There are several statutory periods of time beyond which taxpayers or the IRS may not take certain actions. Those include statutes of limitation on assessment, collections, refund claims, liens, levies, petitions to redetermine tax, and petitions to challenge denial of requests for innocent spouse relief.
Assessment, §6201. Before tax is permitted to be collected, the tax must be "assessed" and a demand for payment must be mailed to the taxpayer. An "assessment" is made by an "assessment officer" signing the daily summary record of assessment. Form 23-C or RACS Report-006, "Summary Record of Assessment". § 6203, Reg. § 301.6203.1. Proof of the assessment can be obtained from the IRS. Assessment must occur no later than 3 years after the return was filed. § 6501.
Prior to an assessment, the taxpayer usually receives various administrative notices, and then the taxpayer receives a statutory notice of deficiency, often referred to as a "90-day letter" or a "statutory notice".
Administrative 30-day Letter. A pre-assessment 30-day letter precedes the notice of deficiency. It informs the taxpayer that a deficiency is being proposed, and it notifies the taxpayer that the taxpayer has 30 days to start the appeal process or pay the tax. Because this is not a statutory notice, the IRS may grant the taxpayer's request for an extension of time to reply to this notice.
Statutory Notice of Deficiency, § 6212, § 6213. If the IRS determines that there is a deficiency of tax, it is authorized to send a notice of the deficiency to the taxpayer. The taxpayer has 90 days from the date on the Notice of Deficiency to petition the U.S. Tax Court for relief or to pay the tax. The 90-day period does not expire on a weekend or a legal holiday. You simply do not count that day. A deficiency is defined in § 6211 as the excess of the tax imposed over the tax reported on the return or previously assessed. A Notice of Deficiency may be rescinded, but it is highly unusual for that to occur.
Statutory Notice and Demand, § 6303. IRS must notify the taxpayer of the amount of unpaid tax and demand payment within 60 days of making an assessment. If the IRS fails to comply with § 6303 the assessment will remain valid but the IRS will be barred from utilizing its lien and levy collection powers.
Statutory Lien, § 6321. After tax is assessed there is an automatic statutory lien in favor of the IRS in an amount equal to the amount of assessed unpaid tax.
Collection of Tax, § 6502. Tax may be collected by levy or by a proceeding in court within 10 years after assessment or, in limited circumstances, within a longer period agreed to in writing by the IRS and the taxpayer.
Statutory Notice of Lien, § 6320. IRS must notify taxpayer of the filing of a federal tax lien within 5 business days after the filing of the notice of lien. After this 5-day period the taxpayer has only 30 days to appeal the filing of the lien. If the IRS determines that it failed to properly provide a taxpayer with notice, it will promptly provide the taxpayer with a substitute notice and provide the taxpayer with an opportunity to appeal the filing of the lien.
Statutory Notice of Levy, § 6330. IRS must notify taxpayer of its intent to levy at least 30 days prior to the date of the first levy. Taxpayer can request an appeals hearing only during this 30 day window (an appeals hearing will toll the statute of limitations on levy actions, collections, prosecution of criminal matters, and all suits under § 6532 for the period of the appeal).
Statutory Notices of Liens and Levies, § 6320 (c) and § 6330 (d). Within 30 days after a determination denying the taxpayer's challenge to a Notice of Lien or Levy, the taxpayer may appeal the denial to the Tax Court.
Statutory Notice of Determination Innocent Spouse Relief, § 6015. There is a right to petition the Tax Court after a denial of innocent spouse relief set forth in a Statutory Notice of Determination. The petition must be filed within 90 days after the IRS's final determination of relief is mailed to the taxpayer by the IRS. A claim for relief under the innocent spouse rules must be made within 2 years from the date the IRS has commenced collection proceedings.
Suspension of Statute of Limitations, § 6503. The statute of limitations on assessment, collections, etc..., may be suspended during the periods when the IRS is prohibited from making an assessment, collecting taxes by levy or from proceeding in Court and for 60 days thereafter. The IRS cannot engage in collection activities while an offer in compromise is being considered. § 7122.
Credits or Refunds, § 6511. If tax has been paid, a taxpayer may file a claim for refund. A claim for a credit or refund must be filed within 3 years from the date the original return was filed or within 2 years from the date the tax was paid, if later. If no return was filed, the claim must be filed within 2 years from the date the tax was paid. If a claim for refund is denied by the IRS, the taxpayer can file a suit for refund in U.S. District Court or in Claims Court within 2 years after the denial of the claim for refund.
