Internal Revenue Code · 26 U.S.C.
§ 7205. Fraudulent withholding exemption certificate or failure to supply information
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. § 7205
At a glance
Read from the text, the source credit and the official notes. Not part of the law.
- Status
- In force
- Enacted
- March 15, 1966 by Pub. L. 89–368
- Last amended
- December 19, 1989 by Pub. L. 101–239
- Amendments
- 5 dated changes in the source credit
- Length
- 2 subsections · 219 words · about 1 min to read
- Cross-references
- cites 2; cited by 2 Code sections and 4 other regulations
Any individual required to supply information to his employer under section 3402 who willfully supplies false or fraudulent information, or who willfully fails to supply information thereunder which would require an increase in the tax to be withheld under section 3402, shall, in addition to any other penalty provided by law, upon conviction thereof, be fined not more than $1,000, or imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both.
If any individual willfully makes a false certification under paragraph (1) or (2)(C) of section 3406(d), then such individual shall, in addition to any other penalty provided by law, upon conviction thereof, be fined not more than $1,000, or imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both.
(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 852; Pub. L. 89–368, title I, § 101(e)(5), Mar. 15, 1966, 80 Stat. 62; Pub. L. 97–34, title VII, § 721(b), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 341; Pub. L. 97–248, title III, §§ 306(b), 308(a), Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 588, 591; Pub. L. 98–67, title I, §§ 102(a), 107(b), Aug. 5, 1983, 97 Stat. 369, 382; Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title I, § 159(a), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 696; Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, § 7711(b)(2), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2393.)
Cross-references
Computed from the citations in the text of Title 26 and 26 CFR.
This section cites 2 other sections
Cited by 2 Code sections
Cited in 4 regulations not issued under it
Amendment history
From the source credit and the official notes, newest first.
- Amended by Pub. L. 101–239Parts changed in 1989: (b)
- Amended by Pub. L. 98–369
- Amended by Pub. L. 98–67
- Amended by Pub. L. 97–248
- Amended by Pub. L. 97–34
- Enacted by Pub. L. 89–368
Where it sits in the Code
- Subtitle F Procedure and Administration
- Chapter 75 CRIMES, OTHER OFFENSES, AND FORFEITURES
- Subchapter A Crimes
- Part I GENERAL PROVISIONS
Nearby sections
- § 7201 Attempt to evade or defeat tax
- § 7202 Willful failure to collect or pay over tax
- § 7203 Willful failure to file return, supply information, or pay tax
- § 7204 Fraudulent statement or failure to make statement to employees
- § 7205 Fraudulent withholding exemption certificate or failure to supply information
- § 7206 Fraud and false statements
- § 7207 Fraudulent returns, statements, or other documents
- § 7208 Offenses relating to stamps
- § 7209 Unauthorized use or sale of stamps
Official notes
Show the Law Revision Counsel's notes (amendments, effective dates)
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1989—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 101–239 amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (b) read as follows: “If any individual willfully makes—
“(1) any false certification or affirmation on any statement required by a payor in order to meet the due diligence requirements of section 6676(b), or
“(2) a false certification under paragraph (1) or (2)(C) of section 3406(d),
then such individual shall, in addition to any other penalty provided by law, upon conviction thereof, be fined not more than $1,000, or imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both.”
1984—Pub. L. 98–369 in subsecs. (a) and (b) substituted “in addition to” for “in lieu of” and struck out reference to penalty under section 6682 after “penalty provided by law”.
1983—Pub. L. 98–67 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), added subsec. (b), and repealed amendments made by Pub. L. 97–248. See 1982 Amendment note below.
1982—Pub. L. 97–248 provided that, applicable to payments of interest, dividends, and patronage dividends paid or credited after June 30, 1983, this section is amended by designating the existing provisions as subsec. (a) with a heading of “Withholding on wages”, and by adding a new subsec. (b). Section 102(a), (b) of Pub. L. 98–67, title I, Aug. 5, 1983, 97 Stat. 369, repealed subtitle A (§§ 301–308) of title III of Pub. L. 97–248 as of the close of June 30, 1983, and provided that the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 [now 1986] [this title] shall be applied and administered (subject to certain exceptions) as if such subtitle A (and the amendments made by such subtitle A) had not been enacted. Subsec. (b), referred to above, read as follows:
“(b) Withholding of interest and dividends
“Any person who—
“(1) willfully files an exemption certificate with any payor under section 3452(f)(1)(A), which is known by him to be fraudulent or to be false as to any material matter, or
“(2) is required to furnish notice under section 3452(f)(1)(B), and willfully fails to furnish such notice in the manner and at the time required pursuant to section 3452(f)(1)(B) or the regulations prescribed thereunder,
shall, in lieu of any penalty otherwise provided, upon conviction thereof, be fined not more than $500, or imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both.”
1981—Pub. L. 97–34 substituted “$1,000” for “$500”.
1966—Pub. L. 89–368 substituted “section 3402” and “any other penalty provided by law (except the penalty provided by section 6682)” for “section 3402(f)” and “any penalty otherwise provided” respectively.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 101–239 applicable to returns and statements the due date for which (determined without regard to extensions) is after Dec. 31, 1989, see section 7711(c) of Pub. L. 101–239, set out as a note under section 6721 of this title.
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title I, § 159(b), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 696, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to actions and failures to act occurring after the date of the enactment of this Act [July 18, 1984].”
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Amendment by section 107(b) of Pub. L. 98–67 effective Aug. 5, 1983, see section 110(c) of Pub. L. 98–67, set out as a note under section 31 of this title.
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 97–34 applicable to acts and failures to act after Dec. 31, 1981, see section 721(d) of Pub. L. 97–34, set out as a note under section 6682 of this title.