Internal Revenue Manual
IRM 8.11.4 — Penalty Appeals (PENAP)
Part 8. Appeals
Chapter 11. Penalties Worked in Appeals Section 4. Penalty Appeals (PENAP) 8.11.4 Penalty Appeals (PENAP) Manual Transmittal March 10, 2025 Purpose (1) This transmits revised IRM 8.11.4, Penalties Worked in Appeals, Penalty Appeals (PENAP). Material Changes (1) Made editorial changes (including grammar, spelling, citations, links and minor clarifications) throughout this IRM. (2) Updated organizational title from Wage and Investment (W&I) to Taxpayer Services (TS). Effect on Other Documents This IRM supersedes IRM 8.11.4 dated November 18, 2021. Audience Appeals Effective Date (03-10-2025) Patrick E. McGuire Acting Director, Operations Support
Program Scope and Objectives
8.11.4.1 (03-10-2025) Program Scope and Objectives Purpose: This IRM section describes the process the IRS Independent Office of Appeals (Appeals) uses to consider certain protested penalties. Specifically, IRM 8.11.4: Establishes and provides guidance and procedures for working and processing penalty appeal (PENAP) cases so that these cases are worked in a fair and consistent manner; and Recommends IRM resources, including decision tools and other IRM sections. Audience: The primary users of this IRM section are Appeals Technical Employees (ATEs). Policy Owner: Policy, Planning, Quality and Analysis is under the Director of Operations Support (OS). Program Owner: Appeals Policy is the program office responsible for providing technical and procedural guidance to the Appeals organization, and is under the Director of Policy, Planning, Quality and Analysis. Contact Information: Appeals employees should follow established procedures on How to Contact an Analyst. Other employees should contact the Product Content Owner shown on the Product Catalog Information page for this IRM.
Background
8.11.4.1.1 (11-18-2021) Background As stated in IRC 7803(e)(3) , the Appeals mission is to resolve federal tax controversies without litigation on a basis that: is fair and impartial to both the government and the taxpayer; promotes a consistent application and interpretation of, and voluntary compliance with, the federal tax laws; and enhances public confidence in the integrity and efficiency of the IRS. Appeals is the only administrative function of the Service with authority to consider settlements of tax controversies, and has the primary responsibility to resolve these disputes without litigation to the maximum extent possible. Appeals accomplishes its mission by considering protested and Tax Court-docketed cases, holding conferences, and negotiating settlements in a manner that ensures Appeals employees act in accord with the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TBOR) in every interaction with taxpayers. The TBOR lists rights that already existed in the tax code, putting them in simple language and grouping them into 10 fundamental rights. Employees are responsible for being familiar with and acting in accord with taxpayer rights. See IRC 7803(a)(3), Execution of Duties in Accord with Taxpayer Rights. For additional information about the TBOR, see https://www.irs.gov/taxpayer-bill-of-rights.
Authority
8.11.4.1.2 (07-02-2019) Authority See IRM 1.2.1.12.1, Policy Statement 20-1 (Formerly P-1-18), Penalties are used to enhance voluntary compliance, which sets forth the Service's position regarding penalties. See IRM 20.1, Penalty Handbook, which provides Servicewide instructions for working penalty cases.
Responsibilities
8.11.4.1.3 (07-02-2019) Responsibilities The Policy analyst shown on the Product Catalog page as the originator is the assigned author of this IRM.
Program Reports
8.11.4.1.4 (07-02-2019) Program Reports Policy, Planning, Quality and Analysis (PPQA) provides trend and data analyses and detailed summary reports for Appeals.
Terms and Acronyms
8.11.4.1.5 (07-02-2019) Terms and Acronyms See IRM Exhibit 8.1.1-1, Common Terms Used in Appeals, for common terms and definitions used in IRM Part 8. Terms listed in that exhibit are not included in this section. The table below lists commonly used acronyms and their definitions: Acronym Definition CR-NR An automatic entry in ACDS, which the ATE validates, that stands for "Case Received-New Receipt" . PENAP Penalty appeal
Related Resources
8.11.4.1.6 (07-02-2019) Related Resources This IRM is the primary source of guidance on this program in Appeals. This IRM is supplemented by information in IRM 20.1, Penalty Handbook, and its related sections.
Penalty Appeals (PENAP) Program
8.11.4.2 (11-18-2021) Penalty Appeals (PENAP) Program Penalty appeal (PENAP) procedures generally apply to penalties that have already been assessed. They are commonly referred to as "post-assessed" penalties. In Appeals, these cases are controlled on the Appeals Centralized Database System (ACDS) as "PENAP" cases. Appeals centralized the consideration and processing of IRS campus-sourced PENAP cases originating from Compliance primarily in its Ogden Campus Appeals office. IRS field-sourced PENAP cases are generally worked in field Appeals offices. PENAP conferences are usually held by telephone or correspondence. If the taxpayer or representative requests an in-person conference, follow the procedures in: IRM 8.6.1.5.1, Conference Practice, IRM 8.6.1.5.5, Virtual Service Delivery (VSD).
Identifying a PENAP Case
8.11.4.2.1 (07-02-2019) Identifying a PENAP Case The following table identifies the most common Transaction Codes (TC) that may be included in the proposed penalty field at the return level which have an ACDS Type Code of "PENAP" . Note that this is not an all-inclusive list. Transaction Code Type of Penalty IRM Reference 160 or 166 Failure to File IRM 20.1.2, Failure To File/Failure To Pay Penalties 170 or 176 Estimated Tax Penalty IRM 20.1.3, Estimated Tax Penalties 180 or 186 Deposit Penalty IRM 20.1.4, Failure to Deposit Penalty 234 or 238 Daily Delinquency Penalty IRM 20.1.8.3.2.1, IRC 6652(c)(1) - Annual Returns Under Section 6033(a)(1) or 6012(a)(6) 240 Return Related Penalties IRM 20.1.5, Return Related Penalties 240 or 246 Information Return Penalties IRM 20.1.7, Information Return Penalties 246 Failure to File Using Electronic Media IRM 20.1.2.5, Failure to File Partnership Return Using Electronic Media 270 or 276 Failure to Pay IRM 20.1.2, Failure To File/Failure To Pay Penalties 280 or 286 Bad Check IRM 20.1.10.7, IRC 6657 - Bad Checks (Dishonored Checks or Other Forms of Payment)
Sources of PENAP Cases
8.11.4.2.2 (10-01-2012) Sources of PENAP Cases Generally post-assessment penalty appeal cases are received from: Taxpayer Services (TS), Small Business/Self-Employed (SB/SE), and Large Business and International (LB&I) If the taxpayer submits a written protest to an assessed penalty, Compliance forwards the case to Appeals. Information on documents to be included with the case file are found in IRM 20.1.1.3.5.1, Subsequent Requests for Penalty Relief.
Carding PENAP Cases
8.11.4.2.3 (07-02-2019) Carding PENAP Cases Instructions for carding PENAP cases are now located in IRM 8.20.5.32.6 , Penalty Appeal (PENAP) Case Carding.
Assignment of PENAP Cases
8.11.4.2.4 (07-02-2019) Assignment of PENAP Cases Depending on the complexity of the penalty issue, the case may be assigned to either an ATE on the centralized Ogden Campus Appeals PENAP team or an ATE in a field office. The Appeals Team Manager (ATM) or designated official will assign the case to an ATE on ACDS.
New Receipt Procedures for ATEs
8.11.4.2.5 (07-02-2019) New Receipt Procedures for ATEs Upon receipt of a newly assigned or transferred case (i.e., date of CR-NR), the ATE will follow the procedures outlined in IRM 8.2.1.4, Receipt of New Assignment by an Appeals Technical Employee (ATE). These procedures include, but are not limited to: Determining the statute of limitations and validating the statute-related fields on ACDS within 45 calendar days of receipt of the case. Refer to IRM 8.21.3, Appeals Technical Employees Statute Responsibility. The statute verification time frame cannot be extended beyond 45 days. Validating the Case Summary Card (CSC) information and making updates, if necessary, in accordance with IRM 8.11.1.2.6(2) and IRM 8.11.1.2.6(3), New Receipt Procedures for Appeals Technical Employees (ATEs). With respect to the CSC, the ATE will, within 45 calendar days of receipt, verify the information on the card, including the following: The TYPE code for all Penalty Appeals cases is "PENAP" . Each MFT is established as a separate work unit. AIMS indicator = E ACDS return field for STATDATE (statute date) or CODE (statute code) - The information based on the following table: Description Statute Date Statute Code Penalties have been assessed Blank Note: If statute date is blank, then see IRM Exhibit 8.21.2-1, ACDS Statute Codes, for valid statute code. ASESD Penalties ARE NOT assessed Valid statute date Blank PropdPen (proposed penalty) - The total dollar amount of the penalty for each tax period, which is rounded to the nearest whole dollar amount. Note: If there is more than one penalty for each tax period, total the amount for each period and enter the sum for the respective period to the nearest whole dollar amount.
PENAP Consideration
8.11.4.2.6 (07-02-2019) PENAP Consideration Review the case and contact the taxpayer for further clarification if needed to provide prompt resolution. Note: No contact is required if the case is fully conceded based upon the information in the file. The closing letter to the taxpayer confirms the decision to fully abate the penalty. Note: Appeals will resolve campus-sourced PENAP cases worked in a Campus Appeals office as expeditiously as possible, generally within 90 days of receipt. Apply reasonable cause criteria when considering a PENAP case. See IRM 8.11.1.2.7.1, Reasonable Cause, for more information on reasonable cause. Also consider hazards of litigation to settle PENAP cases. See IRM 8.11.1.2.7.5, Hazards of Litigation. Also consider: Statutory exceptions, see IRM 8.11.1.2.7.2, Statutory Exceptions and Administrative Waivers; Administrative waivers, see IRM 8.11.1.2.7.3, Administrative Waivers; and Service errors, see IRM 8.11.1.2.7.4, Correction of Service Error. See IRM 8.11.1.2.3, Assessed Penalty Settlement Authority. Taxpayers may provide new information and/or evidence to Appeals. New information is defined in IRM 8.6.1.7.5, Taxpayer Provides New Information. If the new information or evidence is relevant to the penalty and requires investigative action or additional analysis, then release jurisdiction of the case and return it to the originating function for consideration. See IRM 8.6.1.7.7, Jurisdiction Released, for additional information. Reminder: In deciding whether to return a case to the originating function to review new information, remember to consider the exception for certain Campus-sourced cases found in IRM 8.6.1.7.5(2), Taxpayer Provides New Information. In resolving disputes, Appeals may consider new theories and/or alternative legal arguments that support the parties' positions when evaluating the hazards of litigation in a case. However, do not develop evidence that is not in the case file to support the new theory or argument. See IRM 8.6.1.7.6, Taxpayer Raises New Theory or Alternative Legal Argument. Use a judicial approach in deciding PENAP cases. Provide general guidance to taxpayers on establishing reasonable cause. Do not request specific documents or develop the taxpayer's position. Example: Do not make a written request for a list of specific documents in any letter to the taxpayer. Example: When requested by a taxpayer in a conference, provide general guidance as to the type of information that might establish reasonable cause given the facts of the case. Refer to IRM 20.1.1.3.2.1, Standards and Authorities. Many documents received during consideration of a PENAP may not meet the definition of "new information." Many penalties are assessed without deficiency procedures, and reasonable cause needs to be established for the abatement of these penalties. Documents received during consideration of a PENAP are generally not voluminous, don't require additional development, and in many instances, corroborate the taxpayer's testimony. Consider the probative value of any evidence that does not meet the definition of "new information" above and apply hazards of litigation in making a determination.
Closing Actions by the ATE
8.11.4.2.7 (07-02-2019) Closing Actions by the ATE This section discusses the process used by the ATE to close PENAP cases. Use ACDS APGolf to generate all forms and letters. Prepare the Appeals Case Memo (ACM). The ACM should outline the facts and circumstances supporting sustention or abatement of the penalty. This could include, but is not limited to: Taxpayer's filing history Citing case law Hazards of litigation IRM 8.6.2, Appeals Case Memo Procedures, provides additional information on the preparation of ACMs. Prepare the ACDS customized Form 5402, Appeals Transmittal and Case Memo, to: Show the affected tax periods included and penalties considered in the case List penalty transaction codes Show Account and Processing Support (APS) how to adjust the taxpayer's account for each penalty considered in each period based on the case determination. Generally, the ATE will accomplish this task by preparing a separate row on Form 5402 for each penalty considered in each period, adding rows as necessary. This period-by-period and penalty-by-penalty breakdown is needed by APS so they can fully and accurately adjust the taxpayer's account. Exception: If the ATE is recommending that Appeals fully sustain all protested penalties in all protested periods, and if all of those penalties have been fully assessed, the ATE may use an optional method to prepare Form 5402. For such cases, the ATE may prepare Form 5402 with only one row for each period considered, regardless of the number of penalties considered in that period. To use this optional method, however, the ATE must fully list all penalties considered in each period in the "IRC Sec. Ref. No." column. If all penalties considered in any period cannot be listed in the "IRC Sec. Ref. No." field of the Form 5402 generated by APGolf, this optional method cannot be used by the ATE. Example: An ATE considers a case in which an individual taxpayer has protested penalties assessed in two periods for alleged failures to file returns timely, pay taxes due timely, and make estimated tax payments. For 20X1, these assessed penalties total $1,500. For 20X2, these assessed penalties total $2,000. The ATE confirms that all six penalties have been fully assessed. After considering the taxpayer's arguments, the ATE concludes that none of the penalties should be abated. Assuming that all penalties considered in each period can be fully shown in the" IRC Sec. Ref. No." field of the electronically generated Form 5402 by APGolf, the ATE may use the optional method for preparing Form 5402 described in the "Exception" paragraph, above. If the ATE chooses to use this optional method, the Form 5402 will have two rows—not six rows. In relevant part, and with certain columns omitted because of space limitations, the Form 5402 should resemble the following: Period(s) ... IRC Sec. Ref. No. Amount Appealed Amount Sustained Amount Abated IDRS Reason Code 20X1 ... 6651(a)(1)-(2),6654 $1,500.00 $1,500.00 $0.00 41 20X2 ... 6651(a)(1)-(2),6654 $2,000.00 $2,000.00 $0.00 41 Input penalty adjustment amounts on the Form 5402 using exact dollars and cents when making full and partial abatements Include special instructions related to processing the case Notate in the Remarks section of the Form 5402 when a certified claim disallowance letter had been issued (e.g., Letter 1363, Appeals Partial Disallowance of Refund Claim - Certified, and/or Letter 1364, Appeals Full Disallowance of Refund Claim - Certified), instructing APS to enter this information in the Notes field on ACDS. The reason for this requirement is to ensure duplicate certified letters are not issued, which may erroneously extend the two-year period to file suit with the applicable court. Enter proper reason code on the Form 5402: 40 - Complete removal of penalty, 41 - Appeals sustains penalty, or 42 - Appeals partial abatement of penalty. Sign the Form 5402 in the AO/SO Signature field. The Closing Codes for PENAP cases are: Determination Made Closing Code Sustained (penalties are not removed) 14 Abated (penalties are fully removed) 15 Partially Abated (only part of the penalties are removed) 16 Prepare the appropriate closing letter in ACDS: Letter 1277, Penalty Appeal Decision, if the taxpayer's penalty abatement request is not fully granted. Use the narrative section to provide the reason for denying the abatement request in full or in part; or Letter 1278, Penalty Appeal Abatement, if the taxpayer's penalty abatement request is fully granted. Reminder: If a taxpayer's authorized representative has requested copies of notices sent by IRS to the taxpayer, remember to also prepare Letter 937, Transmittal for Power of Attorney. The closing letter prepared by the ATE should be left undated and should contain the ATM's signature block. Route the case to the ATM. After the ATM approves the ATE's recommended settlement, the ATM will countersign the Form 5402, sign the closing letter, and route the case to APS. See IRM 8.20.7.13.2, Closing Letter, for more information about the process of sending closing letters. Note: After the ATM signs the closing letter, if the ATE mails their own closing letters, then a signed, dated, and stamped copy of the closing letter must be placed in the administrative file. In rare situations, resolution of the case will involve a specific matter closing agreement. See IRM 8.13.1, Processing Closing Agreements in Appeals.
APS' Closing Procedures
8.11.4.2.8 (07-02-2019) APS' Closing Procedures APS' Closing Procedures have been moved to IRM 8.20.7.50, Penalty Appeal (PENAP) Case Closing Procedures.
Source: official text