Signed by Governor Jim Douglas

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that changes miscellaneous tax provisions to close the gap in the fiscal year 2010 spending plan.

Highlights:

-Appropriates $535,000 in fiscal year 2010 to hire nine additional full-time limited service employees to the department of taxes and $935,000 to retain the nine employees and hire 6 more for fiscal year 2011 to augment the department's compliance division (Sec. 1). -Appropriates $308,212 in fiscal year 2010 to hire four worker's compensation fraud staff in the Department of Labor (Sec. 2). -Provides that the commissioner of taxes may establish a tax amnesty program. Under this program, all penalties that could be assessed by the commissioner may be waived, if the taxpayer files proper tax returns and has paid the full amount shown on the returns or assessment before amnesty period expiration (Sec. 3). -Requires all departments and agencies of the state transfer all surplus personal property of the state to the commissioner. The commissioner is authorized to sell this surplus personal property to raise capital and free space in buildings leased or owned by the state (Sec. 5). -Authorizes the transition of the Department of Taxes into the Department of Revenue (Sec. 6). - Authorizes the state treasurer to sponsor a financial institutional credit card program for state residents. The program will transmit net proceeds into a state-sponsored credit card fund for transfer into various state programs as selected by the cardholders (Sec. 13). -Mandates that a tax of 41 percent of the wholesale price be imposed on all tobacco products. Exceptions include snuff, which shall be taxed at $1.66 per ounce, and new smokeless tobacco, to be taxed at $1.66 per ounce or $1.99 per package if containing less than 1.2 ounces (Section 38). -Establishes a sales and use tax on digital downloads such as digital audio works, digital books, or ring tones (Sec. 40). -Mandates that a personal income tax surcharge be imposed of 0.05 to 0.3 percent in 2009 and 0.1 to 0.5 percent for years 2010 and 2011 depending on taxable income subject rate (Sec. 46).

Full Bill Text