Title 26Internal Revenue CodeRelease 119-73not60

§7206 Fraud and False Statements

Title 26 › Subtitle Subtitle F— Procedure and Administration › Chapter 75— CRIMES, OTHER OFFENSES, AND FORFEITURES › Subchapter A— Crimes › Part I— GENERAL PROVISIONS › § 7206

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

Makes it illegal to on purpose lie or help others lie about tax matters. That includes signing a return or other tax paper you know is false; helping prepare or advising someone to file a fraudulent tax form; forging or fraudulently signing tax bonds, permits, or entries; hiding, moving, or concealing goods or property to avoid a tax assessment or collection (see section 6331); and, when offering or making a tax compromise or closing agreement (sections 7122 and 7121), hiding property or destroying, hiding, or falsifying records or making false statements about a taxpayer’s estate or finances.

Full Legal Text

Title 26, §7206

Internal Revenue Code — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Any person who—
(1)Willfully makes and subscribes any return, statement, or other document, which contains or is verified by a written declaration that it is made under the penalties of perjury, and which he does not believe to be true and correct as to every material matter; or
(2)Willfully aids or assists in, or procures, counsels, or advises the preparation or presentation under, or in connection with any matter arising under, the internal revenue laws, of a return, affidavit, claim, or other document, which is fraudulent or is false as to any material matter, whether or not such falsity or fraud is with the knowledge or consent of the person authorized or required to present such return, affidavit, claim, or document; or
(3)Simulates or falsely or fraudulently executes or signs any bond, permit, entry, or other document required by the provisions of the internal revenue laws, or by any regulation made in pursuance thereof, or procures the same to be falsely or fraudulently executed, or advises, aids in, or connives at such execution thereof; or
(4)Removes, deposits, or conceals, or is concerned in removing, depositing, or concealing, any goods or commodities for or in respect whereof any tax is or shall be imposed, or any property upon which levy is authorized by section 6331, with intent to evade or defeat the assessment or collection of any tax imposed by this title; or
(5)In connection with any compromise under section 7122, or offer of such compromise, or in connection with any closing agreement under section 7121, or offer to enter into any such agreement, willfully—
(A)Conceals from any officer or employee of the United States any property belonging to the estate of a taxpayer or other person liable in respect of the tax, or
(B)Receives, withholds, destroys, mutilates, or falsifies any book, document, or record, or makes any false statement, relating to the estate or financial condition of the taxpayer or other person liable in respect of the tax;

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1982—Pub. L. 97–248 substituted “$100,000 ($500,000 in the case of a corporation)” for “$5,000”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 1982 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 97–248 applicable to offenses committed after Sept. 3, 1982, see section 329(e) of Pub. L. 97–248, set out as a note under section 7201 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

26 U.S.C. § 7206

Title 26Internal Revenue Code

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60