2018 US Code
Title 26 - Internal Revenue Code
Subtitle F - Procedure and Administration
Chapter 75 - Crimes, Other Offenses, and Forfeitures
Subchapter A - Crimes
Part I - General Provisions
Sec. 7216 - Disclosure or use of information by preparers of returns

Any person who is engaged in the business of preparing, or providing services in connection with the preparation of, returns of the tax imposed by chapter 1, or any person who for compensation prepares any such return for any other person, and who knowingly or recklessly—

shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $1,000, or imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both, together with the costs of prosecution.

(Added Pub. L. 92–178, title III, §316(a), Dec. 10, 1971, 85 Stat. 529; amended Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, §1906(b)(13)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1834; Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title IV, §412(b)(10), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 792; Pub. L. 100–647, title VI, §6242(b), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3749; Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, §7739(a), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2404.)

1989—Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 101–239 inserted at end "Such regulations shall permit (subject to such conditions as such regulations shall provide) the disclosure or use of information for quality or peer reviews."

1988—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100–647 substituted "and who knowingly or recklessly" for "and who".

1984—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 98–369 struck out from introductory text "or declarations or amended declarations of estimated tax under section 6015," after "chapter 1," and struck out "or declaration" after "such return" in three places.

1976—Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 94–455 struck out "or his delegate" after "Secretary".

Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, §7739(b), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2404, provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 19, 1989]."

Amendment by Pub. L. 100–647 applicable to disclosures or uses after Dec. 31, 1988, see section 6242(d) of Pub. L. 100–647, set out as an Effective Date note under section 6712 of this title.

Amendment by Pub. L. 98–369 applicable with respect to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1984, see section 414(a)(1) of Pub. L. 98–369, set out as a note under section 6654 of this title.

Pub. L. 92–178, title III, §316(c), Dec. 10, 1971, 85 Stat. 530, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [enacting this section] shall take effect on the first day of the first month which begins after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 10, 1971]."