Chapter 225 - Admissions and Dues Taxes

Sec. 12-541. Admissions tax. Sunset. (a) The provisions of subsections (b) and (c) of this section shall apply to sales occurring prior to July 1, 2021.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, there is hereby imposed a tax of ten per cent of the admission charge to any place of amusement, entertainment or recreation. No tax shall be imposed with respect to any admission charge:

(1) When the admission charge is less than one dollar or, in the case of any motion picture show, when the admission charge is not more than five dollars;

(2) When a daily admission charge is imposed that entitles the patron to participate in an athletic or sporting activity;

(3) To any event, other than events held at the stadium facility, as defined in section 32-651, if all of the proceeds from the event inure exclusively to an entity that is exempt from federal income tax under the Internal Revenue Code, provided such entity actively engages in and assumes the financial risk associated with the presentation of such event;

(4) To any event, other than events held at the stadium facility, as defined in section 32-651, that, in the opinion of the commissioner, is conducted primarily to raise funds for an entity that is exempt from federal income tax under the Internal Revenue Code, provided the commissioner is satisfied that the net profit that inures to such entity from such event will exceed the amount of the admissions tax that, but for this subdivision, would be imposed upon the person making such charge to such event;

(5) Other than for events held at the stadium facility, as defined in section 32-651, paid by centers of service for elderly persons, as described in section 17a-855;

(6) To any production featuring live performances by actors or musicians presented at Gateway's Candlewood Playhouse, Ocean Beach Park or any nonprofit theater or playhouse in the state, provided such theater or playhouse possesses evidence confirming exemption from federal tax under Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code;

(7) To any carnival or amusement ride;

(8) To any interscholastic athletic event held at the stadium facility, as defined in section 32-651;

(9) If the admission charge would have been subject to tax under the provisions of section 12-542 of the general statutes, revision of 1958, revised to January 1, 1999; or

(10) On and after July 1, 2020, to any event at the Dunkin' Donuts Park in Hartford.

(c) (1) For the following venues and events, for sales occurring on or after July 1, 2019, but prior to July 1, 2020, the tax imposed under this section shall be seven and one-half per cent of the admission charge to:

(A) Any event at the XL Center in Hartford;

(B) Any event at Dillon Stadium in Hartford;

(C) Any athletic event presented by a member team of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball at the New Britain Stadium;

(D) Any event at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport;

(E) Any event at the Harbor Yard Amphitheater in Bridgeport;

(F) Any event at Dodd Stadium in Norwich;

(G) Any event at the Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford; and

(H) Any event other than an interscholastic athletic event at the stadium facility, as defined in section 32-651.

(2) For sales occurring on or after July 1, 2019, but prior to July 1, 2020, for any event at the Dunkin' Donuts Park in Hartford, the tax imposed under this section shall be five per cent of the admission charge.

(3) For the venues and events specified in subdivision (1) of this subsection, for sales occurring on or after July 1, 2020, the tax imposed under this section shall be five per cent of the admission charge.

(d) On and after July 1, 2001, but prior to January 1, 2023, the tax imposed under this section on any motion picture show with an admission charge of more than five dollars shall be six per cent of the admission charge. The tax shall be imposed upon the person making such charge and reimbursement for the tax shall be collected by such person from the purchase. Such reimbursement, termed “tax”, shall be paid by the purchaser to the person making the admission charge. Such tax, when added to the admission charge, shall be a debt from the purchaser to the person making the admission charge and shall be recoverable at law. The amount of tax reimbursement, when so collected, shall be deemed to be a special fund in trust for the state of Connecticut.

(1971, P.A. 837, S. 2, 3; June, 1971, P.A. 7, S. 3; P.A. 73-521; P.A. 77-614, S. 139, 610; P.A. 81-404, S. 1, 2; P.A. 82-457, S. 1, 2; P.A. 88-140, S. 1, 2; 88-293, S. 1, 2; P.A. 93-74, S. 36, 67; 93-332, S. 10, 11, 42; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-4, S. 22, 85; P.A. 95-160, S. 64, 69; P.A. 97-315, S. 2, 4; Dec. Sp. Sess. P.A. 98-1, S. 33, 43; P.A. 99-121, S. 16, 28; 99-173, S. 52, 65; 99-241, S. 57, 66; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 99-1, S. 27, 51; P.A. 00-140, S. 25, 40; 00-170, S. 16, 42; P.A. 06-186, S. 75; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-1, S. 127; P.A. 10-146, S. 1; P.A. 11-6, S. 105; P.A. 14-47, S. 49; 14-217, S. 225; P.A. 15-184, S. 11; 15-244, S. 216; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-3, S. 185; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2, S. 319, 627; P.A. 19-117, S. 354; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 434; P.A. 22-118, S. 435.)

History: 1971 act excluded from admission tax events where daily admission charge entitles patron to participate in athletic or sporting activity; P.A. 73-521 added Subsec. (c) re exemption for admissions paid for by groups of at least ten members of senior citizens centers; P.A. 77-614 substituted commissioner of revenue services for tax commissioner, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 81-404 added provision in Subsec. (b) that the tax shall not be applicable to admission charges for any event at the Hartford Civic Center or the New Haven Coliseum; P.A. 82-457 revised provisions concerning circumstances under which tax is not imposed by deleting Subsecs. (b) and (c) and including a list of six events or situations when tax would not be imposed as follows: (1) If charge is under $1, (2) a daily charge to participate in sporting activity, (3) when all proceeds inure to tax-exempt entity and such entity assumes the financial risk in the event, (4) event conducted primarily to raise funds for a tax-exempt entity, provided profits inuring to entity exceed the tax that would otherwise apply, (5) any event at Hartford Civic Center or the New Haven Coliseum and (6) admission charges paid by centers of service for elderly persons; P.A. 88-140 added Subdiv. (7) concerning exemptions for certain live performances, effective July 1, 1988, and applicable to performances on or after that date; P.A. 88-293 amended Subdiv. (1) to exempt motion picture shows having an admission charge of less than $2, effective July 1, 1988, and applicable to admissions to events occurring on or after that date; P.A. 93-74 added New Britain Beehive Stadium, facilities owned or managed by the Tennis Foundation of Connecticut or any successor organization and the William A. O'Neill Convocation Center to list of exemptions from the tax in Subdiv. (5), effective May 19, 1993, and applicable to sales occurring on and after January 1, 1994; P.A. 93-332 added facilities owned or managed by the Tennis Foundation of Connecticut or any successor organization and New Britain Veterans Memorial Stadium to list of exemptions from the tax in Subdiv. (5), effective June 25, 1993, and applicable July 1, 1993; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-4 added new Subdiv. (8) exempting carnival and amusement rides, effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 95-160 revised effective date of May Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-4 but without affecting this section; P.A. 97-315 increased the amount of the admission charge for motion picture shows that may be exempt from $2 to $4.50 and amended Subdiv. (7) to add exemptions for Gateway's Candlewood Playhouse and Ocean Beach Park, effective July 10, 1997, and applicable to sales occurring on or after July 1, 1997; Dec. Sp. Sess. P.A. 98-1 amended Subdivs. (3), (4) and (6) to exclude events held at the stadium facility, effective January 12, 1999; P.A. 99-121 added provision re tax reimbursement collected deemed to be a special fund in trust for the state, effective June 3, 1999, and applicable to periods commencing on or after July 1, 1999; P.A. 99-173 increased exemption for the admissions charges to motion pictures of $5 or less in Subdiv. (1) and added exemptions for Stafford Motor Speedway, Lime Rock Park, Thompson Speedway, Waterford Speedbowl, the Bridgeport Harbor Yard Stadium, and the games of the Waterbury Spirit and New Haven Ravens in Subdiv. (5), effective June 23, 1999, and applicable to sales occurring on or after July 1, 1999; P.A. 99-241 deleted stadium facility and added sportsplex in Subdivs. (3), (4) and (6), effective July 1, 1999; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 99-1 exempted events at New Britain Stadium from tax, effective for events occurring on or after the date such stadium was placed in service, and exempted games of the New Britain Rock Cats in Subdiv. (5), effective July 1, 1999; P.A. 00-140 deleted references to the former Hartford sportsplex and added references to the stadium facility as defined in Sec. 32-651, effective May 2, 2000; P.A. 00-170 divided section into Subsecs. (a) and (b), added exemptions for the Connecticut Exposition Center and cabarets formerly subject to the repealed cabaret tax and phased down the tax on motion picture show admissions to 8% on and after July 1, 2000, and 6% on and after July 1, 2001, effective July 1, 2001, and applicable to charges occurring on or after that date; P.A. 06-186 amended Subsec. (a)(5)(A) by adding exemption to tax for Nature's Art, and commencing on or after November 1, 2006, Dodd Stadium and Arena at Harbor Yard, effective May 7, 2006, and applicable to admission charges imposed on or after April 1, 2006; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-1 added reference to the Connecticut Convention Center in Subsec. (a)(5), effective July 1, 2007; P.A. 10-146 amended Subsec. (a) by making technical changes in Subdivs. (3) and (4), designating existing Subdiv. (9) as Subdiv. (10), and adding exemption for interscholastic athletic events as new Subdiv. (9), effective July 1, 2010, and applicable to admission charges imposed on or after that date; P.A. 11-6 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting former Subdiv. (5) re exemption from tax for events at Hartford Civic Center, New Haven Coliseum, Beehive Stadium, New Britain Stadium, New Britain Veterans Memorial Stadium, Harbor Yard Stadium, Stafford Motor Speedway, Lime Rock Park, Thompson Speedway, Waterford Speedbowl, facilities owned by the Tennis Foundation of Connecticut, William A. O'Neill Convocation Center, Connecticut Exposition Center, Nature's Art, Connecticut Convention Center, Dodd Stadium, and the Arena at Harbor Yard, and for games of the New Britain Rock Cats, New Haven Ravens or Waterbury Spirit, and redesignating existing Subdivs. (6) to (10) as Subdivs. (5) to (9), effective January 1, 2012, and applicable to admission charges imposed on or after that date; P.A. 14-47 amended Subsec. (a) by adding Subdiv. (10) re events at the XL Center in Hartford, effective July 1, 2014; P.A. 14-217 amended Subsec. (a)(10) by designating provision re XL Center as Subpara. (A) and adding Subpara. (B) re events at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, effective July 1, 2014; P.A. 15-184 amended Subsec. (a) by adding Subdiv. (11) re athletic event presented by member team of Atlantic League of Professional Baseball at Ballpark at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, effective July 1, 2015; P.A. 15-244 made identical change in Subsec. (a) as P.A. 15-184, effective July 1, 2015; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-3 amended Subsec. (a) by adding Subdiv. (12) re event presented at Dunkin' Donuts Park in Hartford and adding Subdiv. (13) re athletic event presented by member team of Atlantic League of Professional Baseball at New Britain Stadium, effective June 2, 2016; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2 amended Subsec. (a)(5) by deleting “subdivision (d) of” re Sec. 17a-310, effective October 31, 2017, and deleting Subdivs. (10) to (13) re exemptions for XL Center, Webster Bank Arena, Ballpark at Harbor Yard, Dunkin' Donuts Park and New Britain Stadium, respectively, effective December 1, 2017; P.A. 19-117 amended Subsec. (a) by adding Subdiv. (10) re exemption for Dunkin' Donuts Park on and after July 1, 2020, designating existing provision re tax on motion picture show as Subsec. (b)(4), added new Subsec. (b) re reduction in tax for certain venues and events, and redesignated existing Subsec. (b) as Subsec. (c), and made technical and conforming changes, effective July 1, 2019, and applicable to sales made on or after July 1, 2019; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2 added new Subsec. (a) re sunset date of sales occurring prior to July 1, 2021, redesignated former Subsecs. (a) and (b)(1) to (b)(3) as Subsecs. (b) and (c), redesignated former Subsec. (b)(4) re motion picture show as Subsec. (d) and incorporated existing Subsec. (c), and made conforming changes, effective June 30, 2021; P.A. 22-118 amended Subsec. (d) by adding “but prior to January 1, 2023,”, effective July 1, 2022.

Optional rental fee for car heater at outdoor theater was not part of admission charge and therefore not taxable under section. 171 C. 172. Cited. 179 C. 672.

Sec. 12-542. Cabaret tax. Nature of tax. Section 12-542 is repealed, effective June 23, 1999, applicable to sales made on or after July 1, 1999.

(1971, P.A. 837, S. 4; P.A. 78-306, S. 1, 2; P.A. 99-121, S. 17, 28; 99-173, S. 64, 65.)

Sec. 12-543. Dues or initiation fees tax. Nature of tax. Exemptions. (a) There is hereby imposed a tax equivalent to ten per cent of any amount paid as dues or initiation fees to any social, athletic or sporting club. Such tax shall be imposed upon the club receiving such amounts. Reimbursement for such tax shall be collected by the club from the member. Such reimbursement, termed “tax”, shall be paid by the member to the club charging the dues or initiation fees. Such tax when added to the amounts charged shall be a debt from the member to the club charging such amounts and shall be recoverable at law. The amount of tax reimbursement, when so collected, shall be deemed to be a special fund in trust for the state of Connecticut.

(b) (1) A club shall be exempt from the dues tax if the annual dues of a member enjoying full privileges and any initiation fee required of such a member are each one hundred dollars or less. (2) A club sponsored and controlled by a charitable or religious organization, a governmental agency or a nonprofit educational institution shall be exempt from the dues tax. (3) Any society, order or association operating under the lodge system or any local fraternal organization among students of a college or university shall be exempt from the dues tax. (4) Lawn bowling clubs shall be exempt from the dues tax.

(1971, P.A. 837, S. 5, 6; P.A. 75-473, S. 4, 6; P.A. 82-45, S. 2, 4; P.A. 85-438, S. 1, 2; P.A. 99-121, S. 18, 28; 99-173, S. 53, 65.)

History: P.A. 75-473 deleted reference to life or full dues in Subdiv. (1); P.A. 82-45 eliminated reference to “organization” re imposition of tax on amounts paid to “any social, athletic or sporting club or organization”; P.A. 85-438 exempted clubs from dues tax if members' dues are $100 or less per person, doubling the previously applicable amount; P.A. 99-121 amended Subsec. (a) to add provision re tax reimbursement collected deemed to be a special fund in trust for the state, effective June 3, 1999, and applicable to periods commencing on or after July 1, 1999; P.A. 99-173 amended Subsec. (b) to add new Subdiv. (4) re lawn bowling clubs, effective June 23, 1999, and applicable to sales occurring on or after July 1, 1999.

Payment of charges for boarding horses by members of riding club not taxable as “dues”. 175 C. 90. Payments for membership certificates are “initiation fees” under Sec. 12-540 and taxable under this section. 180 C. 5.

Sec. 12-544. Administration and enforcement. This chapter shall be administered by the Commissioner of Revenue Services. All forms necessary or convenient for the enforcement of this chapter shall be prescribed, printed and furnished by said commissioner. The commissioner may adopt and enforce rules and regulations relating to the administration and enforcement of this chapter.

(1971, P.A. 837, S. 7; 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. 12-545. Amounts taxable. The admissions and dues taxes shall be imposed on amounts received within or without the state but only if the place of admission or club facilities are within the state.

(1971, P.A. 837, S. 8; P.A. 82-45, S. 3, 4; P.A. 99-173, S. 54, 65.)

History: P.A. 82-45 eliminated “or organization” in the reference to “place of admission, cabaret or club or organization facilities”; P.A. 99-173 deleted “cabaret”, effective June 23, 1999, and applicable to sales occurring on or after July 1, 1999.

Sec. 12-546. Sale of business, stock or facilities. Purchaser's duties and liabilities. Certificate of clearance. If any person liable for any amount under this chapter sells his business, stock of goods, or facilities, the successor shall withhold sufficient of the purchase price to cover such amount, until a certificate of clearance from the Commissioner of Revenue Services is issued. If the purchaser fails to withhold from the purchase price as required, he shall be liable for the payment of the amount required to be withheld by him to the extent of the purchase price, valued in money. Within sixty days after receiving a written request from the purchaser for a certificate of clearance, the Commissioner of Revenue Services shall either issue the certificate or mail notice to the purchaser at his address, as it appears on the records of the Department of Revenue Services, of the amount that must be paid. Failure of the commissioner to mail this notice shall release the purchaser from any further obligation to withhold the purchase price as above provided.

(1971, P.A. 837, S. 9; 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. 12-547. Returns. Payment of tax. Penalty. Each person subject to a tax imposed under this chapter shall file a return on or before the last day of each month setting forth the amount of tax due for the preceding month and such additional information as the commissioner may require. Each return shall be signed by the person required to file the return or his authorized agent but need not be verified by oath. Any return required to be filed by a corporation shall be signed by an officer of such corporation or his authorized agent. Payment of the tax shall accompany such return. If any person fails to pay the amount of tax reported to be due on his return within the time specified under the provisions of this section, there shall be imposed a penalty equal to ten per cent of such amount due and unpaid 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.

(1971, P.A. 837, S. 10; P.A. 76-322, S. 18, 27; P.A. 77-614, S. 139, 610; P.A. 80-307, S. 28, 31; P.A. 81-64, S. 19, 23; 81-191, S. 1, 2; 81-411, S. 39, 42; P.A. 86-172, S. 1, 3; P.A. 88-314, S. 45, 54; P.A. 95-26, S. 26, 52.)

History: P.A. 76-322 increased interest rate from 0.75% to 1% per month; P.A. 77-614 substituted commissioner of revenue services for tax commissioner, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 80-307 temporarily raised interest rate to 1.25% for taxes due on or after July 1, 1980, but not later than June 30, 1981; P.A. 81-64 added a minimum penalty of $50 and waiver of penalty provisions applicable to other state taxes; P.A. 81-191 changed date returns are required under the admissions, cabaret and dues tax from the twentieth to the last day of each month; P.A. 81-411 continued interest on taxes not paid when due at 1.25% per month, effective July 1, 1981, and applicable to taxes becoming due on or after that date; P.A. 86-172 inserted requirement that the return be signed and provided that a corporate return be signed by an officer of his agent; P.A. 88-314 restated the imposition of penalties for failure to pay the amount of tax due within the time specified and deleted the provisions related to waiver of penalties because such waiver is provided for in another section, 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 lowered interest rate from 1.25% to 1%, 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.

Cited. 179 C. 672.

Sec. 12-547a. Liability for wilful nonpayment of taxes collected. Each person, other than a taxpayer, who is required, on behalf of a taxpayer, to collect, truthfully account for and pay over the tax imposed on such taxpayer under this chapter and who wilfully fails to collect such tax or truthfully account for and pay over such tax or who wilfully attempts in any manner to evade or defeat the tax or the payment thereof, shall, in addition to other penalties provided by law, be liable for a penalty equal to the total amount of the tax evaded, or not collected, or not accounted for and paid over, including any penalty or interest attributable to such wilful failure to collect or truthfully account for and pay over such tax or such wilful attempt to evade or defeat such tax, provided such penalty shall only be imposed against such person in the event that such tax, penalty or interest cannot otherwise be collected from the taxpayer itself in accordance with section 12-555a. The amount of such penalty with respect to which a person may be personally liable under this section shall be collected in accordance with said section 12-555a and any amount so collected shall be allowed as a credit against the amount of such tax, penalty or interest due and owing from the taxpayer. The dissolution of such taxpayer shall not discharge any person in relation to any personal liability under this section for wilful failure to collect or truthfully account for and pay over such tax or for a wilful attempt to evade or defeat such tax prior to dissolution, except as otherwise provided in this section. For purposes of this section, “person” includes any individual, corporation, limited liability company or partnership and any officer or employee of any corporation, including a dissolved corporation, and a member or employee of any partnership or limited liability company who, as such officer, employee or member, is under a duty to file a tax return under this chapter on behalf of a taxpayer or to collect or truthfully account for and pay over the tax imposed under this chapter on behalf of a taxpayer.

(P.A. 82-272, S. 2, 3; P.A. 97-243, S. 38, 67.)

History: P.A. 97-243 extended liability that any officer of a corporation has to any person required to collect, truthfully account for and pay over taxes and defined “person”, effective June 24, 1997, and applicable to taxable periods commencing on or after July 1, 1997.

Sec. 12-548. Examination of records. Deficiency assessment. Penalty. Limitation of assessment period. (a) The commissioner may examine the records of any person subject to a tax imposed under the provisions of this chapter as the commissioner deems necessary. If the commissioner determines that there is a deficiency with respect to the payment of any such tax due under the provisions of this chapter, the commissioner shall assess or reassess the deficiency in tax, give notice of such deficiency assessment or reassessment to the taxpayer and make demand upon the taxpayer for payment. Such amount shall bear interest at the rate of one per cent per month or fraction thereof from the date when the original tax was due and payable. 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 this chapter 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 this chapter 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 subsection in relation to the same tax period. 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 the commissioner's satisfaction that the failure to pay any tax was due to reasonable cause and was not intentional or due to neglect. Any decision rendered by any federal court holding that a taxpayer has filed a fraudulent return with the Director of Internal Revenue shall subject the taxpayer to the penalty imposed by this section without the necessity of further proof thereof, except when it can be shown that the return to the state so differed from the return to the federal government as to afford a reasonable presumption that the attempt to defraud did not extend to the return filed with the state. 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, penalty and interest shown to be due.

(b) Except in the case of a wilfully false or fraudulent return with intent to evade the tax, no assessment of additional tax shall be made after the expiration of more than three years from the date of the filing of a return or from the original due date of a return, whichever is later. If no return has been filed as provided under the provisions of this chapter, 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 to the date of payment. No person shall be subject to a penalty under both this subsection and section 12-547. Where, before the expiration of the period prescribed herein for the assessment of an additional tax, a taxpayer has consented in writing that such period may be extended, the amount of such additional tax due may be determined at any time within such extended period. The period so extended may be further extended by subsequent consents in writing before the expiration of the extended period.

(1971, P.A. 837, S. 11; P.A. 76-322, S. 19, 27; P.A. 77-614, S. 139, 610; P.A. 80-307, S. 29, 31; P.A. 81-64, S. 20, 23; 81-411, S. 40, 42; P.A. 88-314, S. 46, 54; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-4, S. 63, 85; P.A. 95-26, S. 27, 52; 95-160, S. 64, 69; P.A. 99-121, S. 19, 28.)

History: P.A. 76-322 increased interest rate from 0.75% to 1%; P.A. 77-614 substituted commissioner of revenue services for tax commissioner, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 80-307 temporarily increased interest rate to 1.25% for taxes due on or after July 1, 1980, but not later than June 30, 1981; P.A. 81-64 added a minimum penalty of $50 and replaced previous waiver provision with waiver of penalty provisions applicable to other state taxes; P.A. 81-411 continued interest on the deficiency assessment at 1.25% per month, effective July 1, 1981, and applicable to taxes becoming due on or after that date; P.A. 88-314 revised the language in Subsec. (a) describing a deficiency assessment and the applicable penalties when the deficiency is due to wilful negligence in respect to the provisions of this chapter and to fraud or intent to evade the provisions of this chapter, and revised the language in Subsec. (b) concerning the commissioner's power to prepare a return when the taxpayer has not filed as required, including the penalties imposed in such case, 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 1.25% to 1% 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 1.25% to 1%, 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; P.A. 99-121 amended Subsec. (a) to allow commissioner to waive all or part of penalties for reasonable cause and to make technical changes, effective June 3, 1999.

Cited. 231 C. 355.

Sec. 12-549. Excess payments. Section 12-549 is repealed, effective April 13, 1995.

(1971, P.A. 837, S. 12; P.A. 95-4, S. 7, 8.)

Sec. 12-550. Claims for refund. Limitation of claim period. (a) Any person believing that he has overpaid any taxes due under this chapter 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. The commissioner shall review such claim within a reasonable time and, if he determines a refund is due, he shall credit the overpayment against any amount then due and payable from the person under this chapter or any other act administered by the commissioner and the balance shall be refunded, upon order of the Comptroller, to the person. If the commissioner determines that such claim is not valid, either in whole or in part, he shall mail notice of the proposed disallowance 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 claimant has filed, as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a written protest with the commissioner.

(b) On or before the sixtieth day after the mailing of the proposed disallowance, the claimant may file with the commissioner a written protest against the proposed disallowance in which the claimant sets forth the grounds on which the protest is based. If a protest is filed, the commissioner shall reconsider the proposed disallowance and, if the claimant has so requested, may grant or deny the claimant or the claimant's authorized representatives an oral hearing.

(c) The commissioner shall mail notice of his determination to the claimant, 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 claimant.

(d) The action of the commissioner on the claimant's protest shall be final upon the expiration of one month from the date on which he mails notice of his action to the claimant unless within such period the claimant seeks judicial review of the commissioner's determination pursuant to section 12-554.

(1971, P.A. 837, S. 13; P.A. 95-4, S. 5, 8; P.A. 97-243, S. 60, 67.)

History: P.A. 95-4 permitted commissioner to credit overpayments against any other amounts due to the department and to refund balance, replacing authority to “act in accordance with section 12-549”, effective April 13, 1995; P.A. 97-243 divided section into Subsecs. (a) to (d) and added provision for an administrative hearing with the department before taking an appeal to the Superior Court, established the time for filing a claim and made technical changes, effective July 1, 1997, and applicable to claims for refund filed on or after said date.

Sec. 12-551. Wilful violations. Penalties. (a) Any person required under this chapter to pay any tax, or required under this chapter or by regulations adopted in accordance with the provisions of section 12-554 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 guilty of a class D felony. 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.

(1971, P.A. 837, S. 14; P.A. 88-314, S. 47, 54; P.A. 97-203, S. 10, 20; P.A. 13-258, S. 55.)

History: P.A. 88-314 deleted existing language concerning penalties for wilful violations of the provisions of this chapter and substituted in lieu thereof revised language related to the same subject, providing penalties for wilful failure to pay the tax or file a return within the time required and wilful delivery of any return or other document known to be fraudulent or false, 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. 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; P.A. 13-258 amended Subsec. (b) to change penalty from fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisonment of not more than 5 years or less than 1 year to a class D felony.

Sec. 12-552. Records. Examinations. Hearings. Testimony. (a) The Commissioner of Revenue Services may require all persons subject to a tax imposed under this chapter to keep such records as he may prescribe, and he may require the production of books, papers, documents and other data, to provide or secure information pertinent to the determination of the taxes imposed by this chapter and the enforcement and collection thereof.

(b) The commissioner or any person authorized by him may examine the books, papers, records and equipment of any person liable under the provisions of this chapter and may investigate the character of the business of the person in order to verify the accuracy of any return made or, if no return is made by the person, to ascertain and determine the amount required to be paid.

(c) The commissioner and any representative of the commissioner authorized to conduct any inquiry, investigation or hearing hereunder 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 representative authorized to conduct such hearing and to issue such process may subpoena witnesses and require the production of books, papers and documents pertinent to such inquiry. No witness under subpoena authorized to be issued by the provisions of this chapter shall be excused from testifying or from producing books or other documentary evidence 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 other documentary evidence 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 representative, or to produce any books and other documentary evidence pursuant thereto, the commissioner or such representative may apply to the superior court for the county wherein the taxpayer resides or wherein the business 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 documentary evidence 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.

(1971, P.A. 837, S. 15; 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. 12-553. Application to commissioner for hearing. Order for hearing. 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 this chapter, may apply to the commissioner, in writing, within sixty days after notice of such action is delivered or mailed to him, for a hearing and a correction of the amount of the tax, penalty or interest so fixed, setting forth the reasons why such hearing should be granted and the amount of the 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.

(1971, P.A. 837, S. 16; P.A. 91-236, S. 14, 25.)

History: P.A. 91-236 provided for 60, rather than 30, days to request a hearing, effective July 1, 1991, and applicable to taxes due on or after that date.

Cited. 31 CS 134.

Sec. 12-554. Appeal. Any taxpayer aggrieved because of any order, decision, determination or disallowance of the Commissioner of Revenue Services under the provisions of this chapter may, not later than thirty days 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 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.

(1971, P.A. 837, S. 17; 1972, P.A. 108, S. 1; P.A. 76-436, S. 326, 681; P.A. 77-614, S. 139, 610; P.A. 78-280, S. 5, 6, 127; P.A. 88-230, S. 1, 12; P.A. 89-343, S. 16, 17; P.A. 90-98, S. 1, 2; P.A. 93-142, S. 4, 7, 8; P.A. 95-26, S. 28, 52; 95-220, S. 4–6; P.A. 99-215, S. 24, 29; P.A. 19-186, S. 22.)

History: 1972 act substituted court of common pleas for superior court, effective September 1, 1972, except that courts with cases pending retain jurisdiction; 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. 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 6% to 9% 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 9% per annum to 0.66% 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; P.A. 19-186 replaced “within one month” with “not later than thirty days”, effective July 8, 2019.

Cited. 171 C. 172; 231 C. 355.

Cited. 31 CS 134; 44 CS 444.

Sec. 12-555. Security for delinquent taxes or failure to file returns. Whenever any person (1) owes taxes under this chapter, which taxes have been finally due and payable for a period of ninety days or longer and for which any administrative or judicial remedies, or both, have been exhausted or have lapsed, or (2) has failed to file three or more returns required to be filed with the commissioner under this chapter, the commissioner may require any such person to deposit with the commissioner such security as the commissioner determines. The amount of the security shall be fixed by the commissioner but shall not be greater than six times the person's estimated average liability for the period for which such person files returns, determined in such manner as the commissioner deems proper. The amount of the security may be increased or decreased by the commissioner subject to the limitations herein provided. The commissioner may sell the security at public auction if it becomes necessary so to do in order to recover any tax or any amount required to be collected, or any interest or penalty due. Notice of the sale may be served upon the person who deposited the security personally or by mail. If by mail, service shall be made in the manner prescribed for service of a notice of a deficiency assessment and shall be addressed to the person at the person's address as it appears in the records of the commissioner's office. Upon any sale any surplus above the amounts due shall be returned to the person who deposited the security.

(1971, P.A. 837, S. 18; P.A. 82-36, S. 2, 3; P.A. 91-127, S. 2; P.A. 17-147, S. 45.)

History: P.A. 82-36 increased the maximum security that may be required to insure compliance with requirements under the admissions, cabaret and dues tax, which maximum security prior to P.A. 82-36 was two times the taxpayer's estimated average liability or $10,000, whichever is less, by raising $10,000 to $100,000; P.A. 91-127 increased the multiplier for the required security from twice the average liability to six times and removed the upper limit of $100,000; P.A. 17-147 deleted “The commissioner, whenever he deems it necessary to insure compliance with this chapter,” added provisions re person who owes taxes for period of 90 days or longer or failed to file 3 or more returns, deleted provision re security in form of bearer bond, and made technical changes, effective July 7, 2017.

Sec. 12-555a. Collection of admissions and dues taxes. State lien against real estate as security for tax. The amount of any tax, penalty or interest due and unpaid under the provisions of this chapter may be collected under the provisions of section 12-35. The warrant therein provided for shall be signed by the Commissioner of Revenue Services or his authorized agent. The amount of any such tax, penalty and interest shall be a lien, from the last day of the month next preceding the due date of such tax until discharged by payment, against all real estate of the taxpayer 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, provided no such lien shall be effective as against any bona fide purchaser or qualified encumbrancer of any interest in any such property. 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 is 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 the 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 make such other or further decree as it judges equitable.

(June, 1971, P.A. 2, S. 1–3; P.A. 82-172, S. 11, 14.)

History: P.A. 82-172 substituted new provisions concerning collection of tax, including creation of a lien against real estate related to overdue taxes and a lien foreclosure procedure.

Sec. 12-555b. Certificate of registration. (a) No person whose activities make such person subject to this chapter shall engage in such activities in this state unless a certificate of registration has been issued to such person as hereinafter prescribed.

(b) Any person desiring to engage in activities subject to this chapter shall file with the commissioner an application for a certificate of registration for each location where such activities are conducted. Each such application shall be made on a form prescribed by the commissioner and shall set forth the name under which the applicant operates or intends to operate, the location of his operations, and such other information as the commissioner requires. The application shall be signed by the owner, if a natural person, by a member or partner in the case of an association or partnership, or by an executive officer or any other person specifically authorized by the corporation to sign the application in the case of a corporation.

(c) After compliance with subsections (a) and (b) of this section by the applicant, the commissioner may grant and issue to such applicant a separate certificate for each place of operation within the state. A certificate of registration shall not be assignable and shall be valid only for the person in whose name it is issued. The certificate shall at all times be conspicuously displayed at the place for which issued. The commissioner may refuse to issue a certificate of registration if he believes that the payment of any amount due or likely to become due under this chapter is jeopardized. The commissioner may continue such refusal until he believes that the payment of such amounts are no longer in jeopardy.

(d) Whenever any person fails to comply with any provision of this chapter or any regulation of the commissioner prescribed and adopted under this chapter, the commissioner, upon hearing, after ten days notice in writing to such person, specifying the time and place of hearing and requiring him to show cause why his certificate of registration should not be revoked, may revoke or suspend any one or more of the certificates of registration held by such person. The notice may be served personally or by registered or certified mail. The commissioner shall not issue a new certificate of registration after the revocation of a certificate of registration unless he is satisfied that the former holder of the certificate of registration will comply with the provisions of this chapter.

(e) Any person who knowingly violates any provision of this section shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars or be imprisoned not more than three months or both for each offense.

(P.A. 75-473, S. 5, 6; P.A. 88-314, S. 48, 54; P.A. 97-243, S. 39, 67.)

History: P.A. 88-314 amended the penalty provided under Subsec. (e) to require knowledge of violation and increase the fine from not more than $100 for each offense to $500 for each offense and added the imprisonment provision, 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. 97-243 amended Subsec. (c) to require that the certificate be conspicuously displayed at all times at the place for which it is issued, effective July 1, 1997.

Sec. 12-556. Multiple taxation prohibited. No amount taxable under this chapter shall be taxed under more than one provision of this chapter.

(1971, P.A. 837, S. 19.)

Secs. 12-556a to 12-556f. Reserved for future use.

Sec. 12-556g. Surcharge on admission charge to events at Tennis Foundation of Connecticut facilities. (a) A facilities surcharge shall be imposed on the admission charge, as defined in subsection (3) of section 12-540, to the events at facilities owned or managed by the Tennis Foundation of Connecticut or any successor organization. The surcharge shall be imposed at a rate of ten per cent of such admission charge and shall be in addition to any tax otherwise applicable to such transaction. The surcharge shall be imposed on sponsors and promoters of events held at facilities owned or managed by the Tennis Foundation of Connecticut or any successor organization and reimbursement for the surcharge shall be collected by the sponsor or promoter from the purchaser. Such reimbursement shall be paid by the purchaser to the sponsor or promoter. The surcharge, when added to the admission charge, shall be a debt from the purchaser to the sponsor or promoter and shall be recoverable at law.

(b) The surcharge imposed in subsection (a) of this section is due and payable to the Tennis Foundation of Connecticut or any successor organization monthly on or before the last day of the month next succeeding each monthly period except that if the total surcharge liability for the twelve-month period ended on the preceding September thirtieth was less than four thousand dollars the sponsor or promoter may pay the surcharge on a quarterly basis.

(P.A. 93-360, S. 15, 19; P.A. 00-174, S. 20, 83.)

History: P.A. 93-360 effective June 14, 1993; P.A. 00-174 made a technical change in Subsec. (a), effective October 1, 2000, and applicable to charges made on or after that date.