HF 1752

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 01:54am

A bill for an act
relating to taxation; budget priorities; repealing the political contribution refund;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 270A.03, subdivision 7; 289A.50,
subdivision 1; 290.01, subdivision 6; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections
10A.322, subdivision 4; 290.06, subdivision 23.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 270A.03, subdivision 7, is amended to
read:

Subd. 7.

Refund.

"Refund" means an individual income tax refund deleted text begin or political
contribution refund deleted text end , pursuant to chapter 290, or a property tax credit or refund, pursuant to
chapter 290A, or a sustainable forest tax payment to a claimant under chapter 290C.

For purposes of this chapter, lottery prizes, as set forth in section 349A.08,
subdivision 8, and amounts granted to persons by the legislature on the recommendation
of the joint senate-house of representatives Subcommittee on Claims shall be treated
as refunds.

In the case of a joint property tax refund payable to spouses under chapter 290A,
the refund shall be considered as belonging to each spouse in the proportion of the total
refund that equals each spouse's proportion of the total income determined under section
290A.03, subdivision 3. In the case of a joint income tax refund under chapter 289A, the
refund shall be considered as belonging to each spouse in the proportion of the total
refund that equals each spouse's proportion of the total taxable income determined under
section 290.01, subdivision 29. The commissioner shall remit the entire refund to the
claimant agency, which shall, upon the request of the spouse who does not owe the debt,
determine the amount of the refund belonging to that spouse and refund the amount to
that spouse. For court fines, fees, and surcharges and court-ordered restitution under
section 611A.04, subdivision 2, the notice provided by the commissioner of revenue under
section 270A.07, subdivision 2, paragraph (b), serves as the appropriate legal notice
to the spouse who does not owe the debt.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for political contribution refund
claims based on contributions made on or after July 1, 2009.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 289A.50, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

General right to refund.

(a) Subject to the requirements of this
section and section 289A.40, a taxpayer who has paid a tax in excess of the taxes lawfully
due and who files a written claim for refund will be refunded or credited the overpayment
of the tax determined by the commissioner to be erroneously paid.

(b) The claim must specify the name of the taxpayer, the date when and the period
for which the tax was paid, the kind of tax paid, the amount of the tax that the taxpayer
claims was erroneously paid, the grounds on which a refund is claimed, and other
information relative to the payment and in the form required by the commissioner. An
income tax, estate tax, or corporate franchise tax return, or amended return claiming an
overpayment constitutes a claim for refund.

(c) When, in the course of an examination, and within the time for requesting a
refund, the commissioner determines that there has been an overpayment of tax, the
commissioner shall refund or credit the overpayment to the taxpayer and no demand
is necessary. If the overpayment exceeds $1, the amount of the overpayment must
be refunded to the taxpayer. If the amount of the overpayment is less than $1, the
commissioner is not required to refund. In these situations, the commissioner does not
have to make written findings or serve notice by mail to the taxpayer.

(d) If the amount allowable as a credit for withholding, estimated taxes, or dependent
care exceeds the tax against which the credit is allowable, the amount of the excess is
considered an overpayment. deleted text begin The refund allowed by section 290.06, subdivision 23, is also
considered an overpayment. deleted text end The requirements of section 270C.33 do not apply to the
refunding of such an overpayment shown on the original return filed by a taxpayer.

(e) If the entertainment tax withheld at the source exceeds by $1 or more the taxes,
penalties, and interest reported in the return of the entertainment entity or imposed by
section 290.9201, the excess must be refunded to the entertainment entity. If the excess is
less than $1, the commissioner need not refund that amount.

(f) If the surety deposit required for a construction contract exceeds the liability of
the out-of-state contractor, the commissioner shall refund the difference to the contractor.

(g) An action of the commissioner in refunding the amount of the overpayment does
not constitute a determination of the correctness of the return of the taxpayer.

(h) There is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of revenue the
amount necessary to pay refunds allowed under this section.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for political contribution refund
claims based on contributions made on or after July 1, 2009.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 290.01, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Taxpayer.

The term "taxpayer" means any person or corporation subject to
a tax imposed by this chapter. deleted text begin For purposes of section 290.06, subdivision 23, the term
"taxpayer" means an individual eligible to vote in Minnesota under section 201.014. deleted text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for political contribution refund
claims based on contributions made on or after July 1, 2009.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 10A.322, subdivision 4; and 290.06, subdivision
23, new text end new text begin are repealed effective for contributions made after June 30, 2009.
new text end