Louisiana Senate Bill SB283

Louisiana 2020 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/27/20
• Refer: 2/27/20
• Refer: 3/9/20
• Report Pass: 5/11/20
• Engrossed: 5/15/20
• Report Pass: 5/18/20
• Enrolled: 5/28/20
• Chaptered: 6/9/20
• Passed: 6/9/20

Caption

Provides relative to local sales tax administration. (1/1/21) (RE NO IMPACT LF RV See Note)

Impact

By restructuring the notification and protest procedures, SB283 is expected to enhance the efficiency of local tax collection efforts and improve taxpayers' understanding of their rights. It increases the timeline for taxpayers to protest a tax determination from fifteen to thirty days, which could provide a more accessible mechanism for challenging assessments. Furthermore, the bill aims to ensure that taxpayers receive proper notice of assessments and their rights to appeal, thereby potentially increasing taxpayer engagement and transparency in the process.

Summary

Senate Bill No. 283 seeks to amend and reenact several sections of the Louisiana Revised Statutes pertaining to local sales and use tax administration. The bill focuses on clarifying the processes for tax determination, protests, and assessments by local collectors. It aims to create a more structured approach to notifying taxpayers about their tax liabilities and establishes explicit timelines for protests and appeals against tax assessments. The proposed changes are intended to streamline the administrative processes surrounding local sales taxes, ultimately benefiting both local governments and taxpayers by reducing confusion and enhancing compliance.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SB283 appears to be generally supportive among legislators who believe it clarifies and facilitates the tax assessment process. Proponents argue that the improved procedures will lead to better compliance and fairness for taxpayers. However, there may be concerns regarding the potential burden on collectors to meet the extended timelines for protests and appeals, which could slow down the tax collection process.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding SB283 could center on the implications of extending protest and appeal timelines. Critics may argue that while these changes aim to enhance taxpayer rights, they could inadvertently complicate the tax assessment process for local collectors. There may also be discussions about whether the extended windows for appeals might lead to delays in tax revenue collection for local governments. Balancing taxpayer protections with the efficient functioning of local tax administration will likely be a focal point of ongoing discussions as the bill moves forward.