Assessment Procedures for Penalties

Assess the IRC Section 6682 civil penalty using Master File Transaction (MFT) 55 for the calendar year for which the false Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Certificate was signed. Multiple penalties may be assessed on a given module, one for each false Form W-4.

Use TC 290 with Reference Code 616 to assess the $500 civil penalty. IDRS generates a TC 240, Reference Code 616. The reference number uniquely identifies the penalty being assessed and serves as an indicator for generating the first notice to the taxpayer.

Use IDRS CC ADJ54 to input W–4 civil penalty assessments. Use TC 290 with a zero amount to open the MFT 55 module. Enter the three-digit reference number, 616 for W–4, along with a positive money amount to generate a TC 240, Miscellaneous Penalty Assessment. Enter in the remarks area SD (source document) and the appropriate remarks, e.g., assess the W-4 civil penalty. This informs the Returns Files function that a document will be received for association with the adjustment Document Locator Number (DLN).

The three-digit Reference Number 616 posts to the IMF and appears to the right of the TC 240. The TC 290 is a carrier record only and does not post. Place penalty assessments for each module in the 52X Blocking Series for the first assessment on a module, and in the 53X Blocking Series for subsequent assessments. Source code "0" and Reason Code "00" generate automatically.

When assessing IRC Section 6682 civil penalty, input levy source information (the employer’s name, address, and EIN). Remember to update levy source information when a taxpayer informs you of a new or different employer than the one on the W–4.