Us Code § 7421 - Prohibition of suits to restrain assessment or collection

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 7421 — Prohibition of suits to restrain assessment or collection, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 7421. Prohibition of suits to restrain assessment or collection

(a) Tax

Except as provided in sections 6015(e), 6212(a) and (c), 6213(a), 6232(c), 6330(e)(1), 6331(i), 6672(c), 6694(c), 7426(a) and (b)(1), 7429(b), and 7436, no suit for the purpose of restraining the assessment or collection of any tax shall be maintained in any court by any person, whether or not such person is the person against whom such tax was assessed.

(b) Liability of transferee or fiduciary

No suit shall be maintained in any court for the purpose of restraining the assessment or collection (pursuant to the provisions of chapter 71) of—

(1) the amount of the liability, at law or in equity, of a transferee of property of a taxpayer in respect of any internal revenue tax, or

(2) the amount of the liability of a fiduciary under section 3713(b) of title 31, United States Code, in respect of any such tax.

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 876; Pub. L. 89–719, title I, §110(c), Nov. 2, 1966, 80 Stat. 1144; Pub. L. 94–455, title XII, §1204(c)(11), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1699; Pub. L. 95–628, §9(b)(1), Nov. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 3633; Pub. L. 97–258, §3(f)(13), Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 1065; Pub. L. 105–34, title XII, §§1222(b)(1), 1239(e)(3), title XIV, §1454(b)(2), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 1019, 1028, 1057; Pub. L. 105–206, title III, §3201(e)(3), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 740; Pub. L. 105–277, div. J, title IV, §4002(c)(1), (f), Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–906, 2681–907; Pub. L. 106–554, §1(a)(7) [title III, §§313(b)(2)(B), 319(24)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–642, 2763A–647; Pub. L. 114–74, title XI, §1101(f)(10), Nov. 2, 2015, 129 Stat. 638; Pub. L. 115–141, div. U, title IV, §401(a)(324), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1199.)


Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 115–141 substituted "Code, in" for "Code in".

2015—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 114–74 substituted "6232(c)" for "6225(b), 6246(b)".

2000—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 106–554 inserted "6330(e)(1)," after "6246(b)," and substituted "6672(c)" for "6672(b)".

1998—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105–277 substituted "6015(e)" for "6015(d)" and inserted "6331(i)," after "6246(b),".

Pub. L. 105–206 inserted "6015(d)," after "sections".

1997—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105–34, §1454(b)(2), substituted "7429(b), and 7436" for "and 7429(b)".

Pub. L. 105–34, §1239(e)(3), inserted "6225(b)," after "6213(a),".

Pub. L. 105–34, §1222(b)(1), inserted "6246(b)," after "6213(a),".

1982—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 97–258 substituted "section 3713(b) of title 31, United States Code" for "section 3467 of the Revised Statutes (31 U.S.C. 192)".

1978—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 95–628 inserted references to sections 6672(b) and 6694(c).

1976—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 94–455 substituted "7426(a) and (b)(1), and 7429(b)" for "and 7426(a) and (b)(1)".

1966—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 89–719 inserted reference to section 7426(a), (b)(1), and "by any person, whether or not such person is the person against whom such tax was assessed".


Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2015 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 114–74 applicable to returns filed for partnership taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 2017, with certain exceptions, see section 1101(g) of Pub. L. 114–74, set out as an Effective Date note under section 6221 of this title.

Effective Date of 1998 Amendments

Amendment by Pub. L. 105–277 effective as if included in the provision of the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998, Pub. L. 105–206, to which such amendment relates, see section 4002(k) of Pub. L. 105–277, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.

Amendment by Pub. L. 105–206 applicable to any liability for tax arising after July 22, 1998, and any liability for tax arising on or before such date but remaining unpaid as of such date, see section 3201(g)(1) of Pub. L. 105–206, set out as a note under section 6015 of this title.

Effective Date of 1997 Amendment

Amendment by section 1222(b)(1) of Pub. L. 105–34 applicable to partnership taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1997, see section 1226 of Pub. L. 105–34, as amended, set out as a note under section 6011 of this title.

Amendment by section 1239(e)(3) of Pub. L. 105–34 applicable to partnership taxable years ending after Aug. 5, 1997, see section 1239(f) of Pub. L. 105–34, set out as a note under section 6501 of this title.

Amendment by section 1454(b)(2) of Pub. L. 105–34, effective Aug. 5, 1997, see section 1454(c) of Pub. L. 105–34, set out as a note under section 6511 of this title.

Effective Date of 1978 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 95–628 applicable with respect to penalties assessed more than 60 days after Nov. 10, 1978, see section 9(c) of Pub. L. 95–628, set out as a note under section 6672 of this title.

Effective Date of 1976 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 94–455 applicable with respect to action taken under section 6851, 6861, or 6862 of this title where notice and demand takes place after Feb. 28, 1977, see section 1204(d) of Pub. L. 94–455, as amended, set out as a note under section 6851 of this title.

Effective Date of 1966 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 89–719 applicable after Nov. 2, 1966, regardless of when title or lien of United States arose or when lien or interest of another person was acquired, with certain exceptions, see section 114(a)–(c) of Pub. L. 89–719, set out as a note under section 6323 of this title.

Prohibition on Requests to Taxpayers To Give Up Rights To Bring Actions

Pub. L. 105–206, title III, §3468, July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 770, provided that:

"(a) Prohibition.—No officer or employee of the United States may request a taxpayer to waive the taxpayer's right to bring a civil action against the United States or any officer or employee of the United States for any action taken in connection with the internal revenue laws.

"(b) Exceptions.—Subsection (a) shall not apply in any case where—

"(1) a taxpayer waives the right described in subsection (a) knowingly and voluntarily; or

"(2) the request by the officer or employee is made in person and the taxpayer's attorney or other federally authorized tax practitioner (within the meaning of section 7525(a)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) is present, or the request is made in writing to the taxpayer's attorney or other representative."

About This Section

26 U.S.C. § 7421 is part of Title 26 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 26 U.S.C. § 7421. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

How to Read This Statute

Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.

Using This Page

This page is intended for research and educational use. Lawyers, students, journalists, and compliance professionals can use it as a starting point, but should always verify the current text through an official government source before relying on it for legal advice, filings, or compliance decisions.

Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 7421

What does United States Code § 7421 cover?

Section 7421 ("Prohibition of suits to restrain assessment or collection") is part of the United States Code, the codified statutory law of Us Code. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Us Code § 7421?

A common citation format is "United States Code § 7421" (Us Code). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Us Code law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Us Code official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

How does Us Code § 7421 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Us Code can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Us Code.