PRINTER'S NO. 574
No. 100 Session of 2003
INTRODUCED BY JUBELIRER, BRIGHTBILL, PICCOLA, RHOADES, DENT, RAFFERTY, WENGER, KASUNIC, TOMLINSON, ROBBINS, MADIGAN, M. WHITE, MOWERY, CONTI, WAUGH, THOMPSON, PUNT, HELFRICK, ERICKSON, WONDERLING AND ARMSTRONG, MARCH 24, 2003
REFERRED TO FINANCE, MARCH 24, 2003
AN ACT 1 Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An 2 act relating to the public school system, including certain 3 provisions applicable as well to private and parochial 4 schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the 5 laws relating thereto," providing for the imposition and 6 collection of an earned income and net profits tax by school 7 districts after approval by the electors. 8 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 9 hereby enacts as follows: 10 Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known 11 as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding an 12 article to read: 13 ARTICLE VI-A 14 TAXATION BY SCHOOL DISTRICTS 15 (a) General Provisions. 16 Section 601-A. Short title of article. 17 This article shall be known and may be cited as the Taxpayer 18 Choice Act. 19 Section 602-A. Definitions.
1 The following words and phrases when used in this article 2 shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the 3 context clearly indicates otherwise: 4 "Board of school directors." A board of school directors of 5 a school district of the second class, third class or fourth 6 class. 7 "Budgeted revenue." Local tax revenue. The term shall not 8 include revenue from any of the following: 9 (1) Delinquent taxes. 10 (2) Payments in lieu of taxes. 11 (3) The real estate transfer tax. 12 (4) The distribution of the public utility realty tax 13 imposed under Article XI-A of the act of March 4, 1971 14 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971. 15 (5) A mercantile or business privilege tax on gross 16 receipts. 17 (6) An amusement or admissions tax. 18 "Business." As defined in section 301 of the act of March 4, 19 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971. 20 "Current year." The fiscal year for which a tax is levied. 21 "Department." The Department of Community and Economic 22 Development of the Commonwealth. 23 "Domicile." As defined in section 13 of the act of December 24 31, 1965 (P.L.1257, No.511), known as The Local Tax Enabling 25 Act. 26 "Dwelling." A structure used as a place of habitation by a 27 natural person. 28 "Earned income." All of the classes of income defined as 29 earned income in section 13 of the act of December 31, 1965 30 (P.L.1257, No.511), known as The Local Tax Enabling Act. 20030S0100B0574 - 2 -
1 "Election officials." The county board of elections of a 2 county. 3 "Employer." As defined in section 301 of the act of March 4, 4 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971. 5 "Farmstead." All buildings and structures on a farm not less 6 than ten contiguous acres in area, not otherwise exempt from 7 real property taxation or qualified for any other abatement or 8 exclusion pursuant to any other law, that are used primarily: 9 (1) to produce or store any farm product produced on the 10 farm for purposes of commercial agricultural production; 11 (2) to house or confine any animal raised or maintained 12 on the farm for the purpose of commercial agricultural 13 production; 14 (3) to store any agricultural supply to be used on the 15 farm in commercial agricultural production; or 16 (4) to store any machinery or equipment used on the farm 17 in commercial agricultural production. 18 This term shall only apply to farms used as the domicile of an 19 owner. 20 "Farmstead property." A property designated as a farmstead 21 by the county in which it is located. 22 "Homestead." A dwelling, including the parcel of land on 23 which the dwelling is located and the other improvements located 24 on the parcel for which any of the following apply: 25 (1) The dwelling is primarily used as the domicile of an 26 owner who is a natural person. The homestead for real 27 property qualifying under this paragraph shall not include 28 the land on which the dwelling is located if the land is not 29 owned by a person who owns the dwelling. 30 (2) The dwelling is a unit in a condominium as the term 20030S0100B0574 - 3 -
1 is defined in 68 Pa.C.S. § 3103 (relating to definitions) and 2 the unit is primarily used as the domicile of a natural 3 person who is an owner of the unit; or the dwelling is a unit 4 in a cooperative as the term is defined in 68 Pa.C.S. § 4103 5 (relating to definitions) and the unit is primarily used as 6 the domicile of a natural person who is an owner of the unit. 7 The homestead for a unit in a condominium or a cooperative 8 shall be limited to the assessed value of the unit, which 9 shall be determined in a manner consistent with the 10 assessment of real property taxes on those units under 68 11 Pa.C.S. (relating to real and personal property) or as 12 otherwise provided by law. If the unit is not separately 13 assessed for real property taxes, the homestead shall be a 14 pro rata share of the real property. 15 (3) The dwelling does not qualify under paragraphs (1) 16 and (2) and a portion of the dwelling is used as the domicile 17 of an owner who is a natural person. The homestead for real 18 property qualifying under this paragraph shall be the portion 19 of the real property that is equal to the portion of the 20 dwelling that is used as the domicile of an owner. 21 "Homestead property." A property designated as a homestead 22 by the county in which it is located. 23 "Local Tax Enabling Act." The act of December 31, 1965 24 (P.L.1257, No.511), known as The Local Tax Enabling Act. 25 "Local tax revenue." The revenue from taxes actually levied 26 and assessed by a school district. The term does not include 27 interest or dividend earnings, Federal or State grants, 28 contracts or appropriations, income generated from operations or 29 any other source that is not derived from taxes levied and 30 assessed by a school district. 20030S0100B0574 - 4 -
1 "Municipality." As defined in 1 Pa.C.S. § 1991 (relating to 2 definitions). 3 "Net profits." All of the classes of income defined as net 4 profits in section 13 of the act of December 31, 1965 (P.L.1257, 5 No.511), known as The Local Tax Enabling Act. 6 "Owner." Includes any of the following: 7 (1) A joint tenant or tenant in common. 8 (2) A person who is a purchaser of real property under a 9 contract. 10 (3) A partial owner. 11 (4) A person who owns real property as a result of being 12 a beneficiary of a will or trust or as a result of intestate 13 succession. 14 (5) A person who owns or purchases a dwelling on leased 15 land. 16 (6) A person who holds a life lease in real property 17 previously sold or transferred to another. 18 (7) A person in possession under a life estate. 19 (8) A grantor who has placed the real property in a 20 revocable trust. 21 (9) A member of a cooperative as defined in 68 Pa.C.S. § 22 4103 (relating to definitions). 23 (10) A unit owner of a condominium as defined in 68 24 Pa.C.S. § 3103 (relating to definitions). 25 (11) A partner of a family farm partnership or a 26 shareholder of a family farm corporation as the terms are 27 defined in section 1101-C of the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, 28 No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971. 29 "Political subdivision." As defined in 1 Pa.C.S. § 1991 30 (relating to definitions). 20030S0100B0574 - 5 -
1 "Preceding year." The fiscal year before the current year. 2 "Primarily used." Usage of at least 51% of the square 3 footage of a dwelling. 4 "Resident individual." An individual who is domiciled in a 5 school district. 6 "School district." A school district of the second class, 7 third class or fourth class. 8 "Statewide average weekly wage." That amount determined 9 annually for each calendar year by the Department of Labor and 10 Industry under section 105.1 of the act of June 2, 1915 11 (P.L.736, No.338), known as the Workers' Compensation Act. 12 "Succeeding year." The fiscal year following the current 13 year. 14 "Tax Reform Code." The act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), 15 known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971. 16 "Taxpayer." An individual required under this article to 17 file a tax return or to pay a tax. 18 Section 603-A. Scope and limitations. 19 (a) General rule.--Except as provided in subsection (b) and 20 section 605-A, it is the intent of this article to confer upon 21 each school district the power to levy, assess and collect an 22 earned income and net profits tax as set forth in subdivision 23 (c). 24 (b) Real estate transfer taxes.--This article shall not be 25 construed to affect the power of a school district to levy, 26 assess and collect a real estate transfer tax. 27 (c) Occupation tax.--This article shall not be construed to 28 affect the power of a school district to do any of the 29 following: 30 (1) To elect to place a referendum question on the 20030S0100B0574 - 6 -
1 ballot pursuant to the act of June 22, 2001 (P.L.374, No.24), 2 known as the Optional Occupation Tax Elimination Act. A 3 school district may place such referendum question on the 4 ballot at the same municipal election as a referendum 5 question placed on the ballot pursuant to subdivision (b). 6 (2) To eliminate its occupation tax pursuant to the 7 Optional Occupation Tax Elimination Act. 8 Section 604-A. Preemption. 9 No act of the General Assembly shall be construed to vacate 10 or preempt any resolution adopted under this article providing 11 for the imposition of a tax by a school district unless the act 12 of the General Assembly expressly vacates or preempts the 13 authority to adopt the resolution. 14 Section 605-A. Certain rates of taxation limited. 15 If a municipality and school district both impose an earned 16 income and net profits tax on the same individual under the 17 Local Tax Enabling Act and the municipality and school district 18 are limited to or have agreed upon a division of the tax rate in 19 accordance with section 8 of the Local Tax Enabling Act, then 20 the municipality that continues to levy the earned income and 21 net profits tax under the Local Tax Enabling Act shall remain 22 subject to that limitation or agreement in the event that the 23 school district opts to impose an earned income and net profits 24 tax under section 621-A. 25 (b) Tax Authorization. 26 Section 611-A. General tax authorization. 27 Subject to sections 613-A and 614-A, each school district may 28 by resolution levy, assess and collect or provide for the 29 levying, assessment and collection of an earned income and net 30 profits tax under subdivision (c). 20030S0100B0574 - 7 -
1 Section 612-A. Continuity of tax. 2 An earned income and net profits tax levied under the 3 provisions of subdivision (c) shall continue in force on a 4 fiscal year basis without annual reenactment unless the rate of 5 tax is increased or the tax is subsequently repealed. 6 Section 613-A. Adoption of referendum. 7 (a) General rule.-- 8 (1) In order to levy an earned income and net profits 9 tax under subdivision (c), a board of school directors shall 10 use the procedures set forth in subsection (b). 11 (2) A board of school directors after making an election 12 to levy an earned income and net profits tax under 13 subdivision (c) may, after a period of at least five full 14 fiscal years, elect under the provisions of subsection (c) to 15 end participation under this subdivision. If the electorate 16 approves a referendum to do so, the board of school directors 17 may not continue to levy an earned income and net profits tax 18 under subdivision (c). 19 (b) Public referendum requirements.--Except as set forth in 20 subsection (d) the following apply: 21 (1) Subject to the notice and hearing requirements of 22 section 626-A, a board of school directors may levy the 23 earned income and net profits tax under subdivision (c) only 24 by obtaining the approval of the electorate of the affected 25 school district in a public referendum at only the municipal 26 election preceding the fiscal year when the earned income and 27 net profits tax will be initially imposed. At the municipal 28 election next occurring after the effective date of this 29 section, each board of school directors shall cause the 30 referendum question required by this section to be submitted 20030S0100B0574 - 8 -
1 to the electors of the school district. 2 (2) If the board of school directors fails to adopt the 3 resolution required under section 626-A within 90 days 4 preceding the municipal election next occurring after the 5 effective date of this section, the county board of elections 6 shall prepare a referendum question for the school district 7 that provides for an earned income and net profits tax as 8 authorized under subdivision (c) at the maximum rate 9 permitted. At the municipal election next occurring after the 10 effective date of this section, the county board of elections 11 shall cause the referendum question required by this section 12 to be submitted to the electors of the school district. 13 (3) The referendum question shall state the initial rate 14 of the proposed earned income and net profits tax to be 15 levied under subdivision (c), the reason for the tax and the 16 amount of proposed budgeted revenue growth, if any, in the 17 first fiscal year following adoption of the referendum, 18 expressed as a percent increase over the prior year's 19 budgeted revenue. Any increase in budgeted revenue between 20 the first fiscal year following adoption of the referendum 21 and the prior year's budgeted revenue shall not exceed 2%. 22 The question shall be in clear language that is readily 23 understandable by a layperson. For the purpose of 24 illustration, a referendum question may be framed as follows: 25 Do you favor the imposition of an earned income and net 26 profits tax of X% to be used to reduce residential real 27 property taxes by X% by means of a homestead or farmstead 28 exclusion and provide for a one-time revenue increase of 29 X% over the preceding fiscal year? 30 A nonlegal interpretative statement shall accompany the 20030S0100B0574 - 9 -
1 referendum question in accordance with section 201.1 of the act 2 of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania 3 Election Code. A board of school directors of a school district 4 in which a referendum under this section has been approved shall 5 not be subject to the provisions of section 614-A for any future 6 increases in the earned income and net profits tax rates 7 authorized under subdivision (c). If the referendum question 8 fails to receive a majority vote pursuant to this section, 9 approval of the electorate under section 614-A shall not be 10 required to levy any tax or increase the rate of any tax which 11 the board of school directors of the affected school district is 12 authorized to levy and increase pursuant to any other act. 13 (c) Public referendum requirements to end participation 14 under this subdivision.--Subject to the notice and public 15 hearing requirements in section 4 of the Local Tax Enabling Act, 16 a board of school directors may elect to end participation under 17 this subdivision in accordance with subsection (a)(2) by 18 obtaining the approval of the electorate of the affected school 19 district in a public referendum at a municipal election. 20 (d) Nonapplicability.--This section shall not apply to any 21 of the following: 22 (1) A school district in which a referendum question 23 under 53 Pa.C.S. § 8703 (relating to adoption of referendum) 24 has been approved and implemented. 25 (2) A school district of the first class. 26 (3) A school district of the first class A. 27 (4) A school district certified as distressed pursuant 28 to section 691 or an education empowerment district pursuant 29 to section 1705-B or 1707-B. 30 Section 614-A. Public referendum requirements for increasing 20030S0100B0574 - 10 -
1 certain taxes. 2 (a) Applicability.--This section shall apply to the board of 3 school directors of a school district in which a referendum 4 under section 613-A is approved. 5 (b) Prohibitions.--Except as set forth in subsection (f), 6 unless there is compliance with subsection (c), a board of 7 school directors may not do any of the following: 8 (1) Increase the rate of a tax levied for the support of 9 the public schools by more than the percentage increase in 10 the Statewide average weekly wage in the preceding year. 11 (2) Levy a tax for the support of the public schools 12 which was not levied in the fiscal year in which a referendum 13 under section 613-A was approved. 14 (c) Referendum.-- 15 (1) In order to take an action under subsection (b)(1), 16 at the primary election immediately preceding the fiscal year 17 in which the proposed tax increase would take effect: 18 (i) a referendum stating the specific rate or rates 19 of the tax increase must be submitted to the electors 20 residing in the school district; and 21 (ii) a majority of the electors voting on the 22 referendum must approve the increase. 23 (2) In order to take an action under subsection (b)(2), 24 at the primary election immediately preceding the fiscal year 25 in which the proposed tax would take effect: 26 (i) a referendum stating the specific tax and rate 27 to be levied must be submitted to the electors residing 28 in the school district; and 29 (ii) a majority of the electors voting on the 30 referendum must approve the tax. 20030S0100B0574 - 11 -
1 (d) Failure to approve referendum.-- 2 (1) If there is no approval under subsection (c)(1)(ii), 3 the board of school directors may approve an increase in the 4 tax rate of not more than the percentage increase in the 5 Statewide average weekly wage in the preceding year. 6 (2) If there is no approval under subsection (c)(2)(ii), 7 the board of school directors may not levy the tax. 8 (e) Exception to general rule.--The provisions of subsection 9 (b)(1) shall not apply to an increase in the rate of any tax 10 levied for the support of the public schools which is less than 11 or equal to the percentage increase in the Statewide average 12 weekly wage in the preceding year. Prior to any increase under 13 this subsection, the board of school directors shall certify to 14 the Department of Education the estimates of local tax rates 15 under this subsection. The Department of Education may, on its 16 own motion or on petition of a person having standing under 17 subsection (h), revise the estimates certified by the board of 18 school directors and reduce the allowable increase in the rate 19 of any tax under this subsection. 20 (f) Referendum exceptions.--The provisions of subsection 21 (b)(1) shall not apply to an increase in the rate of any tax 22 levied for the support of the public schools if the increase is 23 necessary to respond to one or more of the following conditions: 24 (1) To respond to or recover from an emergency or 25 disaster declared pursuant to 35 Pa.C.S. § 7301 (relating to 26 general authority of Governor) or 75 Pa.C.S. § 6108 (relating 27 to power of Governor during emergency), only for the duration 28 of the emergency or disaster and for the costs of the 29 recovery from the emergency or disaster. 30 (2) To implement a court order or an administrative 20030S0100B0574 - 12 -
1 order from a Federal or State agency that requires the 2 expenditure of funds that exceed current available revenues, 3 provided that the rate increase is rescinded following 4 fulfillment of the court order or administrative order. 5 (3) (i) To pay interest and principal on any 6 indebtedness incurred under 53 Pa.C.S. Pt. VII Subpt. B 7 (relating to indebtedness and borrowing) prior to the 8 effective date of this section, provided that in no case 9 may the school district incur additional debt under this 10 paragraph, except for the refinancing of existing debt, 11 including the payment of costs and expenses related to 12 such refinancing and the establishment or funding of 13 appropriate debt service reserves and provided further 14 that the increase is rescinded following the final 15 payment of interest and principal. 16 (ii) The exception provided under this paragraph may 17 not be used in lieu of the referendum under subsection 18 (c)(2) to pay for costs which could not be financed by 19 the issuance of debt under 53 Pa.C.S. (relating to 20 municipalities generally). 21 (4) To respond to conditions that pose an immediate 22 threat of serious physical harm or injury to the students, 23 staff or residents of the school district, but only until the 24 conditions causing the threat have been fully resolved. 25 (5) Special purpose tax levies approved by the 26 electorate. 27 (6) (i) To maintain per-student local tax revenue in 28 the school district at an amount not exceeding the amount 29 of per-student local tax revenue at the level of the 30 preceding year, adjusted for the percentage increase in 20030S0100B0574 - 13 -
1 the Statewide average weekly wage. 2 (ii) This paragraph shall apply only if the 3 percentage growth in average daily membership in the 4 school district between the current fiscal year and the 5 third fiscal year immediately preceding the current 6 fiscal year exceeds 10%. For the purposes of this 7 paragraph, per-student local tax revenue shall be 8 determined by dividing local tax revenue by average daily 9 membership. 10 (g) Court action.--Prior to the imposition of the tax 11 increase under subsection (f)(1), (2), (4) or (6), approval by 12 the court of common pleas in the judicial district in which the 13 administrative office of the school district is located must be 14 obtained. The board of school directors shall publish in a 15 newspaper of general circulation a notice of its intent to file 16 an action under this subsection at least one week prior to the 17 filing of the petition. The board of school directors shall also 18 publish in a newspaper of general circulation notice, as soon as 19 possible following notification from the court that a hearing 20 has been scheduled, stating the date, time and place of the 21 hearing on the petition. The following shall apply to any 22 proceedings instituted under this subsection: 23 (1) The board of school directors must prove by clear 24 and convincing evidence the necessity for the tax increase. 25 (2) The board of school directors must prove by clear 26 and convincing evidence that there are no assets or other 27 feasible alternatives available to the school district. 28 (3) The court shall determine the appropriate duration 29 of the increase and may retain continuing jurisdiction. The 30 court may, on its own motion or on petition of an interested 20030S0100B0574 - 14 -
1 party, revoke approval for or order rescission of a tax 2 increase. 3 (h) Standing.--A person shall have standing as a party to a 4 proceeding under this section as long as the person resides 5 within or pays real property taxes to the taxing jurisdiction of 6 the board of school directors instituting the action. 7 Section 615-A. Property tax limits on reassessment. 8 After any county makes a countywide revision of assessment of 9 real property at values based upon an established predetermined 10 ratio as required by law or after any county changes its 11 established predetermined ratio, a board of school directors in 12 a school district in which a referendum under section 613-A has 13 been approved, which after the effective date of this section 14 for the first time levies its real estate taxes on that revised 15 assessment or valuation, shall for the first year reduce its tax 16 rate, if necessary, for the purpose of having the percentage 17 increase in taxes levied for that year against the real 18 properties contained in the duplicate for the preceding year be 19 less than or equal to the percentage increase in the Statewide 20 average weekly wage for the preceding year notwithstanding the 21 increased valuations of such properties under the revised 22 assessment. For the purpose of determining the total amount of 23 taxes to be levied for the first year, the amount to be levied 24 on newly constructed buildings or structures or on increased 25 valuations based on new improvements made to existing houses 26 need not be considered. The tax rate shall be fixed for that 27 year at a figure which will accomplish this purpose. The 28 provisions of section 614-A shall apply to increases in the tax 29 rate above the limits provided in this section. 30 (c) Earned Income and Net Profits Tax. 20030S0100B0574 - 15 -
1 Section 621-A. Authorization. 2 A board of school directors may levy, assess and collect a 3 tax on the earned income and net profits of resident individuals 4 of the school district at a rate determined by the board of 5 school directors, which rate may not exceed the rate required to 6 provide an exclusion for farmstead property and an exclusion for 7 homestead property equal to the maximum exclusion under 53 8 Pa.C.S. § 8586 (relating to limitations), rounded to the nearest 9 tenth of a percent. The exclusion for farmstead property granted 10 under this section shall not exceed the amount granted for the 11 exclusion for homestead property. 12 Section 622-A. Collections. 13 A board of school directors imposing a tax under section 621- 14 A shall designate the tax officer who is appointed under section 15 10 of the Local Tax Enabling Act, or otherwise by law, as the 16 collector of the earned income and net profits tax. In the 17 performance of the tax collection duties under this subdivision, 18 the designated tax officer shall have all the same powers, 19 rights, responsibilities and duties for the collection of the 20 taxes which may be imposed under the Local Tax Enabling Act, 53 21 Pa.C.S. Ch. 84, Subch. C (relating to local taxpayers bill of 22 rights) or as otherwise provided by law. 23 Section 623-A. Credits. 24 (a) General rule.--The provisions of section 14 of the Local 25 Tax Enabling Act shall be applied by a board of school directors 26 to determine any credits under the provisions of this 27 subdivision for a tax imposed under section 621-A. 28 (b) Tax credit.--Notwithstanding any other provisions of law 29 to the contrary, payment of a tax on salaries, wages, 30 commissions or other compensation to a school district by 20030S0100B0574 - 16 -
1 residents of the school district shall be credited and paid to 2 the school district of residence and allowed as a deduction from 3 the liability of the taxpayer for any other tax on salaries, 4 wages, commissions or other compensation imposed by a city of 5 the first class under the authority of the act of August 5, 1932 6 (Sp.Sess., P.L.45, No.45), referred to as the Sterling Act. 7 Section 624-A. Earned income and net profits tax exemption. 8 A school district that imposes a tax under section 621-A may 9 exempt from the payment of that tax any person whose total 10 income from all sources is less than $7,500. 11 Section 625-A. Rules and regulations. 12 A tax imposed under section 621-A shall be subject to all 13 regulations adopted under section 13 of the Local Tax Enabling 14 Act. A school district may adopt regulations for the processing 15 of claims for credits or exemptions under sections 623-A and 16 624-A. 17 Section 626-A. Procedure and administration. 18 In order to levy a tax under section 621-A, the board of 19 school directors shall adopt a resolution which shall refer to 20 this subdivision prior to placing a referendum question on the 21 ballot under section 613-A. Prior to adopting a resolution 22 imposing a tax under section 621-A, the board of school 23 directors shall give public notice of its intent to adopt the 24 resolution in the manner provided by section 4 of the Local Tax 25 Enabling Act and shall conduct at least one public hearing 26 regarding the proposed adoption of the resolution. 27 Section 627-A. Disposition of earned income and net profits tax 28 revenue. 29 The disposition of revenue from a tax or an increase in the 30 rate of a tax imposed by school districts under section 621-A 20030S0100B0574 - 17 -
1 shall occur in the following manner: 2 (1) For the fiscal year of implementation of a newly 3 imposed income tax, all earned income and net profits tax 4 revenue received by a school district shall be used to 5 provide for an increase in budgeted revenues over the 6 preceding fiscal year in accordance with the amount specified 7 in the referendum question approved by the voters under 8 section 613-A and to reduce the school district real property 9 tax by means of an exclusion for farmstead property and 10 homestead property pursuant to section 621-A. 11 (2) For the fiscal year of implementation of an increase 12 in the rate of the existing tax imposed under section 621-A, 13 all revenue received by a school district directly 14 attributable to the increased rate shall be used to reduce 15 the school district real property tax by means of an 16 exclusion for farmstead property and homestead property 17 pursuant to section 621-A. 18 (d) Register. 19 Section 691-A. Register for taxes. 20 (a) General rule.--The department shall maintain an official 21 continuing register supplemented annually of all earned income 22 and net profits taxes levied under subdivision (c). 23 (b) Contents of register.--The register shall list: 24 (1) The school districts levying the tax. 25 (2) The rate of tax as stated in the resolution levying 26 the tax. 27 (3) The rate on taxpayers. 28 (4) The name and address of the official responsible for 29 administering the collection of the tax and from whom 30 information, forms and copies of regulations are available. 20030S0100B0574 - 18 -
1 Section 692-A. Information for register. 2 Information for the register shall be furnished by the school 3 district to the department as prescribed by the department. The 4 information must be received by the department no later than 5 July 15 of each year to show new tax enactments, repeals and 6 changes. Failure to comply with the filing date may result in 7 the omission of the tax levy from the register for that year. 8 Failure of the department to receive information of taxes 9 continued without change may be construed by the department to 10 mean that the information contained in the previous register 11 remains in force. 12 Section 693-A. Availability and effective period of register. 13 The register, with such annual supplements as may be required 14 by new tax enactments, repeals or changes, shall be available 15 upon request no later than August 15 of each year. The effective 16 period for each register shall be from July 1 of the year in 17 which it is issued to June 30 of the following year. 18 Section 694-A. Effect of nonfiling. 19 Employers shall not be required by any ordinance to withhold 20 from the compensation of their employees any local earned income 21 and net profits tax imposed under subdivision (c) which is not 22 listed in the register or to make reports of compensation in 23 connection with taxes not so listed. If the register is not 24 available by August 15, the register of the previous year shall 25 continue to be effective for an additional period of not more 26 than one year. 27 Section 695-A. Effect of subdivision on liability of taxpayer. 28 The provisions of this subdivision shall not be construed to 29 affect the liability of any taxpayer for taxes lawfully imposed 30 under subdivisions (b) and (c). 20030S0100B0574 - 19 -
1 Section 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days. B21L24DMS/20030S0100B0574 - 20 -