SB2279 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 16048 HLH 21420 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
SB2279

Introduced 2/26/2021, by Sen. Steve Stadelman

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

See Index

Amends the Department of Revenue Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. In provisions that allow the Department of Revenue to refuse to issue, reissue, or renew a certificate of registration, provides that a person is considered to be in default for moneys due if the amount was established as a final liability within the 23 years (currently, 20 years) prior to the date of the Department of Revenue's notice of refusal to issue or reissue the certificate of registration, permit, or license. Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the effective date of a pollution control facility certificate shall be the date of the last submission of documentation that finalizes the application or the date of the construction of the facility, whichever is later. Creates the Property Tax Appeal Board Supplemental Fund. Provides that all filing fees collected by the Board shall be deposited in the Fund. Provides for the uses of moneys deposited in the Fund. Amends various tax Acts to provide that upon filing a claim for a credit or for a refund, if the statute of limitations will expire less than 12 months after the date a taxpayer files the claim for credit or refund, that will trigger an automatic 12-month extension of the statute of limitations for assessing additional tax due. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning revenue.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Department of Revenue Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by changing Section 2505-380 as follows:

(20 ILCS 2505/2505-380) (was 20 ILCS 2505/39b47)

Sec. 2505-380. Revocation of or refusal to issue or reissue a certificate of registration, permit, or license.

(a) The Department has the power, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing, to revoke a certificate of registration, permit, or license issued by the Department if the holder of the certificate of registration, permit, or license fails to file a return, or to pay the tax, fee, penalty, or interest shown in a filed return, or to pay any final assessment of tax, fee, penalty, or interest, as required by the tax or fee Act under which the certificate of registration, permit, or license is required or any other tax or fee Act administered by the Department.

(b) The Department may refuse to issue, reissue, or renew a certificate of registration, permit, or license authorized to be issued by the Department if a person who is named as the owner, a partner, a corporate officer, or, in the case of a limited liability company, a manager or member, of the applicant on the application for the certificate of registration, permit or license, is or has been named as the owner, a partner, a corporate officer, or in the case of a limited liability company, a manager or member, on the application for the certificate of registration, permit, or license of a person that is in default for moneys due under the tax or fee Act upon which the certificate of registration, permit, or license is required or any other tax or fee Act administered by the Department. For purposes of this Section only, in determining whether a person is in default for moneys due, the Department shall include only amounts established as a final liability within the 23 20 years prior to the date of the Department's notice of refusal to issue or reissue the certificate of registration, permit, or license. For purposes of this Section, "person" means any natural individual, firm, partnership, association, joint stock company, joint adventure, public or private corporation, limited liability company, or a receiver, executor, trustee, guardian or other representative appointed by order of any court.

(c) When revoking or refusing to issue or reissue a certificate of registration, permit, or license issued by the Department, the procedure for notice and hearing used shall be the procedure provided under the Act pursuant to which the certificate of registration, permit, or license was issued.

(Source: P.A. 98-496, eff. 1-1-14; 98-1055, eff. 1-1-16.)

Section 10. The State Finance Act is amended by adding Section 5.935 as follows:

(30 ILCS 105/5.935 new)

Sec. 5.935. The Property Tax Appeal Board Supplemental Fund.

Section 15. The Illinois Income Tax Act is amended by changing Section 905 as follows:

(35 ILCS 5/905) (from Ch. 120, par. 9-905)

Sec. 905. Limitations on Notices of Deficiency.

(a) In general. Except as otherwise provided in this Act:

(1) A notice of deficiency shall be issued not later than 3 years after the date the return was filed, and

(2) No deficiency shall be assessed or collected with respect to the year for which the return was filed unless such notice is issued within such period.

(a-5) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act to the contrary, for any taxable year included in a claim for credit or refund for which the statute of limitations for issuing a notice of deficiency under this Act will expire less than 12 months after the date a taxpayer files the claim for credit or refund, the statute of limitations is automatically extended for 12 months from the date it would have otherwise expired.

(b) Substantial omission of items.

(1) Omission of more than 25% of income. If the taxpayer omits from base income an amount properly includible therein which is in excess of 25% of the amount of base income stated in the return, a notice of deficiency may be issued not later than 6 years after the return was filed. For purposes of this paragraph, there shall not be taken into account any amount which is omitted in the return if such amount is disclosed in the return, or in a statement attached to the return, in a manner adequate to apprise the Department of the nature and the amount of such item.

(2) Reportable transactions. If a taxpayer fails to include on any return or statement for any taxable year any information with respect to a reportable transaction, as required under Section 501(b) of this Act, a notice of deficiency may be issued not later than 6 years after the return is filed with respect to the taxable year in which the taxpayer participated in the reportable transaction and said deficiency is limited to the non-disclosed item.

(3) Withholding. If an employer omits from a return required under Section 704A of this Act for any period beginning on or after January 1, 2013, an amount required to be withheld and to be reported on that return which is in excess of 25% of the total amount of withholding required to be reported on that return, a notice of deficiency may be issued not later than 6 years after the return was filed.

(c) No return or fraudulent return. If no return is filed or a false and fraudulent return is filed with intent to evade the tax imposed by this Act, a notice of deficiency may be issued at any time. For purposes of this subsection (c), any taxpayer who is required to join in the filing of a return filed under the provisions of subsection (e) of Section 502 of this Act for a taxable year ending on or after December 31, 2013 and who is not included on that return and does not file its own return for that taxable year shall be deemed to have failed to file a return; provided that the amount of any proposed assessment set forth in a notice of deficiency issued under this subsection (c) shall be limited to the amount of any increase in liability under this Act that should have reported on the return required under the provisions of subsection (e) of Section 502 of this Act for that taxable year resulting from proper inclusion of that taxpayer on that return.

(d) Failure to report federal change. If a taxpayer fails to notify the Department in any case where notification is required by Section 304(c) or 506(b), or fails to report a change or correction which is treated in the same manner as if it were a deficiency for federal income tax purposes, a notice of deficiency may be issued (i) at any time or (ii) on or after August 13, 1999, at any time for the taxable year for which the notification is required or for any taxable year to which the taxpayer may carry an Article 2 credit, or a Section 207 loss, earned, incurred, or used in the year for which the notification is required; provided, however, that the amount of any proposed assessment set forth in the notice shall be limited to the amount of any deficiency resulting under this Act from the recomputation of the taxpayer's net income, Article 2 credits, or Section 207 loss earned, incurred, or used in the taxable year for which the notification is required after giving effect to the item or items required to be reported.

(e) Report of federal change.

(1) Before August 13, 1999, in any case where notification of an alteration is given as required by Section 506(b), a notice of deficiency may be issued at any time within 2 years after the date such notification is given, provided, however, that the amount of any proposed assessment set forth in such notice shall be limited to the amount of any deficiency resulting under this Act from recomputation of the taxpayer's net income, net loss, or Article 2 credits for the taxable year after giving effect to the item or items reflected in the reported alteration.

(2) On and after August 13, 1999, in any case where notification of an alteration is given as required by Section 506(b), a notice of deficiency may be issued at any time within 2 years after the date such notification is given for the taxable year for which the notification is given or for any taxable year to which the taxpayer may carry an Article 2 credit, or a Section 207 loss, earned, incurred, or used in the year for which the notification is given, provided, however, that the amount of any proposed assessment set forth in such notice shall be limited to the amount of any deficiency resulting under this Act from recomputation of the taxpayer's net income, Article 2 credits, or Section 207 loss earned, incurred, or used in the taxable year for which the notification is given after giving effect to the item or items reflected in the reported alteration.

(f) Extension by agreement. Where, before the expiration of the time prescribed in this Section for the issuance of a notice of deficiency, both the Department and the taxpayer shall have consented in writing to its issuance after such time, such notice may be issued at any time prior to the expiration of the period agreed upon. In the case of a taxpayer who is a partnership, Subchapter S corporation, or trust and who enters into an agreement with the Department pursuant to this subsection on or after January 1, 2003, a notice of deficiency may be issued to the partners, shareholders, or beneficiaries of the taxpayer at any time prior to the expiration of the period agreed upon. Any proposed assessment set forth in the notice, however, shall be limited to the amount of any deficiency resulting under this Act from recomputation of items of income, deduction, credits, or other amounts of the taxpayer that are taken into account by the partner, shareholder, or beneficiary in computing its liability under this Act. The period so agreed upon may be extended by subsequent agreements in writing made before the expiration of the period previously agreed upon.

(g) Erroneous refunds. In any case in which there has been an erroneous refund of tax payable under this Act, a notice of deficiency may be issued at any time within 2 years from the making of such refund, or within 5 years from the making of such refund if it appears that any part of the refund was induced by fraud or the misrepresentation of a material fact, provided, however, that the amount of any proposed assessment set forth in such notice shall be limited to the amount of such erroneous refund.

Beginning July 1, 1993, in any case in which there has been a refund of tax payable under this Act attributable to a net loss carryback as provided for in Section 207, and that refund is subsequently determined to be an erroneous refund due to a reduction in the amount of the net loss which was originally carried back, a notice of deficiency for the erroneous refund amount may be issued at any time during the same time period in which a notice of deficiency can be issued on the loss year creating the carryback amount and subsequent erroneous refund. The amount of any proposed assessment set forth in the notice shall be limited to the amount of such erroneous refund.

(h) Time return deemed filed. For purposes of this Section a tax return filed before the last day prescribed by law (including any extension thereof) shall be deemed to have been filed on such last day.

(i) Request for prompt determination of liability. For purposes of subsection (a)(1), in the case of a tax return required under this Act in respect of a decedent, or by his estate during the period of administration, or by a corporation, the period referred to in such Subsection shall be 18 months after a written request for prompt determination of liability is filed with the Department (at such time and in such form and manner as the Department shall by regulations prescribe) by the executor, administrator, or other fiduciary representing the estate of such decedent, or by such corporation, but not more than 3 years after the date the return was filed. This subsection shall not apply in the case of a corporation unless:

(1) (A) such written request notifies the Department that the corporation contemplates dissolution at or before the expiration of such 18-month period, (B) the dissolution is begun in good faith before the expiration of such 18-month period, and (C) the dissolution is completed;

(2) (A) such written request notifies the Department that a dissolution has in good faith been begun, and (B) the dissolution is completed; or

(3) a dissolution has been completed at the time such written request is made.

(j) Withholding tax. In the case of returns required under Article 7 of this Act (with respect to any amounts withheld as tax or any amounts required to have been withheld as tax) a notice of deficiency shall be issued not later than 3 years after the 15th day of the 4th month following the close of the calendar year in which such withholding was required.

(k) Penalties for failure to make information reports. A notice of deficiency for the penalties provided by Subsection 1405.1(c) of this Act may not be issued more than 3 years after the due date of the reports with respect to which the penalties are asserted.

(l) Penalty for failure to file withholding returns. A notice of deficiency for penalties provided by Section 1004 of this Act for taxpayer's failure to file withholding returns may not be issued more than three years after the 15th day of the 4th month following the close of the calendar year in which the withholding giving rise to taxpayer's obligation to file those returns occurred.

(m) Transferee liability. A notice of deficiency may be issued to a transferee relative to a liability asserted under Section 1405 during time periods defined as follows:

1) Initial Transferee. In the case of the liability of an initial transferee, up to 2 years after the expiration of the period of limitation for assessment against the transferor, except that if a court proceeding for review of the assessment against the transferor has begun, then up to 2 years after the return of the certified copy of the judgment in the court proceeding.

2) Transferee of Transferee. In the case of the liability of a transferee, up to 2 years after the expiration of the period of limitation for assessment against the preceding transferee, but not more than 3 years after the expiration of the period of limitation for assessment against the initial transferor; except that if, before the expiration of the period of limitation for the assessment of the liability of the transferee, a court proceeding for the collection of the tax or liability in respect thereof has been begun against the initial transferor or the last preceding transferee, as the case may be, then the period of limitation for assessment of the liability of the transferee shall expire 2 years after the return of the certified copy of the judgment in the court proceeding.

(n) Notice of decrease in net loss. On and after August 23, 2002, no notice of deficiency shall be issued as the result of a decrease determined by the Department in the net loss incurred by a taxpayer in any taxable year ending prior to December 31, 2002 under Section 207 of this Act unless the Department has notified the taxpayer of the proposed decrease within 3 years after the return reporting the loss was filed or within one year after an amended return reporting an increase in the loss was filed, provided that in the case of an amended return, a decrease proposed by the Department more than 3 years after the original return was filed may not exceed the increase claimed by the taxpayer on the original return.

(Source: P.A. 98-496, eff. 1-1-14.)

Section 20. The Use Tax Act is amended by changing Section 21 as follows:

(35 ILCS 105/21) (from Ch. 120, par. 439.21)

Sec. 21. As to any claim for credit or refund filed with the Department on and after January 1 but on or before June 30 of any given year, no amount of tax or penalty or interest erroneously paid (either in total or partial liquidation of a tax or penalty or interest under this Act) more than 3 years prior to such January 1 shall be credited or refunded, and as to any such claim filed on and after July 1 but on or before December 31 of any given year, no amount of tax or penalty or interest erroneously paid (either in total or partial liquidation of a tax or penalty or interest under this Act) more than 3 years prior to such July 1 shall be credited or refunded. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act to the contrary, for any period included in a claim for credit or refund for which the statute of limitations for issuing a notice of tax liability under this Act will expire less than 12 months after the date a taxpayer files the claim for credit or refund, the statute of limitations is automatically extended for 12 months from the date it would have otherwise expired. No claim shall be allowed for any amount paid to the Department, whether paid voluntarily or involuntarily, if paid in total or partial liquidation of an assessment which had become final before the claim for credit or refund to recover the amount so paid is filed with the Department, or if paid in total or partial liquidation of a judgment or order of court.

(Source: P.A. 79-1366; 79-1365.)

Section 25. The Service Occupation Tax Act is amended by changing Section 19 as follows:

(35 ILCS 115/19) (from Ch. 120, par. 439.119)

Sec. 19. As to any claim for credit or refund filed with the Department on or after each January 1 and July 1, no amount of tax or penalty or interest erroneously paid (either in total or partial liquidation of a tax or penalty or interest under this Act) more than 3 years prior to such January 1 and July 1, respectively, shall be credited or refunded, except that if both the Department and taxpayer have agreed to an extension of time to issue a notice of tax liability as provided in Section 4 of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, such claim may be filed at any time prior to the expiration of the period agreed upon. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act to the contrary, for any period included in a claim for credit or refund for which the statute of limitations for issuing a notice of tax liability under this Act will expire less than 12 months after the date a taxpayer files the claim for credit or refund, the statute of limitations is automatically extended for 12 months from the date it would have otherwise expired. No claim shall be allowed for any amount paid to the Department, whether paid voluntarily or involuntarily, if paid in total or partial liquidation of an assessment which had become final before the claim for credit or refund to recover the amount so paid is filed with the Department, or if paid in total or partial liquidation of a judgment or order of court.

(Source: P.A. 90-562, eff. 12-16-97.)

Section 30. The Retailers' Occupation Tax Act is amended by changing Sections 2a and 6 as follows:

(35 ILCS 120/2a) (from Ch. 120, par. 441a)

Sec. 2a. It is unlawful for any person to engage in the business of selling tangible personal property at retail in this State without a certificate of registration from the Department. Application for a certificate of registration shall be made to the Department upon forms furnished by it. Each such application shall be signed and verified and shall state: (1) the name and social security number of the applicant; (2) the address of his principal place of business; (3) the address of the principal place of business from which he engages in the business of selling tangible personal property at retail in this State and the addresses of all other places of business, if any (enumerating such addresses, if any, in a separate list attached to and made a part of the application), from which he engages in the business of selling tangible personal property at retail in this State; (4) the name and address of the person or persons who will be responsible for filing returns and payment of taxes due under this Act; (5) in the case of a publicly traded corporation, the name and title of the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and any other officer or employee with responsibility for preparing tax returns under this Act, and, in the case of all other corporations, the name, title, and social security number of each corporate officer; (6) in the case of a limited liability company, the name, social security number, and FEIN number of each manager and member; and (7) such other information as the Department may reasonably require. The application shall contain an acceptance of responsibility signed by the person or persons who will be responsible for filing returns and payment of the taxes due under this Act. If the applicant will sell tangible personal property at retail through vending machines, his application to register shall indicate the number of vending machines to be so operated. If requested by the Department at any time, that person shall verify the total number of vending machines he or she uses in his or her business of selling tangible personal property at retail.

The Department shall provide by rule for an expedited business registration process for remote retailers required to register and file under subsection (b) of Section 2 who use a certified service provider to file their returns under this Act. Such expedited registration process shall allow the Department to register a taxpayer based upon the same registration information required by the Streamlined Sales Tax Governing Board for states participating in the Streamlined Sales Tax Project.

The Department may deny a certificate of registration to any applicant if a person who is named as the owner, a partner, a manager or member of a limited liability company, or a corporate officer of the applicant on the application for the certificate of registration is or has been named as the owner, a partner, a manager or member of a limited liability company, or a corporate officer on the application for the certificate of registration of another retailer that is in default for moneys due under this Act or any other tax or fee Act administered by the Department. For purposes of this paragraph only, in determining whether a person is in default for moneys due, the Department shall include only amounts established as a final liability within the 23 20 years prior to the date of the Department's notice of denial of a certificate of registration.

The Department may require an applicant for a certificate of registration hereunder to, at the time of filing such application, furnish a bond from a surety company authorized to do business in the State of Illinois, or an irrevocable bank letter of credit or a bond signed by 2 personal sureties who have filed, with the Department, sworn statements disclosing net assets equal to at least 3 times the amount of the bond to be required of such applicant, or a bond secured by an assignment of a bank account or certificate of deposit, stocks or bonds, conditioned upon the applicant paying to the State of Illinois all moneys becoming due under this Act and under any other State tax law or municipal or county tax ordinance or resolution under which the certificate of registration that is issued to the applicant under this Act will permit the applicant to engage in business without registering separately under such other law, ordinance or resolution. In making a determination as to whether to require a bond or other security, the Department shall take into consideration whether the owner, any partner, any manager or member of a limited liability company, or a corporate officer of the applicant is or has been the owner, a partner, a manager or member of a limited liability company, or a corporate officer of another retailer that is in default for moneys due under this Act or any other tax or fee Act administered by the Department; and whether the owner, any partner, any manager or member of a limited liability company, or a corporate officer of the applicant is or has been the owner, a partner, a manager or member of a limited liability company, or a corporate officer of another retailer whose certificate of registration has been revoked within the previous 5 years under this Act or any other tax or fee Act administered by the Department. If a bond or other security is required, the Department shall fix the amount of the bond or other security, taking into consideration the amount of money expected to become due from the applicant under this Act and under any other State tax law or municipal or county tax ordinance or resolution under which the certificate of registration that is issued to the applicant under this Act will permit the applicant to engage in business without registering separately under such other law, ordinance, or resolution. The amount of security required by the Department shall be such as, in its opinion, will protect the State of Illinois against failure to pay the amount which may become due from the applicant under this Act and under any other State tax law or municipal or county tax ordinance or resolution under which the certificate of registration that is issued to the applicant under this Act will permit the applicant to engage in business without registering separately under such other law, ordinance or resolution, but the amount of the security required by the Department shall not exceed three times the amount of the applicant's average monthly tax liability, or $50,000.00, whichever amount is lower.

No certificate of registration under this Act shall be issued by the Department until the applicant provides the Department with satisfactory security, if required, as herein provided for.

Upon receipt of the application for certificate of registration in proper form, and upon approval by the Department of the security furnished by the applicant, if required, the Department shall issue to such applicant a certificate of registration which shall permit the person to whom it is issued to engage in the business of selling tangible personal property at retail in this State. The certificate of registration shall be conspicuously displayed at the place of business which the person so registered states in his application to be the principal place of business from which he engages in the business of selling tangible personal property at retail in this State.

No certificate of registration issued prior to July 1, 2017 to a taxpayer who files returns required by this Act on a monthly basis or renewed prior to July 1, 2017 by a taxpayer who files returns required by this Act on a monthly basis shall be valid after the expiration of 5 years from the date of its issuance or last renewal. No certificate of registration issued on or after July 1, 2017 to a taxpayer who files returns required by this Act on a monthly basis or renewed on or after July 1, 2017 by a taxpayer who files returns required by this Act on a monthly basis shall be valid after the expiration of one year from the date of its issuance or last renewal. The expiration date of a sub-certificate of registration shall be that of the certificate of registration to which the sub-certificate relates. Prior to July 1, 2017, a certificate of registration shall automatically be renewed, subject to revocation as provided by this Act, for an additional 5 years from the date of its expiration unless otherwise notified by the Department as provided by this paragraph. On and after July 1, 2017, a certificate of registration shall automatically be renewed, subject to revocation as provided by this Act, for an additional one year from the date of its expiration unless otherwise notified by the Department as provided by this paragraph.

Where a taxpayer to whom a certificate of registration is issued under this Act is in default to the State of Illinois for delinquent returns or for moneys due under this Act or any other State tax law or municipal or county ordinance administered or enforced by the Department, the Department shall, not less than 60 days before the expiration date of such certificate of registration, give notice to the taxpayer to whom the certificate was issued of the account period of the delinquent returns, the amount of tax, penalty and interest due and owing from the taxpayer, and that the certificate of registration shall not be automatically renewed upon its expiration date unless the taxpayer, on or before the date of expiration, has filed and paid the delinquent returns or paid the defaulted amount in full. A taxpayer to whom such a notice is issued shall be deemed an applicant for renewal. The Department shall promulgate regulations establishing procedures for taxpayers who file returns on a monthly basis but desire and qualify to change to a quarterly or yearly filing basis and will no longer be subject to renewal under this Section, and for taxpayers who file returns on a yearly or quarterly basis but who desire or are required to change to a monthly filing basis and will be subject to renewal under this Section.

The Department may in its discretion approve renewal by an applicant who is in default if, at the time of application for renewal, the applicant files all of the delinquent returns or pays to the Department such percentage of the defaulted amount as may be determined by the Department and agrees in writing to waive all limitations upon the Department for collection of the remaining defaulted amount to the Department over a period not to exceed 5 years from the date of renewal of the certificate; however, no renewal application submitted by an applicant who is in default shall be approved if the immediately preceding renewal by the applicant was conditioned upon the installment payment agreement described in this Section. The payment agreement herein provided for shall be in addition to and not in lieu of the security that may be required by this Section of a taxpayer who is no longer considered a prior continuous compliance taxpayer. The execution of the payment agreement as provided in this Act shall not toll the accrual of interest at the statutory rate.

The Department may suspend a certificate of registration if the Department finds that the person to whom the certificate of registration has been issued knowingly sold contraband cigarettes.

A certificate of registration issued under this Act more than 5 years before January 1, 1990 (the effective date of Public Act 86-383) shall expire and be subject to the renewal provisions of this Section on the next anniversary of the date of issuance of such certificate which occurs more than 6 months after January 1, 1990 (the effective date of Public Act 86-383). A certificate of registration issued less than 5 years before January 1, 1990 (the effective date of Public Act 86-383) shall expire and be subject to the renewal provisions of this Section on the 5th anniversary of the issuance of the certificate.

If the person so registered states that he operates other places of business from which he engages in the business of selling tangible personal property at retail in this State, the Department shall furnish him with a sub-certificate of registration for each such place of business, and the applicant shall display the appropriate sub-certificate of registration at each such place of business. All sub-certificates of registration shall bear the same registration number as that appearing upon the certificate of registration to which such sub-certificates relate.

If the applicant will sell tangible personal property at retail through vending machines, the Department shall furnish him with a sub-certificate of registration for each such vending machine, and the applicant shall display the appropriate sub-certificate of registration on each such vending machine by attaching the sub-certificate of registration to a conspicuous part of such vending machine. If a person who is registered to sell tangible personal property at retail through vending machines adds an additional vending machine or additional vending machines to the number of vending machines he or she uses in his or her business of selling tangible personal property at retail, he or she shall notify the Department, on a form prescribed by the Department, to request an additional sub-certificate or additional sub-certificates of registration, as applicable. With each such request, the applicant shall report the number of sub-certificates of registration he or she is requesting as well as the total number of vending machines from which he or she makes retail sales.

Where the same person engages in 2 or more businesses of selling tangible personal property at retail in this State, which businesses are substantially different in character or engaged in under different trade names or engaged in under other substantially dissimilar circumstances (so that it is more practicable, from an accounting, auditing or bookkeeping standpoint, for such businesses to be separately registered), the Department may require or permit such person (subject to the same requirements concerning the furnishing of security as those that are provided for hereinbefore in this Section as to each application for a certificate of registration) to apply for and obtain a separate certificate of registration for each such business or for any of such businesses, under a single certificate of registration supplemented by related sub-certificates of registration.

Any person who is registered under the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act as of March 8, 1963, and who, during the 3-year period immediately prior to March 8, 1963, or during a continuous 3-year period part of which passed immediately before and the remainder of which passes immediately after March 8, 1963, has been so registered continuously and who is determined by the Department not to have been either delinquent or deficient in the payment of tax liability during that period under this Act or under any other State tax law or municipal or county tax ordinance or resolution under which the certificate of registration that is issued to the registrant under this Act will permit the registrant to engage in business without registering separately under such other law, ordinance or resolution, shall be considered to be a Prior Continuous Compliance taxpayer. Also any taxpayer who has, as verified by the Department, faithfully and continuously complied with the condition of his bond or other security under the provisions of this Act for a period of 3 consecutive years shall be considered to be a Prior Continuous Compliance taxpayer.

Every Prior Continuous Compliance taxpayer shall be exempt from all requirements under this Act concerning the furnishing of a bond or other security as a condition precedent to his being authorized to engage in the business of selling tangible personal property at retail in this State. This exemption shall continue for each such taxpayer until such time as he may be determined by the Department to be delinquent in the filing of any returns, or is determined by the Department (either through the Department's issuance of a final assessment which has become final under the Act, or by the taxpayer's filing of a return which admits tax that is not paid to be due) to be delinquent or deficient in the paying of any tax under this Act or under any other State tax law or municipal or county tax ordinance or resolution under which the certificate of registration that is issued to the registrant under this Act will permit the registrant to engage in business without registering separately under such other law, ordinance or resolution, at which time that taxpayer shall become subject to all the financial responsibility requirements of this Act and, as a condition of being allowed to continue to engage in the business of selling tangible personal property at retail, may be required to post bond or other acceptable security with the Department covering liability which such taxpayer may thereafter incur. Any taxpayer who fails to pay an admitted or established liability under this Act may also be required to post bond or other acceptable security with this Department guaranteeing the payment of such admitted or established liability.

No certificate of registration shall be issued to any person who is in default to the State of Illinois for moneys due under this Act or under any other State tax law or municipal or county tax ordinance or resolution under which the certificate of registration that is issued to the applicant under this Act will permit the applicant to engage in business without registering separately under such other law, ordinance or resolution.

Any person aggrieved by any decision of the Department under this Section may, within 20 days after notice of such decision, protest and request a hearing, whereupon the Department shall give notice to such person of the time and place fixed for such hearing and shall hold a hearing in conformity with the provisions of this Act and then issue its final administrative decision in the matter to such person. In the absence of such a protest within 20 days, the Department's decision shall become final without any further determination being made or notice given.

With respect to security other than bonds (upon which the Department may sue in the event of a forfeiture), if the taxpayer fails to pay, when due, any amount whose payment such security guarantees, the Department shall, after such liability is admitted by the taxpayer or established by the Department through the issuance of a final assessment that has become final under the law, convert the security which that taxpayer has furnished into money for the State, after first giving the taxpayer at least 10 days' written notice, by registered or certified mail, to pay the liability or forfeit such security to the Department. If the security consists of stocks or bonds or other securities which are listed on a public exchange, the Department shall sell such securities through such public exchange. If the security consists of an irrevocable bank letter of credit, the Department shall convert the security in the manner provided for in the Uniform Commercial Code. If the security consists of a bank certificate of deposit, the Department shall convert the security into money by demanding and collecting the amount of such bank certificate of deposit from the bank which issued such certificate. If the security consists of a type of stocks or other securities which are not listed on a public exchange, the Department shall sell such security to the highest and best bidder after giving at least 10 days' notice of the date, time and place of the intended sale by publication in the "State Official Newspaper". If the Department realizes more than the amount of such liability from the security, plus the expenses incurred by the Department in converting the security into money, the Department shall pay such excess to the taxpayer who furnished such security, and the balance shall be paid into the State Treasury.

The Department shall discharge any surety and shall release and return any security deposited, assigned, pledged or otherwise provided to it by a taxpayer under this Section within 30 days after:

(1) such taxpayer becomes a Prior Continuous Compliance taxpayer; or

(2) such taxpayer has ceased to collect receipts on which he is required to remit tax to the Department, has filed a final tax return, and has paid to the Department an amount sufficient to discharge his remaining tax liability, as determined by the Department, under this Act and under every other State tax law or municipal or county tax ordinance or resolution under which the certificate of registration issued under this Act permits the registrant to engage in business without registering separately under such other law, ordinance or resolution. The Department shall make a final determination of the taxpayer's outstanding tax liability as expeditiously as possible after his final tax return has been filed; if the Department cannot make such final determination within 45 days after receiving the final tax return, within such period it shall so notify the taxpayer, stating its reasons therefor.

(Source: P.A. 100-302, eff. 8-24-17; 100-303, eff. 8-24-17; 100-863, eff. 8-14-18; 101-31, eff. 6-28-19.)

(35 ILCS 120/6) (from Ch. 120, par. 445)

Sec. 6. Credit memorandum or refund. If it appears, after claim therefor filed with the Department, that an amount of tax or penalty or interest has been paid which was not due under this Act, whether as the result of a mistake of fact or an error of law, except as hereinafter provided, then the Department shall issue a credit memorandum or refund to the person who made the erroneous payment or, if that person died or became a person under legal disability, to his or her legal representative, as such. For purposes of this Section, the tax is deemed to be erroneously paid by a retailer when the manufacturer of a motor vehicle sold by the retailer accepts the return of that automobile and refunds to the purchaser the selling price of that vehicle as provided in the New Vehicle Buyer Protection Act. When a motor vehicle is returned for a refund of the purchase price under the New Vehicle Buyer Protection Act, the Department shall issue a credit memorandum or a refund for the amount of tax paid by the retailer under this Act attributable to the initial sale of that vehicle. Claims submitted by the retailer are subject to the same restrictions and procedures provided for in this Act. If it is determined that the Department should issue a credit memorandum or refund, the Department may first apply the amount thereof against any tax or penalty or interest due or to become due under this Act or under the Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, any local occupation or use tax administered by the Department, Section 4 of the Water Commission Act of 1985, subsections (b), (c) and (d) of Section 5.01 of the Local Mass Transit District Act, or subsections (e), (f) and (g) of Section 4.03 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act, from the person who made the erroneous payment. If no tax or penalty or interest is due and no proceeding is pending to determine whether such person is indebted to the Department for tax or penalty or interest, the credit memorandum or refund shall be issued to the claimant; or (in the case of a credit memorandum) the credit memorandum may be assigned and set over by the lawful holder thereof, subject to reasonable rules of the Department, to any other person who is subject to this Act, the Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, any local occupation or use tax administered by the Department, Section 4 of the Water Commission Act of 1985, subsections (b), (c) and (d) of Section 5.01 of the Local Mass Transit District Act, or subsections (e), (f) and (g) of Section 4.03 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act, and the amount thereof applied by the Department against any tax or penalty or interest due or to become due under this Act or under the Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, any local occupation or use tax administered by the Department, Section 4 of the Water Commission Act of 1985, subsections (b), (c) and (d) of Section 5.01 of the Local Mass Transit District Act, or subsections (e), (f) and (g) of Section 4.03 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act, from such assignee. However, as to any claim for credit or refund filed with the Department on and after each January 1 and July 1 no amount of tax or penalty or interest erroneously paid (either in total or partial liquidation of a tax or penalty or amount of interest under this Act) more than 3 years prior to such January 1 and July 1, respectively, shall be credited or refunded, except that if both the Department and the taxpayer have agreed to an extension of time to issue a notice of tax liability as provided in Section 4 of this Act, such claim may be filed at any time prior to the expiration of the period agreed upon. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act to the contrary, for any period included in a claim for credit or refund for which the statute of limitations for issuing a notice of tax liability under this Act will expire less than 12 months after the date a taxpayer files the claim for credit or refund, the statute of limitations is automatically extended for 12 months from the date it would have otherwise expired.

No claim may be allowed for any amount paid to the Department, whether paid voluntarily or involuntarily, if paid in total or partial liquidation of an assessment which had become final before the claim for credit or refund to recover the amount so paid is filed with the Department, or if paid in total or partial liquidation of a judgment or order of court. No credit may be allowed or refund made for any amount paid by or collected from any claimant unless it appears (a) that the claimant bore the burden of such amount and has not been relieved thereof nor reimbursed therefor and has not shifted such burden directly or indirectly through inclusion of such amount in the price of the tangible personal property sold by him or her or in any manner whatsoever; and that no understanding or agreement, written or oral, exists whereby he or she or his or her legal representative may be relieved of the burden of such amount, be reimbursed therefor or may shift the burden thereof; or (b) that he or she or his or her legal representative has repaid unconditionally such amount to his or her vendee (1) who bore the burden thereof and has not shifted such burden directly or indirectly, in any manner whatsoever; (2) who, if he or she has shifted such burden, has repaid unconditionally such amount to his own vendee; and (3) who is not entitled to receive any reimbursement therefor from any other source than from his or her vendor, nor to be relieved of such burden in any manner whatsoever. No credit may be allowed or refund made for any amount paid by or collected from any claimant unless it appears that the claimant has unconditionally repaid, to the purchaser, any amount collected from the purchaser and retained by the claimant with respect to the same transaction under the Use Tax Act.

Any credit or refund that is allowed under this Section shall bear interest at the rate and in the manner specified in the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act.

In case the Department determines that the claimant is entitled to a refund, such refund shall be made only from the Aviation Fuel Sales Tax Refund Fund or from such appropriation as may be available for that purpose, as appropriate. If it appears unlikely that the amount available would permit everyone having a claim allowed during the period covered by such appropriation or from the Aviation Fuel Sales Tax Refund Fund, as appropriate, to elect to receive a cash refund, the Department, by rule or regulation, shall provide for the payment of refunds in hardship cases and shall define what types of cases qualify as hardship cases.

If a retailer who has failed to pay retailers' occupation tax on gross receipts from retail sales is required by the Department to pay such tax, such retailer, without filing any formal claim with the Department, shall be allowed to take credit against such retailers' occupation tax liability to the extent, if any, to which such retailer has paid an amount equivalent to retailers' occupation tax or has paid use tax in error to his or her vendor or vendors of the same tangible personal property which such retailer bought for resale and did not first use before selling it, and no penalty or interest shall be charged to such retailer on the amount of such credit. However, when such credit is allowed to the retailer by the Department, the vendor is precluded from refunding any of that tax to the retailer and filing a claim for credit or refund with respect thereto with the Department. The provisions of this amendatory Act shall be applied retroactively, regardless of the date of the transaction.

(Source: P.A. 101-10, eff. 6-5-19.)

Section 35. The Cigarette Machine Operators' Occupation Tax Act is amended by changing Section 1-55 as follows:

(35 ILCS 128/1-55)

Sec. 1-55. Claims; credit memorandum or refunds. If it appears, after claim is filed with the Department, that an amount of tax or penalty has been paid which was not due under this Act, whether as the result of a mistake of fact or an error of law, except as hereinafter provided, then the Department shall issue a credit memorandum or refund to the person who made the erroneous payment or, if that person has died or become a person under legal disability, to his or her legal representative.

If it is determined that the Department should issue a credit or refund under this Act, the Department may first apply the amount thereof against any amount of tax or penalty due under this Act, the Cigarette Tax Act, the Cigarette Use Tax Act, or the Tobacco Products Act of 1995 from the person entitled to that credit or refund. For this purpose, if proceedings are pending to determine whether or not any tax or penalty is due under this Act or under the Cigarette Tax Act, Cigarette Use Tax Act, or the Tobacco Products Act of 1995 from the person, the Department may withhold issuance of the credit or refund pending the final disposition of such proceedings and may apply such credit or refund against any amount found to be due to the Department under this Act, the Cigarette Tax Act, the Cigarette Use Tax Act, or the Tobacco Products Act of 1995 as a result of such proceedings. The balance, if any, of the credit or refund shall be issued to the person entitled thereto.

If no tax or penalty is due and no proceeding is pending to determine whether such taxpayer is indebted to the Department for the payment of a tax or penalty, the credit memorandum or refund shall be issued to the claimant; or (in the case of a credit memorandum) the credit memorandum may be assigned and set over by the lawful holder thereof, subject to reasonable rules of the Department, to any other person who is subject to this Act, the Cigarette Tax Act, the Cigarette Use Tax Act, or the Tobacco Products Act of 1995, and the amount thereof shall be applied by the Department against any tax or penalty due or to become due under this Act, the Cigarette Tax Act, the Cigarette Use Tax Act, or the Tobacco Products Act of 1995 from such assignee.

As to any claim filed hereunder with the Department on and after each January 1 and July 1, no amount of tax or penalty erroneously paid (either in total or partial liquidation of a tax or penalty under this Act) more than 3 years prior to such January 1 and July 1, respectively, shall be credited or refunded, except that, if both the Department and the taxpayer have agreed to an extension of time to issue a notice of tax liability under this Act, the claim may be filed at any time prior to the expiration of the period agreed upon. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act to the contrary, for any period included in a claim for credit or refund for which the statute of limitations for issuing a notice of tax liability under this Act will expire less than 12 months after the date a taxpayer files the claim for credit or refund, the statute of limitations is automatically extended for 12 months from the date it would have otherwise expired.

Any credit or refund that is allowed under this Act shall bear interest at the rate and in the manner set forth in the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act.

In case the Department determines that the claimant is entitled to a refund, such refund shall be made only from appropriations available for that purpose. If it appears unlikely that the amount appropriated would permit everyone having a claim allowed during the period covered by such appropriation to elect to receive a cash refund, the Department, by rule or regulation, shall provide for the payment of refunds in hardship cases and shall define what types of cases qualify as hardship cases.

The provisions of Sections 6a, 6b, and 6c of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act which are not inconsistent with this Act shall apply, as far as practicable, to the subject matter of this Act to the same extent as if such provisions were included herein.

(Source: P.A. 97-688, eff. 6-14-12.)

Section 40. The Cigarette Tax Act is amended by changing Section 9d as follows:

(35 ILCS 130/9d) (from Ch. 120, par. 453.9d)

Sec. 9d. If it appears, after claim therefor filed with the Department, that an amount of tax or penalty has been paid which was not due under this Act, whether as the result of a mistake of fact or an error of law, except as hereinafter provided, then the Department shall issue a credit memorandum or refund to the person who made the erroneous payment or, if that person has died or become a person under legal disability, to his or her legal representative, as such.

If it is determined that the Department should issue a credit or refund under this Act, the Department may first apply the amount thereof against any amount of tax or penalty due under this Act or under the Cigarette Use Tax Act from the person entitled to such credit or refund. For this purpose, if proceedings are pending to determine whether or not any tax or penalty is due under this Act or under the Cigarette Use Tax Act from such person, the Department may withhold issuance of the credit or refund pending the final disposition of such proceedings and may apply such credit or refund against any amount found to be due to the Department under this Act or under the Cigarette Use Tax Act as a result of such proceedings. The balance, if any, of the credit or refund shall be issued to the person entitled thereto.

If no tax or penalty is due and no proceeding is pending to determine whether such taxpayer is indebted to the Department for tax or penalty, the credit memorandum or refund shall be issued to the claimant; or (in the case of a credit memorandum) the credit memorandum may be assigned and set over by the lawful holder thereof, subject to reasonable rules of the Department, to any other person who is subject to this Act or the Cigarette Use Tax Act, and the amount thereof shall be applied by the Department against any tax or penalty due or to become due under this Act or under the Cigarette Use Tax Act from such assignee.

As to any claim filed hereunder with the Department on and after each January 1 and July 1, no amount of tax or penalty erroneously paid (either in total or partial liquidation of a tax or penalty under this Act) more than 3 years prior to such January 1 and July 1, respectively, shall be credited or refunded, except that if both the Department and the taxpayer have agreed to an extension of time to issue a notice of tax liability under this Act, the claim may be filed at any time prior to the expiration of the period agreed upon. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act to the contrary, for any period included in a claim for credit or refund for which the statute of limitations for issuing a notice of tax liability under this Act will expire less than 12 months after the date a taxpayer files the claim for credit or refund, the statute of limitations is automatically extended for 12 months from the date it would have otherwise expired.

If the Department approves a claim for stamps affixed to a product returned to a manufacturer or for replacement of stamps, the credit memorandum shall not exceed the face value of stamps originally affixed, and replacement stamps shall be issued only in an amount equal to the value of the stamps previously affixed. Higher denomination stamps shall not be issued as replacements for lower value stamps. Distributors must prove the face value of the stamps which have been destroyed or returned to manufacturers when filing claims.

Any credit or refund that is allowed under this Act shall bear interest at the rate and in the manner set forth in the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act.

In case the Department determines that the claimant is entitled to a refund, such refund shall be made only from such appropriation as may be available for that purpose. If it appears unlikely that the amount appropriated would permit everyone having a claim allowed during the period covered by such appropriation to elect to receive a cash refund, the Department, by rule or regulation, shall provide for the payment of refunds in hardship cases and shall define what types of cases qualify as hardship cases.

If the Department approves a claim for the physical replacement of cigarette tax stamps, the Department (subject to the same limitations as those provided for hereinbefore in this Section) may issue an assignable credit memorandum or refund to the claimant or to the claimant's legal representative.

The provisions of Sections 6a, 6b and 6c of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act which are not inconsistent with this Act, shall apply, as far as practicable, to the subject matter of this Act to the same extent as if such provisions were included herein.

(Source: P.A. 90-491, eff. 1-1-98.)

Section 45. The Cigarette Use Tax Act is amended by changing Section 14a as follows:

(35 ILCS 135/14a) (from Ch. 120, par. 453.44a)

Sec. 14a. If it appears, after claim therefor filed with the Department, that an amount of tax or penalty has been paid which was not due under this Act, whether as the result of a mistake of fact or an error of law, except as hereinafter provided, then the Department shall issue a credit memorandum or refund to the person who made the erroneous payment or, if that person has died or become a person under legal disability, to his or her legal representative, as such.

If it is determined that the Department should issue a credit or refund under this Act, the Department may first apply the amount thereof against any amount of tax or penalty due under this Act or under the Cigarette Tax Act from the person entitled to such credit or refund. For this purpose, if proceedings are pending to determine whether or not any tax or penalty is due under this Act or under the Cigarette Tax Act from such person, the Department may withhold issuance of the credit or refund pending the final disposition of such proceedings and may apply such credit or refund against any amount found to be due to the Department under this Act or under the Cigarette Tax Act as a result of such proceedings. The balance, if any, of the credit or refund shall be issued to the person entitled thereto.

If no tax or penalty is due and no proceeding is pending to determine whether such taxpayer is indebted to the Department for tax or penalty, the credit memorandum or refund shall be issued to the claimant; or (in the case of a credit memorandum) may be assigned and set over by the lawful holder thereof, subject to reasonable rules of the Department, to any other person who is subject to this Act or the Cigarette Tax Act, and the amount thereof shall be applied by the Department against any tax or penalty due or to become due under this Act or under the Cigarette Tax Act from such assignee.

As to any claim filed hereunder with the Department on and after each January 1 and July 1, no amount of tax or penalty erroneously paid (either in total or partial liquidation of a tax or penalty under this Act) more than 3 years prior to such January 1 and July 1, respectively, shall be credited or refunded, except that if both the Department and the taxpayer have agreed to an extension of time to issue a notice of tax liability under this Act, the claim may be filed at any time prior to the expiration of the period agreed upon. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act to the contrary, for any period included in a claim for credit or refund for which the statute of limitations for issuing a notice of tax liability under this Act will expire less than 12 months after the date a taxpayer files the claim for credit or refund, the statute of limitations is automatically extended for 12 months from the date it would have otherwise expired.

In case the Department determines that the claimant is entitled to a refund, such refund shall be made only from such appropriation as may be available for that purpose. If it appears unlikely that the amount appropriated would permit everyone having a claim allowed during the period covered by such appropriation to elect to receive a cash refund, the Department, by rule or regulation, shall provide for the payment of refunds in hardship cases and shall define what types of cases qualify as hardship cases.

If the Department approves a claim for the physical replacement of cigarette tax stamps, the Department (subject to the same limitations as those provided for hereinbefore in this Section) may issue an assignable credit memorandum or refund to the claimant or to the claimant's legal representative.

Any credit or refund that is allowed under this Act shall bear interest at the rate and in the manner set forth in the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act.

The provisions of Sections 6a, 6b and 6c of the "Retailers' Occupation Tax Act", approved June 28, 1933, as amended, in effect on the effective date of this amendatory Act, as subsequently amended, which are not inconsistent with this Act, shall apply, as far as practicable, to the subject matter of this Act to the same extent as if such provisions were included herein.

(Source: P.A. 90-491, eff. 1-1-98.)

Section 50. The Property Tax Code is amended by changing Sections 11-25 and 16-180 as follows:

(35 ILCS 200/11-25)

Sec. 11-25. Certification procedure. Application for a pollution control facility certificate shall be filed with the Pollution Control Board in a manner and form prescribed in regulations issued by that board. The application shall contain appropriate and available descriptive information concerning anything claimed to be entitled in whole or in part to tax treatment as a pollution control facility. If it is found that the claimed facility or relevant portion thereof is a pollution control facility as defined in Section 11-10, the Pollution Control Board, acting through its Chairman or his or her specifically authorized delegate, shall enter a finding and issue a certificate to that effect. The certificate shall require tax treatment as a pollution control facility, but only for the portion certified if only a portion is certified. The effective date of a certificate shall be the date of the last submission of documentation that finalizes the application for the certificate or the date of the construction of the facility, whichever is later.

(Source: P.A. 100-201, eff. 8-18-17.)

(35 ILCS 200/16-180)

Sec. 16-180. Procedure for determination of correct assessment and filing fees.

(a) The Property Tax Appeal Board shall establish by rules an informal procedure for the determination of the correct assessment of property which is the subject of an appeal. The procedure, to the extent that the Board considers practicable, shall eliminate formal rules of pleading, practice and evidence, and except for any reasonable filing fee determined by the Board, may provide that costs shall be in the discretion of the Board. A copy of the appellant's petition shall be mailed or sent by electronic means by the clerk of the Property Tax Appeal Board to the board of review whose decision is being appealed. In all cases where a change in assessed valuation of $100,000 or more is sought, the board of review shall serve a copy of the petition on all taxing districts as shown on the last available tax bill. The chairman of the Property Tax Appeal Board shall provide for the speedy hearing of all such appeals. Each appeal shall be limited to the grounds listed in the petition filed with the Property Tax Appeal Board. All appeals shall be considered de novo and the Property Tax Appeal Board shall not be limited to the evidence presented to the board of review of the county. A party participating in the hearing before the Property Tax Appeal Board is entitled to introduce evidence that is otherwise proper and admissible without regard to whether that evidence has previously been introduced at a hearing before the board of review of the county. Where no complaint has been made to the board of review of the county where the property is located and the appeal is based solely on the effect of an equalizing factor assigned to all property or to a class of property by the board of review, the Property Tax Appeal Board shall not grant a reduction in assessment greater than the amount that was added as the result of the equalizing factor.

The provisions added to this Section by this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly shall be construed as declaratory of existing law and not as a new enactment.

(b) The Property Tax Appeal Board Supplemental Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury. All filing fees collected by the Board in accordance with this Section shall be deposited into the Property Tax Appeal Board Supplemental Fund. All moneys in the Property Tax Appeal Board Supplemental Fund shall be appropriated to the Board, on an annual basis, to be used in enhancing the Board's operations, including, but not limited to, information technology initiatives, personnel, and office equipment for increasing the Board's efficiency in rendering final administrative decisions in a timely fashion.

(Source: P.A. 99-626, eff. 7-22-16.)

Section 55. The Messages Tax Act is amended by changing Section 6 as follows:

(35 ILCS 610/6) (from Ch. 120, par. 467.6)

Sec. 6. If it appears, after claim therefor filed with the Department, that an amount of tax or penalty or interest has been paid which was not due under this Act, whether as the result of a mistake of fact or an error of law, except as hereinafter provided, then the Department shall issue a credit memorandum or refund to the person who made the erroneous payment or, if that person has died or become a person under legal disability, to his or her legal representative, as such.

If it is determined that the Department should issue a credit or refund under this Act, the Department may first apply the amount thereof against any amount of tax or penalty or interest due hereunder from the person entitled to such credit or refund. For this purpose, if proceedings are pending to determine whether or not any tax or penalty or interest is due under this Act from such person, the Department may withhold issuance of the credit or refund pending the final disposition of such proceedings and may apply such credit or refund against any amount found to be due to the Department as a result of such proceedings. The balance, if any, of the credit or refund shall be issued to the person entitled thereto.

If no tax or penalty or interest is due and no proceeding is pending to determine whether such person is indebted to the Department for tax or penalty or interest, the credit memorandum or refund shall be issued to the claimant; or (in the case of a credit memorandum) the credit memorandum may be assigned and set over by the lawful holder thereof, subject to reasonable rules of the Department, to any other person who is subject to this Act, and the amount thereof shall be applied by the Department against any tax or penalty or interest due or to become due under this Act from such assignee.

As to any claim for credit or refund filed with the Department on or after each January 1 and July 1, no amounts erroneously paid more than 3 years prior to such January 1 and July 1, respectively, shall be credited or refunded, except that if both the Department and the taxpayer have agreed to an extension of time to issue a notice of tax liability under this Act, the claim may be filed at any time prior to the expiration of the period agreed upon. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act to the contrary, for any period included in a claim for credit or refund for which the statute of limitations for issuing a notice of tax liability under this Act will expire less than 12 months after the date a taxpayer files the claim for credit or refund, the statute of limitations is automatically extended for 12 months from the date it would have otherwise expired.

Claims for credit or refund shall be filed upon forms provided by the Department. As soon as practicable after any claim for credit or refund is filed, the Department shall examine the same and determine the amount of credit or refund to which the claimant is entitled and shall notify the claimant of such determination, which amount shall be prima facie correct.

Any credit or refund that is allowed under this Act shall bear interest at the rate and in the manner specified in the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act.

In case the Department determines that the claimant is entitled to a refund, such refund shall be made only from such appropriation as may be available for that purpose. If it appears unlikely that the amount appropriated would permit everyone having a claim allowed during the period covered by such appropriation to elect to receive a cash refund, the Department, by rule or regulation, shall provide for the payment of refunds in hardship cases and shall define what types of cases qualify as hardship cases.

(Source: P.A. 90-491, eff. 1-1-98.)

Section 60. The Gas Revenue Tax Act is amended by changing Section 6 as follows:

(35 ILCS 615/6) (from Ch. 120, par. 467.21)

Sec. 6. If it appears, after claim therefor filed with the Department, that an amount of tax or penalty or interest has been paid which was not due under this Act, whether as the result of a mistake of fact or an error of law, except as hereinafter provided, then the Department shall issue a credit memorandum or refund to the person who made the erroneous payment or, if that person has died or become a person under legal disability, to his or her legal representative, as such.

If it is determined that the Department should issue a credit or refund under this Act, the Department may first apply the amount thereof against any amount of tax or penalty or interest due hereunder from the person entitled to such credit or refund. For this purpose, if proceedings are pending to determine whether or not any tax or penalty or interest is due under this Act from such person, the Department may withhold issuance of the credit or refund pending the final disposition of such proceedings and may apply such credit or refund against any amount found to be due to the Department as a result of such proceedings. The balance, if any, of the credit or refund shall be issued to the person entitled thereto.

If no tax or penalty or interest is due and no proceeding is pending to determine whether such person is indebted to the Department for tax or penalty or interest, the credit memorandum or refund shall be issued to the claimant; or (in the case of a credit memorandum) the credit memorandum may be assigned and set over by the lawful holder thereof, subject to reasonable rules of the Department, to any other person who is subject to this Act, and the amount thereof shall be applied by the Department against any tax or penalty or interest due or to become due under this Act from such assignee.

As to any claim for credit or refund filed with the Department on or after each January 1 and July 1, no amounts erroneously paid more than 3 years prior to such January 1 and July 1, respectively, shall be credited or refunded, except that if both the Department and the taxpayer have agreed to an extension of time to issue a notice of tax liability under this Act, the claim may be filed at any time prior to the expiration of the period agreed upon. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act to the contrary, for any period included in a claim for credit or refund for which the statute of limitations for issuing a notice of tax liability under this Act will expire less than 12 months after the date a taxpayer files the claim for credit or refund, the statute of limitations is automatically extended for 12 months from the date it would have otherwise expired.

Claims for credit or refund shall be filed upon forms provided by the Department. As soon as practicable after any claim for credit or refund is filed, the Department shall examine the same and determine the amount of credit or refund to which the claimant is entitled and shall notify the claimant of such determination, which amount shall be prima facie correct.

Any credit or refund that is allowed under this Act shall bear interest at the rate and in the manner specified in the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act.

In case the Department determines that the claimant is entitled to a refund, such refund shall be made only from such appropriation as may be available for that purpose. If it appears unlikely that the amount appropriated would permit everyone having a claim allowed during the period covered by such appropriation to elect to receive a cash refund, the Department, by rule or regulation, shall provide for the payment of refunds in hardship cases and shall define what types of cases qualify as hardship cases.

(Source: P.A. 90-491, eff. 1-1-98.)

Section 65. The Public Utilities Revenue Act is amended by changing Section 6 as follows:

(35 ILCS 620/6) (from Ch. 120, par. 473)

Sec. 6. If it appears, after claim therefor filed with the Department, that an amount of tax or penalty or interest has been paid which was not due under this Act, whether as the result of a mistake of fact or an error of law, except as hereinafter provided, then the Department shall issue a credit memorandum or refund to the person who made the erroneous payment or, if that person has died or become a person under legal disability, to his or her legal representative, as such.

If it is determined that the Department should issue a credit or refund under this Act, the Department may first apply the amount thereof against any amount of tax or penalty or interest due hereunder from the person entitled to such credit or refund. Any credit memorandum issued under the Electricity Excise Tax Law may be applied against any liability incurred under the tax previously imposed by Section 2 of this Act. For this purpose, if proceedings are pending to determine whether or not any tax or penalty or interest is due under this Act from such person, the Department may withhold issuance of the credit or refund pending the final disposition of such proceedings and may apply such credit or refund against any amount found to be due to the Department as a result of such proceedings. The balance, if any, of the credit or refund shall be issued to the person entitled thereto.

If no tax or penalty or interest is due and no proceeding is pending to determine whether such person is indebted to the Department for tax or penalty or interest, the credit memorandum or refund shall be issued to the claimant; or (in the case of a credit memorandum) the credit memorandum may be assigned and set over by the lawful holder thereof, subject to reasonable rules of the Department, to any other person who is subject to this Act, and the amount thereof shall be applied by the Department against any tax or penalty or interest due or to become due under this Act from such assignee.

As to any claim for credit or refund filed with the Department on or after each January 1 and July 1, no amounts erroneously paid more than 3 years prior to such January 1 and July 1, respectively, shall be credited or refunded, except that if both the Department and the taxpayer have agreed to an extension of time to issue a notice of tax liability under this Act, the claim may be filed at any time prior to the expiration of the period agreed upon. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act to the contrary, for any period included in a claim for credit or refund for which the statute of limitations for issuing a notice of tax liability under this Act will expire less than 12 months after the date a taxpayer files the claim for credit or refund, the statute of limitations is automatically extended for 12 months from the date it would have otherwise expired.

Claims for credit or refund shall be filed upon forms provided by the Department. As soon as practicable after any claim for credit or refund is filed, the Department shall examine the same and determine the amount of credit or refund to which the claimant is entitled and shall notify the claimant of such determination, which amount shall be prima facie correct.

Any credit or refund that is allowed under this Act shall bear interest at the rate and in the manner specified in the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act.

In case the Department determines that the claimant is entitled to a refund, such refund shall be made only from such appropriation as may be available for that purpose. If it appears unlikely that the amount appropriated would permit everyone having a claim allowed during the period covered by such appropriation to elect to receive a cash refund, the Department, by rule or regulation, shall provide for the payment of refunds in hardship cases and shall define what types of cases qualify as hardship cases.

(Source: P.A. 90-491, eff. 1-1-98; 90-624, eff. 7-10-98.)

Section 70. The Water Company Invested Capital Tax Act is amended by changing Section 6 as follows:

(35 ILCS 625/6) (from Ch. 120, par. 1416)

Sec. 6. If it appears, after claim therefor filed with the Department, that an amount of tax or penalty or interest has been paid which was not due under this Act, whether as the result of a mistake of fact or an error of law, except as hereinafter provided, then the Department shall issue a credit memorandum or refund to the person who made the erroneous payment or, if that person has died or become incompetent, to his legal representative, as such.

If it is determined that the Department should issue a credit or refund under this Act, the Department may first apply the amount thereof against any amount of tax or penalty or interest due hereunder from the person entitled to such credit or refund. For this purpose, if proceedings are pending to determine whether or not any tax or penalty or interest is due under this Act from such person, the Department may withhold issuance of the credit or refund pending the final disposition of such proceedings and may apply such credit or refund against any amount found to be due to the Department as a result of such proceedings. The balance, if any, of the credit or refund shall be issued to the person entitled thereto.

If no tax or penalty or interest is due and no proceeding is pending to determine whether such person is indebted to the Department for tax or penalty or interest, the credit memorandum or refund shall be issued to the claimant; or (in the case of a credit memorandum) the credit memorandum may be assigned and set over by the lawful holder thereof, subject to reasonable rules of the Department, to any other person who is subject to this Act, and the amount thereof shall be applied by the Department against any tax or penalty or interest due or to become due under this Act from such assignee.

As to any claim for credit or refund filed with the Department on or after each January 1 and July 1, no amounts erroneously paid more than 3 years prior to such January 1 and July 1, respectively, shall be credited or refunded, except that if both the Department and the taxpayer have agreed to an extension of time to issue a notice of tax liability under this Act, the claim may be filed at any time prior to the expiration of the period agreed upon. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act to the contrary, for any period included in a claim for credit or refund for which the statute of limitations for issuing a notice of tax liability under this Act will expire less than 12 months after the date a taxpayer files the claim for credit or refund, the statute of limitations is automatically extended for 12 months from the date it would have otherwise expired.

Claims for credit or refund shall be filed upon forms provided by the Department. As soon as practicable after any claim for credit or refund is filed, the Department shall examine the same and determine the amount of credit or refund to which the claimant is entitled and shall notify the claimant of such determination, which amount shall be prima facie correct.

Any credit or refund that is allowed under this Section shall bear interest at the rate and in the manner specified in the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act.

In case the Department determines that the claimant is entitled to a refund, such refund shall be made only from such appropriation as may be available for that purpose. If it appears unlikely that the amount appropriated would permit everyone having a claim allowed during the period covered by such appropriation to elect to receive a cash refund, the Department, by rule or regulation, shall provide for the payment of refunds in hardship cases and shall define what types of cases qualify as hardship cases.

(Source: P.A. 90-491, eff. 1-1-98.)

Section 75. The Telecommunications Excise Tax Act is amended by changing Section 10 as follows:

(35 ILCS 630/10) (from Ch. 120, par. 2010)

Sec. 10. If it shall appear that an amount of tax or penalty or interest has been paid in error hereunder to the Department by a taxpayer, as distinguished from the retailer, whether such amount be paid through a mistake of fact or an error of law, such taxpayer may file a claim for credit or refund with the Department. If it shall appear that an amount of tax or penalty or interest has been paid in error to the Department hereunder by a retailer who is required or authorized to collect and remit the tax imposed by this Article, whether such amount be paid through a mistake of fact or an error of law, such retailer may file a claim for credit or refund with the Department, provided that no credit or refund shall be allowed for any amount paid by any such retailer unless it shall appear that he bore the burden of such amount and did not shift the burden thereof to anyone else, or unless it shall appear that he or she or his or her legal representative has unconditionally repaid such amount to his customer (1) who bore the burden thereof and has not shifted such burden directly or indirectly in any manner whatsoever; or (2) who, if he or she shifted such burden, has repaid unconditionally such amount to his or her own customer; and (3) who is not entitled to receive any reimbursement therefor from any other source than from his retailer, nor to be relieved of such burden in any other manner whatsoever.

If it is determined that the Department should issue a credit or refund under this Article, the Department may first apply the amount thereof against any amount of tax or penalty or interest due hereunder from the person entitled to such credit or refund. For this purpose, if proceedings are pending to determine whether or not any tax or penalty or interest is due under this Article from such person, the Department may withhold issuance of the credit or refund pending the final disposition of such proceedings and may apply such credit or refund against any amount found to be due to the Department as a result of such proceedings. The balance, if any, of the credit or refund shall be issued to the person entitled thereto.

If no tax or penalty or interest is due and no proceeding is pending to determine whether such person is indebted to the Department for tax or penalty or interest, the credit memorandum or refund shall be issued to the claimant; or (in the case of a credit memorandum) the credit memorandum may be assigned and set over by the lawful holder thereof, subject to reasonable rules of the Department, to any other person who is subject to this Article, and the amount thereof shall be applied by the Department against any tax or penalty or interest due or to become due under this Article from such assignee.

As to any claim for credit or refund filed with the Department on or after each January 1 and July 1, no amounts erroneously paid more than three years prior to such January 1 and July 1, respectively, shall be credited or refunded, except that if both the Department and the taxpayer have agreed to an extension of time to issue a notice of tax liability under this Act, the claim may be filed at any time prior to the expiration of the period agreed upon. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act to the contrary, for any period included in a claim for credit or refund for which the statute of limitations for issuing a notice of tax liability under this Act will expire less than 12 months after the date a taxpayer files the claim for credit or refund, the statute of limitations is automatically extended for 12 months from the date it would have otherwise expired.

Claims for credit or refund shall be filed upon forms provided by the Department. As soon as practicable after any claim for credit or refund is filed, the Department shall examine the same and determine the amount of credit or refund to which the claimant is entitled and shall notify the claimant of such determination, which amount shall be prima facie correct.

A claim for credit or refund shall be considered to have been filed with the Department on the date upon which it is received by the Department. Upon receipt of any claim for credit or refund filed under this Article, any officer or employee of the Department, authorized in writing by the Director of Revenue to acknowledge receipt of such claims on behalf of the Department, shall execute on behalf of the Department, and shall deliver or mail to the claimant or his duly authorized agent, a written receipt, acknowledging that the claim has been filed with the Department, describing the claim in sufficient detail to identify it and stating the date upon which the claim was received by the Department. Such written receipt shall be prima facie evidence that the Department received the claim described in such receipt and shall be prima facie evidence of the date when such claim was received by the Department. In the absence of such a written receipt, the records of the Department as to when the claim was received by the Department, or as to whether or not the claim was received at all by the Department, shall be deemed to be prima facie correct upon these questions in the event of any dispute between the claimant (or his or her legal representative) and the Department concerning these questions.

Any credit or refund that is allowed under this Article shall bear interest at the rate and in the manner specified in the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act.

In case the Department determines that the claimant is entitled to a refund, such refund shall be made only from such appropriation as may be available for that purpose. If it appears unlikely that the amount appropriated would permit everyone having a claim allowed during the period covered by such appropriation to elect to receive a cash refund, the Department by rule or regulation shall provide for the payment of refunds in hardship cases and shall define what types of cases qualify as hardship cases.

If a retailer who has failed to pay tax on gross charges for telecommunications is required by the Department to pay such tax, such retailer, without filing any formal claim with the Department, shall be allowed to take credit against such tax liability to the extent, if any, to which such retailer has paid the tax to its vendor of the telecommunications which such retailer purchased and used for resale, and no penalty or interest shall be charged to such retailer on the amount of such credit. However, when such credit is allowed to the retailer by the Department, the vendor is precluded from refunding any of the tax to the retailer and filing a claim for credit or refund with respect thereto with the Department. The provisions of this Section added by this amendatory Act of 1988 shall be applied retroactively, regardless of the date of the transaction.

(Source: P.A. 90-491, eff. 1-1-98.)

Section 80. The Liquor Control Act of 1934 is amended by changing Section 8-3 as follows:

(235 ILCS 5/8-3) (from Ch. 43, par. 159a)

Sec. 8-3. If it appears, after claim therefor filed with the Department, that an amount of tax or penalty or interest has been paid which was not due under this Article, whether as the result of a mistake of fact or an error of law, except as hereinafter provided, then the Department shall issue a credit memorandum or refund to the person who made the erroneous payment or, if that person died or became a person under legal disability, to his or her legal representative, as such.

If it is determined that the Department should issue a credit or refund under this Article, the Department may first apply the amount thereof against any amount of tax or penalty or interest due hereunder from the person entitled to such credit or refund. For this purpose, if proceedings are pending to determine whether or not any tax or penalty or interest is due under this Article from such person, the Department may withhold issuance of the credit or refund pending the final disposition of such proceedings and may apply such credit or refund against any amount found to be due to the Department as a result of such proceedings. The balance, if any, of the credit or refund shall be issued to the person entitled thereto.

If no tax or penalty or interest is due and no proceeding is pending to determine whether such taxpayer is indebted to the Department for tax or penalty or interest the credit memorandum or refund shall be issued to the claimant; or (in the case of a credit memorandum) the credit memorandum may be assigned and set over by the lawful holder thereof, subject to reasonable rules of the Department, to any other person who is subject to this Article, and the amount thereof shall be applied by the Department against any tax or penalty or interest due or to become due under this Article from such assignee.

As to any claim filed hereunder with the Department on and after each January 1 and July 1, no amount of tax or penalty or interest, erroneously paid (either in total or partial liquidation of a tax or penalty or interest under this Article) more than 3 years prior to such January 1 and July 1, respectively, shall be credited or refunded. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act to the contrary, for any period included in a claim for credit or refund for which the statute of limitations for issuing a notice of tax liability under this Act will expire less than 12 months after the date a taxpayer files the claim for credit or refund, the statute of limitations is automatically extended for 12 months from the date it would have otherwise expired.

Any credit or refund that is allowed under this Act shall bear interest at the rate and in the manner specified in the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act.

In case the Department determines that the claimant is entitled to a refund, such refund shall be made only from such appropriation as may be available for that purpose. If it appears unlikely that the amount appropriated would permit everyone having a claim allowed during the period covered by such appropriation to elect to receive a cash refund, the Department, by rule or regulation, shall provide for the payment of refunds in hardship cases and shall define what types of cases qualify as hardship cases.

(Source: P.A. 87-205.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.