MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Finance

By: Senator(s) Jackson

Senate Bill 3269

AN ACT TO PROVIDE AN INCOME TAX CREDIT FOR INDIVIDUAL TAXPAYERS WHO PERFORM VOLUNTEER WORK AS A FIREFIGHTER; TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE TAX COMMISSION SHALL DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT VOLUNTEER WORK PERFORMED BY AN INDIVIDUAL TAXPAYER QUALIFIES FOR THE TAX CREDIT AUTHORIZED BY THIS ACT; TO PROVIDE THAT AN INDIVIDUAL TAXPAYER MUST PROVIDE CERTAIN INFORMATION TO THE STATE TAX COMMISSION IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE TAX CREDIT AUTHORIZED BY THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) For any individual taxpayer who performs volunteer work as a fire fighter, there shall be allowed a credit against income taxes in the amount of Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00). In order to qualify for the income tax credit provided in this section, an individual taxpayer must satisfy the requirements of subsection (2) of this section.

(2) If an individual taxpayer performs volunteer work as a firefighter and desires to qualify for the income tax credit provided in this section, the individual taxpayer must submit to the State Tax Commission a description and full information on the volunteer work performed. The State Tax Commission shall review the volunteer work performed by the individual taxpayer and determine whether or not it qualifies for the income tax credit provided in this section. If the State Tax Commission determines that the volunteer work performed by the individual taxpayer meets the necessary criteria, it shall issue a certificate to that effect to the individual taxpayer. The certificate will authorize the individual taxpayer to claim a credit against income taxes for the amount of the credit provided in subsection (1) of this section.

(3) To obtain the credit provided for in this section, the individual taxpayer must provide to the State Tax Commission a copy of the certificate for the volunteer work issued by the State Tax Commission and any other information required by the State Tax Commission.

SECTION 2. Section 1 of this act shall be codified as a separate Code section within Article 1, Chapter 7, Title 27, Mississippi Code of 1972.

SECTION 3. Nothing in this act shall affect or defeat any claim, assessment, appeal, suit, right or cause of action for taxes due or accrued under the income tax laws before the date on which this act becomes effective, whether such claims, assessments, appeals, suits or actions have been begun before the date on which this act becomes effective or are begun thereafter; and the provisions of the income tax laws are expressly continued in full force, effect and operation for the purpose of the assessment, collection and enrollment of liens for any taxes due or accrued and the execution of any warrant under such laws before the date on which this act becomes effective, and for the imposition of any penalties, forfeitures or claims for failure to comply with such laws.

SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after January 1, 1999.