CS/HB 5801 Summary

• Directs the Department of Revenue to develop and implement a three-month tax amnesty program from July 1 through September 30, 2010, for taxpayers to pay delinquent state and local taxes with reduced penalties and interest.

• Amnesty participants must pay full tax amounts, but interest is reduced to 75% (if under audit or investigation) or 50% (for voluntary disclosures); all penalties are waived and criminal prosecution is prohibited.

• Amends phosphate severance tax rates and revenue distribution percentages, with new rates of $1.71 per ton (2010-2011) and $1.61 per ton (2011-2012), and establishes a Minerals Trust Fund receiving 8.0% of revenues.

• Authorizes the Department of Revenue to publish lists of taxpayers with outstanding tax warrants and enables the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to suspend or deny license renewal for public lodging and food service establishments with delinquent taxes.

• Creates new enforcement powers allowing the Department of Revenue to revoke business licenses and permits for taxpayers with outstanding tax liens, and holds business transferees jointly and severally liable for the transferor's unpaid taxes up to the transfer value.