General rule— Except as otherwise provided in this section, neither the Secretary nor any other officer or employee of the Treasury Department may divulge or make known in any manner whatever to any person—
any record required for making any such return, payment, or registration, which the Secretary is permitted by the taxpayer to examine or which is produced pursuant to section 7602, or
Permissible disclosure— A disclosure otherwise prohibited by subsection (a) may be made in connection with the administration or civil or criminal enforcement of any tax imposed by this title. However, any document or information so disclosed may not be—
divulged or made known in any manner whatever by any officer or employee of the United States to any person except in connection with the administration or civil or criminal enforcement of this title, nor
Use of documents possessed by taxpayer— Except in connection with the administration or civil or criminal enforcement of any tax imposed by this title—
Inspection by committees of Congress—Section 6103(f) shall apply with respect to any return, payment, or registration made pursuant to this chapter.
Notes, amendments, and revision history
(Added Pub. L. 93–499, § 3(c)(1), Oct. 29, 1974, 88 Stat. 1550; amended Pub. L. 94–455, title XII, § 1202(h)(6), title XIX, § 1906(b)(13)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1688, 1834.)
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1976—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1906(b)(13)(A), struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary” wherever appearing.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1202(h)(6), substituted “6103(f)” for “6103(d)”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 1976 Amendment
Amendment by section 1202(h)(6) of Pub. L. 94–455 effective Jan. 1, 1977, see section 1202(i) of Pub. L. 94–455, set out as a note under section 6103 of this title.
Effective Date
Section effective Dec. 1, 1974, and applicable only with respect to wagers placed on or after such date, see section 3(d)(1) of Pub. L. 93–499, set out as an Effective Date of 1974 Amendment note under section 4401 of this title.