IRC Section 162(f) generally denies a deduction for payment of fines and penalties. To force more transparency and enable the IRS to determine the deductible portion of large settlements taxpayers enter with federal and state agencies, Congress tightened the rules under Section 162(f) to limit deductibility to amounts paid or incurred as restitution, as remediation, or for coming into compliance with the law. In addition, Congress enacted Section 6050X to require agencies to report the total settlement amount as well as the portion that is deductible under Section 162(f). These new rules were added by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) and generally are effective for orders and agreements entered into after Dec. 22, 2017, although Notice 2018-23 delayed reporting until at least after 2018 or publication of proposed regulations. Proposed regulations published May 13 further delay reporting until 2022.
Section 6050X proposed regulations
Proposed Section 1.6050X-1(a) generally requires reporting if both of the following apply:
- The government entity (or a nongovernmental entity treated as a government entity) is party to a suit, agreement, or otherwise to which Section 162(f) applies.
- The reporting threshold is satisfied.
Under the proposed regulations, reporting is done on Form 1098-F, “Fines, Penalties, and Other Amounts,” which must be filed with the IRS by Jan. 31 of the year following the calendar year in which the order or agreement becomes binding. A copy of the return must be furnished to the payer by the date the return is filed with the IRS. Proposed Section 1.6050X-1(g)(4) defines the payer as the person who pursuant to an order or agreement has paid or incurred, or is liable to pay or incur, an amount to or at the direction of a governmental entity in relation to the violation or potential violation of law.
Government and nongovernment entities subject to reporting
The terms “government” and “nongovernmental entity treated as a governmental entity” are broadly defined in a way that could sweep in small local boards and commissions. Proposed Section 1.6050X-1(g)(2) defines a government entity as the United States, a state, the District of Columbia, or any political subdivision of, or a corporation or other entity serving as, an agency or instrumentality of one of these. Proposed Section 1.6050X-1(g)(3), which cross-references proposed Section 1.162-21(f)(2), defines a “nongovernmental entity treated as a governmental entity” as an entity that exercises self-regulatory powers in either of the following cases:
- In connection with a qualified board or exchange defined in Section 1256(g)(7) (including imposing sanctions)
- As part of performing an essential government function (including adopting, administering, or enforcing laws and imposing sanctions)
The definition of “suit, agreement, or otherwise” is in proposed Section 1.162-21(f)(4) and includes settlement agreements, nonprosecution agreements, and judicial proceedings as well as:
- Administrative adjudications
- Decisions issued by officials, committees, commissions, and boards of a government or governmental entity
- Legal actions or hearings that impose a liability on the taxpayer or pursuant to which the taxpayer assumes liability
Under these rules, it is conceivable that many small local boards and commissions, such as local planning boards and alcohol control commissions, could be subject to the new IRS reporting rules if the threshold is satisfied.
