WASHINGTON − The Internal Revenue Service announced today the overwhelming acceptance of a time-limited settlement offer made to certain taxpayers under audit who participated in abusive micro-captive insurance transactions.
Nearly 80% of taxpayers who received offer letters elected to accept the settlement terms. In addition, the IRS is establishing 12 new examination teams that are expected to open audits related to thousands of taxpayers in coming months.
Abusive micro-captives have been a threat to tax administration and a concern to the IRS for several years. The transaction has appeared on the IRS “Dirty Dozen” list of tax scams since 2014. In 2016, the Department of the Treasury and IRS issued Notice 2016-66, which identified certain micro-captive transactions as having the potential for tax avoidance and evasion.
The settlement offer followed three U.S. Tax Court decisions confirming that certain micro-captive arrangements are not eligible for federal tax benefits. The terms of the settlement required substantial concession of the income tax benefits claimed by the taxpayer together with appropriate penalties.
The IRS will continue to vigorously pursue those involved in these and other
similar abusive transactions going forward. Enforcement activity in this area
is being significantly increased. To that end, the IRS is deploying additional
resources, which includes standing up 12 new examination teams comprised of
employees from the IRS Large Business and International and Small
Business/Self-Employed divisions that will be working to address these abusive
transactions and open additional exams. These teams will use all available
enforcement tools, including summonses, to obtain necessary information.
Examinations impacting micro-captive insurance transactions of several thousand
taxpayers will be opened by these teams in the coming months. Potential civil
outcomes can include full disallowance of claimed captive insurance deductions,
inclusion of income by the captive entity and imposition of all applicable
penalties.
The IRS reminds taxpayers and advisors that disclosure of participation in
micro-captive insurance transactions is required with the IRS Office of Tax
Shelter Analysis under Notice 2016-66. Failure to properly disclose can result
in significant civil penalties. Taxpayers involved in these abusive
transactions should immediately consult with independent, competent tax
advisors on the proper treatment for past and future tax years to consider best
available options.