CHAPTER 201*
STATE AND LOCAL REVENUE SERVICES.
DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE SERVICES

      Sec. 12-1. Definitions. The following words, as used in this title and in all other statutes relating to the assessment and collection of taxes, except when otherwise indicated by the context, shall be defined as follows: "Commissioner" or "Commissioner of Revenue Services" means the Commissioner of Revenue Services or his authorized agent; "company" means any person, partnership, association, company, limited liability company or corporation, except an incorporated municipality; "person" means any individual, partnership, company, limited liability company, public or private corporation, society, association, trustee, executor, administrator or other fiduciary or custodian.

      (1949 Rev., S. 1678; P.A. 77-614, S. 139, 610; P.A. 95-79, S. 22, 189; P.A. 97-243, S. 1, 67.)

      History: P.A. 77-614 substituted commissioner of revenue services for tax commissioner, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 95-79 redefined "company" and "person" to include limited liability companies, effective May 31, 1995; P.A. 97-243 added provision that any reference to commissioner or Commissioner of Revenue Services in title 12 and certain other tax statutes includes his authorized agent, effective June 24, 1997.

      See Secs. 12-1c and 12-1d re transfer of certain functions, powers and duties under this chapter and chapters 203, 204 and 204a to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management.

      Cited. 29 CA 97.

      Sec. 12-1a. Department of Revenue Services. Commissioner. Successor department to state Tax Department. (a) There shall be a Department of Revenue Services. The department shall be under the direction of the Commissioner of Revenue Services, who shall be appointed by the Governor in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-5, 4-6, 4-7, 4-8, with the powers and duties therein prescribed.

      (b) The Department of Revenue Services shall constitute a successor department to the state Tax Department in accordance with the provisions of section 4-38d and section 4-39.

      (P.A. 77-614, S. 138, 610.)

      Sec. 12-1b. Terms "Tax Commissioner", "state Tax Commissioner", "Tax Department", and "state Tax Department" deemed to mean Commissioner or Department of Revenue Services. Excepted chapters. (a) Whenever the term "Tax Commissioner" or "state Tax Commissioner" occurs or is referred to in the general statutes, except in chapters 111 and 112, it shall be deemed to mean or refer to the Commissioner of Revenue Services.

      (b) Whenever the term "Tax Department" or "state Tax Department" occurs or is referred to in the general statutes, except in chapters 111 and 112, it shall be deemed to mean or refer to the Department of Revenue Services.

      (P.A. 77-614, S. 139, 610.)

      Cited. 184 C. 102.

      Sec. 12-1c. Transfer of certain functions, powers and duties under this chapter to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management. (a) In accordance with the provisions of section 4-38d, all functions, powers and duties of the Commissioner of Revenue Services under this chapter which are related to (1) municipal finance, (2) assessment or taxation of property and (3) state grants to municipalities are transferred to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, and wherever the words "Commissioner of Revenue Services" or "commissioner" are used in said chapter in relation to any such functions, powers or duties, the words "Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management" or "secretary", whichever is appropriate, are substituted in lieu thereof.

      (b) The Office of Policy and Management shall constitute a successor department to the Department of Revenue Services, in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-38d and 4-39, with respect to all functions, powers and duties of the Department of Revenue Services under this chapter which are related to (1) municipal finance, (2) assessment or taxation of property and (3) state grants to municipalities.

      (P.A. 79-610, S. 2, 47.)

      History: (Revisor's note: In 2003 references in Subsecs. (a) and (b) to "chapter 201" and "said chapter 201", respectively, were changed editorially by the Revisors to "this chapter").

      See chapter 50 (Sec. 4-65 et seq.) re Office of Policy and Management.

      Cited. 204 C. 336.

      Sec. 12-1d. Transfer of certain functions, powers and duties re property tax assessment under chapter 203, local levy and collection of taxes under chapter 204 and relief for elderly homeowners and renters under chapter 204a to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management. (a) In accordance with the provisions of section 4-38d, all functions, powers and duties of the Commissioner of Revenue Services under chapters 203, 204 and 204a are transferred to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, and wherever the words "Commissioner of Revenue Services" or "commissioner" are used in said chapters, the words "Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management" or "secretary", whichever is appropriate, are substituted in lieu thereof.

      (b) The Office of Policy and Management shall constitute a successor department to the Department of Revenue Services, in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-38d and 4-39, with respect to all functions, powers and duties of the Department of Revenue Services under said chapters 203, 204 and 204a.

      (P.A. 79-610, S. 3, 47.)

      See chapter 50 (Sec. 4-65 et seq.) re Office of Policy and Management.

      See chapter 203 (Sec. 12-40 et seq.) re property tax assessment.

      See chapter 204 (Sec. 12-122 et seq.) re local levy and collection of taxes.

      See chapter 204a (Sec. 12-170a et seq.) re relief for elderly homeowners and renters.

      Sec. 12-2. Appointment, powers and duties of Commissioner of Revenue Services. Administrative pronouncements. Contracts for the collection of municipal taxes. (a)(1) The Governor shall, in the manner and for the term provided by sections 4-5 to 4-8, inclusive, appoint a Commissioner of Revenue Services and the Governor shall fill any vacancy occurring during such term as provided by said sections. The commissioner shall, before entering upon the duties of his office, take the oath by law provided for executive and judicial officers and, in the performance of his duties, he shall have power to administer oaths.

      (2) The commissioner may prescribe regulations, to be adopted in accordance with chapter 54, and make rulings, not inconsistent with law, to carry into effect the provisions of this title, which regulations or rulings, when reasonably designed to carry out the intents and purposes of this title, shall be prima facie evidence of its proper interpretation. Each regulation shall be assigned a section number corresponding to the section of the general statutes (A) pursuant to which such regulation is authorized or required or (B) with respect to which such regulation pertains for purposes of implementation, procedural details or supplementary interpretation, provided whenever such section number corresponds to a section which does not include the authorization or requirement for such regulation, a reference to the section providing such authorization or requirement shall be included in the text of the regulation.

      (3) The commissioner shall publish for distribution all regulations prescribed hereunder and such rulings as appear in the discretion of the commissioner to be of general interest.

      (4) The commissioner may require any person who is or appears to be affected by the provisions of any tax law of this state to furnish to the Department of Revenue Services the Social Security account number or numbers issued to such person by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, or the employer identification number or numbers issued to such person by the Secretary of the Treasury, or both numbers.

      (5) No interest, penalty or addition to tax shall be imposed on any tax or installment of estimated tax required to be paid to the Department of Revenue Services with respect to any tax or installment of estimated tax not paid when required to the extent that the Commissioner of Revenue Services determines that, by reason of casualty or disaster, the imposition of such interest, penalty or addition to tax would be against equity and good conscience. The provisions of this subdivision shall not be construed as authorizing suit against the state where the Commissioner of Revenue Services does not determine that the imposition of interest, penalty or addition to tax would be against equity and good conscience and shall not be construed as a waiver of sovereign immunity.

      (b) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes to the contrary, the commissioner may issue administrative pronouncements providing his interpretation of the tax laws. Within one hundred eighty days from the issuance of any administrative pronouncement the commissioner shall publish notice of intent to adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 to implement the provisions of any administrative pronouncement issued on or after August 22, 1991, and such regulations shall be presented to the regulation review committee within six months from the date of the issuance of any such pronouncement. Such pronouncements shall not have the force and effect of regulations and shall carry a notice stating that the administrative pronouncements do not have the force and effect of law, provided taxpayers shall be entitled to rely on such pronouncements. For the purpose of this subsection "administrative pronouncement" shall mean a statement by the Commissioner of Revenue Services which provides his interpretation of the tax laws and which is published and made available to the public. The commissioner shall, with respect to any provision of the general statutes which authorizes the issuance of rules, file with the legislative regulation review committee, within six months after the issuance of such rules, regulations which implement the provisions of such rules.

      (c) The commissioner is authorized to negotiate and contract with the governing authority of any Connecticut municipality for the purpose of arranging for the collection by the commissioner of any taxes for general or special purposes levied by such municipality, of any fines, penalties, costs or fees payable to such municipality for the violation of any lawful regulation or ordinance in furtherance of any general powers as enumerated in section 7-148, or of any charge payable to such municipality for connection with or for the use of a waterworks or sewerage system, provided such taxes, fines, penalties, costs or fees, or charges are (1) unpaid and a period in excess of thirty days has elapsed following the date on which they were due and (2) not the subject of a timely filed administrative appeal or of a timely filed appeal pending before any court of competent jurisdiction. The agreement shall include a fee to be paid by such municipality to said commissioner in an amount that covers fully the cost of collection of such taxes, fines, penalties, costs or fees, or charges by said commissioner. The commissioner shall transmit to the municipality all such taxes, fines, penalties, costs or fees, or charges so collected on behalf of such municipality on or before the date specified in such agreement, less the agreed upon collection fee. Where such an agreement exists, the commissioner may collect, on behalf of such municipality, such taxes, fines, penalties, costs or fees, or charges, and all interest, penalties, fees and other charges added thereto by law, under the provisions of section 12-35 as if such taxes, fines, penalties, costs or fees, or charges due such municipality were "tax due the state", as such term is defined in said section 12-35, and as if such term expressly included taxes, fines, penalties, costs or fees, or charges due to such municipality.

      (1949 Rev., S. 1680; 1949, S. 1028d; 1967, P.A. 867; 1969, P.A. 297; P.A. 77-614, S. 139, 610; P.A. 84-422, S. 1, 2; P.A. 90-36; P.A. 93-361, S. 1; P.A. 95-283, S. 31, 68; P.A. 96-114, S. 1, 4; 96-221, S. 13, 25; P.A. 97-309, S. 15, 23; 97-322, S. 7, 9.)

      History: 1967 act ordered commissioner to require that assessors comply with statutes governing assessment of real and personal property; 1969 act substituted "community correctional center" for "jail"; P.A. 77-614 substituted commissioner of revenue services for tax commissioner, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 84-422 amended provisions concerning powers of the commissioner by allowing adoption of regulations and rulings to carry into effect any provisions of this title and to require any person affected by the tax laws of the state to furnish such person's social security account number issued by the Secretary of Health and Human Services; P.A. 90-36 added provisions concerning the numbering of regulations; P.A. 93-361 made existing section Subsec. (a) and added a new Subsec. (b) re administrative pronouncements; P.A. 95-283 amended Subsec. (a) to replace board of tax review with board of assessment appeals, effective July 6, 1995; P.A. 96-114 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting provisions re commissioner's authority re assessors and tax collection, those powers being transferred to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, effective May 24, 1996; P.A. 96-221 amended Subsec. (a) to divide existing Subsec. into Subdivs. and added new Subdiv. (5) re prohibition of penalties, interest or surcharge in cases of casualty or disaster as determined by commissioner, effective June 4, 1996; P.A. 97-309 added new Subsec. (c) re authorization for commissioner to negotiate and contract with a municipality for the collection of municipal taxes, effective October 1, 1999; P.A. 97-322 changed effective date of Sec. 15 of public act 97-309 from October 1, 1999, to July 1, 1997, effective July 1, 1997.

      See Secs. 12-1c and 12-1d re transfer of certain functions, powers and duties under this chapter and chapters 203, 204 and 204a to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management.

      At public hearing concerning manner of assessment, commissioner may examine each assessor separately excluding other assessors. 117 C. 301. Cited. 132 C. 533. History discussed. 150 C. 449. Cited. 224 C. 426. Cited. 234 C. 614.

      Sec. 12-2a. Municipal assessment section within Office of Policy and Management. Board of assessment advisors. Section 12-2a is repealed.

      (P.A. 74-275, S. 1; P.A. 77-614, S. 139, 610; P.A. 79-610, S. 2, 47; P.A. 84-488, S. 1, 2; P.A. 91-343, S. 9, 11.)

      Sec. 12-2b. Duties of Secretary of Office of Policy and Management re municipal assessment. The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management shall: (1) In consultation with the Commissioner of Agriculture, develop schedules of unit prices for property classified under sections 12-107a to 12-107e, inclusive, update such schedules by October 1, 1990, and every five years thereafter, and make such data, studies and schedules available to municipalities and the public; (2) develop regulations setting forth standards and tests for: Certifying revaluation companies and their employees, which regulations shall ensure that a revaluation company is competent in appraising and valuing property, certifying revaluation companies and their employees, requiring that a certified employee supervise all valuations performed by a revaluation company for municipalities, maintaining lists of certified revaluation companies and upon request, advising municipalities in drafting contracts with revaluation companies, and conducting investigations and withdrawing the certification of any revaluation company or employee found not to be conforming to such regulations. The regulations shall provide for the imposition of a fee payable to a testing service designated by the secretary to administer certification examinations; and (3) by himself, or by an agent whom he may appoint, inquire if all property taxes which are due and collectible by each town or city not consolidated with a town, are in fact collected and paid to the treasurer thereof in the manner prescribed by law, and if accounts and records of the tax collectors and treasurers of such entities are adequate and properly kept. The secretary may hold meetings, conferences or schools for assessors, tax collectors or municipal finance officers.

      (P.A. 74-275, S. 2; P.A. 77-614, S. 139, 610; P.A. 79-610, S. 2, 47; P.A. 83-407; P.A. 90-266, S. 5, 6; P.A. 91-343, S. 4, 11; P.A. 93-161, S. 1, 2; P.A. 94-201, S. 3, 7; P.A. 95-307, S. 2, 14; P.A. 96-114, S. 2, 4; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 146(e); P.A. 04-189, S. 1.)

      History: P.A. 77-614 substituted commissioner of revenue services for tax commissioner, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 79-610 substituted secretary of the office of policy and management for commissioner of revenue services, effective July 1, 1980; P.A. 83-407 provided that the board should develop regulations rather than just standards; P.A. 90-266 amended Subdiv. (6) concerning schedules of unit prices for property classified under Secs. 12-107a to 12-107e, inclusive, by requiring the board to update such schedules by October 1, 1990, and every five years thereafter; P.A. 91-343 substituted "secretary of the office of policy and management" for "board of assessment advisors", repealed requirements in former Subdivs. (4) and (5) to provide advice and technical assistance to municipal assessors in valuation, appraisal and assessment practices, procedures and administration and to assist municipal assessors by preparing manuals, studies and bulletins, renumbered Subdivs. and made technical changes; P.A. 93-161 required that regulations provide for imposition of fee payable to designated testing service, effective June 23, 1993; P.A. 94-201 amended Subdiv. (5) to provide for consultation with the commissioner of agriculture, effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 95-307 repealed requirements in former Subdivs. (1) to (5), inclusive, re uniformity, recommendations, and guidelines in municipal assessment and the provisions assistance to municipal assessors and renumbered remaining Subdivs., effective July 6, 1995; P.A. 96-114 added Subdiv. (3) re secretary's authority re inquiries concerning property and meetings, conferences or schools for assessors, tax collectors or municipal finance officers, effective May 24, 1996; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6 replaced Commissioner of Agriculture with Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 04-189 repealed Sec. 146 of June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, thereby reversing the merger of the Departments of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective June 1, 2004.

      See Sec. 12-1c re transfer of certain functions, powers and duties under this chapter to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management.

      Cited. 184 C. 326. Cited. 240. C. 422.

      Sec. 12-2c. Certification of revaluation companies. "Revaluation company" shall mean any person, firm, association, corporation, limited liability company or other entity, other than a municipal assessor or assistant assessor, which performs property valuations for a municipality for assessment purposes. On and after June 25, 1991, no revaluation company shall perform any valuation for a municipality for assessment purposes unless such company is certified by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management. Such certification shall be renewed every five years.

      (P.A. 74-275, S. 3; P.A. 91-343, S. 5, 11; P.A. 95-79, S. 23, 189.)

      History: P.A. 91-343 substituted "secretary of the office of policy and management" for "board of assessment advisors" as authority empowered to certify revaluation companies; P.A. 95-79 redefined "revaluation company" to include a limited liability company, effective May 31, 1995.

      Application of statute to board of tax review and its employees discussed. 184 C. 326. Cited. 195 C. 48.

      Sec. 12-2d. Compromises. The Commissioner of Revenue Services or his authorized agent may compromise any controversy arising from the application or enforcement of any general statute over which said commissioner has authority. An offer of compromise may be made or entertained if it is based upon doubt as to the taxpayer's liability for the amount in controversy, or doubt as to the collectibility of such amount.

      (P.A. 96-221, S. 11, 25.)

      History: P.A. 96-221 effective June 4, 1996.

      Sec. 12-2e. Closing agreements. (a) The Commissioner of Revenue Services may enter into an agreement, in writing, with any person relating to the liability of such person, or of the person or estate for whom such person acts, in respect of any tax payable to said commissioner for any taxable period.

      (b) Such agreement shall be final and conclusive and, except upon a showing of fraud or malfeasance or misrepresentation of a material fact, (1) the case shall not be reopened as to the matters agreed upon or the agreement modified by any officer, employee or agent of the state of Connecticut, and (2) in any suit, action or proceeding, such agreement, or any determination, assessment, collection, payment abatement, refund or credit made in accordance therewith, shall not be annulled, modified, set aside or disregarded.

      (P.A. 96-221, S. 12, 25.)

      History: P.A. 96-221 effective June 4, 1996.

      Sec. 12-2f. Service of notice by the commissioner. Unless otherwise required by the general statutes, service of any notice provided by the Commissioner of Revenue Services may be made by first class mail and shall not require certified or registered mail. Any such notice to a person shall be addressed to such person's address as it appears in the records of the commissioner and service of such notice shall be complete at the time of deposit in the United States Post Office or mail box by the commissioner or the authorized agent of the commissioner.

      (P.A. 99-121, S. 26, 28.)

      History: P.A. 99-121 effective June 3, 1999.

      Sec. 12-2g. Sales tax rebate for eligible individuals. Section 12-2g is repealed, effective October 1, 2002.

      (P.A. 99-173, S. 3, 4, 65; S.A. 02-12, S. 1.)

      Sec. 12-3. Appointment and duties of Deputy Commissioner of Revenue Services. The Commissioner of Revenue Services shall appoint a deputy, who shall be sworn to the faithful discharge of his duties and who shall perform the duties of the commissioner in case of his sickness or absence and such other duties as may be prescribed. A certificate of such appointment shall be placed on file in the office of the Secretary, who shall give notice to the Treasurer of such appointment.

      (1949 Rev., S. 1683; P.A. 77-614, S. 139, 610.)

      History: P.A. 77-614 substituted commissioner of revenue services for tax commissioner, effective January 1, 1979.

      Sec. 12-3a. Penalty Review Committee. Waiver of penalties; appeals. (a) There is created a Penalty Review Committee which shall consist of the State Comptroller or an employee of the office of the State Comptroller designated by said Comptroller, the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management or an employee of the Office of Policy and Management designated by said secretary and the Commissioner of Revenue Services or an employee of the Department of Revenue Services designated by said commissioner. Said committee shall meet monthly or as often as necessary to approve any waiver of penalty which the Commissioner of Revenue Services, or the executive director of the Division of Special Revenue, is authorized to waive in accordance with this title which is in excess of five hundred dollars. A majority vote of the committee shall be required for approval of such waiver.

      (b) An itemized statement of all waivers approved under this section shall be available to the public for inspection by any person.

      (c) The Penalty Review Committee created pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall adopt regulations in accordance with chapter 54 establishing guidelines for the waiver of any penalty in excess of five hundred dollars.

      (d) Any person aggrieved by the action of the Penalty Review Committee may, within one month after notice of such action is delivered or mailed to such person, appeal therefrom to the superior court for the judicial district of New Britain, which shall be accompanied by a citation to the members of said committee 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. If the appeal is 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.

      (P.A. 74-175, S. 1, 2; P.A. 77-603, S. 10, 125; 77-614, S. 19, 139, 610; P.A. 82-163, S. 5, 6; P.A. 87-84, S. 3, 4; P.A. 88-230, S. 1, 12; P.A. 90-98, S. 1, 2; P.A. 93-142, S. 4, 7, 8; P.A. 94-2; P.A. 95-132, S. 1, 5; 95-220, S. 4-6; P.A. 96-221, S. 16, 25; P.A. 97-243, S. 2, 67; P.A. 99-215, S. 24, 29.)

      History: P.A. 77-603 amended Subsec. (c) to require that appeals be taken in accordance with Sec. 4-183 except that venue is in county or judicial district where town of residence located rather than set forth in Sec. 12-554; P.A. 77-614 substituted secretary of the office of policy and management for commissioner of finance and control and, effective January 1, 1979, substituted commissioner of revenue services for tax commissioner; P.A. 82-163 amended Subsec. (a) to allow the executive director of the division of special revenue to waive penalties; P.A. 87-84 added a new Subsec. (c) requiring tax review committee to adopt regulations establishing guidelines for waiver of any penalty in excess of one hundred dollars and designated former Subsec. (c) as Subsec. (d); P.A. 94-2 amended Subsec. (a) by increasing the amount of the penalty which the committee may waive from one hundred dollars to five hundred dollars; P.A. 95-132 changed the name from the Tax Review Committee to the Penalty Review Committee, amended Subsec. (c) to increase from one hundred to five hundred dollars, the amount of penalty subject to guidelines for waiver and amended Subsec. (d) to provide those appealing a decision of the committee to the Superior Court a trial de novo rather than limiting those appellants to an appeal on the record, effective June 7, 1995 (Revisor's note: P.A. 88-230, 90-98, 93-142 and 95-220 authorized substitution of "judicial district of Hartford" for "judicial district of Hartford-New Britain" in public and special acts of 1995, effective September 1, 1998); P.A. 96-221 amended Subsec. (b) to delete inclusion in published report under Sec. 4-60 and to require that statements be available for public inspection, effective July 1, 1996; P.A. 97-243 amended Subsec. (a) to clarify that each member of the committee may designate an employee to serve on the committee in his place, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 99-215 replaced "judicial district of Hartford" with "judicial district of New Britain" in Subsec. (d), effective June 29, 1999.

      Cited. 187 C. 581.

      Cited. 44 CS 297.

      Sec. 12-3b. Abatement Review Committee. (a) There is created an Abatement Review Committee which shall consist of the State Comptroller or an employee of the office of the State Comptroller designated by said Comptroller, the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management or an employee of the Office of Policy and Management designed by said secretary and the Commissioner of Revenue Services or an employee of the Department of Revenue Services designated by said commissioner. Said committee shall meet monthly or as often as necessary to approve any abatement, in whole or in part, of tax, including any penalty or interest payable in connection therewith, which the Commissioner of Revenue Services or the executive director of the Division of Special Revenue is authorized to abate pursuant to any provision of the general statutes. A majority vote of the committee shall be required for approval of such abatement.

      (b) An itemized statement of all abatements approved under this section shall be available to the public for inspection by any person.

      (c) The Abatement Review Committee, established pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, establishing guidelines for the abatement of any tax.

      (P.A. 96-221, S. 17, 25; P.A. 97-243, S. 3, 67.)

      History: P.A. 96-221 effective July 1, 1996; P.A. 97-243 clarified that each member of the committee may designate an employee to serve on the committee in his place, effective July 1, 1997.

      Secs. 12-3c to 12-3e. Reserved for future use.

      Sec. 12-3f. Small and Medium-Sized Business Users Committee. (a) There is established a Department of Revenue Services Small and Medium-Sized Business Users Committee. The committee shall consist of (1) the chairpersons and ranking members of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to finance, revenue and bonding, or their designees, (2) the chairpersons and ranking members of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to the Department of Economic and Community Development, or their designees, (3) the Commissioner of Revenue Services, or his designee, (4) two members appointed by the Governor, (5) one member of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to finance, revenue and bonding, who shall be appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, (6) one member of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to appropriations, who is also a member of the subcommittee having cognizance of matters relating to appropriations for the Department of Revenue Services and who shall be appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, (7) two representatives of small and medium-sized businesses, one of whom shall be appointed by the majority leader of the Senate and one of whom shall be appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives, (8) a certified public accountant, who shall be appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, (9) an attorney with expertise in tax law, who shall be appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives, (10) a representative of small and medium-sized businesses and a certified public accountant, who shall be appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, and (11) a representative of small and medium-sized businesses and an attorney with expertise in tax law, who shall be appointed by the minority leader of the Senate. All appointments shall be made within thirty days after July 1, 1993. The commissioner shall call the initial meeting of the committee, at which the committee shall elect one of its members to serve as chairperson.

      (b) The committee shall advise and make recommendations to the Commissioner of Revenue Services concerning measures to improve the department's "user friendliness".

      (P.A. 93-382, S. 44, 69; P.A. 95-250, S. 1; P.A. 96-211, S. 1, 5, 6.)

      History: P.A. 93-382 effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-250 and P.A. 96-211 replaced Commissioner and Department of Economic Development with Commissioner and Department of Economic and Community Development.

      Sec. 12-4. Proceedings against delinquent tax officers. If the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management ascertains that the assessors or board of assessment appeals or any official charged with any of the duties imposed on assessors or boards of assessment appeals, or the tax collector, treasurer or any official authorized to fix a rate of tax in any town, city or borough or other taxing district, fails to discharge his or its administrative duty according to law, said secretary may in writing call such failure to the attention of each such board or member thereof or official failing to perform its or his duties. If such board or official fails to comply thereafter with the law with respect to which attention has been so called in writing, the secretary may apply to the superior court in the judicial district wherein such board or official has jurisdiction or, in case the Superior Court is not in session, to a judge thereof, setting forth such failure, and the judge or court, as the case may be, upon ascertaining the facts stated in such application to be true, shall issue an order in the nature of a mandamus requiring compliance with the provisions of the statute particularly mentioned in such application, and shall render judgment against any official, board or person who has so failed, with costs, as in mandamus proceedings. Any person who fails to comply with any order so issued shall be in contempt and said court or such judge may punish him therefor as in mandamus proceedings. Any person claiming to be aggrieved by any order issued by authority of the provisions of section 12-2 and of this section shall have the same right of appeal to the Appellate Court as in mandamus cases.

      (1949 Rev., S. 1681; P.A. 78-280, S. 2, 127; P.A. 79-610, S. 2, 47; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 83-29, S. 23, 82; P.A. 95-283, S. 32, 68.)

      History: By virtue of P.A. 77-614 "commissioner" referred to commissioner of revenue services rather than tax commissioner as previously, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 78-280 substituted "judicial district" for "county"; P.A. 79-610 substituted secretary of the office of policy and management for commissioner of revenue services, effective July 1, 1980; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 83-29 deleted reference to supreme court and substituted appellate court in lieu thereof; P.A. 95-283 replaced board of tax review with board of assessment appeals, effective July 6, 1995.

      See Sec. 12-1c re transfer of certain functions, powers and duties under this chapter to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management.

      History discussed; this section not meant to trench upon the functions of state's attorneys to invoke mandamus to compel public officers to perform their duties. 150 C. 444. When question is one of public right and object is to procure enforcement of public duty the relator need not show he has any legal or special interest in the results. Id.

      Sec. 12-5. Fees for witnesses and service of subpoenas. All fees of witnesses, or for the service of subpoena or capias issued by the commissioner or by a judge of the Superior Court upon the application of said commissioner, shall be paid by him and allowed as part of his incidental expenses.

      (1949 Rev., S. 1684; September, 1957, P.A. 11, S. 7.)

      See Sec. 12-1c re transfer of certain functions, powers and duties under this chapter to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management.

      Sec. 12-6. Audit of municipal accounts upon application of state's attorney. The state's attorney of any judicial district may make application to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management showing that he has reason to believe that one or more of the officials, agents or employees of a municipality or any subdivision thereof situated within such judicial district has falsified any books of account or record, or has appropriated any moneys to his own use or to the use of others who are not entitled to the same, or has drawn any order on the treasurer or custodian of the funds of such municipality, or any subdivision thereof, with intent to defraud such municipality, or such subdivision, and thereupon the secretary shall cause an audit to be made of the records of such municipality. Upon completion of any such audit, the secretary shall transmit to such state's attorney a certified copy of his report showing the results thereof. The cost of such audit shall be borne equally by such municipality and the state. The custodian of any books of account or record who hinders or refuses to deliver the same upon demand of the secretary, or of any agent or employee of said secretary thereunto duly authorized, shall be fined not more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than sixty days or both.

      (1949 Rev., S. 1682; P.A. 77-614, S. 139, 610; P.A. 78-280, S. 2, 127; P.A. 79-610, S. 2, 47.)

      History: P.A. 77-614 substituted commissioner of revenue services for tax commissioner, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 78-280 substituted "judicial district" for "county"; P.A. 79-610 substituted secretary of the office of policy and management for commissioner of revenue services, effective July 1, 1980.

      See Sec. 12-1c re transfer of certain functions, powers and duties under this chapter to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management.

      Sec. 12-7. Reports concerning assessments and collections. The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management shall, in addition to any other reports required by law to be made by him, annually collate and prepare, from the reports provided for in section 12-9 and such other information as he obtains, statistics concerning the assessment and collection of taxes during the preceding year; and he shall, annually, cause to be printed so much of the report herein provided for as will show the methods and manner of the assessment and collection of taxes, and the amount of such taxes levied and collected in the several towns, cities and boroughs. He may also publish such other reports as will give information to the public regarding taxation.

      (1949 Rev., S. 1684; September, 1957, P.A. 11, S. 7; P.A. 79-610, S. 2, 47.)

      History: Effect of P.A. 77-614 was to make "commissioner" refer to commissioner of revenue services rather than tax commissioner as previously, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 79-610 substituted secretary of the office of policy and management for commissioner of revenue services, effective July 1, 1980.

      See Sec. 12-1c re transfer of certain functions, powers and duties under this chapter to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management.

      Sec. 12-7a. Commissioner to prepare and maintain a list of delinquent state taxes. (a) The annual report prepared by the Commissioner of Revenue Services for submission to the Governor and publication as provided in section 4-60 shall not be required to include the name of any person liable for payment of any tax which is unpaid. The commissioner shall prepare and maintain a list related to each type of tax levied by the state, containing the name and address of any person or corporation liable for payment of any such tax and the amount thereof, including any applicable interest or penalties, which tax, as of the end of the fiscal year with respect to which such report is prepared, is unpaid and a period in excess of ninety days has elapsed following the date on which such tax was due, exclusive of any tax determined to be uncollectible in accordance with section 12-37, any tax on which an appeal is pending and any tax which has been abated by said commissioner as provided in section 12-39. Such lists shall be available to the public for inspection by any person.

      (b) The commissioner shall annually prepare, from the list prepared pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, a list of taxpayers who are delinquent in the payment of the corporation business tax under chapter 208. The list shall be arranged in sequential order by the taxpayer identification number assigned by the commissioner and shall be provided to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management not later than July fifteenth annually, commencing July 15, 1998.

      (P.A. 79-168, S. 1, 2; P.A. 86-53, S. 1, 2; P.A. 88-297, S. 13; P.A. 97-193, S. 3, 5.)

      History: P.A. 86-53 removed the requirement that the annual report of the commissioner include a list of delinquencies and required the commissioner to maintain separate lists of delinquencies and to make them available for inspection by the public; P.A. 88-297 deleted reference to annual report as "a public document"; P.A. 97-193 designated existing section as Subsec. (a) and added a new Subsec. (b) re list of delinquent corporation business taxpayers for the Office of Policy and Management, effective June 24, 1997, and applicable to income years commencing on or after January 1, 1998.

      Cited. 184 C. 102.

      Sec. 12-7b. Reports of certain state tax data by the commissioner to the Office of Fiscal Analysis. (a) The Commissioner of Revenue Services shall, annually on or before the thirty-first day of December, submit to the legislative Office of Fiscal Analysis a report concerning certain state tax data, applicable with respect to the state fiscal year ending on the thirtieth day of June immediately preceding, as follows:

      (1) Sales and use tax data, including (A) gross receipts subject to sales tax, stated separately in relation to sales of (i) any tangible personal property, (ii) the leasing or rental of tangible personal property, and (iii) the rendering of any services subject to said tax, (B) total revenue loss related to each of the separate provisions for exemption under chapter 219, and (C) total amount of tax collected with respect to each of the industrial classifications included in the Standard Industrial Classification Code in current use for purposes of certain statistical data by the Commissioner of Revenue Services;

      (2) Corporation business tax data, including (A) total net income and total net income apportioned to Connecticut for the most current income years with respect to which final data is available at the time of each such report, (B) amount of depreciation not allowed as a deduction in determining net income for purposes of said tax, (C) operating loss carry-overs, (D) credits and refunds, separately stated, for overpayments of taxes due in prior years and to be applicable to the most current income years with respect to which final data is available at the time of each such report, (E) number of accounts and total corporation tax attributable to determination in accordance with (i) net income tax base, and (ii) the minimum tax base provisions under section 12-219, and (F) total corporation tax attributable to each of the industrial classifications included in the Standard Industrial Classification Code in current use for purposes of certain statistical data by the Commissioner of Revenue Services;

      (3) Estate and gift tax data, including total taxes collected and the number of taxpayers, separately stated with respect to the estate tax and the gift tax;

      (4) Personal income tax data, including (A) all components of and adjustments to federal gross income, federal adjusted gross income and federal taxable income, separately stated, of Connecticut taxpayers, sorted into ten-thousand-dollar increments of federal adjusted gross income up to and including one hundred thousand dollars, into twenty-five-thousand-dollar increments of federal adjusted gross income from over one hundred thousand dollars up to and including two hundred thousand dollars and into one increment over two hundred thousand dollars of federal adjusted gross income, as derived from federal income tax returns, and (B) all components of and adjustments to Connecticut adjusted gross income and Connecticut taxable income, separately stated, of Connecticut taxpayers, sorted into ten-thousand-dollar increments of Connecticut adjusted gross income up to and including one hundred thousand dollars, into twenty-five-thousand-dollar increments of Connecticut adjusted gross income from over one hundred thousand dollars up to and including two hundred thousand dollars and into one increment over two hundred thousand dollars of Connecticut adjusted gross income, as derived from state personal income tax returns;

      (5) Admissions and dues tax data, including the number of taxpayers and the total amount of tax collected, stated separately with respect to each of the taxes imposed under chapter 225;

      (6) Real estate conveyance tax data, including (A) the number of taxable transfers and the total amount of revenue, and (B) the amount of revenue attributable to categories of purchase price for such transfers of real estate, as follows: (i) Under thirty thousand dollars, (ii) brackets of ten thousand dollars each from thirty thousand dollars up to two hundred thousand dollars, and (iii) two hundred thousand dollars and over; and

      (7) Data applicable to any state tax not included in subdivisions (1) to (6), inclusive, of this subsection, including totals applicable to each such tax for (A) number of taxpayers, (B) payments in accordance with applicable penalty provisions for delinquency, and (C) taxes collected which became due in the preceding fiscal year.

      (b) In addition to the tax data to be included in the annual report submitted by the Commissioner of Revenue Services in accordance with subsection (a) of this section, such report shall include data related to state taxes as follows: (1) The portion of sales and use tax receipts attributable to (A) sales of goods, (B) sales of services, (C) leases and (D) the use tax and (2) data showing annual corporation business tax liability in relation to certain characteristics of corporation business taxpayers. Such information concerning corporation business tax returns shall include data related to (A) schedules A, B, C, D and H and payments, refunds and assessments from such returns, to the extent that such information is included in such returns and (B) all corporations included on any list, for any income year commencing in 1989 and thereafter, which the department shall compile by beginning with the largest corporation business taxpayer for such year and continually adding the next largest taxpayer for such year until forty per cent of the total liability for said tax in such year is represented. Any data reported in accordance with this subsection shall be reported to the Office of Fiscal Analysis on compatible magnetic media, as determined by said office in consultation with the commissioner.

      (c) The Commissioner of Revenue Services shall include in the annual report prepared in accordance with subsections (a) and (b) of this section any data that would be useful in assessing the impact of a change in any state tax base resulting in an increase or decrease equal to ten per cent of the tax from such tax base or ten million dollars, whichever amount is less.

      (d) The Commissioner of Revenue Services shall submit to the legislative Office of Fiscal Analysis a monthly report concerning the sales and use taxes, including (1) gross receipts subject to sales tax, stated separately in respect to each category of sales, from sales of any tangible personal property, the leasing or rental of tangible personal property and the rendering of any services subject to said tax, (2) total consideration for purchases subject to the use tax, stated separately for each category, in respect to any tangible personal property, the leasing or rental of tangible personal property and the rendering of any services, (3) total amount of deductions related to each of the separate provisions for exemption under chapter 219 and (4) total amount of tax collected with respect to each of the industrial classifications included in the Standard Industrial Classification Code in current use for purposes of certain statistical data by the Commissioner of Revenue Services, provided the data required in this subdivision may, at the discretion of said commissioner be submitted, in lieu of the monthly submission as otherwise required in this section, within thirty days following the end of each calendar quarter commencing with the calendar quarter ending June 30, 1992.

      (e) On or before January 1, 1995, and biennially thereafter, the legislative Office of Fiscal Analysis shall, within available appropriations, prepare and submit a tax expenditure report to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of all matters relating to finance, revenue and bonding. For the purposes of this subsection, "tax expenditure" means a tax exemption, exclusion, deduction or credit created under the general statutes or a public act and resulting in less tax revenue to the state or municipalities than they would otherwise receive. Each such report shall provide the following information for each tax expenditure: (1) A description of the tax expenditure; (2) the year in which the tax expenditure was enacted, the purpose for its enactment and a summary of any amendments to the tax expenditure since its enactment; (3) the estimated state and municipal fiscal impact of the tax expenditure during each fiscal year of the then current biennium, and an estimate of the revenue that would result from repeal of the tax expenditure; and (4) an estimate of the number of taxpayers receiving benefit from the tax expenditure. Upon receipt of each tax expenditure report the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to finance, revenue and bonding shall meet to receive and analyze the report.

      (f) (1) The Office of Fiscal Analysis shall not make known in any manner any information obtained from any such report or inventory, or any information obtained pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection which would allow the identification of any taxpayer or of the amount or source of income, profits, losses, expenditures or any particulars thereof set forth or disclosed in any return, statement or report required to be filed with or submitted to the commissioner which is discernible from such report or inventory, or from such information obtained pursuant to subdivision (d) of this subsection, except as provided in this subsection. The Office of Fiscal Analysis may disclose such information to other state officers and employees when required in the course of duty. No such officer or employee shall make known any such information to any other person except as provided in this subsection. Any person who violates any provision of this subsection shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year or both.

      (2) (A) For purposes of revenue estimating and forecasting only, the Office of Fiscal Analysis may disclose information to any person under a contractual obligation to provide services for purposes of revenue estimating and forecasting to said office, but only to the extent necessary in connection with the providing of such services for purposes of revenue estimating and forecasting. No such person under a contractual obligation to provide such services to said office shall make known any such information to any other person, except as provided in this subsection.

      (B) For purposes of revenue estimating and forecasting only, the Office of Fiscal Analysis may request, and the Commissioner of Revenue Services shall provide, for each type of tax levied by the state, all available return information, as defined in subdivision (2) of subsection (h) of section 12-15, pertaining to such type of tax levied by the state, to said office, provided names, addresses, account and registration numbers, and, to the extent in excess of four digits, Standard Industrial Classification Manual codes and North American Industrial Classification System United States Manual codes shall first have been redacted from such return information by said commissioner.

      (P.A. 85-469, S. 1, 6; P.A. 89-328, S. 1, 6; P.A. 91-119; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-17, S. 9, 59; P.A. 93-284, S. 1, 2; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-4, S. 52, 85; P.A. 95-160, S. 64, 69; P.A. 96-197, S. 1, 11; P.A. 06-159, S. 3; 06-194, S. 7.)

      History: P.A. 89-328 amended Subsec. (a) by providing that the annual report be submitted to the office of fiscal analysis and added Subsec. (b) requiring that the report include certain additional data concerning sales and use taxes and the corporation business tax; P.A. 91-119 amended Subsec. (b) to change the number and character of corporation business tax returns required to be tracked and to require reporting on magnetic media; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-17 amended Subsec. (a) to delete references to dividends, interest income and capital gains tax data and to insert references to personal income tax data, and added Subsec. (d), concerning the monthly report on the sales and use taxes, and Subsec. (e), concerning the tax expenditure inventory, relettering the previous Subsec. (d) as Subsec. (f); P.A. 93-284 deleted existing Subsec. (e) and replaced it with new language providing that form and content of tax expenditure report required be developed by the office of fiscal analysis, effective June 29, 1993; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-4 in Subsec. (e) changed submittal date of the report from February 15, 1994, to January 15, 1995, and required the joint standing committee having cognizance over matters relating to finance, revenue and bonding to receive and analyze the report, effective June 9, 1994; P.A. 95-160 revised effective date of May Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-4 but without affecting this section; P.A. 96-197 amended Subsec. (a) to change "additional" to "minimum" and made technical changes, effective June 3, 1996, and applicable to income years commencing on or after January 1, 1996; P.A. 06-159 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting reference to S corporation filings, replacing provisions re succession and transfer tax with provisions re estate and gift tax and making technical changes, effective July 1, 2006; P.A. 06-194 amended Subsec. (f) by designating existing provisions as Subdiv. (1), amending same by adding provisions re information obtained pursuant to Subdiv. (2) or Subsec. (d) and adding Subdiv. (2) re disclosure of information for purposes of revenue estimating and forecasting, effective July 1, 2006.

      Sec. 12-8. Recording and deposit of funds. All funds received by the commissioner shall promptly be recorded with the Comptroller and deposited with the State Treasurer. The commissioner shall make daily deposits with the State Treasurer.

      (1949 Rev., S. 1685.)

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

      Sec. 12-9. Local officials to file statements concerning taxes. Penalty. The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management shall annually cause to be prepared by the tax collector complete statements relating to the mill rate and tax levy during the preceding year, such statements to be made upon printed blanks to be prepared and furnished by the secretary to all such officers at least thirty days before the date prescribed by the secretary for the filing of such statements. Any person who neglects to file a true and correct report in the office of the secretary at the time and in the form required by him or which, in making and filing such report, includes therein any wilful misstatement, shall forfeit one hundred dollars to the state, provided the secretary may waive such forfeiture in accordance with procedures and standards adopted by regulation in accordance with chapter 54.

      (1949 Rev., S. 1686; P.A. 79-610, S. 2, 47; P.A. 87-115, S. 1, 8; P.A. 97-244, S. 7, 13.)

      History: Because of effect of P.A. 77-614 "commissioner" referred to commissioner of revenue services rather than tax commissioner as previously, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 79-610 substituted secretary of the office of policy and management for commissioner of revenue services, effective July 1, 1980; P.A. 87-115 increased the forfeiture by any municipal official who fails to file the annual report as required, or includes a wilful misstatement, from fifteen to one hundred dollars and provided for waiver of forfeiture in accordance with regulations to be adopted, effective May 11, 1987, and applicable to annual reports to be submitted for the assessment list of 1987 and each assessment list thereafter; P.A. 97-244 required tax collector to prepare statements instead of officers and made technical changes, effective July 1, 1997.

      See Sec. 12-1c re transfer of certain functions, powers and duties under this chapter to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management.

      Secs. 12-10 to 12-14. Quadrennial return of municipal debt, receipts and expenditures. Secretary to furnish blanks and publish returns. Quadrennial return of real estate exempt from taxation. Annual return by town treasurers of amount of taxes received in previous three years; commissioner to make return, when. Officials of municipal subdivisions to furnish tax information. Sections 12-10 to 12-14, inclusive, are repealed.

      (1949 Rev., S. 1687-1692; 1949, 1955, S. 1029d; 1959, P.A. 152, S. 88, 89; 1967, P.A. 21, S. 2; 1969, P.A. 371; P.A. 73-479, S. 1, 2; P.A. 77-614, S. 139, 610; P.A. 79-610, S. 2, 47; P.A. 81-304; P.A. 89-207, S. 2, 3.)

      Sec. 12-15. Limitations on inspection or disclosure of tax returns or return information available to the commissioner. (a) No officer or employee, including any former officer or former employee, of the state or of any other person who has or had access to returns or return information in accordance with subdivision (12) of subsection (b) of this section shall disclose or inspect any return or return information, except as provided in this section.

      (b) The commissioner may disclose (1) returns or return information to (A) an authorized representative of another state agency or office, upon written request by the head of such agency or office, when required in the course of duty or when there is reasonable cause to believe that any state law is being violated, or (B) an authorized representative of an agency or office of the United States, upon written request by the head of such agency or office, when required in the course of duty or when there is reasonable cause to believe that any federal law is being violated, provided no such agency or office shall disclose such returns or return information, other than in a judicial or administrative proceeding to which such agency or office is a party pertaining to the enforcement of state or federal law, as the case may be, in a form which can be associated with, or otherwise identify, directly or indirectly, a particular taxpayer except that the names and addresses of jurors or potential jurors and the fact that the names were derived from the list of taxpayers pursuant to chapter 884 may be disclosed by the judicial branch; (2) returns or return information to the Auditors of Public Accounts, when required in the course of duty under chapter 23; (3) returns or return information to tax officers of another state or of a Canadian province or of a political subdivision of such other state or province or of the District of Columbia or to any officer of the United States Treasury Department or the United States Department of Health and Human Services, authorized for such purpose in accordance with an agreement between this state and such other state, province, political subdivision, the District of Columbia or department, respectively, when required in the administration of taxes imposed under the laws of such other state, province, political subdivision, the District of Columbia or the United States, respectively, and when a reciprocal arrangement exists; (4) returns or return information in any action, case or proceeding in any court of competent jurisdiction, when the commissioner or any other state department or agency is a party, and when such information is directly involved in such action, case or proceeding; (5) returns or return information to a taxpayer or its authorized representative, upon written request for a return filed by or return information on such taxpayer; (6) returns or return information to a successor, receiver, trustee, executor, administrator, assignee, guardian or guarantor of a taxpayer, when such person establishes, to the satisfaction of the commissioner, that such person has a material interest which will be affected by information contained in such returns or return information; (7) information to the assessor or an authorized representative of the chief executive officer of a Connecticut municipality, when the information disclosed is limited to (A) a list of real or personal property that is or may be subject to property taxes in such municipality, or (B) a list containing the name of each person who is issued any license, permit or certificate which is required, under the provisions of this title, to be conspicuously displayed and whose address is in such municipality; (8) real estate conveyance tax return information or controlling interest transfer tax return information to the town clerk or an authorized representative of the chief executive officer of a Connecticut municipality to which the information relates; (9) estate tax returns and estate tax return information to the Probate Court Administrator or to the court of probate for the district within which a decedent resided at the date of the decedent's death, or within which the commissioner contends that a decedent resided at the date of the decedent's death or, if a decedent died a nonresident of this state, in the court of probate for the district within which real estate or tangible personal property of the decedent is situated, or within which the commissioner contends that real estate or tangible personal property of the decedent is situated; (10) returns or return information to the (A) Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management for purposes of subsection (b) of section 12-7a, and (B) Office of Fiscal Analysis for purposes of, and subject to the provisions of, subdivision (2) of subsection (f) of section 12-7b; (11) return information to the Jury Administrator, when the information disclosed is limited to the names, addresses, federal Social Security numbers and dates of birth, if available, of residents of this state, as defined in subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 12-701; (12) pursuant to regulations adopted by the commissioner, returns or return information to any person to the extent necessary in connection with the processing, storage, transmission or reproduction of such returns or return information, and the programming, maintenance, repair, testing or procurement of equipment, or the providing of other services, for purposes of tax administration; (13) without written request and unless the commissioner determines that disclosure would identify a confidential informant or seriously impair a civil or criminal tax investigation, returns and return information which may constitute evidence of a violation of any civil or criminal law of this state or the United States to the extent necessary to apprise the head of such agency or office charged with the responsibility of enforcing such law, in which event the head of such agency or office may disclose such return information to officers and employees of such agency or office to the extent necessary to enforce such law; (14) names and addresses of operators, as defined in section 12-407, to tourism districts, as defined in section 10-397; (15) names of each licensed dealer, as defined in section 12-285, and the location of the premises covered by the dealer's license; (16) to a tobacco product manufacturer that places funds into escrow pursuant to the provisions of subsection (a) of section 4-28i, return information of a distributor licensed under the provisions of chapter 214 or chapter 214a, provided the information disclosed is limited to information relating to such manufacturer's sales to consumers within this state, whether directly or through a distributor, dealer or similar intermediary or intermediaries, of cigarettes, as defined in section 4-28h, and further provided there is reasonable cause to believe that such manufacturer is not in compliance with section 4-28i; (17) returns, which shall not include a copy of the return filed with the commissioner, or return information for purposes of section 12-217z; and (18) returns or return information to the State Elections Enforcement Commission, upon written request by said commission, when necessary to investigate suspected violations of state election laws.

      (c) Any federal returns or return information made available to the commissioner in accordance with a written agreement between the commissioner and the Internal Revenue Service concerning exchange of information for tax administration purposes, shall not be open to inspection by or disclosed to any individual or disclosed in any manner other than as permitted under the provisions of Section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as from time to time amended.

      (d) (1) The commissioner may, upon request, verify whether or not any license, permit or certificate required under the provisions of this title to be conspicuously displayed has been issued by the commissioner to any particular person.

      (2) The commissioner may make public the names and municipality of residence or postal district of persons entitled to tax refunds for purposes of notifying them when the commissioner, after reasonable effort and lapse of time, has been unable to locate such persons.

      (e) The commissioner may refuse to open to inspection or disclose to any person any returns or return information made available to the commissioner by any tax officer of another state, a Canadian province or political subdivision of such other state or province or of the District of Columbia or by any officer of the United States Treasury Department or the United States Department of Health and Human Services in accordance with a written agreement between this state and such other state, province, political subdivision, the District of Columbia or department, respectively, which agreement provides that the disclosure of such returns or return information by the commissioner is prohibited. In addition, he may refuse to open to inspection or disclosure to any state or United States agency or office described in subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of this section, returns or return information unless such agency or office shall have: (1) Established and maintained, to the satisfaction of the commissioner, a permanent system of standardized records with respect to any request, the reason for such request, and the date of such request made by or of it and any disclosure or inspection of returns or return information made by or to it; (2) established and maintained, to the satisfaction of the commissioner, a secure area or place in which such returns or return information shall be stored; (3) restricted, to the satisfaction of the commissioner, access to the returns or return information only to persons whose duties or responsibilities require access and to whom disclosure may be made under this section or by whom inspection may be made under this section; (4) provided such other safeguards which the commissioner prescribes as necessary or appropriate to protect the confidentiality of the returns or return information; (5) furnished a report to the commissioner, at such time and containing such information as the commissioner may prescribe, which describes the procedures established and utilized by such agency or office for ensuring the confidentiality of returns and return information required by this subsection; and (6) upon completion of use of such returns or return information, returned to the commissioner such returns or return information, along with any copies made therefrom, or makes such returns or return information undisclosable in such manner as the commissioner may prescribe and furnishes a written report to the commissioner identifying the returns or return information that were made undisclosable.

      (f) Returns and return information shall, without written request, be open to inspection by or disclosure to: (1) Officers and employees of the Department of Revenue Services whose official duties require such inspection or disclosure for tax administration purposes; (2) officers or employees of an agency or office in accordance with subdivision (1) or (13) of subsection (b) of this section whose official duties require such inspection; and (3) officers or employees of any person in accordance with subdivision (12) of subsection (b) of this section, whose duties require such inspection or disclosure.

      (g) Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

      (h) For purposes of this section:

      (1) "Return" means any tax or information return, declaration of estimated tax, claim for refund, license application, permit application, registration application or other application required by, or provided for or permitted under, the provisions of this or any other title which is filed with the commissioner by, on behalf of, or with respect to any person, and any amendment or supplement thereto, including supporting schedules, attachments, or lists which are supplemental to, or part of, the return so filed.

      (2) "Return information" means a taxpayer's identity, the nature, source, or amount of the taxpayer's income, payments, receipts, deductions, exemptions, credits, assets, liabilities, net worth, tax liability, tax collected or withheld, tax underreportings, tax overreportings, or tax payments, whether the taxpayer's return was, is being, or will be examined or subjected to other investigation or processing, or any other data received by, recorded by, prepared by, furnished to, or collected by the commissioner with respect to a return or with respect to the determination of the existence, or possible existence, of liability of any person for any tax, penalty, interest, fine, forfeiture, or other imposition, or offense. "Return information" does not include data in a form which cannot be associated with, or otherwise identify, directly or indirectly, a particular taxpayer. Nothing in the preceding sentence, or in any other provision of law, shall be construed to require the disclosure of standards used or to be used for the selection of returns for examination, or data used or to be used for determining such standards or the disclosure of the identity of a confidential informant, whether or not a civil or criminal tax investigation has been undertaken or completed.

      (3) "Disclosure" means the making known to any person, in any manner whatever, a return or return information.

      (4) "Inspection" means any examination of a return or return information.

      (5) "Tax administration" means the administration, management, conduct, direction and supervision of the execution and application of the tax laws of this state, and the development and formulation of tax policy relating to existing or proposed tax laws of this state, and includes assessment, collection, enforcement, litigation, publication and statistical gathering functions under such laws.

      (1949 Rev., S. 1693; 1969, P.A. 538, S. 1; P.A. 77-382, S. 1, 2; P.A. 82-67, S. 1; P.A. 83-433, S. 1, 2; P.A. 84-479, S. 1, 2; P.A. 89-211, S. 20; P.A. 90-93; P.A. 91-102, S. 1, 2; P.A. 95-23; P.A. 97-165, S. 6, 16; 97-193, S. 4, 5; 97-200, S. 1; 97-243, S. 4, 67; P.A. 98-244, S. 1, 35; P.A. 99-121, S. 1, 28; P.A. 00-174, S. 51, 83; 00-196, S. 2; P.A. 01-2, S. 2, 4; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-6, S. 23, 85; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 238; P.A. 04-218, S. 12; P.A. 05-235, S. 12; 05-251, S. 65; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 05-3, S. 5, 36; P.A. 06-159, S. 4.)

      History: 1969 act revised list of persons having access to data to include other officers and departments in the performance of official duties, removing limitation to officers and departments involved in assessing or collecting taxes, and included officers of U.S. treasury department and officers of other states in connection with federal taxes or other states' taxes; P.A. 77-382 added Subsec. (b) re disclosure of information re federal returns provided to commissioner; effect of P.A. 77-614 was to make "commissioner" refer to commissioner of revenue services rather than tax commissioner as previously, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 82-67 combined in Sec. 12-15 references to limitations on disclosure of information obtained in examining records or returns of taxpayers in the course of duty, which limitations were previously included in Secs. 12-240, 12-426, 12-444 and 12-520, and which are deleted therefrom in P.A. 82-67; P.A. 83-433 inserted provision in Subsec. (a) allowing the commissioner or commissioner's attorney or agent to photocopy or microfilm certain tax information as necessary for administrative purposes; P.A. 84-479 amended Subsec. (a) so as to enable the commissioner to photocopy or microfilm tax records whenever necessary in the administration of state taxes, without limitation related to the specific purposes for disclosure as allowed under this section; P.A. 89-211 clarified reference to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; P.A. 90-93 amended Subsec. (a) so as to provide with respect to each type of disclosure allowed that it applies to returns or return information, or to returns only, as in the case of disclosure to a successor, receiver, trustee, etc., added Subsec. (c) allowing disclosure as necessary (1) for certain verification by the commissioner, (2) in the processing of returns or return information or (3) for purposes of tax administration and added Subsec. (d) defining "return", "return information" and "disclosure"; P.A. 91-102 amended Subsec. (a) to add Subdivs. (7), concerning information to municipal assessors, and (8), concerning information to town clerks, and Subsec. (c) to add Subdiv. (3) concerning nondisclosure of certain information from other jurisdictions; P.A. 95-23 added prohibition on disclosure of confidential taxpayer information by former state employees and current and former employees of private contractors having access to returns and return information and required secure storage of information and return to the department; P.A. 97-165 amended Subsec. (a) to add new Subdiv. (9) re estate tax return and return information to the probate court and probate court administrator, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 97-193 amended Subsec. (a) to add a new Subdiv. (10) re return and return information to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, effective June 24, 1997, and applicable to income years commencing on or after January 1, 1998; P.A. 97-200 amended Subsec. (a) by adding provision in Subdiv. (1) that names and addresses of jurors or potential jurors and fact that names were derived from list of taxpayers may be disclosed to judicial branch, and by adding Subdiv. (11) re return information disclosed to jury administrator of residents of state; P.A. 97-243 amended Subsec. (a) to allow disclosure to an authorized representative of a state agency and the chief executive officer of a municipality instead of the assessor or the town clerk, amended Subsec. (c) by adding new Subdiv. (4) allowing the commissioner to voluntarily disclose information to another state agency or agency of the federal government when it is believed that a state or federal law is broken, and amended definition of "return" in Subsec. (e)(1), effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 98-244 reorganized section and added provisions re authorized representative of a municipality and of an agency or office of the United States, effective June 8, 1998; P.A. 99-121 amended Subsec. (b) to allow the department to disclose tax return information to a successor that has a material interest which is affected by the information contained in the return, effective June 3, 1999; P.A. 00-174 amended Subsec. (a) by making a technical change and amended Subsec. (b) by adding Subdiv. (14) re information which may be provided to tourism districts and making a technical change, effective May 26, 2000; P.A. 00-196 made a technical change in Subsec. (a); P.A. 01-2 amended Subsec. (b) to add Subdiv. (15) re disclosure of names and locations of cigarette dealers, effective March 30, 2001; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-6 amended Subsec. (d) to designate existing provisions as Subdiv. (1), making a technical change for purposes of gender neutrality therein, and to add new Subdiv. (2) re publication of information about persons entitled to tax refunds, effective July 1, 2001; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6 amended Subsec. (b) to make a technical change in Subdiv. (7) and change section reference for tourism districts in Subdiv. (14), effective August 20, 2003; P.A. 04-218 amended Subsec. (b) by adding Subdiv. (16) re disclosure of return information of certain tobacco distributors, effective June 8, 2004; P.A. 05-235 amended Subsec. (b) to add new Subdiv., designated as (18), re disclosure of returns or return information to State Elections Enforcement Commission when necessary to investigate suspected violations of state election laws, effective July 1, 2005; P.A. 05-251 amended Subsec. (b) by adding Subdiv. (17) re disclosure of returns or return information for purposes of Sec. 12-217z, effective June 30, 2005, and applicable to income years commencing January 1, 2005; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 05-3 amended Subsec. (b)(17) to provide that a copy of the return filed with commissioner shall not be included, and changed effective date of P.A. 05-251, S. 65 to July 1, 2005, effective June 30, 2005; P.A. 06-159 amended Subsec. (b)(10) by designating provision re disclosure to secretary as Subpara. (A) and adding Subpara. (B) re disclosure to Office of Fiscal Analysis for certain purposes, effective July 1, 2006.

      See Sec. 12-458 re reports required of fuel distributors.

      Cited. 184 C. 102.

      Subsec. (a):

      Statute not applicable to case. List of sales tax delinquents is not a document required to be filed; rather it is a list prepared by the department, not the taxpayer. Cited. 184 C. 102.

      Sec. 12-16. Procedure against judge of probate for failure to furnish copies. The judge of any court of probate who fails to deliver or to cause to be delivered to the commissioner any certified copy or other document within the time required by statute for the delivery of the same, on application of the commissioner to the superior court of the judicial district wherein such judge of probate resides, or to any judge of the Superior Court when the same is not in session in such judicial district, showing such failure, may be required by such court or such judge to deliver the same within such time as is designated by such court or such judge. On receipt of such application, the court or judge, as the case may be, shall designate a time when and place where a hearing thereon will be had, and shall cite the judge of probate named in such application to appear at the time and place so designated to show cause why he has failed to cause such copy or document to be delivered to the commissioner.

      (1949 Rev., S. 1694; P.A. 78-280, S. 2, 127.)

      History: Effect of P.A. 77-614 was to make "commissioner" refer to commissioner of revenue services rather than tax commissioner as previously, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 78-280 substituted "judicial district" for "county".

      Sec. 12-17. Inquiries concerning records of probate court. At such hearing inquiry may be made concerning all estates in which original or ancillary administration has been taken out in such court of probate, in respect to the following: The number of administrations applied for; the date of each such application; the name and address of each executor, administrator and trustee appointed by such court; the date of filing of the inventory and appraisal of each estate; the appraised value of each such estate; the reason for such failure to furnish any document or information referred to in section 12-16, and the failure of such judge to send to said commissioner any other information required by statute to be so furnished relating to the assessment and collection of any tax due the state.

      (1949 Rev., S. 1695.)

      Sec. 12-18. Superior court may order compliance with statute. Upon finding the allegations of such application to be true, or that such judge of probate has been delinquent with respect to the filing of any record or document relating to any estate required by law to be filed with the Commissioner of Revenue Services, such superior court or judge may issue an order in the nature of a peremptory mandamus requiring such judge of probate to comply with the provisions of the statutes in relation thereto, which provisions shall be particularly mentioned in such order, and shall render judgment against such judge of probate, with costs as in mandamus proceedings. Any judge of probate who fails to comply with any order issued by the authority of the provisions of this section shall be in contempt, and the court or judge issuing the same may punish him therefor as in mandamus proceedings. Any person aggrieved by any order issued on such application shall have the same right to review by the Supreme Court as in case of mandamus proceedings.

      (1949 Rev., S. 1696; P.A. 77-614, S. 139, 610.)

      History: P.A. 77-614 substituted commissioner of revenue services for tax commissioner, effective January 1, 1979.

      Sec. 12-18a. Grants to towns for property tax relief based on population. In October of each year, the Comptroller shall pay to the one hundred sixty-nine towns of the state, from any funds appropriated for such purpose, a grant for property tax relief, distributed on the basis of the ratio of the population of each town to the population of the state. For the purposes of this section, "population" means the number of persons residing in each town according to the most recent federal decennial census, with patients and inmates of state hospitals, institutions of correction, and other state institutions excluded.

      (P.A. 78-212, S. 1, 2; P.A. 81-284, S. 2, 3.)

      History: P.A. 81-284 replaced requirement that the comptroller distribute six million dollars to towns for property tax relief each October with provision that any such payments would be made from any funds appropriated for such purpose.

      See Sec. 8-159a re state grants for urban problems.

      Sec. 12-19. Grants in lieu of taxes on state-owned property; land taken for flood control. Section 12-19 is repealed.

      (1949 Rev., S. 1697; 1955, S. 1030d, November, 1955, S. N123; 1957, P.A. 523, S. 1; 1959, P.A. 568; 1961, P.A. 499; February, 1965, P.A. 457, S. 1; 1967, P.A. 750, S. 3; 1969, P.A. 766, S. 4.)

      Sec. 12-19a. Grants in lieu of taxes on state-owned real property, reservation land held in trust by the state for an Indian tribe, municipally owned airports and land taken into trust by the federal government for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. (a) On or before January first, annually, the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management shall determine the amount due, as a state grant in lieu of taxes, to each town in this state wherein state-owned real property, reservation land held in trust by the state for an Indian tribe or a municipally owned airport, except that which was acquired and used for highways and bridges, but not excepting property acquired and used for highway administration or maintenance purposes, is located. The grant payable to any town under the provisions of this section in the state fiscal year commencing July 1, 1999, and each fiscal year thereafter, shall be equal to the total of (1) (A) one hundred per cent of the property taxes which would have been paid with respect to any facility designated by the Commissioner of Correction, on or before August first of each year, to be a correctional facility administered under the auspices of the Department of Correction or a juvenile detention center under direction of the Department of Children and Families that was used for incarcerative purposes during the preceding fiscal year. If a list containing the name and location of such designated facilities and information concerning their use for purposes of incarceration during the preceding fiscal year is not available from the Secretary of the State on the first day of August of any year, said commissioner shall, on said first day of August, certify to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management a list containing such information, (B) one hundred per cent of the property taxes which would have been paid with respect to that portion of the John Dempsey Hospital located at The University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington that is used as a permanent medical ward for prisoners under the custody of the Department of Correction. Nothing in this section shall be construed as designating any portion of The University of Connecticut Health Center John Dempsey Hospital as a correctional facility, and (C) in the state fiscal year commencing July 1, 2001, and each fiscal year thereafter, one hundred per cent of the property taxes which would have been paid on any land designated within the 1983 Settlement boundary and taken into trust by the federal government for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation on or after June 8, 1999, (2) subject to the provisions of subsection (c) of this section, sixty-five per cent of the property taxes which would have been paid with respect to the buildings and grounds comprising Connecticut Valley Hospital in Middletown. Such grant shall commence with the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2000, and continuing each year thereafter, (3) notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (b) and (c) of this section, with respect to any town in which more than fifty per cent of the property is state-owned real property, one hundred per cent of the property taxes which would have been paid with respect to such state-owned property. Such grant shall commence with the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1997, and continuing each year thereafter, (4) subject to the provisions of subsection (c) of this section, forty-five per cent of the property taxes which would have been paid with respect to all other state-owned real property, and (5) forty-five per cent of the property taxes which would have been paid with respect to all municipally owned airports; except for the exemption applicable to such property, on the assessment list in such town for the assessment date two years prior to the commencement of the state fiscal year in which such grant is payable. The grant provided pursuant to this section for any municipally owned airport shall be paid to any municipality in which the airport is located, except that the grant applicable to Sikorsky Airport shall be paid half to the town of Stratford and half to the city of Bridgeport. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2000, and in each fiscal year thereafter, the amount of the grant payable to each municipality in accordance with this section shall be reduced proportionately in the event that the total of such grants in such year exceeds the amount appropriated for the purposes of this section with respect to such year.

      (b) As used in this section "total tax levied" means the total real property tax levy in such town for the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year in which a grant in lieu of taxes under this section is made, reduced by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management in an amount equal to all reimbursements certified as payable to such town by the secretary for real property exemptions and credits on the taxable grand list or rate bill of such town for the assessment year that corresponds to that for which the assessed valuation of the state-owned land and buildings has been provided. For purposes of this section and section 12-19b, any real property which is owned by the John Dempsey Hospital Finance Corporation established pursuant to the provisions of sections 10a-250 to 10a-263, inclusive, or by one or more subsidiary corporations established pursuant to subdivision (13) of section 10a-254 and which is free from taxation pursuant to the provisions of subdivision (13) of section 10a-259 shall be deemed to be state-owned real property. As used in this section and section 12-19b, "town" includes borough.

      (c) In the fiscal year ending June 30, 1991, and in each fiscal year thereafter, the portion of the grant payable to any town as determined in accordance with subdivisions (2) and (4) of subsection (a) of this section, shall not be greater than the following percentage of total tax levied by such town on real property in the preceding calendar year as follows: (1) In the fiscal year ending June 30, 1991, ten per cent, (2) in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1992, twelve per cent, (3) in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1993, fourteen per cent, (4) in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1994, twenty-seven per cent, (5) in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1995, thirty-five per cent, (6) in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1996, forty-two per cent, (7) in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1997, forty-nine per cent, (8) in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1998, fifty-six per cent, (9) in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1999, sixty-three per cent, (10) in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2000, seventy per cent, (11) in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2001, seventy-seven per cent, (12) in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2002, eighty-four per cent, (13) in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2003, ninety-two per cent, and (14) in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2004, and in each fiscal year thereafter, one hundred per cent.

      (d) In the fiscal year commencing July 1, 1999, and in each fiscal year thereafter, the Commissioner of Transportation shall pay from the Bradley International Airport Enterprise Fund to the State Comptroller, on or before September fifteenth, the portion of the state grant in lieu of taxes payable under the provisions of this section at the rate of twenty per cent of the property taxes which would have been paid to the towns of East Granby, Suffield, Windsor and Windsor Locks for real property located at Bradley International Airport. Such payment shall be credited to the appropriation from the General Fund for reimbursements to towns for loss of taxes on state property.

      (e) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section in effect prior to January 1, 1997, any grant in lieu of taxes on state-owned real property made to any town in excess of seven and one-half per cent of