Internal Revenue Code · 26 U.S.C.

§ 8021. Powers

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. § 8021

At a glance

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

Status: In force
Enacted: October 4, 1976 by Pub. L. 94–455
Last amended: March 23, 2018 by Pub. L. 115–141
Amendments: 5 dated changes in the source credit
Length: 5 subsections · 324 words · about 1 min to read
Cross-references: cites 1; cited by 0 Code sections and 0 other regulations

¶(a) To obtain data and inspect income returns

For powers of the Joint Committee to obtain and inspect income returns, see section 6103(f).

¶(b) Relating to hearings and sessions The Joint Committee, or any subcommittee thereof, is authorized—

¶(1) To hold

To hold hearings and to sit and act at such places and times;

¶(2) To require attendance of witnesses and production of books

To require by subpoena (to be issued under the signature of the chairman or vice chairman) or otherwise the attendance of such witnesses and the production of such books, papers, and documents;

¶(3) To administer oaths

To administer such oaths; and

¶(4) To take testimony

To take such testimony;

as it deems advisable.

¶(c) To procure printing and binding

The Joint Committee, or any subcommittee thereof, is authorized to have such printing and binding done as it deems advisable.

¶(d) To make expenditures

The Joint Committee, or any subcommittee thereof, is authorized to make such expenditures as it deems advisable.

¶(e) Investigations

The Joint Committee shall review all requests (other than requests by the chairman or ranking member of a committee or subcommittee) for investigations of the Internal Revenue Service by the Government Accountability Office, and approve such requests when appropriate, with a view towards eliminating overlapping investigations, ensuring that the Government Accountability Office has the capacity to handle the investigation, and ensuring that investigations focus on areas of primary importance to tax administration.

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 927; Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, § 1907(a)(3), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1835; Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1018(s)(1), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3586; Pub. L. 105–206, title IV, § 4001(a), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 783; Pub. L. 108–311, title III, § 321(a), Oct. 4, 2004, 118 Stat. 1182; Pub. L. 109–135, title IV, § 412(rr)(5), Dec. 21, 2005, 119 Stat. 2640; Pub. L. 115–141, div. U, title IV, § 401(b)(56), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1205.)

Cross-references

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

This section cites 1 other section

§ 6103(f) Confidentiality and disclosure of returns and return information

Amendment history

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

March 23, 2018Amended by Pub. L. 115–141Parts changed in 2018: (f)
December 21, 2005Amended by Pub. L. 109–135Parts changed in 2005: (e)
October 4, 2004Amended by Pub. L. 108–311Parts changed in 2004: (f)(2)
July 22, 1998Amended by Pub. L. 105–206Parts changed in 1998: (e)
November 10, 1988Amended by Pub. L. 100–647Parts changed in 1988: (a)
October 4, 1976Enacted by Pub. L. 94–455Parts changed in 1976: (d)

Where it sits in the Code

Nearby sections

Official notes

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

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 115–141 struck out subsec. (f) which related to joint reviews of the strategic plans and budget for the Internal Revenue Service.

2005—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 109–135 substituted “Government Accountability Office” for “General Accounting Office” in two places.

2004—Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 108–311 substituted “2005” for “2004”.

1998—Subsecs. (e), (f). Pub. L. 105–206 added subsecs. (e) and (f).

1988—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100–647 substituted “6103(f)” for “6103(d)”.

1976—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 94–455 struck out par. (2) relating to limitation on cost of stenographic services in reporting hearings.

Effective Date of 1998 Amendment

Pub. L. 105–206, title IV, § 4001(b), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 784, provided that:

“(1) Subsection (e) of section 8021 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as added by subsection (a) of this section [amending this section], shall apply to requests made after the date of the enactment of this Act [July 22, 1998].

“(2) Subsection (f) of such section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.”

Effective Date of 1988 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 100–647 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provision of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, Pub. L. 99–514, to which such amendment relates, see section 1019(a) of Pub. L. 100–647, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.

Effective Date of 1976 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 94–455 effective on first day of first month which begins more than 90 days after Oct. 4, 1976, see section 1907(c) of Pub. L. 94–455, set out as a note under section 8001 of this title.

Savings Provision

For provisions that nothing in amendment by Pub. L. 115–141 be construed to affect treatment of certain transactions occurring, property acquired, or items of income, loss, deduction, or credit taken into account prior to Mar. 23, 2018, for purposes of determining liability for tax for periods ending after Mar. 23, 2018, see section 401(e) of Pub. L. 115–141, set out as a note under section 23 of this title.

Time for Joint Review

Pub. L. 108–311, title III, § 321(c), Oct. 4, 2004, 118 Stat. 1182, provided that the joint review required by section 8021(f)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 8021(f)(2)) to be made before June 1, 2004, was to be treated as timely if made before June 1, 2005.