[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 26, Volume 18]
[Revised as of April 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 26CFR301.6402-2]

[Page 338-339]
 
                       TITLE 26--INTERNAL REVENUE
 
    CHAPTER I--INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY 
                               (CONTINUED)
 
PART 301_PROCEDURE AND ADMINISTRATION--Table of Contents
 
                    Abatements, Credits, and Refunds
 
Sec. 301.6402-2  Claims for credit or refund.

    (a) Requirement that claim be filed. (1) Credits or refunds of 
overpayments may not be allowed or made after the expiration of the 
statutory period of limitation properly applicable unless, before the 
expiration of such period, a claim therefor has been filed by the 
taxpayer. Furthermore, under section 7422, a civil action for refund may 
not be instituted unless a claim has been filed within the properly 
applicable period of limitation.
    (2) In the case of a claim filed prior to April 15, 1968, the claim 
together with appropriate supporting evidence shall be filed in the 
office of the internal revenue officer to whom the tax was paid or with 
the assistant regional Commissioner (alcohol, tobacco, and firearms) 
where the regulations respecting the particular tax to which the claim 
relates specifically require the claim to be filed with that officer. 
Except as provided in paragraph (b) of Sec. 301.6091-1 (relating to 
hand-carried documents), in the case of a claim filed after April 14, 
1968, the claim, together with appropriate supporting evidence, shall be 
filed (i) with the Director of International Operations if the tax was 
paid to him or (ii) with the assistant regional Commissioner (alcohol, 
tobacco, and firearms) where the regulations respecting the particular 
tax to which the claim relates specifically require the claim to be 
filed with that officer; otherwise, the claim with appropriate 
supporting evidence must be filed with the service center serving the 
internal revenue district in which the tax was paid. As to interest in 
the case of credits or refunds, see section 6611. See section 7502 for 
provisions treating timely mailing as timely filing and section 7503 for 
time for filing claim when the last day falls on Saturday, Sunday, or 
legal holiday.
    (b) Grounds set forth in claim. (1) No refund or credit will be 
allowed after the expiration of the statutory period of limitation 
applicable to the filing of a claim therefor except upon one or more of 
the grounds set forth in a claim filed before the expiration of such 
period. The claim must set forth in detail each ground upon which a 
credit or refund is claimed and facts sufficient to apprise the 
Commissioner of the exact basis thereof. The statement of the grounds 
and facts must be verified by a written declaration that it is made 
under the penalties of perjury. A claim which does not comply with this 
paragraph will not be considered for any purpose as a claim for refund 
or credit.
    (2) Neither the district director nor the director of the regional 
service center has authority to refund on equitable grounds penalties or 
other amounts legally collected.
    (c) Form for filing claim. Except for claims filed after June 30, 
1976 for the refunding of overpayment of income taxes, all claims by 
taxpayers for the refunding of taxes, interest, penalties, and additions 
to tax shall be made on Form 843. For special rules applicable to income 
tax, see Sec. 301.6402-3. For other provisions relating to credits and 
refunds of taxes other than income tax, see the regulations relating to 
the particular tax.
    (d) Separate claims for separate taxable periods. In the case of 
income, gift, and Federal unemployment taxes, a separate claim shall be 
made for each type of tax for each taxable year or period.
    (e) Proof of representative capacity. If a return is filed by an 
individual and, after his death, a refund claim is filed by his legal 
representative, certified copies of the letters testamentary, letters of 
administration, or other similar evidence must be annexed to the claim, 
to show the authority of the legal representative to file the claim. If 
an executor, administrator, guardian, trustee, receiver, or other 
fiduciary files a return and thereafter a refund claim is filed by the 
same fiduciary, documentary evidence to establish the legal authority of 
the fiduciary need not accompany the claim, provided a statement is made 
in the claim showing that the return was filed by the fiduciary and that 
the latter is still acting. In such cases, if a refund is to be paid, 
letters testamentary, letters of administration, or other evidence may 
be required, but should be submitted only upon the receipt of a specific 
request therefor. If a claim is filed by a fiduciary other than the one 
by whom the return was filed, the necessary documentary evidence should 
accompany

[[Page 339]]

the claim. A claim may be executed by an agent of the person assessed, 
but in such case a power of attorney must accompany the claim.
    (f) Mailing of refund check. (1) Checks in payment of claims allowed 
will be drawn in the names of the persons entitled to the money and, 
except as provided in subparagraph (2) of this paragraph (f), the checks 
may be sent direct to the claimant or to such person in care of an 
attorney or agent who has filed a power of attorney specifically 
authorizing him to receive such checks.
    (2) Checks in payment of claims which have either been reduced to 
judgment or settled in the course or as a result of litigation will be 
drawn in the name of the person or persons entitled to the money and 
will be sent to the Assistant Attorney General, Tax Division, Department 
of Justice, for delivery to the taxpayer or the counsel of record in the 
court proceeding.
    (3) For restrictions on the assignment of claims, see section 3477 
of the Revised Statutes (31 U.S.C. 203).

[32 FR 15241, Nov. 3, 1967, as amended by T.D. 7008, 34 FR 3673, Mar. 1, 
1969; T.D. 7188, 37 FR 12794, June 29, 1972; T.D. 7410, 41 FR 11020, 
Mar. 16, 1976; T.D. ATF-33, 41 FR 44038, Oct. 6, 1976; T.D. 7484, 42 FR 
22143, May 2, 1977]