Notice of Proposed Rule

DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
RULE NO.: RULE TITLE:
12-29.002: Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program; Participation; Allocation; Carryforward; Rescindment
12-29.003: Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program; Applications
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: Chapter 2011-123, L.O.F., extends the period for which tax credits authorized under the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program may be taken from three years to five years, eliminates the 75% limitation on the corporate income tax and insurance premium tax credits, and allows taxpayers who have previously rescinded a tax credit more than once to obtain approval to rescind an outstanding tax credit.
Effective January 1, 2012, section 22, Chapter 2011-76, L.O.F., repeals the emergency excise tax.
The purpose of the amendments to Rule 12-29.002, F.A.C. (Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program; Participation; Allocation; Carryforward; Rescindment), and to Rule 12-29.003, F.A.C. (Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program; Applications), is to incorporate these law changes.
SUMMARY: The proposed amendments to Rule 12-29.002 (Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program; Participation; Allocation; Carryforward; Rescindment): (1) remove the limitation on the corporate income tax and insurance premium tax credits that were limited to 75% of the tax due after the required deductions; (2) provide that the five-year carryforward period is applicable to all credits approved under the Program for carryforward on or after July 1, 2011, and to all unused carryforward credits that were eligible to be carried forward as of July 1, 2011; (3) remove the limitation that prevented taxpayers who had previously rescinded a tax credit authorized under the Program from obtaining approval to rescind an outstanding tax credit; and (4) remove obsolete provisions.
The proposed amendments to Rule 12-29.003, F.A.C. (Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program; Applications), adopt, by reference, changes to forms used in the administration of the Program to incorporate the changes made by Chapters 2011-76 and 2011-123, L.O.F.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:
The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the agency.
The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: 1) no requirement for the Statement of Economic Regulatory Costs (SERC) was triggered under Section 120.541(1), F.S.; and 2) based on past experiences with activities for providing the public tax information and rules of this nature, the adverse impact or regulatory cost, if any, do not exceed nor would exceed any one of the economic analysis criteria in a SERC, as set forth in Section 120.541(2)(a), F.S.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 213.06(1), 1002.395(13) FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 92.525(1)(b), 211.0251, 212.1831, 213.37, 220.1875, 561.1211, 624.51055, 1002.395(1)-(3), (13) FS.
A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:
DATE AND TIME: October 26, 2011, 10:00 a.m.
PLACE: 2450 Shumard Oak Boulevard, Building One, Room 1220, Tallahassee, Florida
Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 48 hours before the workshop/meeting by contacting: Tammy Miller at (850)617-8346. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Robert DuCasse, Revenue Program Administrator, Technical Assistance and Dispute Resolution, Department of Revenue, P. O. Box 7443, Tallahassee, Florida 32314-7443, telephone (850)717-6476

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

12-29.002 Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program; Participation; Allocation; Carryforward; Rescindment.

(1) No change.

(2) TAXPAYERS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM. Taxpayers who pay any of the following taxes may apply to the Department for a credit allocation as follows:

(a) For the taxes administered by the Department:

1. through 4. No change.

5. Taxpayers who were eligible for tax credits authorized by Sections 220.187 and 624.51055, F.S., prior to July 1, 2010, remain eligible for the tax credit now authorized by Section 1002.395, F.S.

(b) No change.

(3) through (4) No change.

(5) TAX CREDITS.

(a)1. Corporate Income Tax – For tax years ending on or after July 1, 2011, a A tax credit of 100 percent of the contribution against any corporate income tax due for the tax year is allowed. The amount of the tax credit for a tax year:

a. Is taken in the order of the credits provided against the corporate income tax in Section 220.02(8), F.S. Is limited to 75 percent of the corporate income tax due after application of any other allowable credits taken by the taxpayer for that tax year;

b. through c. No change.

2. No change.

(b)1. Insurance Premium Tax – For tax years ending on or after July 1, 2011, a A tax credit of 100 percent of the contribution against any insurance premium tax due under Section 624.509(1), F.S., for the tax year is allowed. The amount of the tax credit is limited to 75 percent of the insurance premium tax due after deducting:

a. through c. No change.

2. No change.

(c)1. Sales and Use Tax – A Beginning January 1, 2011, a tax credit of 100 percent of the contribution is allowed against any sales and use tax due imposed under Chapter 212, F.S., to any taxpayer who holds a valid Sales and Use Tax Direct Pay Permit issued by the Department.

(d) through (f) No change.

(6) CARRYFORWARD OF UNUSED CREDITS.

(a) When a taxpayer is unable to use a tax credit during the period specified by the Department in the approval letter, because the taxpayer’s liability is insufficient, the taxpayer may apply to carry forward the unused tax credit amount for a period not to exceed five three years. The five-year carryforward period is applicable to all credits approved for carryforward on or after July 1, 2011, and to all unused carryforward credits that were eligible to be carried forward as of July 1, 2011. Taxpayers must apply on-line using the Department’s website at www.myflorida.com/dor/taxes/tax_incentives.html or submit an Application for Tax Credit for Contributions to Nonprofit Scholarship Funding Organizations (SFOs) (Form DR-116000, incorporated by reference in Rule 12-29.003, F.A.C.) requesting approval to carry forward the unused portion of the tax credit during the year in which the taxpayer wants to carry forward the unused tax credit. Applications to carry forward amounts beyond the five-year three-year period will not be accepted by the Department. See paragraph (3)(a) for submitting the application to the Department.

(b) No change.

(c) Within ten days of receipt of the application, the Department will send written correspondence regarding the amount of the credit carryforward, or the reason the carryforward request could not be approved. For excise tax on liquor, wine, and malt beverages, the Division must approve the carryforward before the Department will issue such correspondence. No request will be approved when the application for a credit allocation carryforward is submitted for a period beyond five three years from the year in which the credit allocation was approved.

(d) Examples.

1. Corporate Income Tax Example – A calendar year taxpayer applied for and was approved for a credit allocation against corporate income tax for the year ending December 31, 2011. To carry forward the unused portion of the credit allocation from its tax year ending December 31, 2011, to its tax year ending December 31, 2012, the taxpayer must apply to the Department, specifying the carryforward amount, on or after January 3, 2012. The application must be filed on or before December 31, 2012. If any unused portion of the credit allocation remains, the taxpayer must apply for a carryforward of the unused portion. Any unused carryforward from its tax year ending December 31, 2011, expires on December 31, 2016 2014.

2. Insurance Premium Tax Example – A taxpayer applied for and was approved for a credit allocation against insurance premium tax due for calendar year 2010. To carry forward the unused portion of the credit allocation that was not taken on the 2010 insurance premium tax return (due March 1, 2011) to the 2011 insurance premium tax return, the taxpayer must apply to the Department, specifying the carryforward amount, on or after January 3, 2011. The application must be filed and approved on or before December 31, 2011. If any unused portion of the credit allocation remains, the taxpayer must apply for a carryforward of the unused portion. Any unused carryforward from its tax year ending December 31, 2010, expires on December 31, 2015 2013.

3. Sales and Use Tax Example – A taxpayer who holds a Sales Tax Direct Pay Permit applied for and was approved for a credit allocation against sales and use tax due to the Department for the state fiscal year 2011-2012. The taxpayer paid the contribution to an eligible nonprofit scholarship funding organization on July 15, 2011, and submitted a copy of the certificate of contribution received from the organization to the Department. The taxpayer’s liability was insufficient to use the entire credit allocation on sales and use tax returns filed with the Department on or before June 30, 2012. To carry forward the unused portion of the tax credit to the 2012-2013 state fiscal year, the taxpayer must apply to the Department, specifying the carryforward amount during the 2012-2013 state fiscal year. The application must be filed and approved, and any approved carryforward must be taken on a sales and use tax return filed on or before June 30, 2013. If any unused portion of the credit allocation remains, the taxpayer must apply for a carryforward of the unused portion to be used during the following state fiscal year. Any unused carryforward from the 2011-2012 state fiscal year expires June 30, 2017 2015.

4. Tax on Oil and Gas Production – The same application periods and credit carryforward periods that apply to a sales and use tax credit allocation apply to a credit allocation against the tax on oil and gas production.

5. Excise Taxes on Liquor, Wine, and Malt Beverages Example - A taxpayer who holds a liquor license issued by the Division applied for and was approved for a credit allocation against the liquor excise tax for returns due during the state fiscal year 2011-2012. The taxpayer’s liability was insufficient to use the entire credit allocation during that state fiscal year. To carry forward the unused portion of the tax credit to the 2012-2013 state fiscal year, the taxpayer must apply to the Department, specifying the carryforward amount during the 2012-2013 state fiscal year. The application must be filed and approved, and any approved carryforward must be taken on a return filed with the Division, on or before June 30, 2013. If any unused portion of the credit allocation remains, the taxpayer must apply for a carry forward of the unused portion to be used during the following state fiscal year. Any unused carryforward from the 2011-2012 state fiscal year expires June 30, 2017 2015.

(e) No change.

(7) RESCINDMENT OF UNUSED TAX CREDITS.

(a) No change.

(b) An application for rescindment of the unused credit allocation by the Department will not be approved when:

1. The amount of credit allocation requested to be rescinded has been claimed as a credit on a previously filed return; or

2. The taxpayer has had more than one approved rescindment of credit within the last three tax years; or,

2.3. The allocation year is closed for all taxpayers. The allocation period for a calendar year is closed for all taxes and all taxpayers on November 30 of the subsequent calendar year.

(c) through (d) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 1002.395(13) F.S. Law Implemented 92.525(1)(b), 211.0251, 212.1831, 213.37, 220.1875, 561.1211, 624.51055, 1002.395(1)-(3), (13) FS. History–New 6-6-11, Amended ________.

 

12-29.003 Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program; Applications.

(1)(a) The following application forms and instructions are used by the Department in its administration of the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program. These forms are hereby incorporated by reference in this rule.

(b) No change.

Form Number                Title                                                                      Effective Date

(2)(a) DR-116000          Application for Tax Credit

                                     Allocation for Contributions

                                     to Nonprofit Scholarship

                                     Funding Organizations (SFOs)

                                     (R. 07/11 04/11)                                                     ____ 06/11

                                     (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref- 00269)

(b) DR-116100               Application for Rescindment of Tax Credit

                                     Allocation for Contributions to Nonprofit

                                     Scholarship Funding Organizations (SFOs)

                                     (N. 07/11 01/11)                                                     ____06/11

                                     (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref- 00270)

Rulemaking Authority 213.06(1), 1002.395(13) FS. Law Implemented 92.525(1)(b), 211.0251, 212.1831, 213.37, 220.1875, 561.1211, 624.51055, 1002.395(1)-(3), (13) FS. History–New 6-6-11, Amended_________.


NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Robert DuCasse, Revenue Program Administrator, Technical Assistance and Dispute Resolution, Department of Revenue, P.O. Box 7443, Tallahassee, Florida 32314-7443, telephone (850)717-6476
NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Governor and Cabinet
DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: September 20, 2011
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: A Notice of Proposed Rule Development was published in the Florida Administrative Weekly on July 29, 2011 (Vol. 37, No. 30, pp. 2183-2184). No comments were received by the Department.