TITLE 34.PUBLIC FINANCE

Part 1. COMPTROLLER OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS

Chapter 1. CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION

Subchapter A. PRACTICE AND PROCEDURES

1. PRACTICE AND PROCEDURES

34 TAC §1.5

The Comptroller of Public Accounts proposes an amendment to §1.5, concerning the initiation of a hearing. Subsection (c) incorporates the 30-day statutory deadline imposed by House Bill 2425, 78th Regular Legislative Session, 2003. All other proposed amendments to subsections (a), (b), and (c) are for clarity and to update the rule to reflect current practice and procedures.

James LeBas, Chief Revenue Estimator, has determined that for the first five-year period the rule will be in effect, there will be no significant revenue impact on the state or units of local government.

Mr. LeBas also has determined that for each year of the first five years the rule is in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule will be in providing up-to-date procedure for initiation of an administrative hearing. This rule is adopted under Tax Code, Title 2, and does not require a statement of fiscal implications for small businesses. There is no significant anticipated economic cost to individuals who are required to comply with the proposed rule.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Eleanor Kim, General Counsel Division, P.O. Box 13528, Austin, Texas 78711.

This amendment is proposed under Tax Code, §111.002, which provides the comptroller with the authority to prescribe, adopt, and enforce rules relating to the administration and enforcement of the provisions of Tax Code, Title 2.

§1.5.Initiation of a Hearing.

(a) Redetermination hearing [ of a deficiency or jeopardy determination ]. If a taxpayer disagrees with the agency's deficiency or jeopardy determination, the [ A ] taxpayer may request a redetermination hearing by timely submitting to [ sending ] the agency a written request for redetermination. This written request must include a statement of grounds that complies with the requirements set forth by §1.7 of this title. To be considered timely, the [ The time limit for filing a ] request for a hearing must be filed within [ is ] 30 days from the date of the [ for a ] deficiency determination or within [ and ] 20 days from the date of the [ for a ] jeopardy determination. If the written request with the statement of grounds cannot be submitted within the applicable time limit, the taxpayer may request an extension as provided by §1.6 of this title. A request for a redetermination hearing that is not submitted within the original time limit [ The request must include a statement of grounds that sets out in detail the reasons the taxpayer does not agree with the determination. If the statement of grounds is not received within the time limit ] or before the expiration of an extended time limit [ an extension of the time limit granted prior to the expiration of the time limit, a hearing ] will not be granted . A [ and the ] taxpayer who cannot obtain a redetermination hearing may [ must ] pay the determination and request a refund in order to raise [ before ] any objection to the determination[ can be considered ].

(b) Required documentary evidence at the audit conference. When a taxpayer timely requests a redetermination hearing, the agency [ . The agency's auditor ] may request in writing that the taxpayer produce documentary evidence [ on any issue ]for inspection that would support the taxpayer's statement of grounds. The written request may specify that resale or exemption certificates to support tax-free sales must be submitted within 60 days from the date of the request. [ must be served no later than five working days following the exit conference and must identify with specificity the nature of the documents sought, including the schedule or examination to which the documents relate. If such documentary evidence is ] Resale or exemption certificates that are not submitted within the 60 day time limit [ days after a petition for redetermination is acknowledged, such documentary evidence ] will not be accepted as evidence to support a claim of tax-free sales [ inadmissible for purposes of the redetermination hearing ].

(c) Refund hearing [ of tax paid ]. If a taxpayer disagrees with the agency's denial of a refund claim, the taxpayer may request a refund hearing by timely submitting to the agency a written request for a refund hearing. This written request must include a statement of grounds that complies with the requirements set forth by §1.7 of this title. To be considered timely, the request for a hearing must be filed within 30 days from the date of the denial. If the written request with the statement of grounds cannot be submitted within the applicable time limit, the taxpayer may request an extension as provided by §1.6 of this title. A request for a refund hearing that is not submitted within the original time limit or before the expiration of an extended time limit will not be granted. [ Within the time limits provided in the Tax Code, §111.104(c), a taxpayer may request a refund of any tax, penalty, or interest paid to the comptroller by sending the agency a written request. The request must include a statement of grounds that sets out in detail the grounds on which the claim is founded. ] If no grounds are stated as a basis for the claim, a hearing will not be granted and the claim will be denied. If the claim is granted for any tax amount, any corresponding penalty and interest amount previously paid will be refunded.

(d) Hearings involving licenses and permits. The agency will initiate hearings concerning the denial, suspension, or revocation of licenses or permits by sending written notice to the taxpayer, which notice will include a statement of the matters asserted and procedures to be followed.

(e) An oral hearing under the Tax Code, §154.1142 or §155.0592, will be set if requested by the permit holder within 15 calendar days of the receipt of the notice of violation(s). This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's authority to adopt.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 27, 2004.

TRD-200400507

Martin Cherry

Chief Deputy General Counsel

Comptroller of Public Accounts

Earliest possible date of adoption: March 14, 2004

For further information, please call: (512) 475-0387


34 TAC §1.15

The Comptroller of Public Accounts proposes an amendment to §1.15, concerning reply to the position letter or notice of setting. Subsection (d) is added to implement the written demand for documents provided by House Bill 2425, 78th Regular Legislative Session, 2003. All other proposed amendments to subsections (a), (b), and (c) are for clarity and to update the rule to reflect current practice and procedures.

James LeBas, Chief Revenue Estimator, has determined that for the first five-year period the rule will be in effect, there will be no significant revenue impact on the state or units of local government.

Mr. LeBas also has determined that for each year of the first five years the rule is in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule will be by providing up-to-date procedure for replying to a position letter or demand notice for documents in connection with an administrative hearing. This rule is adopted under Tax Code, Title 2, and does not require a statement of fiscal implications for small businesses. There is no significant anticipated economic cost to individuals who are required to comply with the proposed rule.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Eleanor Kim, General Counsel Division, P.O. Box 13528, Austin, Texas 78711.

This amendment is proposed under Tax Code, §111.002, which provides the comptroller with the authority to prescribe, adopt, and enforce rules relating to the administration and enforcement of the provisions of Tax Code, Title 2.

§1.15.Reply to the Position Letter ; Demand Notice for Documents [ or Notice of Setting ].

(a) After reviewing the position letter, [ If ] a taxpayer may [ desires to ] present additional facts or legal arguments for consideration by the administrative law judge by filing [ , ] a reply to the position letter [ should be filed ] within the due date specified in the notice of setting. The notice of setting may not set the due date for the reply earlier than 20 days from the date the notice of setting is issued .

(b) After reviewing a notice of setting issued for [ For ] hearings under [ the ]Tax Code, §154.1142 or §155.0592, a permit holder may present facts or legal arguments for consideration by the administrative law judge by filing a reply to the notice of setting within the specified due date. The notice of setting may not set the due date for the reply earlier than 20 days from the date the notice of setting is issued .

(c) All documentary evidence to support facts or contention(s) should be submitted with the reply to the position letter or the notice of setting under subsection (b) of this section or [ that is not submitted ] on or before the due date for the [ a ] reply[ under subsection (a) or (b) of this section is inadmissible for purposes of a hearing unless an extension to present additional evidence is granted by the assigned administrative law judge because of an emergency or extraordinary circumstances ]. The assigned assistant general counsel may object to the introduction of documentary evidence that was not timely submitted, and at his or her discretion, the assigned administrative law judge may rule the documentary evidence to be inadmissible or may grant additional time for the assistant general counsel to review the documents. [ The notice of setting will specify a due date not sooner than 20 days after the issuance of the notice of setting for this reply. If any issues are raised or presented for the first time at the hearing, a party may plead surprise and move for a continuance, or move that the issues not be considered, which motion shall be granted at the discretion of the administrative law judge. ]

(d) At any time after the original due date of the reply to position letter, the assigned assistant general counsel may issue a written demand notice to the taxpayer requesting that all documentary evidence that would support facts or contentions(s) raised by the taxpayer in connection to a refund claim be produced within a specified time period. The time period specified in the written demand notice may not be less than 180 days. A taxpayer who fails to produce the requested documents within the specified time period may not introduce in evidence any of the documents that were not timely produced. The assigned administrative law judge cannot consider documents that were not produced within the specified deadline. This section is only applicable to the administrative hearing pending before the agency and has no effect on a judicial proceeding pending under Tax Code, Chapter 112.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 27, 2004.

TRD-200400508

Martin Cherry

Chief Deputy General Counsel

Comptroller of Public Accounts

Earliest possible date of adoption: March 14, 2004

For further information, please call: (512) 475-0387


Chapter 16. ELECTRONIC TRANSFER OF PAYMENTS TO THE TEXAS STATE TREASURY DEPARTMENT

34 TAC §16.3

(Editor's note: The text of the following section proposed for repeal will not be published. The section may be examined in the offices of the Comptroller of Public Accounts or in the Texas Register office, Room 245, James Earl Rudder Building, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin.)

The Comptroller of Public Accounts proposes the repeal of §16.3, concerning cigarette tax stamp payments. The rule is being repealed because the information contained in the rule exists in another rule (General Rules 3.9).

James LeBas, Chief Revenue Estimator, has determined that repeal of the rule will not result in any fiscal implications to the state or to units of local government.

Mr. LeBas also has determined that there will be no cost or benefit to the public from the repeal of this rule and would benefit taxpayers and the general public by simplifying the Texas Administrative Code. This repeal is adopted under Tax Code, Title 2, and does not require a statement of fiscal implications for small businesses. There are no additional costs to persons who are required to comply with the repeal.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Bryant K. Lomax, Tax Policy Division, P.O. Box 13528, Austin, Texas 78711.

The repeal is proposed under Tax Code, §111.002 and §111.0022 which provides the comptroller with the authority to prescribe, adopt, and enforce rules relating to the administration and enforcement of the provisions of Tax Code, Title 2.

§16.3.Cigarette Tax Stamp Payments.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 27, 2004.

TRD-200400509

Martin Cherry

Chief Deputy General Counsel

Comptroller of Public Accounts

Earliest possible date of adoption: March 14, 2004

For further information, please call: (512) 475-0387