costs) of the sale as a fund, for not less than 30 days after the date of the sale, subject to the liens and claims of the United States, in the same manner and with the same priority as the liens and claims of the United States had with respect to the property sold. If the seller fails to hold the proceeds of the sale in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph and if the IRS asserts a claim to the proceeds within 30 days after the date of sale, the seller shall be personally liable to the United States for an amount equal to the value of the interest of the United States in the fund. However, even if the proceeds of the sale are not so held by the seller, but all the other provisions of this paragraph are satisfied, the buyer of the property at the sale takes the property free of the liens and claims of the United States. In the event of a postponement of the scheduled sale of perishable goods, the seller is not required to notify the IRS of the postponement. For provisions relating to the authority of the IRS to release a lien or discharge property subject to a tax lien, see section 6325 and the regulations.

(c)(2) through (d)(1) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 301.7425-3(c)(2) through (d)(1).

(d)(2) Inadequate notice. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, a notice of sale described in paragraph (a) of this section which does not contain the information described in paragraph (d)(1) of this section shall be considered inadequate by the IRS. If the IRS determines that the notice is inadequate, the IRS will give written notification of the items of information which are inadequate to the person who submitted the notice. A notice of sale which does not contain the name and address of the person submitting such notice shall be considered to be inadequate for all purposes without notification of any specific inadequacy. In any case where a notice of sale does not contain the information required under paragraph (d)(1)(ii) of this section with respect to a Notice of Federal Tax Lien, the IRS may give written notification of such omission without specification of any other inadequacy and such notice of sale shall be considered inadequate for all purposes. In the event the IRS gives notification that the notice of sale is inadequate, a notice complying with the provisions of this section (including the requirement that the notice be given not less than 25 days prior to the sale in the case of a notice described in paragraph (a) of this section) must be given. However, in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (b)(1) of this section, in such a case the IRS may, in its discretion, consent to the sale of the property free of the lien or title of the United States even though notice of the sale is given less than 25 days prior to the sale. In any case where the person who submitted a timely notice which indicates his name and address does not receive, more than 5 days prior to the date of sale, written notification from the IRS that the notice is inadequate, the notice shall be considered adequate for purposes of this section.

(3) Acknowledgment of notice. If a notice of sale described in paragraph (a) or (c) of this section is submitted in duplicate to the IRS with a written request that receipt of the notice be acknowledged and returned to the person giving the notice, this request will be honored by the IRS. The acknowledgment by the IRS will indicate the date and time of the receipt of the notice.

(4) Disclosure of adequacy of notice. The IRS is authorized to disclose, to any person who has a proper interest, whether an adequate notice of sale was given under paragraph (d)(1) of this section. Any person desiring this information should submit to the IRS a written request which clearly describes the property sold or to be sold, identifies the applicable notice of lien, gives the reasons for requesting the information, and states the name and address of the person making the request. The request should be submitted to the IRS official, office and address specified in IRS Publication 4235, "Technical Services (Advisory) Group Addresses," or its successor publication. The relevant IRS publications may be downloaded from the IRS internet site at www.irs.gov.

(e) Effective/applicability date. This section applies to any notice of sale that is filed after August 20, 2007.