MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2020 Regular Session
To: Ways and Means
By: Representative Lamar
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 27-15-107, 27-31-81, 27-35-163, 27-41-9, 27-65-33, 27-65-53, 27-67-19, 27-69-41 AND 27-71-331, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDE FOR THE PAYMENT OF INTEREST BY TAXPAYERS FOR FAILING TO PAY VARIOUS TAXES, TO MAKE THE INTEREST RATES PROVIDED THEREIN CONSISTENT WITH THE INTEREST RATES PROVIDED IN OTHER SECTIONS OF LAW FOR THE PAYMENT OF INTEREST; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 27-15-107, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
27-15-107. (1) Every insurance company liable for the tax under the provisions hereof shall make and file with the Department of Revenue, estimated tax returns and payments for the insurance premium tax levied under Sections 27-15-103 and 27-15-109 for the first four (4) periods of each calendar year and a reconciliation return and payment for the final reporting period for each calendar year based on the actual liability of the insurance company for insurance premium taxes for that calendar year. The insurance company shall estimate the amount of insurance premium taxes to be due for each calendar year and pay insurance premium taxes based on a percentage of that estimate as provided for in subsection (2) of this section for the first four (4) reporting periods of each calendar year. In addition to reflecting the amount of estimated tax payment being paid, the estimated return shall also contain an estimate of the gross amount of premium receipts of the insurance company subject to the insurance premium tax under Sections 27-15-103 and 27-15-109 during the reporting period. For the final reporting period for each calendar year, every insurance company shall file a reconciliation tax return reporting the balance of insurance premium taxes due for the calendar year based on insurance premiums actually received during the calendar year after the application of the estimated tax payments for the first four (4) reporting periods and any applicable credits, and pay the balance of insurance premium taxes due for the calendar year. The insurance company shall also pay with the reconciliation tax return any penalties and/or interest due for the calendar year, including any penalty and/or interest for underestimating the amount of estimated tax to be paid for the first four (4) reporting periods.
(2) The reporting periods, the amount of insurance premium tax to be paid for the reporting periods, and the due date for the tax return and payment for the reporting periods are as follows:
(a) For the first reporting period of January 1 through March 31, the percentage to be paid is one-fourth (1/4) of the estimated tax amount. The due date for the estimated return and payment is April 20.
(b) For the second reporting period of April 1 through May 31, the percentage to be paid is one-sixth (1/6) of the estimated tax amount. The due date for the estimated return and payment is June 20.
(c) For the third reporting period of June 1 through June 30, the percentage to be paid is one-twelfth (1/12) of the estimated tax amount. The due date for the estimated return and payment is July 20.
(d) For the fourth reporting period of July 1 through September 30, the percentage to be paid is one-fourth (1/4) of the estimated tax amount. The due date for the estimated return and payment is October 20.
(e) For the final reporting period of October 1 through December 31, the balance of insurance premium tax due for the calendar year shall be paid after application of estimated payments for the first four (4) reporting periods and any applicable credits are reported on a reconciliation tax return. The due date for the return and payment, including payment of any penalty and/or interest, is March 1.
(3) Any insurance company
liable for the insurance premium tax levied under Sections 27-15-103 and 27-15-109
that fails to file an estimated tax return or a reconciliation tax return and
fails to pay the required estimated tax payments with the estimated tax return
or the balance of insurance premium tax with the reconciliation tax return by
the due date for such return and payment, shall be liable for a penalty in the
amount of ten percent (10%) of the payment due and interest at the rate of * * * one-half of one percent (1/2
of 1%) per month from the due date of the payment until paid.
(4) Any insurance company
that underestimates the estimated amount of insurance premium tax to be paid
for any of the first four (4) reporting periods by more than ten percent (10%)
shall be liable for penalty in the amount of ten percent (10%) of the amount by
which the insurance company underestimated the amount of insurance premium tax
due. The amount of this underestimate shall be determined by subtracting the
amount paid for that reporting period from an amount determined by multiplying
the actual annual insurance premium taxes due for the calendar year times the
percentage of estimated tax to be paid for the reporting period. The insurance
company shall also be liable for interest on the underestimated amount at the
rate of * * * one-half of one percent (1/2 of 1%) per month from the
due date for the reporting period until the insurance company pays the actual
annual insurance premium taxes due for the calendar year in which the reporting
period is included.
(5) The Department of Revenue shall have the authority to promulgate rules and regulations, not inconsistent with this article, as it may deem necessary to enforce its provisions.
SECTION 2. Section 27-31-81, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
27-31-81. The mineral
documentary tax shall be payable by the grantee or grantees named in and the
beneficiary or real party in interest under such lease, deed, conveyance,
transfer, assignment or other writing, except that as to any exception or
reservation creating any such interest the tax shall be payable by the grantor
or grantors in such instrument. The tax shall be due and payable upon the
filing of the instrument for record, and the chancery clerk shall note the fact
of the payment as provided in Section 27-31-83. Any chancery clerk, who
accepts or records an instrument upon which the tax is not paid to him as
required under this section, shall be liable to the county for double the
amount of tax shown to have been due upon the instrument; however, the chancery
clerk shall not be liable for any sum where the amount of the tax tendered is
accepted by him in good faith as the proper amount due. If an insufficient
amount is paid for the tax, the filing and recording of the instrument shall
nevertheless be good and valid for all purposes as now provided by statute, but
the additional amount which should have been paid, together with a penalty of
twenty-five percent (25%) thereof and * * * one-half of one percent
(1/2 of 1%) interest per month thereon from the due date until paid, shall
be a lien on the interest conveyed, reserved or excepted therein, and a
personal debt of the said taxpayer, collectible by suit by the county for
personal judgment or to enforce the lien or both.
SECTION 3. Section 27-35-163, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
27-35-163. (1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2) of this section, any person, firm or corporation aggrieved by an order of the Board of Tax Appeals affirming, in whole or in part, the assessment of property by the Department of Revenue for the purpose of ad valorem taxation may, within thirty (30) days from the date of this order, appeal with supersedeas as to the amount of taxes in controversy to the Circuit Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, or to the circuit court of any county in which the property, or any part thereof, is located, or to the circuit court of any county in which such person, firm or corporation whose property is assessed resides, upon giving bond with sufficient sureties, to be approved by the clerk of such court, in a sum equal to the amount of taxes due on the contested value of such property as affirmed by the Board of Tax Appeals, but never less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00), payable to the state and conditioned to perform the judgment of the circuit court. The ad valorem taxes due on the uncontested portion of the value as determined by the Board of Tax Appeals shall be due and payable at the same time as all other ad valorem taxes are for real and personal property. The person, firm or corporation who appeals shall file with the clerk of the circuit court a petition for appeal and review, together with the bond herein provided for, and the clerk shall thereupon give notice to the Department of Revenue, who will be the appellee in the appeal, and to the Board of Tax Appeals. The Department of Revenue shall file with the clerk of the circuit court where the petition is pending a certified copy of the assessment in issue and the Board of Tax Appeals shall file a certified copy of its order or orders in regard to this assessment. The assessment by the Department of Revenue and the order or orders of the Board of Tax Appeals are to be filed with the circuit clerk within thirty (30) days from the date that each respective agency and board received the notice from the clerk of the circuit court concerning the filing of the appeal. The matter of assessing such property shall be heard de novo by the circuit court at the first term of the court thereafter, or by the judge of the circuit court in vacation, by agreement of the parties, without a jury, and such proceeding shall be given preference over other pending matters in the court. After hearing the evidence, the circuit court, or the judge thereof in vacation, shall make an order setting aside, modifying or affirming the order of the Board of Tax Appeals. A copy of such order shall be certified by the clerk of the court to the Department of Revenue, which shall conform thereto.
If the order of the Board of Tax Appeals is affirmed, then the person, firm or corporation who appealed, and the sureties on the appeal bond, shall be liable to the state for damages at the rate of ten percent (10%) on the amount of taxes in controversy, and all cost of such appeal.
If the Department of Revenue shall be aggrieved by an order of the Board of Tax Appeals regarding an assessment by the department for ad valorem tax purposes, the department may, within thirty (30) days from the date of the order of the Board of Tax Appeals regarding this assessment, appeal to the circuit court of any county in which the property being assessed, or any part thereof, is located or of any county in which the taxpayer resides, in like manner as in the case of any person, firm or corporation aggrieved as provided in this subsection, except no bonds shall be required of the Department of Revenue. Upon the filing of a petition for appeal or review as provided in this subsection, the clerk of the court in which the petition is filed shall thereupon issue process to the person, firm or corporation whose property is assessed, and such person, firm or corporation shall plead to the petition within thirty (30) days after the receipt of the notice.
If the state shall be
aggrieved by an assessment for ad valorem tax purposes by the Department of
Revenue or by an order of the Board of Tax Appeals regarding an assessment by
the Department of Revenue for ad valorem * * * tax purposes, the Attorney General
or the district attorney, if all the property sought to be taxed is located
within the judicial district for which such district attorney is elected, may,
within thirty (30) days from the date of the notice from the Department of
Revenue to the tax assessor or tax assessors in the county or counties where
the property being assessed is located of the amount of the final assessment,
appeal to the circuit court of any county in which the property, or any part
thereof, is located or of any county in which the taxpayer resides, in like
manner as in the case of any person, firm or corporation aggrieved as
hereinbefore provided, except no bonds shall be required of the Attorney
General or district attorney who may appeal. Upon the filing of a petition for
appeal or review as herein provided, the clerk of the court in which the
petition is filed shall thereupon issue process to the person, firm or
corporation whose property is assessed, and such person, firm or corporation
shall plead to the petition within twenty (20) days after the receipt of the
notice.
In the event more than one (1) person appeals an assessment by the Department of Revenue for ad valorem tax purposes or an order of the Board of Tax Appeals regarding an assessment by the Department of Revenue for ad valorem tax purposes under this section, the matter shall be heard by the circuit court of the county in which the petition for appeal was first filed, unless otherwise agreed by the parties.
Any taxpayer aggrieved by an order of the circuit court may appeal, with supersedeas, to the Supreme Court by giving bond in the amount and conditioned as provided in the preceding paragraphs of this section.
The officer who appealed the matter from the ad valorem assessment of the Department of Revenue or from the order of the Board of Tax Appeals concerning an ad valorem assessment by the Department of Revenue may have an appeal to the Supreme Court without bond.
If the Department of Revenue appeals the matter from the order of the Board of Tax Appeals concerning an assessment by the Department of Revenue for ad valorem tax purposes, it may have an appeal to the Supreme Court without bond.
In the event the appeal by
the taxpayer delays the collection of the tax due by him, then the taxpayer
shall be liable for and shall pay, at the time the taxes are paid to the tax
collector whose duty it is to collect the taxes, interest at the rate of * * * six percent (6%)
per annum from the date the taxes were due until paid.
(2) Any telephone company operating in more than six (6) counties, which is aggrieved by an assessment by the Department of Revenue for ad valorem tax purposes, may, within thirty (30) days from the date of the order of the Board of Tax Appeals regarding this assessment, appeal without bond as to the amount of taxes in controversy to the Circuit Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, or to the circuit court of any county in which the property, or any part thereof, is located, or to the circuit court of any county in which such telephone company resides. Notwithstanding such appeal, all of the ad valorem taxes due on the value as set by the Department of Revenue as adjusted by the Board of Tax Appeals shall be due and payable at the same time as all other ad valorem taxes are for real and personal property; provided, however, that the ad valorem taxes due on the contested portion of such value shall be paid under protest. Such telephone company shall file with the clerk of the circuit court a petition for appeal and review and the clerk shall thereupon give notice to the Department of Revenue, who will be the appellee in the appeal, and to the Board of Tax Appeals. The Department of Revenue shall file with the clerk of the circuit court where the petition is pending a certified copy of the assessment in issue and the Board of Tax Appeals shall file a certified copy of its order or orders in regard to this assessment. The assessment by the Department of Revenue and the order or orders of the Board of Tax Appeals are to be filed with the circuit clerk within thirty (30) days from the date that each respective agency and board received the notice from the clerk of the circuit court concerning the filing of the appeal. The matter of assessing such property shall be heard de novo by the circuit court at the first term of the court thereafter, or by the judge of the circuit court in vacation, by agreement of the parties, without a jury, and such proceeding shall be given preference over other pending matters in the court. After hearing the evidence, the circuit court, or the judge thereof in vacation, shall make an order setting aside, modifying or affirming the order of the Board of Tax Appeals. A copy of such order shall be certified by the clerk of the court to the Department of Revenue, which shall conform thereto.
If the Department of Revenue shall be aggrieved by an order of the Board of Tax Appeals regarding an assessment by the department for ad valorem tax purposes, the department may, within thirty (30) days from the date of the order of the Board of Tax Appeals regarding this assessment, appeal to the circuit court of any county in which the property being assessed, or any part thereof, is located or of any county in which the taxpayer resides, in like manner as in the case of any person, firm or corporation aggrieved as provided in this subsection, except no bonds shall be required of the Department of Revenue. Upon the filing of a petition for appeal or review as provided in this subsection, the clerk of the court in which the petition is filed shall thereupon issue process to the person, firm or corporation whose property is assessed, and such person, firm or corporation shall plead to the petition within thirty (30) days after the receipt of the notice.
If the state shall be aggrieved by an assessment for ad valorem purposes by the Department of Revenue or by an order of the Board of Tax Appeals regarding an assessment by the Department of Revenue for ad valorem tax purposes, the Attorney General or the district attorney, if all the property sought to be taxed is located within the judicial district for which such district attorney is elected, may, within thirty (30) days from the date of the notice from the Department of Revenue to the tax assessor or tax assessors in the county or counties where the property being assessed is located of the amount of the final assessment, appeal without bond to the circuit court of any county in which the property, or any part thereof, is located or of any county in which such telephone company resides. Upon the filing of a petition for appeal or review as herein provided, the clerk of the court in which the petition is filed shall thereupon issue process to such telephone company, and such telephone company shall plead to the petition within thirty (30) days after the receipt of the notice.
In the event more than one (1) person appeals an assessment of a telephone company by the Department of Revenue for ad valorem tax purposes or an order of the Board of Tax Appeals regarding an assessment of a telephone company by the Department of Revenue for ad valorem tax purpose, the matter shall be heard by the circuit court of the county in which the petition for appeal was first filed, unless otherwise agreed by the parties.
Any such telephone company aggrieved by an order of the circuit court may appeal without bond to the Supreme Court.
The officer who appealed the matter from ad valorem assessment of the Department of Revenue of a telephone company or from the order of the Board of Tax Appeals concerning an ad valorem tax assessment by the Department of Revenue of a telephone company may have an appeal to the Supreme Court without bond.
If the Department of Revenue appeals the matter from the order of the Board of Tax Appeals concerning an assessment of a telephone company by the Department of Revenue for ad valorem tax purposes, it may have an appeal to the Supreme Court without bond.
If the value as set by the final assessment of the Department of Revenue of the telephone company, including any adjustment ordered by the Board of Tax Appeals, is reduced by the courts as a result of appeals filed by such telephone company, the ad valorem taxes attributable to such reduction shall be disposed of by each affected local taxing district in the following manner:
(a) (i) Such local telephone company shall be entitled to a refund equal to the amount of ad valorem taxes paid by such company to the taxing district which are attributable to such reduction in value, less the portion of any refunds previously received by such telephone company pursuant to Section 27-38-5, which are attributable to such reduction in value.
(ii) If the taxing district has not paid the full amount of the refund required by this subsection by the time that ad valorem taxes become due and payable by such telephone company to such taxing district for any subsequent year or years, such telephone company shall be entitled to take a credit against the ad valorem tax liability for such subsequent year or years up to the total amount of the refund owed to such telephone company pursuant to this paragraph (a).
(b) (i) The remaining portion of the ad valorem taxes attributable to such reduction shall be paid by the taxing district to the state, and such amount shall be credited to the Telecommunications Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund.
(ii) To the extent that the taxing district has not fully paid to the state the amount required by this subsection, any monies due by the state to such local taxing jurisdiction shall be offset until such amount is fully paid.
SECTION 4. Section 27-41-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
27-41-9. (1) If any person
fails to pay the tax levied and assessed against him when due, he shall be
required to pay, in addition to the amount of taxes unpaid after February 1,
interest thereon at the rate of * * * one-half of one percent
(1/2 of 1%) per month, or fractional part thereof, from February 1 to the
date of payment of such taxes. When the due date for any payment shall fall on
a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday then the payment shall be received by the
tax collector on the first working day after such day or days without any
interest being owed by the taxpayer.
The interest charge of * * * one-half of one percent
(1/2 of 1%) shall be collected and apportioned and paid into the state,
county, levee board or drainage district or municipal treasury. That portion
paid into the county or municipal treasury shall be paid into the general fund
of such county or municipality.
If any taxpayer neglects or
refuses to pay his taxes on the due date thereof, the said taxes shall bear
interest at the rate of * * *one percent (1%) one-half of one percent (1/2 of 1%)
per month or fractional part thereof from the delinquent date to the date
payment of such taxes is made; provided that because of unusual conditions in
any county where neither the taxpayer nor the tax collector is negligent or
responsible for the delay incident to such tax payments, the Governor of the
state may by proclamation before, on or after the due date of such tax payments
extend the time for the imposition of this penalty for a period not to exceed
sixty (60) days, and if necessary, for two (2) additional periods not to exceed
sixty (60) days each.
(2) Such proclamation shall be filed with the clerk of the board of supervisors of the county affected thereby and shall not become effective until so filed. The proclamation shall be spread at large upon the minutes of the next regular meeting of the board of supervisors held after the date of the filing thereof.
SECTION 5. Section 27-65-33, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
27-65-33. (1) (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the taxes levied by this chapter shall be due and payable on or before the twentieth day of the month next succeeding the month in which the tax accrues, except as otherwise provided. Returns and payments placed in the mail must be postmarked by the due date in order to be considered timely filed, except when the due date falls on a weekend or holiday, returns and payments placed in the mail must be postmarked by the first working day following the due date in order to be considered timely filed. The taxpayer shall make a return showing the gross proceeds of sales or the gross income of the business, and any and all allowable deductions, or exempt sales, and compute the tax due for the period covered.
(b) As compensation for collecting sales and use taxes, complying fully with the applicable statutes, filing returns and supplements thereto and paying all taxes by the twentieth of the month following the period covered, the taxpayer may discount and retain two percent (2%) of the liability on each return subject to the following limitations:
(i) The compensation or discount shall not apply to taxes levied under the provisions of Sections 27-65-19 and 27-65-21, or on charges for ginning cotton under Section 27-65-23.
(ii) The compensation or discount shall not apply to taxes collected by a county official or state agency.
(iii) The compensation or discount shall not exceed Fifty Dollars ($50.00) per month, or Six Hundred Dollars ($600.00) per calendar year, per business location on each state sales tax return, or on each use tax return.
(iv) The compensation or discount shall not apply to any wholesale tax, the rate of which is equal to or greater than the tax rate applicable to retail sales of the same property or service. The retailer of such items shall be entitled to the compensation based on the tax computed on retail sales before application of the credit for any tax paid to the wholesaler, jobber or other person.
(v) The compensation or discount allowed and taken for any filing period may be reassessed and collected when an audit of a taxpayer's records reveals a tax deficiency for that period.
(c) As compensation for collecting any tax imposed under the authority of a local and private law of the State of Mississippi which is collected and paid to the Department of Revenue in the same or similar manner that state sales taxes are collected and paid, complying fully with such applicable law, filing returns and supplements thereto and paying all taxes by the twentieth of the month following the period covered, the taxpayer may discount and retain two percent (2%) of the liability on each return subject to the following limitations:
(i) The compensation or discount shall not apply to taxes collected by a county official or state agency.
(ii) The compensation or discount shall not exceed Fifty Dollars ($50.00) per month, or Six Hundred Dollars ($600.00) per calendar year, per business location on each tax return.
(iii) The compensation or discount allowed and taken for any filing period may be reassessed and collected when an audit of a taxpayer's records reveals a tax deficiency for that period.
(2) A taxpayer required to collect sales taxes under this chapter and having an average monthly sales tax liability of at least Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) for the preceding calendar year shall pay to the Department of Revenue on or before June 25, 2014, and on or before the twenty-fifth day of June of each succeeding year thereafter, an amount equal to at least seventy-five percent (75%) of such taxpayer's estimated sales tax liability for the month of June of the current calendar year, or an amount equal to at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the taxpayer's sales tax liability for the month of June of the preceding calendar year. For the purposes of calculating a taxpayer's estimated sales tax liability for the month of June of the current calendar year, the taxpayer does not have to include taxes due on credit sales for which the taxpayer has not received payment before June 20. Payments required to be made under this subsection must be received by the Department of Revenue no later than June 25 in order to be considered timely made. A taxpayer that fails to comply with the requirements of this subsection may be assessed a penalty in an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the difference between any amount the taxpayer pays pursuant to this subsection and the taxpayer's actual sales tax liability for the month of June for which the estimated payment was required to be made. Payments made by a taxpayer under this subsection shall not be considered to be collected for the purposes of any sales tax diversions required by law until the taxpayer files a return for the actual sales taxes collected during the month of June. This subsection shall not apply to any agency, department or instrumentality of the United States, any agency, department, institution, instrumentality or political subdivision of the State of Mississippi, or any agency, department, institution or instrumentality of any political subdivision of the State of Mississippi.
(3) All returns shall be sworn to by the taxpayer, if made by an individual, or by the president, vice president, secretary or treasurer of a corporation, or authorized agent, if made on behalf of a corporation. If made on behalf of a partnership, joint venture, association, trust, estate, or in any other group or combination acting as a unit, any individual delegated by such firm shall swear to the return on behalf of the taxpayer. The commissioner may prescribe methods by which the taxpayer may swear to his return.
(4) The commissioner may promulgate rules and regulations to require or permit filing periods of any duration, in lieu of monthly filing periods, for any taxpayer or group thereof.
(5) The commissioner may require the execution and filing by the taxpayer with the commissioner of a good and solvent bond with some surety company authorized to do business in Mississippi as surety thereon in an amount double the aggregate tax liability by such taxpayer for any previous three-month period within the last calendar year or estimated three (3) months' tax liability. The bond is to be conditioned for the prompt payment of such taxes as may be due for each such return.
(6) The commissioner, for
good cause, may grant such reasonable additional time within which to make any
return required under the provisions of this chapter as he may deem proper, but
the time for filing any return shall not be extended beyond the twentieth of the
month next succeeding the regular due date of the return without the imposition
of interest at the rate of * * * one-half of one percent
(1/2 of 1%) per month or fractional part of a month from the time the
return was due until the tax is paid.
(7) For persistent, willful
or recurring failure to make any return and pay the tax shown thereby to be due
by the time specified, there shall be added to the amount of tax shown to be
due ten percent (10%) damages, or interest at the rate of * * * one-half of one percent
(1/2 of 1%) per month, or both.
(8) Any taxpayer may, upon making application therefor, obtain from the commissioner an extension of time for the payment of taxes due on credit sales until collections thereon have been made. When such extension is granted, the taxpayer shall thereafter include in each monthly or quarterly report all collections made during the preceding month or quarter, and shall pay the taxes due thereon at the time of filing such report. Such permission may be revoked or denied at the discretion of the commissioner when, in his opinion, a total sales basis will best reflect the taxable income or expedite examination of the taxpayer's records.
(9) Any taxpayer reporting credit sales before collection thereof has been made may take credit on subsequent returns or reports for bad debts actually charged off, if such amounts charged off have previously been included in taxable gross income or taxable gross proceeds of sales, as the case may be, and the tax paid thereon. However, any amounts subsequently collected on accounts that have been charged off as bad debts shall be included in subsequent reports and the tax shall be paid thereon.
(10) In cases where an extension of time has been granted by the commissioner for payment of taxes due on credit sales and the taxpayer thereafter discontinues the business, such taxpayer shall be required to file with the commissioner within ten (10) days, or such further time as the commissioner may direct, from the date of the discontinuance of such business, a special report showing the amounts of any credit sales which have not been included in determining the measure of the tax previously paid and any other information with reference to credit sales as the commissioner may require. The commissioner shall thereupon investigate the facts with reference to credit sales and the condition of the accounts, and shall determine, from the best evidence available, the value of all open accounts, notes or other evidence of debt arising from credit sales. The value of all notes, open accounts and other evidence of debt, as thus determined by the commissioner, shall be used in determining the amount of the tax for which such taxpayer shall be liable. When the amount of the tax shall have been ascertained, the taxpayer shall be required to pay the same within ten (10) days or such further time as the commissioner may allow, notwithstanding the fact that such note or accounts may still remain uncollected.
SECTION 6. Section 27-65-53, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
27-65-53. If the commissioner finds that the taxpayer has overpaid his tax for any reason and the taxpayer has discontinued business and there is no subsequent liability upon which the excess may be credited, or if the amount of the excess so paid shall exceed the estimated liability for the next twelve (12) months, the excess shall be refunded to the taxpayer. Such amount shall be certified to the State Auditor of Public Accounts by the commission. The said auditor is hereby authorized to make such investigation and audit of the claim as he finds necessary. If he finds that the commissioner is correct in his determination, the auditor may issue his warrant to the State Treasurer in favor of the taxpayer for the amount of tax erroneously paid into the State Treasury, such refunds to be made from current sales tax collections. If part of the overpayment has been disbursed to any municipality or state institution of higher learning, under authority of Section 27-65-75, the municipality or state institution of higher learning, having erroneously received the money, shall adjust the amount with the commissioner, or the overpayment may be withheld by the state from any funds due by the state to the municipality or state institution of higher learning.
Provided, that where the taxpayer has overpaid his tax, the commissioner may give credit for same and allow the taxpayer to take credit on a subsequent return or, if necessary, in his discretion, have the taxpayer file for a refund as provided herein.
If any overpayment of tax as
reflected in an application or amended return, or both, filed by the taxpayer,
and verified by the commissioner or otherwise determined to be due by the
commissioner or commission, is not refunded or credited to a taxpayer's account
within ninety (90) days after the application or amended return is filed or the
date the commission or commissioner determines a refund is due, whichever is
later, interest at the rate of * * * one-half of one percent
(1/2 of 1%) per month shall be allowed on such overpayment computed for the
period after expiration of the ninety-day period provided herein to the date of
payment.
SECTION 7. Section 27-67-19, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
27-67-19. The commissioner
may grant a reasonable extension of time for making any return and paying the
tax due thereon, but the time for filing any such return shall not be extended
beyond the twentieth of the month next succeeding the regular due date of such
return without the imposition of interest at the rate of * * * one-half of one percent
(1/2 of 1%) per month, or fractional part of a month, from the regular due
date of such return until the tax is paid.
For persistent, willful or
recurring failure to make any return and pay the tax shown thereby to be due,
by the time specified herein, there shall be added to the amount of tax shown
to be due, ten percent (10%) damages, or interest at the rate of * * * one-half of one percent
(1/2 of 1%) per month, or both.
SECTION 8. Section 27-69-41, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
27-69-41. If any person
subject to the provisions of this chapter, or any rules or regulations promulgated
by the commissioner under authority hereof, shall be found to have failed to
affix the stamps required, or to have the same affixed as herein provided, or
to pay any tax due hereunder, or to have violated any of the provisions of this
chapter, or rules and regulations promulgated by the commissioner in the
administration of this chapter, there shall be collected from such person, in
addition to the tax that may be due, a penalty of fifty percent (50%) of the
tax due; and the commissioner, or his duly authorized representative, may make
immediate demand upon such person for the payment of all such taxes and
penalties. Provided, that the commissioner, for good reason shown, may remit
all or any part of the penalties imposed, but the taxpayer must pay all taxes
due and interest thereon, at the rate of * * * six percent (6%)
per annum. The keeping of any unstamped cigarettes or untaxed tobacco at a
place of business where such articles are sold, shall be prima facie evidence
of intent to violate the provisions of this chapter.
All administrative provisions of the Mississippi Sales Tax Law, including those which fix damages, penalties and interest for nonpayment of taxes and for noncompliance with the provisions of said chapter, and all other requirements and duties imposed upon taxpayers, shall apply to all persons liable for taxes under the provisions of this chapter, and the commissioner shall exercise all the power and authority and perform all the duties with respect to taxpayers under this chapter as are provided in the Sales Tax Law, except where there is conflict, then the provisions of this chapter shall control.
SECTION 9. Section 27-71-331, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
27-71-331. If any
manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, brewpub or small craft brewery, subject
to the provisions of this article, shall fail to pay any tax due under the
provisions of this article, within the time, and in the manner, herein
provided, the commissioner is authorized to assess, and collect, such tax,
together with interest thereon from the date such tax became due at the rate of * * * one-half of one percent
(1/2 of 1%) per month, and in addition to the amount of the tax due and the
interest accrued thereon, the commissioner may, in his discretion, assess and
collect, from such delinquent taxpayer, a penalty equal to the amount of the
tax found to be due.
SECTION 10. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2020.