Tax News

CCH (cch.taxgroup.com) reports:

  Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has signed legislation authorizing a two-month tax amnesty program, during which penalties for failure to timely file or pay Massachusetts taxes will be waived if the taxpayer files all outstanding returns and pays, or at the Commissioner's discretion provides security for, all tax and interest due. The amnesty period will begin on a date to be determined by Department of Revenue and will end no later than June 30, 2009. The amnesty program will not apply to any tax liability for a period that commenced on or after January 1, 2007. Also excluded are penalties that the Commissioner does not have the sole authority to waive, including penalties applicable to fuel taxes administered under the International Fuel Tax Agreement and local option portions of taxes collected for the benefit of cities, towns, or state governmental authorities. Any taxpayer who has been the subject of a tax-related criminal investigation or prosecution is not eligible for amnesty. Taxpayers who have delayed payment due to a pending abatement application or appeal must waive the right to delay payment, and pay all assessed tax and interest, in order to participate in the amnesty program. Payment of tax and interest will not affect the taxpayer's appeal rights.

  Subscribers to CCH Tax Research NetWork can view the text of H.B. 5143.

 
H.B. 5143, Laws 2009, effective January 7, 2009