GENERAL ASSEMBLY OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVES DIXON-LEVOTA  PLAN TO REVIEW STATE TAX CODE

JEFFERSON CITY — Yesterday, (4-9) the Missouri General Assembly overwhelmingly approved legislation advanced by Sen. Bob Dixon, R-Springfield, and Sen. Paul LeVota, D-Independence, to launch the first comprehensive review of the state tax code in decades and provide additional safeguards for taxpayers.  Several provisions originally introduced in Senate Bill 15 were incorporated into the final version of House Bill 384, handled by Sen. Dixon in the Senate. Thursday, by a vote of 150 to 4, the House accepted these additions, forwarding the bill to the governor for his consideration. 

Under the bill, a Study Commission on State Tax Policy would be established to conduct a multi-year, in-depth review of Missouri’s tax system—the first in four decades.  The Study Commission would examine the tax code, identify its strengths and weaknesses, and provide recommendations to the governor and General Assembly on improvements to the code.   

“A clear, consistent tax code is essential to keeping Missouri on a path of sustained economic growth, encouraging investment and job creation,” stated Sen. Dixon.  “As we seek greater clarity in our tax law, we must also make certain that the enforcement of our tax law, and the law itself, favor taxpayers, not the tax collector.”

In addition to creating the Tax Study Commission, the Senate Substitute for House Bill 384 also:

• Establishes an independent Office of Taxpayer Advocate, to assist and defend taxpayers, which office will replace the current Office of Taxpayers’ Ombudsman within the Department of Revenue;
• Amends state laws to make clear the right of Missourians to the consistent application of state tax laws, rather than arbitrary or inconsistent action by the Department of Revenue; and
• Provides eligible taxpayers with a one-time limited period between Sept. 1, 2015, and Nov. 30, 2015, to pay delinquent taxes without the assessment or payment of all penalties, additions to tax, and interest which occurred on or prior to Dec. 31, 2014.