PL 105-206 IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998
PL 105-206 IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998
PL 105-206 IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998
685
‘‘Subpart I—Miscellaneous
‘‘CHAPTER 95—PERSONNEL FLEXIBILITIES RELATING
TO THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
‘‘Sec.
‘‘9501. Internal Revenue Service personnel flexibilities.
‘‘9502. Pay authority for critical positions.
‘‘9503. Streamlined critical pay authority.
‘‘9504. Recruitment, retention, relocation incentives, and relocation expenses.
‘‘9505. Performance awards for senior executives.
‘‘9506. Limited appointments to career reserved Senior Executive Service positions.
‘‘9507. Streamlined demonstration project authority.
‘‘9508. General workforce performance management system.
‘‘9509. General workforce classification and pay.
‘‘9510. General workforce staffing.
‘‘§ 9501. Internal Revenue Service personnel flexibilities
‘‘(a) Any flexibilities provided by sections 9502 through 9510
of this chapter shall be exercised in a manner consistent with—
‘‘(1) chapter 23 (relating to merit system principles and
prohibited personnel practices);
‘‘(2) provisions relating to preference eligibles;
‘‘(3) except as otherwise specifically provided, section 5307
(relating to the aggregate limitation on pay);
‘‘(4) except as otherwise specifically provided, chapter 71
(relating to labor-management relations); and
‘‘(5) subject to subsections (b) and (c) of section 1104, as
though such authorities were delegated to the Secretary of
the Treasury under section 1104(a)(2).
‘‘(b) The Secretary of the Treasury shall provide the Office
of Personnel Management with any information that Office requires
in carrying out its responsibilities under this section.
‘‘(c) Employees within a unit to which a labor organization
is accorded exclusive recognition under chapter 71 shall not be
subject to any flexibility provided by sections 9507 through 9510
of this chapter unless the exclusive representative and the Internal
Revenue Service have entered into a written agreement which
specifically provides for the exercise of that flexibility. Such written
agreement may be imposed by the Federal Services Impasses Panel
under section 7119.
‘‘§ 9502. Pay authority for critical positions
‘‘(a) When the Secretary of the Treasury seeks a grant of
authority under section 5377 for critical pay for 1 or more positions
at the Internal Revenue Service, the Office of Management and
Budget may fix the rate of basic pay, notwithstanding sections
5377(d)(2) and 5307, at any rate up to the salary set in accordance
with section 104 of title 3.
‘‘(b) Notwithstanding section 5307, no allowance, differential,
bonus, award, or similar cash payment may be paid to any employee
receiving critical pay at a rate fixed under subsection (a), in any
calendar year if, or to the extent that, the employee’s total annual
compensation will exceed the maximum amount of total annual
compensation payable at the salary set in accordance with section
104 of title 3.
‘‘§ 9503. Streamlined critical pay authority
‘‘(a) Notwithstanding section 9502, and without regard to the
provisions of this title governing appointments in the competitive
PUBLIC LAW 105–206—JULY 22, 1998 112 STAT. 713
to hold the individual liable for any unpaid tax or any deficiency
(or any portion of either) attributable to any item for which relief
is not available under the preceding sentence, the Secretary may
relieve such individual of such liability.’’.
Deadline. (c) SEPARATE FORM FOR APPLYING FOR SPOUSAL RELIEF.—Not
26 USC 6015 later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act,
note. the Secretary of the Treasury shall develop a separate form with
instructions for use by taxpayers in applying for relief under section
6015(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as added by this
section.
26 USC 6013 (d) SEPARATE NOTICE TO EACH FILER.—The Secretary of the
note. Treasury shall, wherever practicable, send any notice relating to
a joint return under section 6013 of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986 separately to each individual filing the joint return.
(e) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—
(1) Section 6013 is amended by striking subsection (e).
(2) Subparagraph (A) of section 6230(c)(5) is amended by
striking ‘‘section 6013(e)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 6015’’.
(3) Section 7421(a) is amended by inserting ‘‘6015(d),’’ after
‘‘sections’’.
(f ) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections for subpart
B of part II of subchapter A of chapter 61 is amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 6014 the following new item:
‘‘Sec. 6015. Relief from joint and several liability on joint return.’’.
26 USC 6015 (g) EFFECTIVE DATES.—
note. (1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
Applicability. amendments made by this section shall apply to any liability
for tax arising after the date of the enactment of this Act
and any liability for tax arising on or before such date but
remaining unpaid as of such date.
(2) 2-YEAR PERIOD.—The 2-year period under subsection
(b)(1)(E) or (c)(3)(B) of section 6015 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 shall not expire before the date which is 2 years
after the date of the first collection activity after the date
of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 3202. SUSPENSION OF STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS ON FILING
REFUND CLAIMS DURING PERIODS OF DISABILITY.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 6511 (relating to limitations on credit
or refund) is amended by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection
(i) and by inserting after subsection (g) the following new subsection:
‘‘(h) RUNNING OF PERIODS OF LIMITATION SUSPENDED WHILE
TAXPAYER IS UNABLE TO MANAGE FINANCIAL AFFAIRS DUE TO
DISABILITY.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In the case of an individual, the running
of the periods specified in subsections (a), (b), and (c) shall
be suspended during any period of such individual’s life that
such individual is financially disabled.
‘‘(2) FINANCIALLY DISABLED.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—For purposes of paragraph (1), an
individual is financially disabled if such individual is
unable to manage his financial affairs by reason of a medi-
cally determinable physical or mental impairment of the
individual which can be expected to result in death or
which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous
period of not less than 12 months. An individual shall
not be considered to have such an impairment unless proof
PUBLIC LAW 105–206—JULY 22, 1998 112 STAT. 741
‘‘PART II—LIENS’’.
(b) NOTICE AND OPPORTUNITY FOR HEARING BEFORE LEVY.—
Subchapter D of chapter 64 (relating to seizure of property for
collection of taxes) is amended by inserting before the table of
sections the following:
‘‘Part I. Due process for collections.
‘‘Part II. Levy.
‘‘PART II—LEVY’’.
(c) REVIEW BY SPECIAL TRIAL JUDGES ALLOWED.—
112 STAT. 750 PUBLIC LAW 105–206—JULY 22, 1998
Subpart C—Seizures
SEC. 3441. PROHIBITION OF SALES OF SEIZED PROPERTY AT LESS
THAN MINIMUM BID.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 6335(e)(1)(A)(i) (relating to deter-
minations relating to minimum price) is amended by striking ‘‘a
minimum price for which such property shall be sold’’ and inserting
‘‘a minimum price below which such property shall not be sold’’.
(b) REFERENCE TO PENALTY FOR VIOLATION.—Section 6335(e)
is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
‘‘(4) CROSS REFERENCE.—
‘‘For provision providing for civil damages for violation of para-
graph (1)(A)(i), see section 7433.’’.
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section Applicability.
shall apply to sales made after the date of the enactment of this 26 USC 6335
note.
Act.
SEC. 3442. ACCOUNTING OF SALES OF SEIZED PROPERTY.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 6340 (relating to records of sale)
is amended—
(1) in subsection (a)—
112 STAT. 762 PUBLIC LAW 105–206—JULY 22, 1998
SEC. 3709. LISTING OF LOCAL INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE TELE- 26 USC 7801
PHONE NUMBERS AND ADDRESSES. note.
Subtitle I—Studies
26 USC 6601 SEC. 3801. ADMINISTRATION OF PENALTIES AND INTEREST.
note.
The Joint Committee on Taxation and the Secretary of the
Treasury shall each conduct a separate study—
(1) reviewing the administration and implementation by
the Internal Revenue Service of the interest and penalty provi-
sions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (including the
penalty reform provisions of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation
Act of 1989); and
(2) making any legislative and administrative recommenda-
tions the Committee or the Secretary deems appropriate to
simplify penalty or interest administration and reduce taxpayer
burden.
Deadline. Such studies shall be submitted to the Committee on Ways and
Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Finance of the Senate not later than 1 year after the date of
the enactment of this Act.
26 USC 6103 SEC. 3802. CONFIDENTIALITY OF TAX RETURN INFORMATION.
note.
Reports. The Joint Committee on Taxation and the Secretary of the
Deadline. Treasury shall each conduct a separate study of the scope and
use of provisions regarding taxpayer confidentiality, and shall report
the findings of such study, together with such recommendations
as the Committee or the Secretary deems appropriate, to the Con-
gress not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment
of this Act. Such study shall examine—
(1) the present protections for taxpayer privacy;
(2) any need for third parties to use tax return information;
(3) whether greater levels of voluntary compliance may
be achieved by allowing the public to know who is legally
required to file tax returns, but does not file tax returns;
(4) the interrelationship of the taxpayer confidentiality
provisions in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 with such
provisions in other Federal law, including section 552a of title
5, United States Code (commonly known as the ‘‘Freedom of
Information Act’’);
(5) the impact on taxpayer privacy of the sharing of income
tax return information for purposes of enforcement of State
and local tax laws other than income tax laws, and including
the impact on the taxpayer privacy intended to be protected
at the Federal, State, and local levels under Public Law 105–
35, the Taxpayer Browsing Protection Act of 1997; and
(6) whether the public interest would be served by greater
disclosure of information relating to tax exempt organizations
described in section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
PUBLIC LAW 105–206—JULY 22, 1998 112 STAT. 783
SEC. 3803. STUDY OF NONCOMPLIANCE WITH INTERNAL REVENUE 26 USC 7801
LAWS BY TAXPAYERS. note.
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Deadline.
Act, the Secretary of the Treasury and the Commissioner of Internal
Revenue shall jointly conduct a study, in consultation with the
Joint Committee on Taxation, of the noncompliance with internal
revenue laws by taxpayers (including willful noncompliance and
noncompliance due to tax law complexity or other factors) and
report the findings of such study to Congress.
SEC. 3804. STUDY OF PAYMENTS MADE FOR DETECTION OF UNDERPAY- 26 USC 7623
MENTS AND FRAUD. note.
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Deadline.
Act, the Secretary of the Treasury shall conduct a study and report Reports.
to Congress on the use of section 7623 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 including—
(1) an analysis of the present use of such section and
the results of such use; and
(2) any legislative or administrative recommendations
regarding the provisions of such section and its application.
Rules similar to the rules of section 751 shall apply for Applicability.
purposes of the preceding sentence.
‘‘(7) UNRECAPTURED SECTION 1250 GAIN.—For purposes of
this subsection—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘unrecaptured section
1250 gain’ means the excess (if any) of—
‘‘(i) the amount of long-term capital gain (not
otherwise treated as ordinary income) which would
be treated as ordinary income if—
‘‘(I) section 1250(b)(1) included all depreciation
and the applicable percentage under section
1250(a) were 100 percent, and
‘‘(II) only gain from property held for more
than 18 months were taken into account, over
‘‘(ii) the excess (if any) of—
‘‘(I) the amount described in paragraph
(5)(A)(ii), over
‘‘(II) the amount described in paragraph
(5)(A)(i).
‘‘(B) LIMITATION WITH RESPECT TO SECTION 1231 PROP-
ERTY.—The amount described in subparagraph (A)(i) from
sales, exchanges, and conversions described in section
1231(a)(3)(A) for any taxable year shall not exceed the
net section 1231 gain (as defined in section 1231(c)(3))
for such year.
‘‘(8) SECTION 1202 GAIN.—For purposes of this subsection,
the term ‘section 1202 gain’ means an amount equal to the
gain excluded from gross income under section 1202(a).
‘‘(9) QUALIFIED 5-YEAR GAIN.—For purposes of this sub-
section, the term ‘qualified 5-year gain’ means the aggregate
long-term capital gain from property held for more than 5
years. The determination under the preceding sentence shall
be made without regard to collectibles gain, gain described
in paragraph (7)(A)(i), and section 1202 gain.
‘‘(10) COORDINATION WITH RECAPTURE OF NET ORDINARY
LOSSES UNDER SECTION 1231.—If any amount is treated as ordi-
nary income under section 1231(c), such amount shall be allo-
cated among the separate categories of net section 1231 gain
(as defined in section 1231(c)(3)) in such manner as the Sec-
retary may by forms or regulations prescribe.
‘‘(11) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary may prescribe such
regulations as are appropriate (including regulations requiring
reporting) to apply this subsection in the case of sales and
exchanges by pass-thru entities and of interests in such entities.
‘‘(12) PASS-THRU ENTITY DEFINED.—For purposes of this
subsection, the term ‘pass-thru entity’ means—
‘‘(A) a regulated investment company;
‘‘(B) a real estate investment trust;
‘‘(C) an S corporation;
‘‘(D) a partnership;
‘‘(E) an estate or trust;
‘‘(F) a common trust fund;
‘‘(G) a foreign investment company which is described
in section 1246(b)(1) and for which an election is in effect
under section 1247; and
‘‘(H) a qualified electing fund (as defined in section
1295).
112 STAT. 804 PUBLIC LAW 105–206—JULY 22, 1998
‘(a) IN GENERAL.—
‘(1) ALLOCATION.—On October 15 of fiscal year 2000 and
each fiscal year thereafter, the Secretary shall allocate for
such fiscal year an amount of funds equal to the amount
determined pursuant to section 251(b)(1)(B)(ii)(I)(cc) of the Bal-
anced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2
U.S.C 901(b)(2)(B)(ii)(I)(cc)) if the amount determined pursuant
to such section for such fiscal year is greater than zero.
‘(2) REDUCTION.—If the amount determined pursuant to
section 251(b)(1)(B)(ii)(I)(cc) of the Balanced Budget and Emer-
gency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C 901(b)(2)(B)(ii)(I)(cc))
for fiscal year 2000 or any fiscal year thereafter is less than
zero, the Secretary on October 1 of the succeeding fiscal year
shall reduce proportionately the amount of sums authorized
to be appropriated from the Highway Trust Fund (other than
the Mass Transit Account) to carry out each of the Federal-
aid highway and highway safety construction programs (other
than emergency relief) by an aggregate amount equal to the
amount determined pursuant to such section.’;
‘‘(2) in subsections (b)(2) and (b)(4) by striking ‘subsection
(a)’ and inserting ‘subsection (a)(1)’; and
‘‘(3) in subsection (c) by striking ‘Maintenance program,
the’ and inserting ‘and’.’’.
(f ) INTERSTATE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM.—Section 1107 of such
Ante, p. 137. Act is amended by adding at the end the following:
‘‘(d) TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.—Section 119 of such title (as
amended by subsection (a)) is amended—
‘‘(1) in subsection (b)—
‘‘(A) by striking ‘104(b)(5)(B)’ and inserting ‘104(b)(4)’;
and
‘‘(B) by striking ‘104(b)(5)(A)’ each place it appears
and inserting ‘104(b)(5)(A) (as in effect on the date before
the date of enactment of the Transportation Equity Act
for the 21st Century)’; and
‘‘(2) in subsection (c) by striking ‘104(b)(5)(B)’ each place
it appears and inserting ‘104(b)(4)’.’’.
(g) CONGESTION MITIGATION AND AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT
Ante, p. 142. PROGRAM.—Section 1110(d)(2) of such Act is amended—
(1) by striking ‘‘149(c)’’ and inserting ‘‘149(e)’’; and
(2) by striking ‘‘that reduce’’ and inserting ‘‘reduce’’.
(h) HIGHWAY USE TAX EVASION PROJECTS.—Section 1114 of
Ante, p. 152. such Act is amended by adding at the end the following:
‘‘(c) TECHNICAL ADJUSTMENTS.—Section 143 of title 23, United
States Code (as amended by subsection (a) of this section), is
amended—
‘‘(1) in subsection (c)(1) by striking ‘April 1’ and inserting
‘August 1’;
‘‘(2) in subsection (c)(3) by inserting ‘PRIORITY’ after
‘FUNDING’; and
‘‘(3) in subsection (c)(3) by inserting ‘and prior to funding
any other activity under this section,’ after ‘2003,’.’’.
(i) FEDERAL LANDS HIGHWAYS PROGRAM.—Section 1115 of the
Ante, p. 154. Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century is amended by
adding at the end the following:
‘‘(f ) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—
‘‘(1) FEDERAL SHARE.—Subsections ( j) and (k) of section
120 of title 23, United States Code (as added by subsection
PUBLIC LAW 105–206—JULY 22, 1998 112 STAT. 837
‘(2) FISCAL YEAR 2003 AND FISCAL YEARS THEREAFTER.— Effective date.
On October 1, 2002, and each October 1 thereafter, if a State
has not enacted or is not enforcing a repeat intoxicated driver
law, the Secretary shall transfer an amount equal to 3 percent
of the funds apportioned to the State on that date under each
of paragraphs (1), (3), and (4) of section 104(b) to the apportion-
ment of the State under section 402 to be used or directed
as described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1).
‘(3) USE FOR HAZARD ELIMINATION PROGRAM.—A State may
elect to use all or a portion of the funds transferred under
paragraph (1) or (2) for activities eligible under section 152.
‘(4) FEDERAL SHARE.—The Federal share of the cost of
a project carried out with funds transferred under paragraph
(1) or (2), or used under paragraph (3), shall be 100 percent.
‘(5) DERIVATION OF AMOUNT TO BE TRANSFERRED.—The
amount to be transferred under paragraph (1) or (2) may be
derived from one or more of the following:
‘(A) The apportionment of the State under section
104(b)(1).
‘(B) The apportionment of the State under section
104(b)(3).
‘(C) The apportionment of the State under section
104(b)(4).
‘(6) TRANSFER OF OBLIGATION AUTHORITY.—
‘(A) IN GENERAL.—If the Secretary transfers under this
subsection any funds to the apportionment of a State under
section 402 for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall transfer
an amount, determined under subparagraph (B), of obliga-
tion authority distributed for the fiscal year to the State
for Federal-aid highways and highway safety construction
programs for carrying out projects under section 402.
‘(B) AMOUNT.—The amount of obligation authority
referred to in subparagraph (A) shall be determined by
multiplying—
‘(i) the amount of funds transferred under subpara-
graph (A) to the apportionment of the State under
section 402 for the fiscal year, by
‘(ii) the ratio that—
‘(I) the amount of obligation authority
distributed for the fiscal year to the State for Fed-
eral-aid highways and highway safety construction
programs, bears to
‘(II) the total of the sums apportioned to the
State for Federal-aid highways and highway safety
construction programs (excluding sums not subject
to any obligation limitation) for the fiscal year.
‘(7) LIMITATION ON APPLICABILITY OF OBLIGATION
LIMITATION.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no
limitation on the total of obligations for highway safety pro-
grams under section 402 shall apply to funds transferred under
this subsection to the apportionment of a State under such
section.’.
112 STAT. 848 PUBLIC LAW 105–206—JULY 22, 1998
‘‘166. Michigan ........ Improve Tenth Street, Port Huron ................ 1.8’’;
Service, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the
Bureau of Land Management.’’.
(z) OBLIGATION CEILING.—Section 3040 of the Federal Transit
Act of 1998 is amended— Ante, p. 394.
(1) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
‘‘(2) $5,797,000,000 in fiscal year 2000;’’; and
(2) in paragraph (4) by striking ‘‘$6,746,000,000’’ and
inserting ‘‘$6,747,000,000’’.
SEC. 9010. MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY TECHNICAL CORRECTION.
Section 4011 of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st
Century is amended by adding at the end the following: Ante, p. 394.
‘‘(h) TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.—Section 31314 (as amended by
subsection (g) of this section) is amended—
‘‘(1) in subsections (a) and (b) by striking ‘(3), and (5)’
each place it appears and inserting ‘(3), and (4)’; and
‘‘(2) by striking subsection (d).’’.
SEC. 9011. RESTORATIONS TO RESEARCH TITLE.
(a) UNIVERSITY TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH FUNDING.—Section
5001(a)(7) of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century Ante, p. 419.
is amended—
(1) by striking ‘‘$31,150,000’’ each place it appears and
inserting ‘‘$25,650,000’’;
(2) by striking ‘‘$32,750,000’’ each place it appears and
inserting ‘‘$27,250,000’’; and
(3) by striking ‘‘$32,000,000’’ each place it appears and
inserting ‘‘$26,500,000’’.
(b) OBLIGATION CEILING.—Section 5002 of such Act is amended Ante, p. 421.
by striking ‘‘$403,150,000’’ and all that follows through
‘‘$468,000,000’’ and inserting ‘‘$397,650,000 for fiscal year 1998,
$403,650,000 for fiscal year 1999, $422,450,000 for fiscal year 2000,
$437,250,000 for fiscal year 2001, $447,500,000 for fiscal year 2002,
and $462,500,000’’.
(c) USE OF FUNDS FOR ITS.—Section 5210 of the Transportation
Equity Act for the 21st Century is amended by adding at the Ante, p. 461.
end the following:
‘‘(d) USE OF INNOVATIVE FINANCING.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may use up to 25 percent
of the funds made available to carry out this subtitle to make
available loans, lines of credit, and loan guarantees for projects
that are eligible for assistance under this subtitle and that
have significant intelligent transportation system elements.
‘‘(2) CONSISTENCY WITH OTHER LAW.—Credit assistance
described in paragraph (1) shall be made available in a manner
consistent with the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and
Innovation Act of 1998.’’.
(d) UNIVERSITY TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH.—Section 5110 of
such Act is amended by adding at the end the following: Ante, p. 441.
‘‘(d) TECHNICAL ADJUSTMENTS.—Section 5505 of title 49, United
States Code (as added by subsection (a) of this section), is
amended—
‘‘(1) in subsection (g)(2) by striking ‘section 5506,’ and
inserting ‘section 508 of title 23, United States Code,’;
‘‘(2) in subsection (i)—
‘‘(A) by inserting ‘Subject to section 5338(e):’ after ‘(i)
NUMBER AND AMOUNT OF GRANTS.—’; and
112 STAT. 864 PUBLIC LAW 105–206—JULY 22, 1998