Tax policy bill establishes tax preparer penalties for improper behavior

The Department of Revenue at times proposes policy changes and additions to help them better implement existing tax code.

This year’s department policy proposals are contained in HF1227, sponsored by Rep. Greg Davids (R-Preston). Generally noncontroversial and with no financial impact, the bill was passed by the House Wednesday 133-0, as amended.

Rep. Greg Davids

It now moves to the Senate where Sen. Roger Chamberlain (R-Lino Lakes) is its sponsor.

The bill expands provisions related to individuals who prepare income tax returns to apply paid preparers of all types of tax returns and imposes new penalties when the commissioner imposes a cease and desist order for improper behavior. It also adds certain prohibitions to the tax preparers standards of conduct.

The bill also adds a training requirement for individuals at a county or city who administers property tax. The intent is “to promote uniform and equitable implementation of the property tax laws.”

Rep. Keith Franke (R-South St. Paul) was successful in amending the bill to include a provision that would allow for tax increment financing to be used to encourage economic development in South St. Paul.