Sec. 301.6721-1 Failure to file correct information returns.

(i) A failure to file an information return on or before the required filing date ("failure to file timely"), and

(ii) A failure to include all the information required to be shown on the return or including incorrect information (failure to include correct information). A failure to file timely includes a failure to file in the required manner, for example, electronically or in other machine-readable form as provided under section 6011(e). However, no penalty is imposed under paragraph (a)(1) of this section solely by reason of any failure to comply with the requirements of section 6011(e)(2), except to the extent that the failure occurs with respect to more than 10 returns, or with respect to a return described in section 6011(e)(4). If a partnership return under section 6031(a) is required to be filed electronically, each schedule required to be included with such return with respect to each partner will be treated as a separate information return for purposes of this section. See section 6724(e). Filers who are required to file information returns electronically and who file those information returns electronically are considered to have satisfied the electronic-filing requirement. Except as provided in paragraph (c)(1) or (e)(1) of this section, a failure to include correct information encompasses a failure to include the information required by applicable information-reporting statutes or by any administrative pronouncements (such as regulations, revenue rulings, revenue procedures, or information-reporting forms, and form instructions). A failure to include information in the correct format may be either a failure to file timely an information return or a failure to include correct information on an information return. For example, an error on an electronic submission to the Internal Revenue Service that prevents processing by the Internal Revenue Service may constitute a failure to file timely. However, if information is set forth on the wrong field of the electronic submission, that error may constitute a failure to file timely or a failure to include correct information, depending upon the extent of the failure. For purposes of paragraph (b) of this section, a failure to file corrected information returns in the format required under §301.6011-2(c)(4)(ii) is a failure to correct the corresponding original information returns.

(i) Example 1. Corporation R fails to file timely 23,000 Forms 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Information, for the 2023 calendar year. Of the forms filed, 5,000 are filed with correct information within 30 days, and 18,000 after 30 days but on or before August 1, 2024. For the same year R fails to file timely 400 Forms 1099-INT, Interest Income, which R eventually files on September 28, 2024, after the period for reduction of the penalty has elapsed. R is subject to a penalty of $100,000 for the 400 forms that were not filed by August 1 ($250 x 400 = $100,000), $1,500,000 for the 18,000 forms filed after 30 days ($100 x 18,000 = $1,800,000, limited to $1,500,000 under paragraph (b)(2) of this section), and $250,000 for the 5,000 forms filed within 30 days ($50 x 5,000 = $250,000), for a total penalty of $1,850,000.

(ii) Example 2. Corporation T fails to file timely 14,000 Forms 1099-MISC for the 2023 calendar year. T files the 14,000 Forms 1099-MISC on September 3, 2024. Because T does not correct the failure by August 1, 2024, T is subject to a penalty of $3,000,000, the maximum penalty under paragraph (a) of this section. Without the limitation of paragraph (a) of this section, T would be subject to a $3,500,000 penalty ($250 x 14,000 = $3,500,000).

(iii) Example 3. In calendar year 2024, Corporation U timely files on paper 12 Forms 1099-MISC for the 2023 calendar year with correct information. Under §301.6011-2, a person required to file at least 10 returns during calendar year 2024 must file those returns electronically. Corporation U does not correct its failures to file these returns electronically by August 1, 2024. See section 6721(b)(2). Corporation U is therefore subject to a penalty for a failure to file timely under paragraph (a)(2) of this section. However, under section 6724(c) and paragraph (a)(2) of this section, the penalty for a failure to file timely electronically applies only to the extent the number of returns exceeds 10. As Corporation U was required to file 12 returns electronically, it is subject to a penalty of $500 for two returns ($250 x 2 = $500).

(iv) Example 4. In calendar year 2024, Corporation W timely electronically files 25 Forms 1099-B (relating to proceeds from broker and barter exchange transactions) with incorrect information. On August 1, 2024, Corporation W discovers the errors and files 25 corrected Forms 1099-B on paper. Under §301.6011-2(c)(4)(ii)(A), a person required to file an original information return covered by §301.6011-2(b) electronically must file any corrected information return corresponding to that original return electronically. Under paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section, a failure to file a corrected information return electronically when required to do so is a failure to correct the corresponding original information return. As Corporation W was required to file its 25 corrected information returns electronically, it has failed to correct the original information returns and is subject to a penalty of $6,250 for failure to include correct information on its 25 original Forms 1099-B ($250 x 25 = $6,250), without any reductions for correcting the information on or before August 1.

(v) Example 5. During the 2024 calendar year, Corporation V files 25 Forms 1099-B (relating to proceeds from broker and barter exchange transactions) on paper. The forms were filed on March 15, 2024, rather than on the required filing date of February 28, 2024. Under §301.6011-2, a person required to file at least 10 returns during calendar years 2024 and after must file those returns electronically. Corporation V does not correctly file these returns electronically by August 1, 2024. See section 6721(b)(2). Corporation V is subject to a penalty of $500 for filing 10 of the returns late, but within 30 days after the required filing date ($50 x 10). In addition, Corporation V is subject to a penalty of $3,750 for failing to file 15 returns electronically ($250 x 15).

(vi) Example 6. Partnership X has 120 partners in calendar year 2023. In calendar year 2024, it timely filed on paper its 2023 Form 1065 and 230 accompanying Schedules K-1 and Schedules K-3 (120 Schedules K-1 and 110 Schedules K-3). Partnership X filed no other returns during calendar year 2024. Under §301.6011-3(a)(1)(ii), a partnership with more than 100 partners must electronically file its partnership return, including Schedules K-1 and K-3. Under section 6724(e), Schedules K-1 and K-3 are treated as separate information returns for purposes of penalties under section 6721, even though they are not listed under §301.6011-2(b) as information returns required to be filed electronically and are not defined as information returns under section 6724(d). Under section 6724(c) and paragraph (a)(2) of this section, the penalty for a failure to file timely electronically applies only to the extent the number of returns exceeds 10. Partnership X would be subject to a penalty of $55,000 for failing to electronically file 220 Schedules K-1 and K-3 required to be included with the partnership return: the 11th through the 230th of the required schedules ($250 x 220 = $55,000). See section 6698 for the penalty for the failure to file the partnership return.

(i) A taxpayer identification number;

(ii) A surname of a payee (i.e., the person required to be furnished a copy of the information set forth on an information return); and

(iii) Any monetary amounts, except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section. The IRS may, by administrative pronouncement, specify other types of errors or omissions that are never inconsequential.

(i) Example 1. A filer files a Form 1099-MISC (relating to miscellaneous income) with the IRS. The Form 1099-MISC is complete and correct except that the word "street" is misspelled in the payee's address. The error does not prevent or hinder the IRS from processing the return, from correlating the information required to be shown on the return with the information shown on the payee's tax return, or from otherwise putting the return to its intended use. Therefore, no penalty is imposed under paragraph (a) of this section.

(ii) Example 2. A filer files a Form 1099-MISC with the IRS. The Form 1099-MISC is complete and correct except that the payee's first name, William, is misspelled as "Willaim." The error does not prevent or hinder the IRS from processing the return, from correlating the information required to be shown on the return with the information shown on the payee's tax return, or from otherwise putting the return to its intended use. See paragraph (c)(2) of this section. Therefore, no penalty is imposed under paragraph (a) of this section.

(iii) Example 3. A filer files a Form 1099-MISC with the IRS. The Form 1099-MISC is complete and correct except that the payee's name, "John Doe," is misspelled as "John Ode." Under paragraph (c)(2) of this section, supplying an incorrect surname for a payee is never considered an inconsequential error. Therefore, a penalty is imposed under paragraph (a) of this section.

(i) Example 1. Corporation T files timely 10,000 Forms 1099-INT, Interest Income, for 2023 by February 28, 2024. The 10,000 forms are all the information returns that T is required to file during the 2024 calendar year. Of the forms filed, 70 contained incorrect information. T corrects the failures on July 12, 2024. No penalty is imposed for 50 of the failures (that is, the greater of 10 or .005 x 10,000 = 50) even though the total failures, 70, exceed the number to which the de minimis exception may apply. The $100 penalty under paragraph (b)(2) of this section is imposed, in lieu of $250, for the remaining 20 failures, which were corrected after 30 days but before August 1, resulting in a total penalty of $2,000 ($100 x 20 = $2,000).

(ii) Example 2. Corporation U files timely 9,500 Forms 1099-INT for 2023 by February 28, 2024. Fifty of these returns contain incorrect information with respect to which U files correct information on August 1, 2024. U also files 500 Forms 1099-INT for 2023 on August 30, 2024, after the required filing date. The 10,000 returns are all the information returns that U is required to file during the 2024 calendar year. The calculation of the de minimis exception is based on the 10,000 returns required to be filed during the 2024 calendar year even though 500 of the returns filed during the year were not filed timely. Therefore, the number of failures for which the de minimis exception applies is 50, and accordingly no penalty is imposed for the 50 Forms 1099-INT that were corrected on August 1. However, the $250 penalty under paragraph (a)(1) of this section is imposed for each failure to file timely (that is, the de minimis exception does not apply to this penalty for failure to file timely), resulting in a total penalty of $125,000 ($250 x 500 = $125,000).

(iii) Example 3. Corporation V files timely 9,950 Forms 1099-INT for 2023 by February 28, 2024. However, V fails to file timely 50 of its Forms 1099-INT. The 10,000 returns are all the information returns that V is required to file during the 2024 calendar year. Upon discovering the error, V files the 50 returns within 30 days of February 28, 2024. The 50 returns are complete and correct except that V fails to include the taxpayer identification numbers of the payees on the returns. V files corrected returns on August 1, 2024. Absent application of the de minimis exception, the penalty imposed for the failure to include correct information would be $5,000 ($100 x 50 = $5,000). Because the incorrect returns are corrected on August 1, the 50 forms are treated under the de minimis exception as originally filed with correct information, and therefore no penalty is imposed under paragraph (a) of this section for the failure to include correct information. Nevertheless, the penalty under paragraph (a) of this section is imposed for the failure to file timely the 50 returns because the de minimis exception does not apply to the penalty for the failure to file timely. Hence, a penalty of $2,500 ($50 x 50 = $2,500) is imposed.

(iv) Example 4. Corporation W files timely 100 Forms 1099-DIV and files an additional 50 Forms 1099-DIV late, but within 30 days of February 28, 2024. These are all the information returns that W was required to file during the 2024 calendar year. W discovers errors on 10 of the returns that were filed timely, and on 5 of the returns that were filed late. W corrects all the errors on August 1, 2024. The de minimis exception applies to 10 of the corrected returns. The exception will be allocated to the 10 returns that were filed timely with incorrect information, because that allocation is most favorable to W (that is, applying the exception to a return filed late with incorrect information would save W $50, by reducing the penalty on that return from $100 to $50, but applying the exception to a return filed timely would save W $100, by reducing the penalty on that return from $100 to $0). (See paragraph (b)(4) of this section.)

(i) Failure to file timely, or

(ii) Failure to include correct information.

(i) Whether the failure to file timely or the failure to include correct information is part of a pattern of conduct by the person who filed the return of repeatedly failing to file timely or repeatedly failing to include correct information;

(ii) Whether correction was promptly made upon discovery of the failure;

(iii) Whether the filer corrects a failure to file or a failure to include correct information within 30 days after the date of any written request from the IRS to file or to correct; and

(iv) Whether the amount of the information reporting penalties is less than the cost of complying with the requirement to file timely or to include correct information on an information return.

(i) Paragraphs (b), (d), (e), and (f) of this section will not apply;

(ii) The $3,000,000 limitation under paragraph (a) of this section will not apply, and the penalty under this paragraph (g) will not be taken into account in applying the $3,000,000 limitation (or any similar limitation under paragraph (b) or (f) of this section) to penalties not determined under this paragraph (g);

(iii) The penalty imposed under paragraph (a) of this section will be $500 or, if greater, the statutory percentage; and

(iv) The term statutory percentage means --

(i) Example 1. On December 1, 2023, Automobile dealer P receives $55,000 from an individual for the purchase of an automobile in a transaction subject to reporting under section 6050I. The individual presents documents to P that identify him as John Doe. However, P completes the Form 8300 (relating to cash payments over $10,000 received in a trade or business) and reflects the name of a cartoon character as the filer. Because P knew at the time of filing the Form 8300 that the filer’s name was not the name of the cartoon character, he willfully failed to include correct information as described under paragraph (g)(2) of this section. Therefore, the penalty under paragraph (g)(4) of this section is imposed for the intentional disregard of the requirement to include correct information. The amount used in computing the penalty under paragraph (g)(5) of this section is $55,000 (that is, the amount required to be reported on the return with respect to which the payee is not correctly identified). The amount of the penalty determined under paragraph (g)(4)(iv)(C) of this section is $55,000 (that is, the greater of $25,000 or the amount of cash received in the transaction up to $100,000).

(ii) Example 2. On December 1, 2023, Individual B contacts his agent, F, to act as his intermediary in the purchase of an automobile. B gives F $20,000 and requests F to purchase the automobile in F’s name, which F does. F prepares the Form 8300 as required under section 6050I, but in the area designated for the name of the filer, F writes confidential. Because F knew at the time the return was filed that it contained incomplete information, the penalty under paragraph (g)(4) of this section is imposed for the intentional disregard of the requirement to include correct information. The amount used in computing the penalty under paragraph (g)(5) of this section is $20,000 (that is, the amount required to be reported on the return with respect to which the payee is not correctly identified). The amount of the penalty determined under paragraph (g)(4)(iv)(C) of this section is $25,000 (that is, the greater of $25,000 or the amount of cash received in the transaction up to $100,000).

(iii) Example 3. Corporation M deliberately does not include $5,000 of dividends on a Form 1099-DIV, Dividends and Distributions, on which a total of $200,000 (including the $5,000 dividends) is required to be reported under section 6042(a). Because the failure was deliberate, M’s failure is due to intentional disregard of the requirement to include correct information. Accordingly, the amount of the penalty imposed under paragraph (a) of this section is determined under paragraph (g)(4) of this section. Because the Form 1099-DIV is required to be filed under section 6042(a), under paragraph (g)(4)(iv)(A) of this section the amount of the penalty with respect to such failure is 10 percent of the aggregate dollar amount of the items that were required to be but that were not reported correctly. Under paragraph (g)(5) of this section, $5,000 is the difference between the dollar amount reported and the amount required to be reported correctly. Therefore, the amount of the penalty is $500 ($5,000 x 0.10 = $500).

(iv) Example 4. Form 8027, Employer’s Annual Information Return of Tip Income and Allocated Tips, requires certain large food and beverage establishments to report certain information with respect to tips. The form requires (among other things) that the establishment report its gross receipts from food and beverage operations. Establishment A, in intentional disregard of the information reporting requirement, reported gross receipts of $1,000,000, when the correct amount was $1,500,000. The significance of the gross receipts reporting requirement is that section 6053(c)(3)(A) requires an establishment to allocate as tips among its employees the excess of 8 percent of its gross receipts over the aggregate amount reported by employees to the establishment as tips under section 6053(a). A’s misstatement of its gross receipts caused A to show $80,000 on the Form 8027 as 8 percent of its gross receipts, rather than the correct amount of $120,000. A correctly reported the amount of tips reported to it by employees under section 6053(a) as $80,000. Thus, A reported the excess of 8 percent of its gross receipts over tips reported to it as zero, rather than as the correct amount of $40,000. The requirement of reporting gross receipts is considered merely a step in the computation of the excess of 8 percent of gross receipts over tips reported to A under section 6053(a), so that the penalty for intentional disregard will be $4,000 (that is, 10 percent of the difference between the $40,000 required to be reported as the excess of 8 percent of gross receipts over tips reported under section 6053(a), and the zero amount actually reported).

(i) Section 6041(a) or (b) (relating to certain information at source, generally reported on Form 1099-MISC, “Miscellaneous Income”; Form W-2, “Wage and Tax Statement”; Form W-2G, “Certain Gambling Winnings”; and Form 1099-INT, “Interest Income”);

(ii) Section 6042(a)(1) (relating to payments of dividends, generally reported on Form 1099-DIV, “Dividends and Distributions”);

(iii) Section 6044(a)(1) (relating to payments of patronage dividends, generally reported on Form 1099-PATR, “Taxable Distributions Received From Cooperatives”);

(iv) Section 6049(a) (relating to payments of interest, generally reported on Form 1099-INT or Form 1099-OID, "Original Issue Discount”);

(v) Section 6050A(a) (relating to reporting requirements of certain fishing boat operators, generally reported on Form 1099-MISC);

(vi) Section 6050N(a) (relating to payments of royalties, generally reported on Form 1099-MISC);

(vii) Section 6051(d) (relating to information returns with respect to income tax withheld, generally reported on Form W-2);

(viii) Section 6050R (relating to returns relating to certain purchases of fish, generally reported on Form 1099-MISC);

(ix) Section 110(d) (relating to qualified lessee construction allowances for short-term leases, generally reported by attaching a statement to an income tax return);

(x) Section 408(i) (relating to reports with respect to individual retirement accounts or annuities on Form 1099-R, Distributions From Pensions, Annuities, Retirement or Profit-Sharing Plans, IRAs, Insurance Contracts, etc.);

(xi) Section 6047(d) (relating to reports by employers, plan administrators, etc., on Form 1099-R); or

(xii) Section 6035 (relating to basis information with respect to property acquired from a decedent, generally Form 8971, Information Regarding Beneficiaries Acquiring Property from a Decedent), whether an initial or supplemental information return.

(i) Section 6041A(a) or (b) (relating to returns of direct sellers, generally reported on Form 1099-MISC);

(ii) Section 6043A(a) (relating to returns relating to taxable mergers and acquisitions);

(iii) Section 6045(a) or (d) of the Code (relating to returns of brokers, generally reported on Form 1099-B, Proceeds From Broker and Barter Exchange Transactions, for broker transactions not involving digital assets; Form 1099-DA, Digital Asset Proceeds from Broker Transactions for broker transactions involving digital assets; Form 1099-S, Proceeds From Real Estate Transactions, for gross proceeds from the sale or exchange of real estate; and Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Income, for certain substitute payments and payments to attorneys); and

(iv) Section 6045B(a) (relating to returns relating to actions affecting basis of specified securities);

(v) Section 6050H(a) or (h)(1) (relating to mortgage interest received in trade or business from individuals, generally reported on Form 1098, “Mortgage Interest Statement”);

(vi) Section 6050I(a) or (g)(1) (relating to cash received in trade or business, etc., generally reported on Form 8300, “Report of Cash Payments Over $10,000 Received In a Trade or Business”);

(vii) Section 6050J(a) (relating to foreclosures and abandonments of security, generally reported on Form 1099-A, “Acquisition or Abandonment of Secured Property”);

(viii) Section 6050K(a) (relating to exchanges of certain partnership interests, generally reported on Form 8308, “Report of a Sale or Exchange of Certain Partnership Interests”);

(ix) Section 6050L(a) (relating to returns relating to certain dispositions of donated property, generally reported on Form 8282, “Donee Information Return”);

(x) Section 6050P (relating to returns relating to the cancellation of indebtedness by certain financial entities, generally reported on Form 1099-C, “Cancellation of Debt”);

(xi) Section 6050Q (relating to certain long-term care benefits, generally reported on Form 1099-LTC, “Long-Term Care and Accelerated Death Benefits”);

(xii) Section 6050S (relating to returns relating to payments for qualified tuition and related expenses, generally reported on Form 1098-E, “Student Loan Interest Statement,” or Form 1098-T, “Tuition Statement”);

(xiii) Section 6050T (relating to returns relating to credit for health insurance costs of eligible individuals, generally reported on Form 1099-H, “Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) Advance Payments”);

(xiv) Section 6052(a) (relating to reporting payment of wages in the form of group-life insurance, generally reported on Form W-2);

(xv) Section 6050V (relating to returns relating to applicable insurance contracts in which certain exempt organizations hold interests, generally reported on Form 8921, “Applicable Insurance Contract Information Return”);

(xvi) Section 6053(c)(1) (relating to reporting with respect to certain tips, generally reported on Form 8027, “Employer's Annual Information Return of Tip Income and Allocated Tips”);

(xvii) Section 1060(b) (relating to reporting requirements of transferors and transferees in certain asset acquisitions, generally reported on Form 8594, Asset Acquisition Statement), or section 1060(e) (relating to information required in the case of certain transfers of interests in entities);

(xviii) Section 4101(d) (relating to information reporting with respect to fuel oils);

(xix) Section 338(h)(10)(C) (relating to information required to be furnished to the Secretary in case of elective recognition of gain or loss (effective for acquisitions after October 9, 1990, except any acquisition pursuant to a written binding contract in effect on October 9, 1990, and at all times thereafter before such acquisition));

(xx) Section 264(f)(5)(A)(iv) (relating to reporting with respect to certain life insurance and annuity contracts);

(xxi) Section 6050U (relating to charges or payments for qualified long-term care insurance contracts under combined arrangements, generally reported on Form 1099-R);

(xxii) Section 6039(a) (relating to returns required with respect to certain options);

(xxiii) Section 6050W (relating to information returns with respect to payments made in settlement of payment card and third party network transactions);

(xxiv) Section 6055 (relating to information returns reporting minimum essential coverage);

(xxv) Section 6056 (relating to information returns reporting on offers of health insurance coverage by applicable large employer members);

(xxvi) Section 6050Y (relating to returns relating to certain life insurance contract transactions); or

(xxvii) Section 6050Z (relating to reports relating to long-term care premium statements).