CHAPTER 212a*
PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANIES TAX

      *See Sec. 12-217i re tax credits for investments in vehicles powered by clean alternative fuels and electricity.

      Legislative intent as to effective dates interpreted. 150 C. 578.

Table of Contents

Sec. 12-268a. Alternate methods of determining portion of business equitably attributable to Connecticut.
Sec. 12-268b. Return of fiduciary.
Sec. 12-268c. Refunds. Interest on refunds.
Sec. 12-268d. Failure to pay tax when due. Penalty provisions.
Sec. 12-268e. Penalties for failure to pay the tax or submit return with intent or wilful delivery of return known to be false.
Sec. 12-268f. Examination of books and records to verify return. Authority to take testimony under oath; subpoenas.
Sec. 12-268g. Examination of returns. Penalties related to deficiency assessments.
Sec. 12-268h. Delinquent taxes; interest; collection. Receipt and disposition of funds.
Sec. 12-268i. Hearing by commissioner.
Sec. 12-268j. Tax to be in lieu of certain other taxes.
Sec. 12-268k. Abatement of taxes.
Sec. 12-268l. Appeals.
Sec. 12-268m. Regulations and forms.

      Sec. 12-268a. Alternate methods of determining portion of business equitably attributable to Connecticut. If the method of apportionment provided for in section 12-251, section 12-258 or section 12-265 unfairly attributes to this state an undue proportion of its business activity, a company or municipal utility may petition for an alternate method of apportionment by filing with its return to the commissioner a statement of its objections and of such proposed other method of apportionment as it believes proper and equitable under the circumstances, accompanied by supporting details and proofs. The commissioner, within a reasonable time thereafter, shall notify the company or municipal utility whether the proposed method is accepted as reasonable and equitable and, if so accepted, shall adjust the return and tax accordingly. With respect to any company or municipal utility included in section 12-249, section 12-256 or section 12-264, the commissioner, at any time within three years after the filing by it of a return based on the method of apportionment provided for in section 12-249, section 12-258 or section 12-265, may change such method if, in his opinion, such method has operated or will operate so as to subject the company or municipal utility to taxation on a lesser portion of its business activity than is properly and equitably attributable to this state, and shall thereupon proceed to assess and collect taxes in accordance with such method as so changed by him.

      (1961, P.A. 604, S. 16; P.A. 85-562, S. 3; P.A. 87-124, S. 4, 18.)

      History: P.A. 85-562 added a technical clarification by including direct reference to Secs. 12-258 and 12-265 which describe alternative methods of apportionment for purposes of determining the portion of the company's business equitably attributable to Connecticut; P.A. 87-124 inserted references to sections concerning taxation of railroad companies, effective January 1, 1988, and applicable with respect to the tax imposed under chapter 210 on gross earnings in the calendar year ending December 31, 1987, and in each calendar year thereafter.

      See Chapter 138c re tax credits for donations to Rental Housing Assistance Trust Fund.

      Cited. 161 C. 145. Cited. 169 C. 58.

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      Sec. 12-268b. Return of fiduciary. Any fiduciary who conducts or is liquidating the business or is selling the assets of any company included in section 12-249, section 12-256 or section 12-264 shall be subject to the filing of returns in accord with, and to the payment of taxes imposed by, this chapter in the same manner and to the same extent as if the business were being conducted or liquidated or assets sold by agents or officers of such company. The return of a fiduciary who has been appointed during a taxable period under said sections, or following such period but on or before the last day upon which a return may be filed for such period without penalty, shall include complete information with respect to that part of such period during which the company conducted the business as well as that part of such period in which the fiduciary himself was acting and taxes shall be paid by the fiduciary for both parts of such period.

      (1961, P.A. 604, S. 17; P.A. 76-114, S. 13, 21; P.A. 87-124, S. 5, 18.)

      History: P.A. 76-114 made changes to reflect switch to quarterly rather than annual taxation, effective July 1, 1976, and applicable to gross earnings in calendar quarter commencing January 1, 1977, and each calendar quarter thereafter; P.A. 87-124 inserted reference to Sec. 12-249 concerning taxation of railroad companies and substituted "period" for "quarter" where appearing, effective January 1, 1988, and applicable with respect to the tax imposed under chapter 210 on gross earnings in the calendar year ending December 31, 1987, and in each calendar year thereafter.

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      Sec. 12-268c. Refunds. Interest on refunds. (a)(1) Any company or municipal utility included in section 12-249, 12-256 or 12-264 believing that it has overpaid any taxes due under the provisions of chapter 210, 211 or 212 may file a claim for refund in writing with the commissioner within three years from the due date for which such overpayment was made, stating the specific grounds upon which the claim is founded. Failure to file a claim within the time prescribed in this section constitutes a waiver of any demand against the state on account of overpayment. Not later than ninety days following receipt of such claim for refund, the commissioner shall determine whether such claim is valid and, if so, said commissioner shall notify the State Comptroller of the amount of such refund and the State Comptroller shall draw an order on the State Treasurer in the amount thereof for payment to such company or municipal utility. If the commissioner determines that such claim is not valid, either in whole or in part, he shall mail notice of the proposed disallowance in whole or in part of the claim to the claimant, which notice shall set forth briefly the commissioner's findings of fact and the basis of disallowance in each case decided in whole or in part adversely to the claimant. Sixty days after the date on which it is mailed, a notice of proposed disallowance shall constitute a final disallowance except only for such amounts as to which the taxpayer filed, as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, a written protest with the commissioner.

      (2) On or before the sixtieth day after the mailing of the proposed disallowance, the company or municipal utility may file with the commissioner a written protest against the proposed disallowance in which it shall set forth the grounds on which the protest is based. If a protest is filed, the commissioner shall reconsider the proposed disallowance and, if the company or municipal utility has so requested, may grant or deny the company or municipal utility or its authorized representatives an oral hearing.

      (3) The commissioner shall mail notice of his determination to the company or municipal utility, which notice shall set forth briefly the commissioner's findings of fact and the basis of decision in each case decided in whole or in part adversely to the company or municipal utility.

      (4) The action of the commissioner on the company or municipal utility's protest shall be final upon the expiration of one month from the date on which he mails notice of his action to the company or municipal utility unless within such period the company or municipal utility seeks judicial review of the commissioner's determination pursuant to section 12-268l.

      (b) To any refunds granted as a result of overpayments of any taxes under chapter 210, 211 or 212, except refunds due because of any intentional overpayment, there shall be added interest at the rate of two-thirds of one per cent for each month or fraction of a month which elapses between (1) the later of (A) the due date of such taxes or (B) the date of making such overpayment and (2) the date of notice by the Commissioner of Revenue Services that such refunds are due.

      (1961, P.A. 604, S. 18; P.A. 77-614, S. 139, 610; P.A. 87-124, S. 6, 18; P.A. 89-343, S. 3, 17; P.A. 93-361, S. 5; P.A. 95-26, S. 5, 52; P.A. 97-243, S. 54, 67.)

      History: P.A. 77-614 substituted commissioner of revenue services for tax commissioner, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 87-124 inserted reference to chapter 210 concerning taxation of railroad companies, effective January 1, 1988, and applicable with respect to tax imposed under chapter 210 on gross earnings in the calendar year ending December 31, 1987, and in each calendar year thereafter; P.A. 89-343 increased the rate of interest from one-half to three-fourths of one per cent per month or fraction thereof; P.A. 93-361 made existing section Subsec. (b) and inserted a new Subsec. (a) providing for claims for refund of taxes upon overpayment; P.A. 95-26 amended Subsec. (b) to lower interest rate from three-fourths to two-thirds of one per cent, effective July 1, 1995, and applicable to taxes due and owing on or after July 1, 1995, whether or not those taxes first became due before said date; P.A. 97-243 amended Subsec. (a) to provide for an administrative hearing with the department before taking an appeal to the Superior Court, to establish the time for filing a claim and to provide that failure to file within the time prescribed constitutes a waiver of any demand against the state on account of overpayment, and made technical changes, effective July 1, 1997, and applicable to claims for refund filed on or after said date.

      Cited. 31 CS 134.

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      Sec. 12-268d. Failure to pay tax when due. Penalty provisions. (a) If any company or municipal utility included in section 12-249, section 12-256 or section 12-264 fails to pay the amount of tax reported to be due on its return within the time specified under the provisions of chapter 210, 211, 212 or this chapter, there shall be imposed a penalty equal to ten per cent of such amount due and unpaid, or fifty dollars, whichever is greater. Such amount shall bear interest at the rate of one per cent per month or fraction thereof, from the due date of such tax until the date of payment.

      (b) If any company or municipal utility has not made its return within one month after the time specified in section 12-249, 12-256 or section 12-264, the commissioner may make such return at any time thereafter, according to the best information obtainable and according to the form prescribed. To the tax imposed upon the basis of such return, there shall be added an amount equal to ten per cent of such tax, or fifty dollars, whichever is greater. The tax shall bear interest at the rate of one per cent per month or fraction thereof, from the due date of such tax until the date of payment. No taxpayer shall be subject to a penalty under both subsections (a) and (b) of this section in relation to the same tax period.

      (c) Subject to the provisions of section 12-3a, the commissioner may waive all or part of the penalties provided under this chapter when it is proven to his satisfaction that the failure to pay any tax was due to reasonable cause and was not intentional or due to neglect.

      (1961, P.A. 604, S. 19; P.A. 76-114, S. 14, 21; P.A. 81-64, S. 6, 23; P.A. 87-124, S. 7, 18; P.A. 88-314, S. 8, 54; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-4, S. 54, 85; P.A. 95-26, S. 6, 52; P.A. 95-160, S. 64, 69.)

      History: P.A. 76-114 deleted reference to "annual" return, effective July 1, 1976, and applicable to gross earnings in calendar quarter commencing January 1, 1977, and each calendar quarter thereafter; P.A. 81-64 made penalty previously applicable to those failing to pay within three months applicable in all cases, reducing per cent from twenty-five to ten, deleted previous lesser penalty of twenty-five dollars applicable to those failing to meet deadline and added waiver provision applicable to other state taxes; P.A. 87-124 inserted references to Sec. 12-249 and chapter 210 concerning taxation of railroad companies, effective January 1, 1988, and applicable with respect to the tax imposed under chapter 210 on gross earnings in the calendar year ending December 31, 1987, and in each calendar year thereafter; P.A. 88-314 made technical amendments related to the penalty and interest applicable for failure to pay tax when due in accordance with chapter 210, 211, 212 or 212a and clarified applicable penalties and interest for failure to make a return within one month after the time specified in section 12-249, 12-256 or 12-264, effective July 1, 1988, and applicable to any tax which first becomes due and payable on or after said date, to any return or report due on or after said date, or in the case of any ongoing obligation imposed in accordance with said act, to the tax period next beginning on or after said date; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-4 in Subsec. (b) reduced interest rate from one and two-thirds per cent to one per cent and provided that such interest may only be applied on the tax rather than on the tax and any penalty, effective July 1, 1995, and applicable to taxes due and owing on or after said date; P.A. 95-26 amended Subsec. (a) to lower interest rate from one and two-thirds to one per cent, effective July 1, 1995, and applicable to taxes due and owing on or after July 1, 1995, whether or not those taxes first became due before said date; P.A. 95-160 revised effective date of May Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-4 but without affecting this section.

      See Sec. 12-30 re penalty for failure of transportation and utility companies to make return.

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      Sec. 12-268e. Penalties for failure to pay the tax or submit return with intent or wilful delivery of return known to be false. (a) Any person required under chapter 210, 211 or 212 or this chapter to pay any tax, or required under chapter 210, 211 or 212 or this chapter or by regulations adopted in accordance with the provisions of section 12-268m to make a return, keep any records or supply any information, who wilfully fails to pay such tax, make such return, keep such records, or supply such information, at the time required by law or regulations, shall, in addition to any other penalty provided by law, be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year or both. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 54-193, no person shall be prosecuted for a violation of the provisions of this subsection committed on or after July 1, 1997, except within three years next after such violation has been committed. As used in this section, person includes any officer or employee of a corporation or a member or employee of a partnership under a duty to pay such tax, to make such return, keep such records or supply such information.

      (b) Any person who wilfully delivers or discloses to the commissioner or his authorized agent any list, return, account, statement or other document, known by him to be fraudulent or false in any material matter, shall, in addition to any other penalty provided by law, be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than five years nor less than one year or both. No person shall be charged with an offense under both subsections (a) and (b) of this section in relation to the same tax period but such person may be charged and prosecuted for both such offenses upon the same information.

      (1961, P.A. 604, S. 20; P.A. 78-280, S. 6, 127; P.A. 87-124, S. 8, 18; P.A. 88-230, S. 1, 12; 88-314, S. 9, 54; P.A. 94-175, S. 5, 32; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-4, S. 80, 85; P.A. 95-160, S. 64, 69; P.A. 97-203, S. 3, 20.)

      History: P.A. 78-280 substituted "judicial district of Hartford-New Britain" for "Hartford county"; P.A. 87-124 inserted references to Sec. 12-249 and chapter 210 concerning taxation of railroad companies, effective January 1, 1988, and applicable with respect to the tax imposed under chapter 210 on gross earnings in the calendar year ending December 31, 1987, and in each calendar year thereafter; P.A. 88-230 proposed to replace reference to "judicial district of Hartford-New Britain" with "judicial district of Hartford" effective September 1, 1991, but said reference was deleted by P.A. 88-314; P.A. 88-314 deleted language concerning penalties for submission of a false return with intent to defraud and substituted language providing that (1) wilful failure to pay the tax, make a return or supply records as required by law shall be subject to fine or imprisonment and (2) wilful delivery of a return or other documentation known to be false in any material matter shall be subject to fine or imprisonment, effective July 1, 1988, and applicable to any tax which first becomes due and payable on or after said date, to any return or report due on or after said date, or in the case of any ongoing obligation imposed in accordance with said act, to the tax period next beginning on or after said date; P.A. 94-175 made a technical change in the statutory reference, effective June 2, 1994; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-4 and P.A. 95-160 revised effective date of P.A. 94-175 but without affecting this section; P.A. 97-203 amended Subsec. (a) to extend to three years the time within which persons wilfully failing to file tax returns or pay taxes may be criminally prosecuted, effective July 1, 1997.

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      Sec. 12-268f. Examination of books and records to verify return. Authority to take testimony under oath; subpoenas. (a) The commissioner may examine the books, papers and records of any company or municipal utility in order to verify the accuracy of any return made or, if no return is made by the company or municipal utility, to ascertain and determine the amount required to be paid.

      (b) The commissioner and any agent of the commissioner authorized by him to conduct any inquiry, investigation or hearing under chapter 210, 211 or 212 or this chapter may administer oaths and take testimony under oath relative to the matter of inquiry or investigation. At any hearing ordered by the commissioner, the commissioner or his agent authorized to conduct such hearing may subpoena witnesses and require the production of books, papers and documents pertinent to such inquiry. No witness under subpoena as aforesaid shall be excused from testifying or from producing books or papers on the ground that such testimony or the production of such books or other documentary evidence would tend to incriminate him, but such evidence or the books or papers so produced shall not be used in any criminal proceeding against him. If any person disobeys such process or, having appeared in obedience thereto, refuses to answer any pertinent question put to him by the commissioner or his authorized agent, or to produce any books and papers pursuant thereto, the commissioner or such agent may apply to the superior court for the judicial district wherein such person resides or wherein the business under investigation has been conducted, or to any judge of said court if the same is not in session, setting forth such disobedience to process or refusal to answer, and said court or such judge shall cite such person to appear before said court or such judge to answer such question or to produce such books and papers and, upon his refusal so to do, shall commit such person to a community correctional center until he testifies, but not for a longer period than sixty days. Notwithstanding the serving of the term of such commitment by any person, the commissioner may proceed in all respects with such inquiry and examination as if the witness had not previously been called upon to testify. Officers who serve subpoenas issued by the commissioner or under his authority and witnesses attending hearings conducted by him hereunder shall receive fees and compensation at the same rates as officers and witnesses in the courts of this state, to be paid on vouchers of the commissioner on order of the Comptroller from the proper appropriation for the administration of this chapter.

      (1961, P.A. 604, S. 21; 1969, P.A. 297; P.A. 78-280, S. 2, 127; P.A. 85-562, S. 4; P.A. 87-124, S. 9, 18.)

      History: 1969 act replaced "jail" with "community correctional center"; P.A. 78-280 substituted "judicial district" for "county"; P.A. 85-562 inserted Subsec. (a) allowing the commissioner to examine books, papers and records of any company or municipal utility in verification of any return or in determining the amount of tax to be paid, designating prior provisions as Subsec. (b); P.A. 87-124 amended Subsec. (b) to insert references to chapter 210 concerning taxation of railroad companies, effective January 1, 1988, and applicable with respect to the tax imposed under chapter 210 on gross earnings in the calendar year ending December 31, 1987, and in each calendar year thereafter.

      See Sec. 52-260 re witness fees.

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      Sec. 12-268g. Examination of returns. Penalties related to deficiency assessments. The commissioner shall, within three years after the due date for the filing of a return, or, in the case of a completed return filed after such due date, within three years after the date on which such return was received by him, examine it and, in case any error is disclosed by such examination, shall, within thirty days after such disclosure, notify the taxpayer thereof. When it appears that any part of the deficiency for which a deficiency assessment is made is due to negligence or intentional disregard of the provisions of chapter 210, 211 or 212 or regulations promulgated thereunder, there shall be imposed a penalty equal to ten per cent of the amount of such deficiency assessment, or fifty dollars, whichever is greater. When it appears that any part of the deficiency for which a deficiency assessment is made is due to fraud or intent to evade the provisions of chapter 210, 211 or 212 or regulations promulgated thereunder, there shall be imposed a penalty equal to twenty-five per cent of the amount of such deficiency assessment. No taxpayer shall be subject to more than one penalty under this section in relation to the same tax period. Within thirty days of the mailing of such notice, the taxpayer shall pay to the commissioner, in cash or by check, draft or money order drawn to the order of the Commissioner of Revenue Services, any additional amount of tax shown to be due by the corrected return or shall be paid by the State Treasurer, upon order of the Comptroller, any amount shown to be due it by such corrected return. The failure of the taxpayer to receive any notice required by this section shall not relieve the taxpayer of the obligation to pay the tax or any interest or penalties thereon. When, before the expiration of the time prescribed in this section for the examination of the return or the assessment of the tax, both the commissioner and the taxpayer have consented in writing to such examination or assessment after such time, the return may be examined and the tax may be assessed at any time prior to the expiration of the period agreed upon. The period so agreed upon may be extended by subsequent agreements in writing made before the expiration of the period previously agreed upon. The commissioner may also in such a case waive the statute of limitations against a claim for refund by such taxpayer.

      (1961, P.A. 604, S. 22; P.A. 77-614, S. 139, 610; P.A. 87-124, S. 10, 18; P.A. 88-314, S. 10, 54.)

      History: P.A. 77-614 substituted commissioner of revenue services for tax commissioner, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 87-124 inserted references to chapter 210 concerning taxation of railroad companies, effective January 1, 1988, and applicable with respect to the tax imposed under chapter 210 on gross earnings in the calendar year ending December 31, 1987, and in each calendar year thereafter; P.A. 88-314 deleted language concerning payment of tax, which is covered elsewhere in chapter 212a and added provisions concerning penalties related to deficiency assessments, effective July 1, 1988, and applicable to any tax which first becomes due and payable on or after said date, to any return or report due on or after said date, or in the case of any ongoing obligation imposed in accordance with said act, to the tax period next beginning on or after said date.

      Annotations to former section 12-262:

      Payment of illegal tax under protest, to avoid penalties and liens is involuntary and amount paid may be recovered. 92 C. 204. What is an "involuntary" payment. Id., 203.

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      Sec. 12-268h. Delinquent taxes; interest; collection. Receipt and disposition of funds. (a) To any taxes which are assessed under chapter 210, 211, or 212 or this chapter with respect to gross earnings of any company or municipal utility for any taxable period, there shall be added interest at the rate of one per cent per month or fraction thereof which elapses from the date when the original tax became due and payable. The amount of any tax, penalty or interest due and unpaid by any such company under the provisions of chapter 210, 211 or 212 or this chapter may be collected under the provisions of section 12-35. The warrant therein provided for shall be signed by the commissioner or his authorized agent. The amount of any such tax, penalty and interest shall be a lien, from the last day of such taxable quarter until discharged by payment, against all real estate of the company within the state, and a certificate of such lien signed by the commissioner may be filed for record in the office of the clerk of any town in which such real estate is situated and such lien shall take precedence over any other encumbrance, provided no such lien shall be effective as against any bona fide purchaser or qualified encumbrancer of any interest in any such property, provided the amount of any tax, penalty and interest due under chapter 210, shall be a lien, taking precedence over all other encumbrances, against real estate used exclusively for railroad purposes. When any tax with respect to which a lien has been recorded under the provisions of this section has been satisfied, the commissioner, upon request of any interested party, shall issue a certificate discharging such lien, which certificate shall be recorded in the same office in which the lien was recorded. Any action for the foreclosure of such lien shall be brought by the Attorney General in the name of the state in the superior court for the judicial district in which such property subject to such lien is situated, or, if such property is located in two or more judicial districts, in the superior court for any one such judicial district, and the court may limit the time for redemption or order the sale of such property or pass such other or further decree as it judges equitable.

      (b) The taxes imposed by chapters 210, 211 and 212 shall be payable to the Commissioner of Revenue Services. All funds received by the Commissioner of Revenue Services under the provisions of said chapters shall be recorded with the Comptroller and shall be deposited daily with the State Treasurer. The commissioner shall issue his receipt to any taxpayer for any payment upon request.

      (1961, P.A. 604, S. 24; 1969, P.A. 388, S. 7; P.A. 76-114, S. 15, 21; 76-322, S. 7, 27; P.A. 77-614, S. 139, 610; P.A. 78-280, S. 2, 4, 127; P.A. 80-307, S. 11, 31; P.A. 81-411, S. 19, 42; Nov. Sp. Sess. P.A. 81-4, S. 5, 32; P.A. 82-325, S. 3, 7; P.A. 85-501, S. 3; P.A. 87-124, S. 11, 18; P.A. 88-314, S. 11, 54; P.A. 95-26, S. 7, 52.)

      History: 1969 act increased interest rate from one-half to three-quarters of one per cent per month; P.A. 76-114 substituted "taxable quarter" for "year" and increased interest rate to one per cent, effective July 1, 1976, and applicable to gross earnings in calendar quarter commencing January 1, 1977, and each calendar quarter thereafter; P.A. 76-322 also increased interest rate to one per cent; P.A. 77-614 substituted commissioner of revenue services for tax commissioner, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 78-280 substituted "judicial district(s)" for "county(ies)"; P.A. 80-307 temporarily increased interest rate to one and one-fourth per cent for taxes due on or after July 1, 1980, but not later than June 30, 1981; P.A. 81-411 continued interest on delinquent taxes under Subsec. (a) at one and one-fourth per cent per month, effective July 1, 1981, and applicable to taxes becoming due on or after that date; Nov. Sp. Sess. P.A. 81-4 and P.A. 82-325 raised interest rate in Subsec. (a) from one and one-fourth to one and two-thirds per cent per month, effective February 1, 1982, and applicable to taxes payable to the state which first become due on or after that date; P.A. 85-501 provided lien shall not be effective against a qualified encumbrancer as defined in Sec. 12-35b, deleting reference to purchasers and encumbrancers to whom property was transferred between last day of taxable quarter and date lien is recorded; P.A. 87-124 amended Subsec. (a) to insert references to chapter 210 concerning taxation of railroad companies, effective January 1, 1988, and applicable with respect to the tax imposed under chapter 210 on gross earnings in the calendar year ending December 31, 1987, and in each calendar year thereafter; P.A. 88-314 added technical amendments concerning applicable interest if the tax is not paid when due, effective July 1, 1988, and applicable to any tax which first becomes due and payable on or after said date, to any return or report due on or after said date, or in the case of any ongoing obligation imposed in accordance with said act, to the tax period next beginning on or after said date; P.A. 95-26 amended Subsec. (a) to lower interest rate from one and two-thirds to one per cent, effective July 1, 1995, and applicable to taxes due and owing on or after July 1, 1995, whether or not those taxes first became due before said date; (Revisor's note: In 2003 a reference in Subsec. (a) to "chapter 210, 211, 212 or 212a" was changed editorially by the Revisors to "chapter 210, 211 or 212 or this chapter").

      See Sec. 4-32 re state revenue accounting procedure.

      See note to Sec. 12-268g.

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      Sec. 12-268i. Hearing by commissioner. Any taxpayer aggrieved by the action of the commissioner or his authorized agent in fixing the amount of any tax, penalty or interest provided for by chapter 210, 211 or 212 or this chapter may apply to the commissioner, in writing, within sixty days after the notice of such action is delivered or mailed to it, for a hearing and a correction of the amount of such tax, penalty or interest so fixed, setting forth the reasons why such hearing should be granted and the amount in which such tax, penalty or interest should be reduced. The commissioner shall promptly consider each such application and may grant or deny the hearing requested. If the hearing is denied, the applicant shall be notified thereof forthwith. If it is granted, the commissioner shall notify the applicant of the time and place fixed for such hearing. After such hearing the commissioner may make such order in the premises as appears to him just and lawful and shall furnish a copy of such order to the applicant. The commissioner may, by notice in writing, at any time within three years after the date when any return of any taxpayer has been due, order a hearing on his own initiative and require the taxpayer or any other individual whom he believes to be in possession of relevant information concerning the taxpayer to appear before him or his authorized agent with any specified books of account, papers or other documents, for examination under oath.

      (1961, P.A. 604, S. 26; P.A. 87-124, S. 12, 18; P.A. 91-236, S. 3, 25.)

      History: P.A. 87-124 inserted references to chapter 210 concerning taxation of railroad companies, effective January 1, 1988, and applicable with respect to the tax imposed under chapter 210 on gross earnings in the calendar year ending December 31, 1987, and each calendar year thereafter; P.A. 91-236 provided for sixty, rather than thirty, days to request a hearing, effective July 1, 1991, and applicable to taxes due on or after that date.

      Cited. 31 CS 134.

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      Sec. 12-268j. Tax to be in lieu of certain other taxes. (a) The taxation provided for in chapter 211 upon gross earnings in any year shall be in lieu of all taxes with respect to such year on tangible personal property used solely and exclusively in a business so specified by a company included in section 12-256.

      (b) The taxation provided for in chapter 211 upon gross earnings in any year shall be in lieu of all taxes with respect to such year on part of the tangible personal property that is used both to render telecommunications service subject to tax under chapter 219 and to render community antenna television service subject to tax under chapter 219. The portion of such property in lieu of which taxation is provided for in chapter 211 and which is exempt from property tax is determined as provided in section 12-80b.

      (1961, P.A. 604, S. 30; June, 1969, P.A. 1, S. 17; June, 1971, P.A. 8, S. 24; P.A. 86-410, S. 26, 28; P.A. 97-137, S. 2, 4.)

      History: 1969 act designated former Subdiv. (b) as Subdiv. (a) and former Subdiv. (a) as Subdiv. (b); 1971 act deleted Subdiv. (b) re taxes in lieu of those imposed by chapter 208 for specified businesses; P.A. 86-410 added the statement at the end of the section providing that the exemption from property tax applicable to personal property for companies subject to tax under Sec. 12-256 shall be subject to the provisions of Sec. 12-256b, concerning the procedure to be used in taxing personal property of a company subject to tax under said Sec. 12-256 and at the same time subject to tax under chapter 210a, effective June 4, 1986, and applicable to tax years commencing on or after January 1, 1986; P.A. 97-137 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a), deleted references to Ch. 212 and Sec. 12-256b, added requirement re sole and exclusive use and added new Subsec. (b) re allocation of dual use property for purposes of Chs. 211 and 219, effective June 13, 1997, and applicable to calendar years commencing on or after January 1, 1998, and to assessment years of municipalities commencing on or after October 1, 1997.

      Annotation to former section 12-263:

      The clause "shall be in lieu of all other taxation" does not entitle company to exemption from use tax. 134 C. 295.

      Annotation to present section:

      Cited. 180 C. 409, 410.

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      Sec. 12-268k. Abatement of taxes. Section 12-268k is repealed, effective April 13, 1995.

      (1961, P.A. 604, S. 28; P.A. 77-614, S. 143, 610; P.A. 87-124, S. 13, 18; P.A. 95-4, S. 7, 8.)

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      Sec. 12-268l. Appeals. Any taxpayer aggrieved because of any order, decision, determination or disallowance of the Commissioner of Revenue Services made under the provisions of chapter 210, 211 or 212 or this chapter may, within one month after service upon the taxpayer of notice of such order, decision, determination or disallowance, take an appeal therefrom to the superior court for the judicial district of New Britain, which shall be accompanied by a citation to the Commissioner of Revenue Services to appear before said court. Such citation shall be signed by the same authority, and such appeal shall be returnable at the same time and served and returned in the same manner, as is required in case of a summons in a civil action. The authority issuing the citation shall take from the appellant a bond or recognizance to the state of Connecticut, with surety to prosecute the appeal to effect and to comply with the orders and decrees of the court in the premises. Such appeals shall be preferred cases, to be heard, unless cause appears to the contrary, at the first session, by the court or by a committee appointed by it. Said court may grant such relief as may be equitable and, if such tax has been paid prior to the granting of such relief, may order the Treasurer to pay the amount of such relief, with interest at the rate of two-thirds of one per cent per month or fraction thereof to the aggrieved taxpayer. If the appeal has been taken without probable cause, the court may tax double or triple costs, as the case demands; and, upon all such appeals which may be denied, costs may be taxed against the appellant at the discretion of the court, but no costs shall be taxed against the state.

      (1961, P.A. 604, S. 27; 1971, P.A. 870, S. 25; P.A. 76-436, S. 313, 681; P.A. 77-614, S. 139, 610; P.A. 78-280, S. 5, 127; P.A. 87-124, S. 14, 18; P.A. 88-230, S. 1, 12; P.A. 89-343, S. 8, 17; P.A. 90-98, S. 1, 2; P.A. 93-142, S. 4, 7, 8; P.A. 95-26, S. 8, 52; 95-220, S. 4-6; P.A. 99-215, S. 24, 29.)

      History: 1971 act substituted court of common pleas for superior court, effective September 1, 1971, except that courts with cases pending retain jurisdiction unless matters are transferable; P.A. 76-436 substituted superior court for court of common pleas, effective July 1, 1978; P.A. 77-614 substituted commissioner of revenue services for tax commissioner, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 78-280 substituted judicial district of "Hartford-New Britain" for "Hartford county"; P.A. 87-124 inserted reference to chapter 210 concerning taxation of railroad companies, effective January 1, 1988, and applicable with respect to the tax imposed under chapter 210 on gross earnings in the calendar year ending December 31, 1987, and each calendar year thereafter; P.A. 88-230 replaced "judicial district of Hartford-New Britain" with "judicial district of Hartford", effective September 1, 1991; P.A. 89-343 increased the rate of interest on the amount of relief ordered by the court from six to nine per cent per annum; P.A. 90-98 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1991, to September 1, 1993; P.A. 93-142 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1993, to September 1, 1996, effective June 14, 1993; P.A. 95-26 lowered interest rate from nine per cent per annum to two-thirds of one per cent per month, effective July 1, 1995, and applicable to taxes due and owing on or after July 1, 1995, whether or not those taxes first became due before said date; P.A. 95-220 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1996, to September 1, 1998, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 99-215 replaced "judicial district of Hartford" with "judicial district of New Britain", effective June 29, 1999.

      Cited. 31 CS 134.

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      Sec. 12-268m. Regulations and forms. The Commissioner of Revenue Services may prescribe regulations and make rulings, not inconsistent with law, to carry into effect the provisions of chapters 210, 211 and 212 and this chapter, which regulations or rulings, when reasonably designed to carry out the intent and purpose of said chapters, shall be prima facie evidence of its proper interpretation. The commissioner shall, from time to time, publish for distribution any regulations prescribed hereunder including any of such rulings which appear to him to be of general interest. The commissioner may prescribe or furnish the form of any return required under said chapters and may require that every such return shall set forth any and all information necessary or desirable in order to determine the amount of any tax payable thereunder.

      (1961, P.A. 604, S. 31; P.A. 77-614, S. 139, 610; P.A. 87-124, S. 15, 18.)

      History: P.A. 77-614 substituted commissioner of revenue services for tax commissioner, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 87-124 inserted references to chapter 210 concerning taxation of railroad companies, effective January 1, 1988 and applicable with respect to tax imposed under chapter 210 on gross earnings in the calendar year ending December 31, 1987, and each calendar year thereafter.

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