70.41—Rewards for information relating to violations of tax laws administered by the Bureau.
(a) In general.
An appropriate TTB officer may approve such reward as he or she deems suitable for information that leads to the detection and punishment of any person guilty of violating any tax law administered by the Bureau or conniving at the same. The rewards provided for by 26 U.S.C. 7623 are limited in their aggregate to the sum appropriated therefor and shall be paid only in cases not otherwise provided for by law.
(b) Eligibility to file claim for reward—
(1) In general.
Any person, other than certain present or former federal employees (see paragraph (b)(2) of this section), who submits, in the manner set forth in paragraph (d) of this section, information relating to the violation of tax laws administered and enforced by the Bureau, is eligible to file a claim for reward under 26 U.S.C. 7623.
(2) Federal employees.
No person who was an officer or employee of the Department of the Treasury at the time he came into possession of information relating to violations of tax laws administered by the Bureau, or at the time he divulged such information, shall be eligible for reward under 26 U.S.C. 7623 and this section. Any other federal employee, or former federal employee, is eligible to file a claim for reward if the information submitted came to his knowledge other than in the course of his official duties.
(3) Deceased informants.
A claim for reward may be filed by an executor, administrator, or other legal representative on behalf of a deceased informant if, prior to his death, the informant was eligible to file a claim for such reward under 26 U.S.C. 7623 and this section. Certified copies of the letters testamentary, letters of administration, or other similar evidence must be annexed to such a claim for reward on behalf of a deceased informant in order to show the authority of the legal representative to file the claim for reward.
(c) Amount and payment of reward.
All relevant factors, including the value of the information furnished in relation to the facts developed by the investigation of the violation, must be taken into account in determining whether a reward must be paid, and, if so, the amount thereof. The amount of a reward shall represent what the appropriate TTB officer deems to be adequate compensation in the particular case, normally not to exceed 10 percent of the additional taxes, penalties, and fines which are recovered as a result of the information. No reward, however, shall be paid with respect to any additional interest that may be collected. Payment of a reward will be made as promptly as the circumstances of the case permit, but generally not until the taxes, penalties, or fines involved have been collected. However, the informant may waive any claim for reward with respect to an uncollected portion of the taxes, penalties, or fines involved, in which case the claim may be immediately processed. No person is authorized under these regulations to make any offer, or promise, or otherwise to bind the appropriate TTB officer with respect to the payment of any reward or the amount thereof.
(d) Submission of information.
Persons desiring to claim rewards under the provisions of 26 U.S.C. 7623 and this section may submit information relating to violations of tax laws administered by the Bureau to an appropriate TTB officer. If the information is submitted in person, either orally or in writing, the name and official title of the person to whom it is submitted and the date on which it is submitted must be included in the formal claim for reward.
(f) Filing claim for reward.
An informant who intends to claim a reward under 26 U.S.C. 7623 should notify the person to whom he submits his information of such intention, and must file a formal claim, signed with his true name, as soon after submission of the information as practicable. If other than the informant's true name was used in furnishing the information, the claimant must include with his claim satisfactory proof of his identity as that of the informant. Claim for reward under the provisions of 26 U.S.C. 7623 must be made on TTB Form 3200.13. TTB Form 3200.13 should be obtained from the office where the information is filed.