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Internal Revenue Code · 26 U.S.C.

§ 5603. Penalty relating to records, returns, and reports

In force Text current through Public Law 119-121 (October 9, 2026) release point 119-121

Official text, no changes From the Office of the Law Revision Counsel, release point 119-121 (current through Public Law 119-121 (October 9, 2026)). Compare it with the official text at uscode.house.gov (external site).

Cite as 26 U.S.C. § 5603

At a glance

Read from the text, the source credit and the official notes. Not part of the law.

Status
In force
Added
September 2, 1958 by Pub. L. 85–859
Last amended
March 23, 2018 by Pub. L. 115–141
Amendments
1 dated changes in the source credit
Length
2 subsections · 379 words · about 2 min to read
Cross-references
cites 0; cited by 3 Code sections and 0 other regulations
(a) Fraudulent noncompliance Any person required by this chapter (other than subchapters F and G) or regulations issued pursuant thereto to keep or file any record, return, report, summary, transcript, or other document, who, with intent to defraud the United States, shall—
(1) fail to keep any such document or to make required entries therein; or
(2) make any false entry in such document; or
(3) cancel, alter, or obliterate any part of such document or any entry therein, or destroy any part of such document or any entry therein; or
(4) hinder or obstruct any internal revenue officer from inspecting any such document or taking any abstracts therefrom; or
(5) fail or refuse to preserve or produce any such document, as required by this chapter or regulations issued pursuant thereto;
or who shall, with intent to defraud the United States, cause or procure the same to be done, shall be fined not more than $10,000, or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both, for each such offense.
(b) Failure to comply Any person required by this chapter (other than subchapters F and G) or regulations issued pursuant thereto to keep or file any record, return, report, summary, transcript, or other document, who, otherwise than with intent to defraud the United States, shall—
(1) fail to keep any such document or to make required entries therein; or
(2) make any false entry in such document; or
(3) cancel, alter, or obliterate any part of such document or any entry therein, or destroy any part of such document, or any entry therein, except as provided by this title or regulations issued pursuant thereto; or
(4) hinder or obstruct any internal revenue officer from inspecting any such document or taking any abstracts therefrom; or
(5) fail to refuse to preserve or produce any such document, as required by this chapter or regulations issued pursuant thereto;
or who shall, otherwise than with intent to defraud the United States, cause or procure the same to be done, shall be fined not more than $1,000, or imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both, for each such offense.

(Added Pub. L. 85–859, title II, § 201, Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1400; amended Pub. L. 115–141, div. U, title IV, § 401(a)(249), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1196.)

Cross-references

Computed from the citations in the text of Title 26 and 26 CFR.

Cited by 3 Code sections

Amendment history

From the source credit and the official notes, newest first.

  1. Amended by Pub. L. 115–141
  2. Added by Pub. L. 85–859

Where it sits in the Code

  1. Subtitle E Alcohol, Tobacco, and Certain Other Excise Taxes
  2. Chapter 51 DISTILLED SPIRITS, WINES, AND BEER
  3. Subchapter J Penalties, Seizures, and Forfeitures Relating to Liquors
  4. Part I PENALTY, SEIZURE, AND FORFEITURE PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO DISTILLING, RECTIFYING, AND DISTILLED AND RECTIFIED PRODUCTS

Nearby sections

Official notes

Show the Law Revision Counsel's notes (amendments, effective dates)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 5603, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 684, related to penalty for failure or refusal of distiller or rectifier to give notice of intention to engage in such business, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. See section 5601(a)(2), (3) of this title.

Provisions similar to those comprising this section were contained in prior sections 5610, 5611, 5620, 5621, 5692, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 685 to 687, 703, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859.

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–141 inserted comma after “returns” in section catchline.