.01 Generally, the instructions of this revenue procedure apply to requests for TAMs on any issue under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner, Tax Exempt and Government Entities Division.

.02 If an EP or EO Examinations, an EP or EO Determinations, an appeals office or a taxpayer requests technical advice on a determination letter under § 521 of the Code, the procedures under this revenue procedure, Rev. Proc. 90-27, 1990-1 C.B. 514, as well as § 601.201(n) of the Statement of Procedural Rules (26 CFR § 601.201(n) (2006)), must be followed.

.03 Requests for TAMs are encouraged on any technical or procedural questions arising in connection with any case of the type described in section 3 at any stage of the proceedings in an EP or EO Examinations, an EP or EO Determinations or an appeals office case that cannot be resolved on the basis of law, regulations, or a clearly applicable revenue ruling or other published precedent.

.04 Requests for § 7805(b) relief are mandatory TAMs with respect to all exempt organizations and employee plans matters.

Regarding exempt organizations matters, EO Examinations, EO Determinations and appeals offices are required to request a TAM on their exempt organization cases concerning qualification for exemption or foundation status for which there is no published precedent or for which there is reason to believe that non-uniformity exists. (Exemption application cases handled in EO Technical in accordance with Rev. Procs. 72-5, 80-27, or 90-27 are not covered by this provision.) A request for a TAM is not required if the Director, EO Examinations proposes to revoke or modify (1) a letter ruling found to be in error or not in accord with the current views of the Service, or (2) a letter recognizing tax-exempt status issued by the headquarters office.

Regarding employee plans matters, a request for a TAM is required in cases concerning (1) proposed adverse or proposed revocation letters on collectively-bargained plans, (2) plans for which the Service is proposing to issue a revocation letter because of certain fiduciary actions that violate the exclusive benefit rule of § 401(a) of the Code and are subject to Part 4 of Subtitle B of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, Pub. L. No. 93-406, 1974-3 C.B. 1, 43, or (3) amendments to defined contribution plans pursuant to Rev. Proc. 2004-15, 2004-1 C.B. 490, in connection with a waiver of the minimum funding standard and a request for a determination letter (see section 15 of Rev. Proc. 2007-6, page , this Bulletin, and section 3.04 of Rev. Proc. 2004-15).

.01 All procedures for obtaining TAMs on issues (other than farmers’ cooperatives) under the interpretive jurisdiction of the Associate Chief Counsel (Corporate), the Associate Chief Counsel (Financial Institutions & Products), the Associate Chief Counsel (Income Tax & Accounting), the Associate Chief Counsel (International), the Associate Chief Counsel (Passthroughs & Special Industries), or the Division Counsel/Associate Chief Counsel (TE/GE), and on certain issues under the jurisdiction of the Associate Chief Counsel (Procedure & Administration), including any matter pertaining to (1) tax-exempt bonds or mortgage credit certificates, (2) deferred compensation plans under § 457, (3) § 526 of the Code (shipowners’ protection and indemnity associations), (4) § 528 (certain homeowners’ associations), (5) Indian tribal governments, (6) federal, state or local governments, and (7) issues involving the interpretation or application of the federal income tax laws and income tax treaties relating to international transactions are contained in Rev. Proc. 2007-2.

.02 The procedures for obtaining a TAM specifically applicable to federal alcohol, tobacco, and firearms taxes under subtitle E of the Code are currently under the jurisdiction of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau within the Treasury Department.

.03 A TAM regarding excise taxes (other than excise taxes imposed under Chapters 41, 42 and 43 of the Code), and employment taxes that employee plans and exempt organizations are subject to, is set forth in Rev. Proc. 2007-2.

.01 Except with regard to exemption application matters involving §§ 505(c) and 508, a request for an extension of time for making an election or other application for relief under § 301.9100-1 of the Procedure and Administration Regulations is not a request for a TAM; instead, the request is submitted as a letter ruling request even if the request is submitted after the examination of the taxpayer’s return has begun or after the issues in the return are being considered by an appeals office or a federal court. Therefore, a § 301.9100-1 request should be submitted pursuant to Rev. Proc. 2007-4, page , this Bulletin (including the payment of the applicable user fee listed in section 6 of Rev. Proc. 2007-8).

.02 The running of any applicable period of limitations is not suspended for the period during which a § 301.9100-1 request has been filed. See § 301.9100-3(d)(2). If the period of limitations on an assessment under § 6501(a) for the taxable year in which an election should have been made, or any taxable year that would have been affected by the election had it been timely made, will expire before receipt of a § 301.9100-1 letter ruling, the Service ordinarily will not issue a § 301.9100-1 ruling. See § 301.9100-3(c)(1)(ii). Therefore, the taxpayer must secure a consent under § 6501(c)(4) to extend the period of limitations on assessment. Note that the filing of a protective claim for refund under § 6511 does not extend the period of limitations on assessment. If § 301.9100-1 relief is granted, the Service may require the taxpayer to consent to an extension of the period of limitations for assessment. See § 301.9100-3(d)(2).

.03 Requests made under § 301.9100-1, pursuant to Rev. Proc. 2007-4, together with the appropriate user fee, must be submitted to the Internal Revenue Service by the taxpayer and addressed as follows:

Requests involving employee plans matters:

Requests involving exempt organization matters:

A § 301.9100-1 request may also be hand delivered between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. where a receipt will be given at the Courier’s Desk. In each instance, the package should be marked RULING REQUEST SUBMISSION. See Rev. Proc. 2007-8 for the appropriate user fee. Deliver to:

.04 If the taxpayer’s return for the taxable year in which an election should have been made or any taxable year that would have been affected by the election had it been timely made is being examined by EP or EO Examinations or the issues in the return are being considered by an appeals office or a federal court, the taxpayer must notify EP or EO Technical. See § 301.9100-3(e)(4)(i) and section 6.04 of Rev. Proc. 2007-4. EP or EO Technical will notify the appropriate EP or EO Examinations Area manager or Appeals Area Director, Area 4, or government counsel considering the return that a request for § 301.9100-1 relief has been submitted. The EP or EO specialist, appeals officer or government counsel is not authorized to deny consideration of a request for § 301.9100-1 relief. The letter ruling will be mailed to the taxpayer and a copy will be sent to the appropriate EP or EO Examinations Area manager, or Appeals Area Director, Area 4, or government counsel.

.01 The EP or EO Examinations Area manager, the EP or EO Determinations manager or the Appeals Area Director, Area 4, determines whether to request a TAM on an issue. Each request must be submitted through proper channels and signed by a person who is authorized to sign for the EP or EO Examinations Area manager, the EP or EO Determinations manager or the Appeals Area Director, Area 4. The mandatory technical advice described in section 4.04(3) of this revenue procedure, for cases concerning amendments to defined contribution plans in connection with a waiver of the minimum funding standard and a request for a determination letter, is treated as if it had been a request for technical advice submitted by the EP Determinations manager. See section 15 of Rev. Proc. 2007-6 and section 3.04 of Rev. Proc. 2004-15 for the procedural rules applicable to this particular mandatory technical advice.

.02 While a case is under the jurisdiction of EP or EO Examinations, EP or EO Determinations, or the Appeals Area Director, Area 4, a taxpayer may request that an issue be referred to the EP or EO Technical office for a TAM.

.01 A TAM should be requested when there is a lack of uniformity regarding the disposition of an issue or when an issue is unusual or complex enough to warrant consideration by EP or EO Technical.

.02 Generally, except as provided in section 1.01, the provisions of this revenue procedure apply only to a case under the jurisdiction of EP or EO Examinations, EP or EO Determinations or the Appeals Area Director, Area 4. A TAM may also be requested on issues considered in a prior appeals disposition, not based on mutual concessions for the same tax period of the same taxpayer, if the appeals office that had the case concurs in the request.

(1) EP or EO Examinations or EP or EO Determinations may not request a TAM on an issue if an appeals office is currently considering an identical issue of the same taxpayer (or of a related taxpayer within the meaning of § 267 or an affiliated group of which the taxpayer is also a member within the meaning of § 1504).

(2) A case remains under the jurisdiction of EP or EO Examinations or EP or EO Determinations even though an appeals office has the identical issue under consideration in the case of another taxpayer (not related within the meaning of § 267 or § 1504) in an entirely different transaction. With respect to the same taxpayer or the same transaction, when the issue is under the jurisdiction of an appeals office, and the applicability of more than one kind of federal tax is dependent upon the resolution of that issue, EP or EO Examinations or EP or EO Determinations may not request a TAM on the applicability of any of the taxes involved.

(3) EP or EO Examinations or EP or EO Determinations or an Appeals Area Director, Area 4, also may not request a TAM on an issue if the same issue of the same taxpayer (or of a related taxpayer within the meaning of § 267 or a member of an affiliated group of which the taxpayer is also a member within the meaning of § 1504) is in a docketed case for the same taxpayer (or for a related taxpayer or a member of an affiliated group of which the taxpayer is also a member) for any taxable year.

.03 Once an issue is identified, all requests for a TAM should be made at the earliest possible stage in the proceeding. The fact that the issue is raised late in the examination, determination or appeals process should not influence, however, EP or EO Examinations’, EP or EO Determinations’ or the Appeals Area Director, Area 4’s, decision to request a TAM.

.01 In an effort to promote expeditious processing of requests for a TAM, EP or EO Technical generally will discuss the issue(s) with the EP or EO Examinations or the EP or EO Determinations or the appeals office and the taxpayer prior to the time any request for technical advice is formally submitted to EP or EO Technical. In all cases, other than mandatory TAMs which are described in section 4.04, a pre-submission conference is mandatory.

A request for a pre-submission conference should be made, however, only after the EP or EO Examinations or the EP or EO Determinations or the appeals office determines that it will likely request a TAM.

If the request for a TAM will involve more than one function, representatives from each function involved must participate in the pre-submission conference.

.02 A pre-submission conference is intended to facilitate agreement between the parties as to the appropriate scope of the request for a TAM or any collateral issues that either should or should not be included in the request for a TAM, and any other substantive or procedural considerations that will allow EP or EO Technical to provide the parties with a TAM as expeditiously as possible.

A pre-submission conference is not intended to create an alternate procedure for determining the merits of the substantive positions advocated by the EP or EO Examinations or the EP or EO Determinations or the appeals office or by the taxpayer. Rather, the conference is intended only to facilitate the overall process.

.03 A request for a pre-submission conference must be submitted in writing by the EP or EO Examinations or the EP or EO Determinations or the appeals office. The request should identify the office expected to have jurisdiction over the request for a TAM. The request should include a brief explanation of the primary issue so that an assignment to the appropriate group can be made.

.04 Within 5 working days after it receives the request, the group assigned responsibility for conducting the pre-submission conference will contact the EP or EO Examinations or the EP or EO Determinations or the appeals office to arrange a mutually convenient time for the parties to meet (generally by telephone) in the EP or EO Technical office. The conference generally should be held within 30 calendar days after the EP or EO Examinations or the EP or EO Determinations or the appeals office is contacted. The EP or EO Examinations or the EP or EO Determinations or the appeals office will be responsible for coordinating with the taxpayer as well as with any other Service personnel whose attendance the EP or EO Examinations or the EP or EO Determinations or the appeals office believes would be appropriate.

.05 Generally, pre-submission conferences for TAMs are held by telephone with EP or EO Technical unless the parties specifically request that the conference be held in person.

.06 At least 10 working days before the scheduled pre-submission conference, the EP or EO Examinations or the EP or EO Determinations or the appeals office and the taxpayer should submit to EP or EO Technical a statement of the pertinent facts (including any facts in dispute), a statement of the issues that the parties would like to discuss, and any legal analysis, authorities, or background documents that the parties believe would facilitate EP or EO Technical’s understanding of the issues to be discussed at the conference. The legal analysis provided for the pre-submission conference need not be as fully developed as the analysis that ultimately will accompany the request for a TAM, but it should allow EP or EO Technical to become reasonably informed regarding the subject matter of the conference prior to the meeting. The EP or EO Examinations or the EP or EO Determinations or the appeals office or the taxpayer should ensure that the EP or EO Technical office receives a copy of any required power of attorney, on Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative.

.07 The pre-submission materials must be submitted electronically. In order to obtain the protection of taxpayer information offered by the Service’s Intranet “firewall,” the pre-submission materials must be electronically transmitted by the Service office assigned to the request.

To the extent that supporting materials cannot be submitted electronically, such materials should be sent by fax or by express mail or private delivery service to the tax law specialist or actuary in Headquarters assigned to the request. In such cases, the appropriate provisions of section 10.05 should be followed.

.08 Because pre-submission conference procedures are informal, no tape, stenographic, or other verbatim recording of a conference may be made by any party.

.09 Any discussion of substantive issues at a pre-submission conference is advisory only, is not binding on the Service, and cannot be relied upon as a basis for obtaining retroactive relief under the provisions of § 7805(b).

.01 Whether initiated by the taxpayer or by an EP or EO Examinations or an EP or EO Determinations or an appeals office, a request for a TAM must include the facts and the issues for which the TAM is requested, and a written statement that clearly sets forth the applicable law and the arguments in support of both the Service’s and the taxpayer’s positions on the issue or issues.

(1) If the taxpayer initiates the request for a TAM, the taxpayer must submit to the EP or EO specialist or appeals office, at the time the taxpayer initiates the request, a written statement—

If the EP or EO specialist or the appeals office determines that a TAM will be requested, the taxpayer’s statement will be forwarded to EP or EO Technical with the request for the TAM.

(2) If the request for a TAM is initiated by an EP or EO Examinations office or by an EP or EO Determinations office or by an appeals office, the taxpayer is encouraged to submit the written statement described in section 10.01(1) of this revenue procedure. If the taxpayer’s statement is received after the request for the TAM has been forwarded to EP or EO Technical, the statement will be forwarded to EP or EO Technical for association with the TAM.

(3) Whether the request for a TAM is initiated by the taxpayer or by an EP or EO Examinations office or by an EP or EO Determinations office or by an appeals office, the taxpayer is encouraged to comment on any legislation, tax treaties, regulations, revenue rulings, revenue procedures, or court decisions contrary to the taxpayer’s position. If the taxpayer determines that there are no contrary authorities, a statement to this effect would be helpful. If the taxpayer does not furnish either contrary authorities or a statement that none exists, the Service, in complex cases or those presenting difficult or novel issues, may request submission of contrary authorities or a statement that none exists.

.02 Generally, § 6104(a)(1)(B) provides that an application filed with respect to: (1) the qualification of a pension, profit-sharing, or stock bonus plan under § 401(a) or § 403(a) or an individual retirement arrangement under § 408(a) or § 408(b) will be open to public inspection pursuant to regulations as will (2) any application filed for an exemption from tax under § 501(a) of an organization forming part of a plan or account described above. Generally, § 6110(a) provides that except as provided otherwise, written determinations (defined in § 6110(b)(1) as rulings, determination letters, technical advice memorandums and Chief Counsel advice) and any related background file document will be open to public inspection pursuant to regulations.

.03 The requirements for submitting statements and other materials or proposed deletions in TAMs before public inspection is allowed do not apply to requests for any documents to the extent § 6104 applies.

.04 The text of a TAM subject to § 6110(a) may be open to public inspection. The Service deletes certain information from the text before it is made available for inspection. To help the Service make the deletions required by § 6110(c), the taxpayer must provide a statement indicating the deletions desired (“deletions statement”). If the taxpayer does not submit the deletions statement, the Service will follow the procedures in section 11.06 of this revenue procedure.

A taxpayer who wants only names, addresses, and identifying numbers deleted should state this in the deletions statement. If the taxpayer wants more information deleted, the deletions statement must be accompanied by a copy of the TAM request and supporting documents on which the taxpayer should bracket the material to be deleted. The deletions statement must indicate the statutory basis, under § 6110(c) for each proposed deletion.

The taxpayer may submit additional deletions statements before the TAM is issued.

The deletions statement must not appear in the request for a TAM but, instead, must be made in a separate document.

The deletions statement must be signed and dated by the taxpayer or the taxpayer’s authorized representative. A stamped signature or a faxed signature is not permitted.

The taxpayer should follow these same procedures to propose deletions from any additional information submitted after the initial request for a TAM. An additional deletions statement, however, is not required with each submission of additional information if the taxpayer’s initial deletions statement requests that only names, addresses, and identifying numbers are to be deleted and the taxpayer wants the same information deleted from the additional information.

.05 The EP or EO Examinations or the EP or EO Determinations or the appeals office (including another Operating Division of the Service involved in an examination where EP Technical does not have audit jurisdiction but has interpretive jurisdiction as enumerated in section 6.02 of Rev. Proc. 2007-4) should use Form 5565, Request for Technical Advice — EP/EO, for transmitting a request for technical advice to EP or EO Technical.

The appropriate office of the Service must submit electronically, the Form 5565 for a TAM request to David.W.Welty@irs.gov for EP matters and Theodore.R.Lieber@irs.gov for EO matters. To the extent feasible, the accompanying documents should be submitted to the same e-mail address (followed by a hard copy if requested by the assigned group). See section 9.07 for additional information.

The applicable office should submit additional documents that are not available in electronic form by fax to 202-283-9654 for EP matters and 202-283-8858 for EO matters or by express mail or private delivery service to the address below.

Whenever possible, all documents should contain the case number and name of the tax law specialist or actuary assigned to the pre-submission conference for the TAM request. Documents that are being sent in hardcopy should be sent on the business day before the day that the request for a TAM is submitted via e-mail, so as not to delay the process. It is anticipated that most, if not all, such documents will be identified during the pre-submission conference.

The field and the taxpayer are encouraged to provide electronic versions of a proposed TAM containing the taxpayer’s deletions and legends for EP Technical’s or EO Technical’s use.

If a request is from an Appeals office and is within EP/EO’s jurisdiction, the field office must send the request for a TAM to one of the above offices with a copy of the request to the Appeals Director, Technical Services at the address below.

.06 Any authorized representative, as described in section 9.02 of Rev. Proc. 2007-4, whether or not enrolled to practice, must comply with Treasury Department Circular No. 230, as revised, and with the conference and practice requirements of the Statement of Procedural Rules (26 CFR part 601). A Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative, must be used with regard to requests for a TAM under this revenue procedure. An original, a copy or a fax transmission of the power of attorney is acceptable so long as its authenticity is not reasonably disputed.

.01 Regardless of whether the taxpayer or the Service initiates the request for a TAM, the EP or EO Examinations or the EP or EO Determinations or the appeals office: (1) will notify the taxpayer that the TAM is being requested; and (2) at or before the time the request is submitted to EP or EO Technical, will give to the taxpayer a copy of the arguments that are being provided to EP or EO Technical in support of its position.

If the EP or EO specialist or appeals office initiates the request for a TAM, he or she will give to the taxpayer a copy of the statement of the pertinent facts and the issues proposed for submission to EP or EO Technical.

This section 11.01 does not apply to a TAM described in section 11.07 of this revenue procedure.

.02 Whenever the assigned reviewer suspects that general guidance should be published regarding the issue presented, the reviewer will notify the Manager, Technical who in turn will notify the Manager, Technical Guidance and Quality Assurance. The Manager, Technical Guidance and Quality Assurance will then determine if the issue meets publication standards. In general, except where policy issues and concerns regarding proper administration of the tax laws require otherwise, the TAM will be issued in advance of published guidance.

.03 When notifying the taxpayer that technical advice is being requested, the EP or EO specialist or appeals office will also tell the taxpayer about the right to a conference in EP or EO Technical if an adverse decision is indicated and will ask the taxpayer whether such a conference is desired.

.04 If the EP or EO specialist or appeals office initiates the request for a TAM, the taxpayer has 10 calendar days after receiving the statement of facts and specific issues to submit to that specialist or office a written statement specifying any disagreement on the facts and issues. A taxpayer who needs more than 10 calendar days must justify, in writing, the request for an extension of time. The extension is subject to the approval of the EP or EO Examinations Area manager or the EP or EO Determinations manager or the Appeals Area Director, Area 4.

After receiving the taxpayer’s statement of the areas of disagreement, every effort should be made to reach agreement on the facts and the specific points at issue before the matter is referred to EP or EO Technical. If an agreement cannot be reached, the EP or EO Examinations or the EP or EO Determinations or the appeals office will notify the taxpayer in writing. Within 10 calendar days after receiving the written notice, the taxpayer may submit a statement of the taxpayer’s understanding of the facts and the specific points at issue. A taxpayer who needs more than 10 calendar days to prepare the statement of understanding must justify, in writing, the request for an extension of time. The extension is subject to the approval of the EP or EO Examinations Area manager or the EP or EO Determinations manager or the Appeals Area Director, Area 4. Both the statements of the taxpayer and the EP or EO Examinations or EP or EO Determinations or appeals office will be forwarded to EP or EO Technical with the request for a TAM.

When EP or EO Examinations or EP or EO Determinations or the Appeals Area Director, Area 4, and the taxpayer cannot agree on the material facts and the request for a TAM does not involve the issue of whether a letter ruling or determination letter should be modified or revoked, EP or EO Technical, at its discretion, may refuse to provide technical advice. If EP or EO Technical chooses to issue the TAM, it will base its advice on the facts provided by the EP or EO Examinations or EP or EO Determinations or appeals office.

If a request for a TAM involves the issue of whether a letter ruling or determination letter should be modified or revoked, EP or EO Technical will issue the TAM.

.05 If the taxpayer initiates the action to request a TAM, and the taxpayer’s statement of the facts and issues is not wholly acceptable to the EP or EO Examinations or the EP or EO Determinations or the appeals office, the Service will notify the taxpayer in writing of the areas of disagreement. The taxpayer has 10 calendar days after receiving the written notice to reply to it. A taxpayer who needs more than 10 calendar days must justify in writing the request for an extension of time. The extension is subject to the approval of the EP or EO Examinations Area manager, or the EP or EO Determinations manager or the Appeals Area Director, Area 4.

If an agreement cannot be reached, both the statements of the taxpayer and the EP or EO Examinations or EP or EO Determinations or appeals office will be forwarded to EP or EO Technical with the request for a TAM. When the disagreement involves material facts essential to the preliminary assessment of the case, the EP or EO Examinations Area manager, the EP or EO Determinations manager or the Appeals Area Director, Area 4, may refuse to refer a taxpayer initiated request for the TAM to EP or EO Technical.

If EP or EO Examinations or EP or EO Determinations or the Appeals Area Director, Area 4, submits a case involving a disagreement of material facts, EP or EO Technical, at its discretion, may refuse to provide the TAM. If EP or EO Technical chooses to issue the TAM, it will base its advice on the facts provided by the EP or EO Examinations or the EP or EO Determinations or the appeals office.

.06 When the EP or EO Examinations or the EP or EO Determinations or the appeals office initiates the request for a TAM, the taxpayer has 10 calendar days after receiving the statement of facts and issues to be submitted to EP or EO Technical to provide the deletions statement required under § 6110 if public inspection is permitted pursuant to § 6110 (see section 10.05 of this revenue procedure). In such a case, if the taxpayer does not submit the deletions statement, the EP or EO Examinations or the EP or EO Determinations or the appeals office, will tell the taxpayer that the statement is required.

When the taxpayer initiates the request for a TAM and does not submit with the request a deletions statement as required by § 6110, the EP or EO Examinations or the EP or EO Determinations or the Appeals Area Director, Area 4, will ask the taxpayer to submit the statement. If EP or EO Examinations or EP or EO Determinations or the Appeals Area Director, Area 4, does not receive the deletions statement within 10 calendar days after asking the taxpayer for it, EP or EO Examinations or EP or EO Determinations or the Appeals Area Director, Area 4, may decline to submit the request for the TAM.

However, if EP or EO Examinations or EP or EO Determinations or the Appeals Area Director, Area 4, decides to request a TAM, whether initiated by the EP or EO Examinations or the EP or EO Determinations or the appeals office or by the taxpayer, in a case in which the taxpayer has not submitted the deletions statement, EP or EO Technical will make those deletions that the Commissioner of Internal Revenue determines are required by § 6110(c).

.07 The provisions of this section (about referring issues upon the taxpayer’s request, obtaining the taxpayer’s statement of the areas of disagreement, telling the taxpayer about the referral of issues, giving the taxpayer a copy of the arguments submitted, submitting proposed deletions, and granting conferences in EP or EO Technical) do not apply to a TAM described in § 6110(g)(5)(A) that involves a matter that is the subject of or is otherwise closely related to a criminal or civil fraud investigation, or a jeopardy or termination assessment.

In these cases, a copy of the TAM is given to the taxpayer after all proceedings in the investigations or assessments are complete, but before the Service mails the notice of intention to disclose the TAM under § 6110(f)(1). The taxpayer may then provide the statement of proposed deletions to EP or EO Technical.

.01 If the EP or EO specialist’s or the appeal’s referral of an issue to EP or EO Technical for a TAM is not warranted, the EP or EO specialist or the appeals office will tell the taxpayer. A taxpayer’s request for such a referral will not be denied merely because EP or EO Technical provided legal advice, other than advice furnished pursuant to this revenue procedure, to the EP or EO Examinations or EP or EO Determinations or appeals office on the matter.

.02 The taxpayer may request review of the decision of the EP or EO specialist or the appeals office not to request a TAM in all instances. To do so, the taxpayer must submit to that specialist or office, within 10 calendar days after being told of the decision, a written statement of the facts, law, and arguments on the issue and the reasons why the taxpayer believes the matter should be referred to EP or EO Technical for a TAM. A taxpayer who needs more than 10 calendar days must justify in writing the request for an extension of time. The extension is subject to the approval of the EP or EO Examinations Area manager or the EP or EO Determinations manager or the appropriate appeals office.

.03 The EP or EO specialist or the appeals office submits the taxpayer’s statement through proper channels to the EP or EO Examinations Area manager or the EP or EO Determinations manager or the Appeals Area Director, Area 4, along with the EP or EO specialist’s or the appeals office’s statement of why the issue should not be referred to EP or EO Technical. The manager or chief determines, on the basis of the statements, whether a TAM will be requested.

If the manager or chief determines that a TAM is not warranted and proposes to deny the request, the taxpayer is told in writing about the determination. In the letter to the taxpayer, the manager or chief states the reasons for the proposed denial (except in unusual situations when doing so would be prejudicial to the best interests of the Government). The taxpayer has 10 calendar days after receiving the letter to notify the manager or chief of agreement or disagreement with the proposed denial.

.04 The taxpayer may not appeal the decision of the EP or EO Examinations Area manager or the EP or EO Determinations manager or the Appeals Area Director, Area 4, not to request a TAM from EP or EO Technical. However, if the taxpayer does not agree with the proposed denial, all data on the issue for which the TAM has been sought, including the taxpayer’s written request and statements, will be submitted to the Commissioner, Tax Exempt and Government Entities Division or the Director, Appeals, Technical Services as appropriate.

The Commissioner, Tax Exempt and Government Entities Operating Division through the Director, Employee Plans, or the Director, Exempt Organizations or, if appropriate, the Chief, Appeals will review the proposed denial solely on the basis of the written record, and no conference will be held with the taxpayer or the taxpayer’s representative. The appropriate Director or Chief or his or her representative may consult with EP or EO Technical and the Office of Chief Counsel, if necessary, and will notify the EP or EO Examinations or the EP or EO Determinations or the appeals office within 45 calendar days of receiving all the data regarding the request for a TAM whether the proposed denial is approved or disapproved. The EP or EO Examinations or the EP or EO Determinations or appeals office will then notify the taxpayer.

While the matter is being reviewed, the EP or EO Examinations office or the EP or EO Determinations office or the appeals office suspends action on the issue (except when the delay would prejudice the Government’s interest).

The provisions of this revenue procedure regarding review of the proposed denial of a request for a TAM continue to be applicable in those situations in which the authority normally exercised by the EP or EO Examinations Area manager, the EP or EO Determinations manager, or the Appeals Area Director, Area 4, has been delegated to another official.

.01 Once a request for a TAM has been sent to EP or EO Technical, only an EP or EO Examinations Area manager, an EP or EO Determinations manager or the Appeals Area Director, Area 4, may withdraw that request for the TAM. He or she may ask to withdraw a request at any time before the responding transmittal memorandum transmitting the TAM is signed.

The EP or EO Examinations Area manager, the EP or EO Determinations manager or the Appeals Area Director, Area 4, as appropriate, must notify the taxpayer in writing of an intent to withdraw the request for the TAM except—

(1) when the period of limitations on assessment is about to expire and the taxpayer has declined to sign a consent to extend the period, or

(2) when such notification would be prejudicial to the best interests of the Government.

If the taxpayer does not agree that the request for a TAM should be withdrawn, the procedures in section 12 of this revenue procedure must be followed.

.02 When a request for a TAM is withdrawn, EP or EO Technical may send its views to the EP or EO Examinations office or the EP or EO Determinations office or the Appeals Area Director, Area 4, when acknowledging the withdrawal request. In an appeals case, acknowledgment of the withdrawal request should be sent to the appropriate appeals office, through the Director, Technical Services, C:AP. In appropriate cases, the subject matter may be published as a revenue ruling or as a revenue procedure.

.01 If, after the TAM is analyzed, it appears that a TAM adverse to the taxpayer will be given, and if a conference has been requested, the taxpayer will be informed, by telephone if possible, of the time and place of the conference.

.02 The conference for a TAM must be held within 21 calendar days after the taxpayer is contacted.

If conferences are being arranged for more than one request for a TAM for the same taxpayer, they will be scheduled to cause the least inconvenience to the taxpayer. If considered appropriate, EP or EO Technical will notify the EP or EO specialist or the appeals office of the scheduled conference and will offer the EP or EO specialist or the appeals officer the opportunity to attend the conference. The Commissioner, Tax Exempt and Government Entities Division, the Chief, Appeals, the EP or EO Examinations Area manager, the EP or EO Determinations manager, or the Appeals Area Director, Area 4, may designate other Service representatives to participate in the conference in lieu of, or in addition to, the EP or EO specialist or the appeals officer.

.03 An extension of the 21-day period will be granted only if the taxpayer justifies it in writing, and the group manager (or his or her delegate) of the office to which the case is assigned approves it. No extension will be granted without the approval of the group manager (or his or her delegate). The taxpayer (or an authorized representative) must notify the EP Specialist or the EO Specialist or the appeals office of the request for an extension. Except in rare and unusual circumstances, EP or EO Technical will not agree to an extension of more than 10 working days beyond the end of the 21-day period.

The taxpayer’s request for an extension must be submitted before the end of the 21-day period, and should be submitted sufficiently before the end of this period to allow EP or EO Technical to consider, and either approve or deny, the request before the end of the 21-day period. If unusual circumstances near the end of the period make a timely written request impractical, the taxpayer (or an authorized representative) should orally inform the assigned tax law specialist or actuary before the end of the period about the problem and about the forthcoming written request for an extension. The written request for an extension must be submitted to EP or EO Technical promptly after the oral request. The taxpayer will be told promptly (and later in writing) of the approval or denial of the requested extension.

.04 There is no right to appeal the denial of a request for an extension of a TAM. If EP or EO Technical is not advised of problems with meeting the 21-day period, or if the written request is not sent promptly after EP or EO Technical is notified of problems with meeting the 21-day period, the TAM will be processed on the basis of the existing record.

.05 A taxpayer is entitled by right to only one conference in EP or EO Technical except as provided in section 14.09 of this revenue procedure. This conference is normally held at the group level in EP Technical or EO Technical, whichever is appropriate. It is attended by a person who has authority to sign the transmittal memorandum discussed in section 16.13 on behalf of the group manager.

When more than one group has taken an adverse position on an issue in the request, or when the position ultimately adopted by one group will affect another group’s determination, a representative from each group with authority to sign for the group manager will attend the conference. If more than one subject is discussed at the conference, the discussion constitutes the conference of right for each subject discussed.

To have a thorough and informed discussion of the issues, the conference usually is held after the group has had an opportunity to study the case. However, the taxpayer may request that the conference of right be held earlier in the consideration of the case than the Service would ordinarily designate.

The taxpayer has no right to appeal the action of a group to any other Service official. But see section 14.09 for situations in which the Service may offer additional conferences.

.06 Because conference procedures are informal, no tape, stenographic, or other verbatim recording of a conference may be made by any party.

.07 In the event of a tentative adverse determination, the taxpayer may request in writing a delay of the conference so that the taxpayer can prepare and submit a brief requesting relief under § 7805(b) (discussed in section 19 of this revenue procedure). The group manager (or his or her delegate) of the office to which the case is assigned will determine whether to grant or deny the request for delaying the conference. If such request is granted, the Service will schedule a conference on the tentatively adverse position and the § 7805(b) relief request within 10 days of receiving the taxpayer’s § 7805(b) request. See section 19.06 of this revenue procedure for the conference procedures if the § 7805(b) request is made after the conference on the substantive issues has been held.

.08 The senior Service representative at the conference ensures that the taxpayer has full opportunity to present views on all the issues in question. The Service representatives explain the tentative decision on the substantive issues.

If the taxpayer requests relief under § 7805(b) (regarding limitation of retroactive effect), the Service representatives will discuss the tentative recommendation concerning the request for relief and the reason(s) for the tentative recommendation.

No commitment will be made as to the conclusion that the Service will finally adopt regarding any issue, including the outcome of the § 7805(b) request for relief.

.09 The Service will offer the taxpayer an additional conference if, after the conference of right, an adverse holding is proposed on a new issue or on the same issue but on grounds different from those discussed at the first conference.

When a proposed holding is reversed at a higher level with a result less favorable to the taxpayer, the taxpayer has no right to another conference if the grounds or arguments on which the reversal is based were discussed at the conference of right.

The limitation on the number of conferences to which a taxpayer is entitled does not prevent EP or EO Technical from inviting a taxpayer to attend additional conferences, including conferences with an official higher than the group level, if EP or EO Technical personnel think they are necessary. Such conferences are not offered as a matter of course simply because the group has reached an adverse decision. In general, conferences with higher level officials are offered only if the Service determines that the case presents significant issues of tax policy or tax administration and that the consideration of these issues would be enhanced by additional conferences with the taxpayer.

In accordance with section 14.02 of this revenue procedure, the EP or EO specialist or the appeals office may be offered the opportunity to participate in any additional taxpayer’s conference, including a conference with an official higher than the group level. Section 14.02 of this revenue procedure also provides that other Service representatives are allowed to participate in the conference.

.10 After the conference, the taxpayer must furnish to EP or EO Technical, whichever is applicable, any additional data, lines of reasoning, precedents, etc., that the taxpayer proposed and discussed at the conference but did not previously or adequately present in writing. This additional information must be submitted by letter with a penalties of perjury statement in the form described in section 16.10 of this revenue procedure.

The taxpayer must also send a copy of the additional information to the EP or EO Examinations office or the EP or EO Determinations office or the Appeals Area Director, Area 4, for comment. Any comments on additional information by Service personnel must be furnished promptly to the appropriate group in EP or EO Technical. If the EP or EO Examinations office or the EP or EO Determinations office or the Appeals Area Director, Area 4, does not have any comments, he or she must notify the group representative promptly.

If the additional information has a significant impact on the facts in the request for a TAM, EP or EO Technical will ask EP or EO Examinations or EP or EO Determinations or the Appeals Area Director, Area 4, for comments on the facts contained in the additional information submitted. The EP or EO Examinations office or the EP or EO Determinations office or the Appeals Area Director, Area 4, will give the additional information prompt attention.

If the additional information is not received from the taxpayer within 21 calendar days, the TAM will be issued on the basis of the existing record.

An extension of the 21-day period for TAMs may be granted only if the taxpayer justifies it in writing, and the group manager (or his or her delegate) of the office to which the case is assigned approves the extension. Such extension will not be routinely granted. The procedures for requesting an extension of the 21-day period and notifying the taxpayer of the Service’s decision are the same as those in sections 14.03 and 14.04 of this revenue procedure.

.11 The conference will be conducted by telephone, unless the taxpayer or the field requests that the conference be held in person. The taxpayer will be advised when to call the Service representatives (not a toll-free call). In no event will the conference be delayed to provide an in-person conference rather than a telephone conference.

In accordance with section 14.02 of this revenue procedure, the EP or EO specialist or appeals office will be offered the opportunity to participate in the telephone conference. Section 14.02 of this revenue procedure also provides that other Service representatives are allowed to participate in the conference.

.01 The taxpayer or the taxpayer’s representative may obtain information on the status of the request for a TAM by contacting the EP or EO Examinations office or the EP or EO Determinations office or the appeals office that requested the TAM. See section 16.08 of this revenue procedure concerning the time for discussing the tentative conclusion with the taxpayer’s representative. See section 17.03 of this revenue procedure regarding discussions of the contents of the TAM with the taxpayer or the taxpayer’s representative.

.02 The group representative or manager to whom the TAM request is assigned will give status updates on the request once a month to the EP or EO Examination Area manager or the EP or EO Determinations manager or the Appeals Area Director, Area 4. In addition, an EP or EO Examinations Area manager or an EP or EO Determinations manager or an Appeals Area Director, Area 4, may get current information on the status of the request for a TAM by calling the person whose name and telephone number are shown on acknowledgment of receipt of the request for the TAM.

See section 16.09 of this revenue procedure about discussing the final conclusions with the EP or EO Examinations office or the EP or EO Determinations office or the appeals office. Further, the EP or EO Examinations office or the EP or EO Determinations office or the Appeals Area Director, Area 4, will be notified at the time the TAM is mailed.

.01 The authority to issue a TAM on issues under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner, Tax Exempt and Government Entities Operating Division has largely been delegated to the managers of the Employee Plans Rulings & Agreements Technical and Actuarial groups, and the Technical Guidance and Quality Assurance group (collectively referred to as “EP Technical”); and of the Exempt Organizations Rulings & Agreements Technical groups and the Technical Guidance and Quality Assurance group (collectively referred to as “EO Technical”).

.02 A request for a TAM generally is given priority and processed expeditiously. As soon as the request for a TAM is assigned, the technical employee analyzes the file to see whether it meets all of the requirements of sections 7, 8, and 10 of this revenue procedure.

However, if the request does not comply with the requirements of section 10.04 of this revenue procedure relating to the deletions statement, the Service will follow the procedure in section 11.06 of this revenue procedure.