House Bill 177

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 27-7-315, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REDUCE THE PERIOD OF TIME FROM SIX MONTHS TO THREE MONTHS AFTER THE FINAL DATE FOR FILING RETURNS WITHIN WHICH THE STATE TAX COMMISSION MUST REFUND AN OVERPAYMENT OF INCOME TAX BEFORE A TAXPAYER MAY FILE A PETITION WITH THE CHAIRMAN OF THE STATE TAX COMMISSION FOR A HEARING ON THE CLAIM FOR REFUND; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 27-7-315, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-7-315. If any overpayment of any tax, interest or penalty levied or provided for by Article 1 of this chapter, or in this article, is not refunded to the taxpayer as provided in Section 27-7-313 within three (3) months after the final date for filing returns as prescribed by law, the taxpayer may file a petition with the commissioner for a hearing on the claim for refund. Within ten (10) days after the receipt of such petition, the commissioner shall either (1) make refund as requested in the return filed by the taxpayer of the amount claimed by the taxpayer; or (2) set a time and place for such hearing and give notice thereof to the petitioner by registered or certified mail with return receipt requested. The date set for such hearing shall be not less than ten (10) days, nor more than thirty (30) days after notice thereof is given to the petitioner. If, after such hearing, the commissioner shall determine that the petitioner is entitled to a refund as claimed in the return, he shall refund to the petitioner the amount determined to be due. If, after such hearing, the commissioner determines that the petitioner is not entitled to a refund for overpayment, he shall so notify the petitioner by registered mail or by certified mail with return receipt requested.

If the petitioner is aggrieved by the decision of the commissioner, he may appeal from the commissioner's decision for a rehearing before the State Tax Commission. Such appeal for a rehearing shall be made within thirty (30) days from the date of notice by the commissioner, and the commission shall set a time for such rehearing to be held no longer than thirty (30) days from the date of petitioner's request. The commission shall notify the petitioner of its decision within ten (10) days from the date of the rehearing. If the petitioner feels further aggrieved by the decision of the commission, he may appeal therefrom to the Chancery Court of Hinds County, or to the chancery court of the county of petitioner's residence, within thirty (30) days from the receipt of notice of the commission's decision. Further appeal may be taken by the petitioner or the commission from the chancery court to the Supreme Court in the same manner, as is provided by law for other cases.

If any overpayment of tax as reflected on a return or amended return filed, and verified by the commissioner or determined to be due by the commissioner or commission when no overpayment is shown on a return or amended return, is not refunded within ninety (90) days after the prescribed due date of the return, the date the return is filed, or the date the commissioner or commission determines a refund as being due when no overpayment is shown on a return or amended return, whichever is later, interest at the rate of one percent (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 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2005.