VA SB224

Creates a whistleblower award program allowing the Tax Commissioner to compensate individuals who provide information leading to successful collection of delinquent taxes from other taxpayers

Applies only to cases involving individual taxpayers with gross income exceeding $100,000 or businesses exceeding $500,000, where disputed taxes, penalties, and interest exceed $50,000

Awards range from 15-30% of collected proceeds when the informant substantially contributed to the action, or up to 10% when the action was principally based on other sources

Awards may be denied for tax officials who obtained information through official duties, individuals convicted of criminal conduct related to the underpayment, or when information is routinely available from other sources like the IRS

Informants must sign confidentiality agreements, and their identifying information receives tax confidentiality protections under existing state law