(a) A penalty shall be imposed under this part for failure to maintain lists of advisees with respect to reportable transactions and shall be determined in accordance with Section 6708 of the Internal Revenue Code, except as otherwise provided.
(b) If a material advisor fails to meet the requirements of subdivision (d) of Section 18648 with respect to a listed transaction, as defined in Section 6707A(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, an additional penalty shall be imposed equal to the greater of:
(1) One hundred thousand dollars ($100,000).
(2) Fifty percent of the gross income that the material advisor derived from that activity.
(c) A penalty imposed under this section does not apply if it is shown that the additional information required under paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 18648 was not identified in a Franchise Tax Board notice issued prior to the date the transaction or shelter was entered into.
(d) The penalty imposed by subdivision (a) shall be assessed against the person required to maintain or provide a list under Section 18648. The penalty may be assessed at any time during the period ending eight years after the failure has occurred.
(e) (1) The Chief Counsel of the Franchise Tax Board may rescind all or any portion of any penalty imposed by this section with respect to a list required to be maintained or provided under Section 18648, if all of the following apply:
(A) The violation is with respect to a reportable transaction, other than a listed transaction, as defined in Section 6707A(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(B) The person on whom the penalty is imposed has a history of complying with the requirements of this part and Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001) or Part 11 (commencing with Section 23001).
(C) It is shown that the violation is due to an unintentional mistake of fact.
(D) Imposing the penalty would be against equity and good conscience.
(E) Rescinding the penalty would promote compliance with the requirements of this part and Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001) or Part 11 (commencing with Section 23001) and effective tax administration.
(2) The exercise of authority under paragraph (1) shall be at the sole discretion of the Chief Counsel of the Franchise Tax Board and may not be delegated.
(3) Notwithstanding any other law or rule of law, any determination under this subdivision may not be reviewed in any administrative or judicial proceeding.
(f) Article 3 (commencing with Section 19031) of this chapter (relating to deficiency assessments) shall not apply with respect to the assessment or collection of any penalty imposed by subdivision (a).
(g) The penalty imposed by this section is in addition to any penalty imposed under Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001), Part 11 (commencing with Section 23001), or this part.
(Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 691, Sec. 47.4. Effective October 7, 2005.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018