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Title 26 — Internal Revenue CodeRelease 119-73

§6695A Substantial and Gross Valuation Misstatements Attributable to Incorrect Appraisals

Title 26 › Subtitle Subtitle F— Procedure and Administration › Chapter 68— ADDITIONS TO THE TAX, ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS, AND ASSESSABLE PENALTIES › Subchapter B— Assessable Penalties › Part I— GENERAL PROVISIONS › § 6695A

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

An appraiser can be fined for a bad appraisal used on a tax return. The penalty applies when the appraiser knew, or should have known, the appraisal would be used for a return or refund claim, and the claimed value causes a substantial or gross valuation misstatement under the accuracy-penalty rules. The fine is the lesser of two amounts: either 10 percent of the tax underpayment caused by the misstatement (but at least $1,000), or 125 percent of what the appraiser was paid for the appraisal. There is no penalty if the appraiser shows the IRS that the appraised value was more likely than not the right one.

Full Legal Text

Title 26, §6695A

Internal Revenue Code — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)If—
(1)a person prepares an appraisal of the value of property and such person knows, or reasonably should have known, that the appraisal would be used in connection with a return or a claim for refund, and
(2)the claimed value of the property on a return or claim for refund which is based on such appraisal results in a substantial valuation misstatement under chapter 1 (within the meaning of section 6662(e)), a substantial estate or gift tax valuation understatement (within the meaning of section 6662(g)), or a gross valuation misstatement (within the meaning of section 6662(h)), with respect to such property,
(b)The amount of the penalty imposed under subsection (a) on any person with respect to an appraisal shall be equal to the lesser of—
(1)the greater of—
(A)10 percent of the amount of the underpayment (as defined in section 6664(a)) attributable to the misstatement described in subsection (a)(2), or
(B)$1,000, or
(2)125 percent of the gross income received by the person described in subsection (a)(1) from the preparation of the appraisal.
(c)No penalty shall be imposed under subsection (a) if the person establishes to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the value established in the appraisal was more likely than not the proper value.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Codification section 1219(b)(1) of Pub. L. 109–280, which directed the addition of section 6695A at the end of part I of subchapter B of chapter 68, without specifying the act to be amended, was executed by adding section 6695A at the end of part I of subchapter B of chapter 68 of this title, which consists of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Amendments

2007—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 110–172, § 11(a)(40), designated the words “then such person shall pay a penalty in the amount determined under subsection (b).”, appearing in par. (2), as concluding provisions of subsec. (a). Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 110–172, § 3(e)(1), inserted “a substantial estate or gift tax valuation understatement (within the meaning of section 6662(g)),” before “or a gross valuation misstatement”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 2007 AmendmentAmendment by section 3(e)(1) of Pub. L. 110–172 effective as if included in the provisions of the Pension Protection Act of 2006, Pub. L. 109–280, to which such amendment relates, see section 3(j) of Pub. L. 110–172, set out as a note under section 170 of this title.

Effective Date

Section applicable to appraisals prepared with respect to returns or submissions filed after Aug. 17, 2006, with special rule for certain easements, see section 1219(e)(2), (3) of Pub. L. 109–280, set out as an

Effective Date

of 2006

Amendments

note under section 170 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

26 U.S.C. § 6695A

Title 26 — Internal Revenue Code

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73