Senate Bill sb2032c1

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    Florida Senate - 2005                           CS for SB 2032

    By the Committee on General Government Appropriations; and
    Senator Atwater




    601-2243-05

  1                      A bill to be entitled

  2         An act relating to tax administration; amending

  3         s. 95.091, F.S.; adding a cross-reference;

  4         amending s. 198.32, F.S.; allowing an estate

  5         that is not required to file a federal tax

  6         return to file with the clerk of the court an

  7         affidavit attesting that no Florida estate tax

  8         is due, regardless of the decedent's date of

  9         death; amending s. 199.135, F.S.; providing

10         special provisions for the imposition of the

11         nonrecurring intangibles tax imposed by this

12         section on the sale of a timeshare interest in

13         a timeshare plan; amending s. 201.02, F.S.;

14         providing special provisions for the imposition

15         of the tax on deeds or other instruments

16         relating to real property or interests in real

17         property imposed by this section on the sale of

18         a timeshare interest in a timeshare plan;

19         amending s. 201.08, F.S.; providing special

20         provisions for the imposition of the tax on

21         promissory or nonnegotiable notes or written

22         obligations to pay money imposed by this

23         section on the sale of a timeshare interest in

24         a timeshare plan; amending s. 202.11, F.S.;

25         providing an additional definition of the term

26         "service address" for the purposes of the tax

27         on communications services; amending ss.

28         206.09, 206.095, 206.14, and 206.485, F.S.,

29         relating to fuel taxes; providing for the

30         distribution of penalties; amending s. 206.27,

31         F.S.; allowing the Department of Revenue the

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    Florida Senate - 2005                           CS for SB 2032
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 1         option of posting the list of active and

 2         canceled fuel licenses on the departmental web

 3         site or mailing it to licensees; amending s.

 4         212.0305, F.S.; permitting golf courses to be

 5         built with the proceeds of a charter county

 6         convention development tax; amending s. 212.05,

 7         F.S.; clarifying the tax treatment of

 8         nonresident purchasers of aircraft; amending s.

 9         212.06, F.S.; clarifying that sales tax is not

10         due on any vessel imported into this state for

11         the sole purpose of being offered for retail

12         sale by a registered Florida yacht broker or

13         dealer under certain conditions; amending s.

14         212.12, F.S.; including in the definition of

15         tax fraud willful attempts to evade a tax,

16         surcharge, or fee imposed by chapter 212, F.S.;

17         amending s. 213.053, F.S.; authorizing expanded

18         sharing of confidential information between the

19         Department of Revenue and the Department of

20         Agriculture and Consumer Services for the Bill

21         of Lading Program; amending s. 213.21, F.S.;

22         specifying which taxes qualify for the

23         automatic penalty compromise or settlement of

24         liability; providing for retroactivity;

25         amending s. 213.27, F.S.; clarifying that the

26         notification by the Department of Revenue to

27         the taxpayer that the taxpayer's account is

28         being referred to a debt collection agency must

29         be at least 30 days before the referral;

30         amending s. 215.26, F.S.; adding a

31         cross-reference; amending s. 252.372, F.S.;

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    Florida Senate - 2005                           CS for SB 2032
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 1         authorizing the Florida Surplus Lines Service

 2         Office to collect the Emergency Management,

 3         Preparedness, and Assistance Trust Fund

 4         surcharge and deposit the proceeds into the

 5         trust fund; amending s. 443.131, F.S.;

 6         requiring employers who transfer their business

 7         to a related entity to retain their

 8         unemployment experience history under certain

 9         circumstances; providing penalties; amending s.

10         443.141, F.S.; authorizing the Department of

11         Revenue to send to employers by regular mail

12         notices of unemployment tax assessments and

13         notices of the filing of liens; creating s.

14         624.50921, F.S.; creating a statute of

15         limitations for assessments of the insurance

16         premium tax if the amount of corporate income

17         tax or a workers' compensation administrative

18         assessment paid by the insurer is adjusted

19         through an amended return or refund; amending

20         s. 624.509, F.S.; providing for an alternative

21         method of calculating a tax credit against the

22         insurance premium tax for certain groups of

23         affiliated corporations; clarifying the

24         definition of the term "employees" for purposes

25         of calculating such a credit; authorizing the

26         department to adopt rules to administer such a

27         credit; providing legislative intent regarding

28         the meaning of the term "employees" for

29         purposes of determining the salary credit

30         against the insurance premium tax; reviving and

31         readopting s. 213.21, F.S., relating to

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    Florida Senate - 2005                           CS for SB 2032
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 1         informal conference procedures within the

 2         Department of Revenue; exempting from the

 3         documentary stamp tax certain security

 4         agreements recorded in error or by mistake;

 5         providing effective dates.

 6  

 7  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

 8  

 9         Section 1.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section

10  95.091, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

11         95.091  Limitation on actions to collect taxes.--

12         (3)(a)  With the exception of taxes levied under

13  chapter 198 and tax adjustments made pursuant to ss. s. 220.23

14  and 624.50921, the Department of Revenue may determine and

15  assess the amount of any tax, penalty, or interest due under

16  any tax enumerated in s. 72.011 which it has authority to

17  administer and the Department of Business and Professional

18  Regulation may determine and assess the amount of any tax,

19  penalty, or interest due under any tax enumerated in s. 72.011

20  which it has authority to administer:

21         1.a.  For taxes due before July 1, 1999, within 5 years

22  after the date the tax is due, any return with respect to the

23  tax is due, or such return is filed, whichever occurs later;

24  and for taxes due on or after July 1, 1999, within 3 years

25  after the date the tax is due, any return with respect to the

26  tax is due, or such return is filed, whichever occurs later;

27         b.  Effective July 1, 2002, notwithstanding

28  sub-subparagraph a., within 3 years after the date the tax is

29  due, any return with respect to the tax is due, or such return

30  is filed, whichever occurs later;

31  

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    Florida Senate - 2005                           CS for SB 2032
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 1         2.  For taxes due before July 1, 1999, within 6 years

 2  after the date the taxpayer either makes a substantial

 3  underpayment of tax, or files a substantially incorrect

 4  return;

 5         3.  At any time while the right to a refund or credit

 6  of the tax is available to the taxpayer;

 7         4.  For taxes due before July 1, 1999, at any time

 8  after the taxpayer has filed a grossly false return;

 9         5.  At any time after the taxpayer has failed to make

10  any required payment of the tax, has failed to file a required

11  return, or has filed a fraudulent return, except that for

12  taxes due on or after July 1, 1999, the limitation prescribed

13  in subparagraph 1. applies if the taxpayer has disclosed in

14  writing the tax liability to the department before the

15  department has contacted the taxpayer; or

16         6.  In any case in which there has been a refund of tax

17  erroneously made for any reason:

18         a.  For refunds made before July 1, 1999, within 5

19  years after making such refund; and

20         b.  For refunds made on or after July 1, 1999, within 3

21  years after making such refund,

22  

23  or at any time after making such refund if it appears that any

24  part of the refund was induced by fraud or the

25  misrepresentation of a material fact.

26         Section 2.  Subsection (2) of section 198.32, Florida

27  Statutes, is amended to read:

28         198.32  Prima facie liability for tax.--

29         (2)  Whenever an estate is not subject to tax under

30  this chapter and is not required to file a return, the

31  personal representative may execute an affidavit attesting

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    Florida Senate - 2005                           CS for SB 2032
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 1  that the estate is not taxable. The form of the affidavit

 2  shall be prescribed by the department, and shall include, but

 3  not be limited to, statements regarding the decedent's

 4  domicile and whether a federal estate tax return will be

 5  filed, and acknowledgment of the personal representative's

 6  personal liability under s. 198.23. This affidavit shall be

 7  subject to record and admissible in evidence to show

 8  nonliability for tax. This subsection applies to all estates,

 9  regardless of the date of death of the decedent.

10         Section 3.  Subsection (5) is added to section 199.135,

11  Florida Statutes, to read:

12         199.135  Due date and payment of nonrecurring tax.--The

13  nonrecurring tax imposed on notes, bonds, and other

14  obligations for payment of money secured by a mortgage, deed

15  of trust, or other lien evidenced by a written instrument

16  presented for recordation shall be due and payable when the

17  instrument is presented for recordation.  If there is no

18  written instrument or if it is not so presented within 30 days

19  following creation of the obligation, then the tax shall be

20  due and payable within 30 days following creation of the

21  obligation.

22         (5)(a)  In recognition of the special escrow

23  requirements that apply to sales of timeshare interests in

24  timeshare plans pursuant to s. 721.08, tax on notes or other

25  obligations secured by a mortgage, deed of trust, or other

26  lien upon real property situated in this state executed in

27  conjunction with the sale by a developer of a timeshare

28  interest in a timeshare plan is due and payable on the earlier

29  of the date on which:

30         1.  The mortgage, deed of trust, or other lien is

31  recorded; or

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    Florida Senate - 2005                           CS for SB 2032
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 1         2.  All of the conditions precedent to the release of

 2  the purchaser's escrowed funds or other property pursuant to

 3  s. 721.08(2)(c) have been met, regardless of whether the

 4  developer has posted an alternative assurance. Tax due under

 5  this subparagraph is due and payable on or before the 20th day

 6  of the month following the month in which these conditions

 7  were met.

 8         (b)1.  If tax has been paid to the department under

 9  subparagraph (a)2., and the note, other written obligation,

10  mortgage, deed of trust, or other lien with respect to which

11  the tax was paid is subsequently  recorded, a notation

12  reflecting the prior payment of the tax must be made upon the

13  mortgage or other lien.

14         2.  Notwithstanding paragraph (a), if funds are

15  designated on a closing statement as tax collected from the

16  purchaser, but the mortgage, deed of trust, or other lien with

17  respect to which the tax was collected has not been recorded

18  or filed in this state, the tax must be paid to the department

19  on or before the 20th day of the month following the month in

20  which the funds are available for release from escrow, unless

21  the funds have been refunded to the purchaser.

22         (c)  The department may adopt rules to administer the

23  method for reporting tax due under this subsection.

24         Section 4.  Subsection (10) is added to section 201.02,

25  Florida Statutes, to read:

26         201.02  Tax on deeds and other instruments relating to

27  real property or interests in real property.--

28         (10)(a)  In recognition of the special escrow

29  requirements that apply to sales of timeshare interests in

30  timeshare plans pursuant to s. 721.08, tax on deeds or other

31  instruments conveying any interest in Florida real property

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    Florida Senate - 2005                           CS for SB 2032
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 1  which are executed in conjunction with the sale by a developer

 2  of a timeshare interest in a timeshare plan is due and payable

 3  on the earlier of the date on which:

 4         1.  The deed or other instrument conveying the interest

 5  in Florida real property is recorded; or

 6         2.  All of the conditions precedent to the release of

 7  the purchaser's escrowed funds or other property pursuant to

 8  s. 721.08(2)(c) have been met, regardless of whether the

 9  developer has posted an alternative assurance. Tax due

10  pursuant to this subparagraph is due and payable on or before

11  the 20th day of the month following the month in which these

12  conditions were met.

13         (b)1.  If tax has been paid to the department pursuant

14  to subparagraph (a)2., and the deed or other instrument

15  conveying the interest in Florida real property with respect

16  to which the tax was paid is subsequently recorded, a notation

17  reflecting the prior payment of the tax must be made upon the

18  deed or other instrument conveying the interest in Florida

19  real property.

20         2.  Notwithstanding paragraph (a), if funds are

21  designated on a closing statement as tax collected from the

22  purchaser, but a default or cancellation occurs pursuant to s.

23  721.08(2)(a) or s. 721.08(2)(b) and no deed or other

24  instrument conveying interest in Florida real property has

25  been recorded or delivered to the purchaser, the tax must be

26  paid to the department on or before the 20th day of the month

27  following the month in which the funds are available for

28  release from escrow unless the funds have been refunded to the

29  purchaser.

30         (c)  The department may adopt rules to administer the

31  method for reporting tax due under this subsection.

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    Florida Senate - 2005                           CS for SB 2032
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 1         Section 5.  Subsection (8) is added to section 201.08,

 2  Florida Statutes, to read:

 3         201.08  Tax on promissory or nonnegotiable notes,

 4  written obligations to pay money, or assignments of wages or

 5  other compensation; exception.--

 6         (8)(a)  In recognition of the special escrow

 7  requirements that apply to sales of timeshare interests in

 8  timeshare plans pursuant to s. 721.08, tax on notes or other

 9  written obligations and mortgages or other evidences of

10  indebtedness executed in conjunction with the sale by a

11  developer of a timeshare interest in a timeshare plan is due

12  and payable on the earlier of the date on which:

13         1.  The note, other written obligation, mortgage or

14  other evidence of indebtedness is recorded or filed in this

15  state; or

16         2.  All of the conditions precedent to the release of

17  the purchaser's escrowed funds or other property pursuant to

18  s. 721.08(2)(c) have been met, regardless of whether the

19  developer has posted an alternative assurance. Tax due under

20  this subparagraph is due and payable on or before the 20th day

21  of the month following the month in which these conditions

22  were met.

23         (b)1.  If tax has been paid to the department pursuant

24  to subparagraph (a)2., and the note, other written obligation,

25  mortgage, or other evidence of indebtedness with respect to

26  which the tax was paid is subsequently recorded or filed in

27  this state, a notation reflecting the prior payment of the tax

28  must be made upon the note, other written obligation,

29  mortgage, or other evidence of indebtedness recorded or filed

30  in this state.

31  

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    Florida Senate - 2005                           CS for SB 2032
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 1         2.  Notwithstanding paragraph (a), if funds are

 2  designated on a closing statement as tax collected from the

 3  purchaser, but the note, other written obligation, mortgage,

 4  or other evidence of indebtedness with respect to which the

 5  tax was collected has not been recorded or filed in this

 6  state, the tax shall be paid to the department on or before

 7  the 20th day of the month following the month in which the

 8  funds are available for release from escrow, unless the funds

 9  have been refunded to the purchaser.

10         (c) The department may adopt rules to administer the

11  method for reporting tax due under this subsection.

12         Section 6.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (15) of section

13  202.11, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

14         202.11  Definitions.--As used in this chapter:

15         (15)  "Service address" means:

16         (a)  Except as otherwise provided in this section:,

17         1.  The location of the communications equipment from

18  which communications services originate or at which

19  communications services are received by the customer;.

20         2.  In the case of a communications service paid

21  through a credit or payment mechanism that does not relate to

22  a service address, such as a bank, travel, debit, or credit

23  card, and in the case of third-number and calling-card calls,

24  the term "service address" means is the address of the central

25  office, as determined by the area code and the first three

26  digits of the seven-digit originating telephone number; or.

27         3.  If the location of the equipment described in

28  subparagraph 1. is not known and subparagraph 2. is

29  inapplicable, the term "service address" means the location of

30  the customer's primary use of the communications service. For

31  the purposes of this subparagraph, the location of the

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 1  customer's primary use of a communications service is the

 2  residential street address or the business street address of

 3  the customer.

 4         Section 7.  Subsection (6) is added to section 206.09,

 5  Florida Statutes, to read:

 6         206.09  Reports from carriers transporting motor fuel

 7  or similar products.--

 8         (6)  All moneys derived from the penalties imposed by

 9  this section shall be deposited into the Fuel Tax Collection

10  Trust Fund, and allocated in the same manner as provided by s.

11  206.875.

12         Section 8.  Subsection (4) is added to section 206.095,

13  Florida Statutes, to read:

14         206.095  Reports from terminal operators.--

15         (4)  All moneys derived from the penalties imposed by

16  this section shall be deposited into the Fuel Tax Collection

17  Trust Fund, and allocated in the same manner as provided by s.

18  206.875.

19         Section 9.  Subsection (6) is added to section 206.14,

20  Florida Statutes, to read:

21         206.14  Inspection of records; audits; hearings; forms;

22  rules and regulations.--

23         (6)  All moneys derived from the penalties imposed by

24  this section shall be deposited into the Fuel Tax Collection

25  Trust Fund, and allocated in the same manner as provided by s.

26  206.875.

27         Section 10.  Subsection (1) of section 206.27, Florida

28  Statutes, is amended to read:

29         206.27  Records and files as public records.--

30         (1)  The records and files in the office of the

31  department appertaining to parts I and II of this chapter

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 1  shall be available in Tallahassee to the public at any time

 2  during business hours. The department shall prepare and make

 3  available a list each month of all current licensed terminal

 4  suppliers, importers, exporters, and wholesalers which also

 5  shall include all new licenses issued and all licenses

 6  canceled during the past 12 months, and mail a copy thereof to

 7  each licensee. Such list shall be used to verify license

 8  numbers of purchasers issuing exemption certificates or

 9  affidavits.

10         Section 11.  Subsection (3) is added to section

11  206.485, Florida Statutes, to read:

12         206.485  Tracking system reporting requirements.--

13         (3)  All moneys derived from the penalties imposed by

14  this section shall be deposited into the Fuel Tax Collection

15  Trust Fund, and allocated in the same manner as provided by s.

16  206.875.

17         Section 12.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (4) of section

18  212.0305, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

19         212.0305  Convention development taxes; intent;

20  administration; authorization; use of proceeds.--

21         (4)  AUTHORIZATION TO LEVY; USE OF PROCEEDS; OTHER

22  REQUIREMENTS.--

23         (b)  Charter county levy for convention development.--

24         1.  Each county, as defined in s. 125.011(1), may

25  impose, under pursuant to an ordinance enacted by the

26  governing body of the county, a levy on the exercise within

27  its boundaries of the taxable privilege of leasing or letting

28  transient rental accommodations described in subsection (3) at

29  the rate of 3 percent of the total consideration charged

30  therefor. The proceeds of this levy shall be known as the

31  charter county convention development tax.

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 1         2.  All charter county convention development moneys,

 2  including any interest accrued thereon, received by a county

 3  imposing the levy shall be used as follows:

 4         a.  Two-thirds of the proceeds shall be used to extend,

 5  enlarge, and improve the largest existing publicly owned

 6  convention center in the county.

 7         b.  One-third of the proceeds shall be used to

 8  construct a new multipurpose convention/coliseum/exhibition

 9  center/stadium or the maximum components thereof as funds

10  permit in the most populous municipality in the county.

11         c.  After the completion of any project under

12  sub-subparagraph a., the tax revenues and interest accrued

13  under sub-subparagraph a. may be used to acquire, construct,

14  extend, enlarge, remodel, repair, improve, plan for, operate,

15  manage, or maintain one or more convention centers, stadiums,

16  exhibition halls, arenas, coliseums, or auditoriums, or golf

17  courses, and may be used to acquire and construct an intercity

18  light rail transportation system as described in the Light

19  Rail Transit System Status Report to the Legislature dated

20  April 1988, which shall provide a means to transport persons

21  to and from the largest existing publicly owned convention

22  center in the county and the hotels north of the convention

23  center and to and from the downtown area of the most populous

24  municipality in the county as determined by the county.

25         d.  After completion of any project under

26  sub-subparagraph b., the tax revenues and interest accrued

27  under sub-subparagraph b. may be used, as determined by the

28  county, to operate an authority created pursuant to

29  subparagraph 4. or to acquire, construct, extend, enlarge,

30  remodel, repair, improve, operate, or maintain one or more

31  convention centers, stadiums, exhibition halls, arenas,

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 1  coliseums, auditoriums, golf courses, or related buildings and

 2  parking facilities in the most populous municipality in the

 3  county.

 4         e.  For the purposes of completion of any project

 5  pursuant to this paragraph, tax revenues and interest accrued

 6  may be used:

 7         (I)  As collateral, pledged, or hypothecated for

 8  projects authorized by this paragraph, including bonds issued

 9  in connection therewith; or

10         (II)  As a pledge or capital contribution in

11  conjunction with a partnership, joint venture, or other

12  business arrangement between a municipality and one or more

13  business entities for projects authorized by this paragraph.

14         3.  The governing body of each municipality in which a

15  municipal tourist tax is levied may adopt a resolution

16  prohibiting imposition of the charter county convention

17  development levy within such municipality. If the governing

18  body adopts such a resolution, the convention development levy

19  shall be imposed by the county in all other areas of the

20  county except such municipality. No funds collected pursuant

21  to this paragraph may be expended in a municipality which has

22  adopted such a resolution.

23         4.a.  Before the county enacts an ordinance imposing

24  the levy, the county shall notify the governing body of each

25  municipality in which projects are to be developed pursuant to

26  sub-subparagraph 2.a., sub-subparagraph 2.b., sub-subparagraph

27  2.c., or sub-subparagraph 2.d. As a condition precedent to

28  receiving funding, the governing bodies of such municipalities

29  shall designate or appoint an authority that shall have the

30  sole power to:

31  

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 1         (I)  Approve the concept, location, program, and design

 2  of the facilities or improvements to be built in accordance

 3  with this paragraph and to administer and disburse such

 4  proceeds and any other related source of revenue.

 5         (II)  Appoint and dismiss the authority's executive

 6  director, general counsel, and any other consultants retained

 7  by the authority. The governing body shall have the right to

 8  approve or disapprove the initial appointment of the

 9  authority's executive director and general counsel.

10         b.  The members of each such authority shall serve for

11  a term of not less than 1 year and shall be appointed by the

12  governing body of such municipality. The annual budget of such

13  authority shall be subject to approval of the governing body

14  of the municipality. If the governing body does not approve

15  the budget, the authority shall use as the authority's budget

16  the previous fiscal year budget.

17         c.  The authority, by resolution to be adopted from

18  time to time, may invest and reinvest the proceeds from the

19  convention development tax and any other revenues generated by

20  the authority in the same manner that the municipality in

21  which the authority is located may invest surplus funds.

22         5.  The charter county convention development levy

23  shall be in addition to any other levy imposed pursuant to

24  this section.

25         6.  A certified copy of the ordinance imposing the levy

26  shall be furnished by the county to the department within 10

27  days after approval of such ordinance. The effective date of

28  imposition of the levy shall be the first day of any month at

29  least 60 days after enactment of the ordinance.

30         7.  Revenues collected pursuant to this paragraph shall

31  be deposited in a convention development trust fund, which

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 1  shall be established by the county as a condition precedent to

 2  receipt of such funds.

 3         Section 13.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section

 4  212.05, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

 5         212.05  Sales, storage, use tax.--It is hereby declared

 6  to be the legislative intent that every person is exercising a

 7  taxable privilege who engages in the business of selling

 8  tangible personal property at retail in this state, including

 9  the business of making mail order sales, or who rents or

10  furnishes any of the things or services taxable under this

11  chapter, or who stores for use or consumption in this state

12  any item or article of tangible personal property as defined

13  herein and who leases or rents such property within the state.

14         (1)  For the exercise of such privilege, a tax is

15  levied on each taxable transaction or incident, which tax is

16  due and payable as follows:

17         (a)1.

18         a.  At the rate of 6 percent of the sales price of each

19  item or article of tangible personal property when sold at

20  retail in this state, computed on each taxable sale for the

21  purpose of remitting the amount of tax due the state, and

22  including each and every retail sale.

23         b.  Each occasional or isolated sale of an aircraft,

24  boat, mobile home, or motor vehicle of a class or type which

25  is required to be registered, licensed, titled, or documented

26  in this state or by the United States Government shall be

27  subject to tax at the rate provided in this paragraph. The

28  department shall by rule adopt any nationally recognized

29  publication for valuation of used motor vehicles as the

30  reference price list for any used motor vehicle which is

31  required to be licensed pursuant to s. 320.08(1), (2), (3)(a),

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 1  (b), (c), or (e), or (9).  If any party to an occasional or

 2  isolated sale of such a vehicle reports to the tax collector a

 3  sales price which is less than 80 percent of the average loan

 4  price for the specified model and year of such vehicle as

 5  listed in the most recent reference price list, the tax levied

 6  under this paragraph shall be computed by the department on

 7  such average loan price unless the parties to the sale have

 8  provided to the tax collector an affidavit signed by each

 9  party, or other substantial proof, stating the actual sales

10  price.  Any party to such sale who reports a sales price less

11  than the actual sales price is guilty of a misdemeanor of the

12  first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s.

13  775.083.  The department shall collect or attempt to collect

14  from such party any delinquent sales taxes.  In addition, such

15  party shall pay any tax due and any penalty and interest

16  assessed plus a penalty equal to twice the amount of the

17  additional tax owed.  Notwithstanding any other provision of

18  law, the Department of Revenue may waive or compromise any

19  penalty imposed pursuant to this subparagraph.

20         2.  This paragraph does not apply to the sale of a boat

21  or aircraft airplane by or through a registered dealer under

22  this chapter to a purchaser who, at the time of taking

23  delivery, is a nonresident of this state, does not make his or

24  her permanent place of abode in this state, and is not engaged

25  in carrying on in this state any employment, trade, business,

26  or profession in which the boat or aircraft will be used in

27  this state, or is a corporation none of the officers or

28  directors of which is a resident of, or makes his or her

29  permanent place of abode in, this state, or is a noncorporate

30  entity that has no individual vested with authority to

31  participate in the management, direction, or control of the

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 1  entity's affairs who is a resident of, or makes his or her

 2  permanent abode in, this state. For purposes of this

 3  exemption, either a registered dealer acting on his or her own

 4  behalf as seller, a registered dealer acting as broker on

 5  behalf of a seller, or a registered dealer acting as broker on

 6  behalf of the purchaser may be deemed to be the selling

 7  dealer. This exemption shall not be allowed unless:

 8         a.  The purchaser removes a qualifying boat, as

 9  described in sub-subparagraph f., from the state within 90

10  days after the date of purchase or the purchaser removes a

11  nonqualifying boat or an aircraft airplane from this state

12  within 10 days after the date of purchase or, when the boat or

13  aircraft airplane is repaired or altered, within 20 days after

14  completion of the repairs or alterations;

15         b.  The purchaser, within 30 days from the date of

16  departure, shall provide the department with written proof

17  that the purchaser licensed, registered, titled, or documented

18  the boat or aircraft airplane outside the state. If such

19  written proof is unavailable, within 30 days the purchaser

20  shall provide proof that the purchaser applied for such

21  license, title, registration, or documentation.  The purchaser

22  shall forward to the department proof of title, license,

23  registration, or documentation upon receipt.

24         c.  The purchaser, within 10 days of removing the boat

25  or aircraft airplane from Florida, shall furnish the

26  department with proof of removal in the form of receipts for

27  fuel, dockage, slippage, tie-down, or hangaring from outside

28  of Florida.  The information so provided must clearly and

29  specifically identify the boat or aircraft;

30         d.  The selling dealer, within 5 days of the date of

31  sale, shall provide to the department a copy of the sales

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 1  invoice, closing statement, bills of sale, and the original

 2  affidavit signed by the purchaser attesting that he or she has

 3  read the provisions of this section;

 4         e.  The seller makes a copy of the affidavit a part of

 5  his or her record for as long as required by s. 213.35; and

 6         f.  Unless the nonresident purchaser of a boat of 5 net

 7  tons of admeasurement or larger intends to remove the boat

 8  from this state within 10 days after the date of purchase or

 9  when the boat is repaired or altered, within 20 days after

10  completion of the repairs or alterations, the nonresident

11  purchaser shall apply to the selling dealer for a decal which

12  authorizes 90 days after the date of purchase for removal of

13  the boat.  The department is authorized to issue decals in

14  advance to dealers.  The number of decals issued in advance to

15  a dealer shall be consistent with the volume of the dealer's

16  past sales of boats which qualify under this sub-subparagraph.

17  The selling dealer or his or her agent shall mark and affix

18  the decals to qualifying boats in the manner prescribed by the

19  department, prior to delivery of the boat.

20         (I)  The department is hereby authorized to charge

21  dealers a fee sufficient to recover the costs of decals

22  issued.

23         (II)  The proceeds from the sale of decals will be

24  deposited into the administrative trust fund.

25         (III)  Decals shall display information to identify the

26  boat as a qualifying boat under this sub-subparagraph,

27  including, but not limited to, the decal's date of expiration.

28         (IV)  The department is authorized to require dealers

29  who purchase decals to file reports with the department and

30  may prescribe all necessary records by rule. All such records

31  are subject to inspection by the department.

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 1         (V)  Any dealer or his or her agent who issues a decal

 2  falsely, fails to affix a decal, mismarks the expiration date

 3  of a decal, or fails to properly account for decals will be

 4  considered prima facie to have committed a fraudulent act to

 5  evade the tax and will be liable for payment of the tax plus a

 6  mandatory penalty of 200 percent of the tax, and shall be

 7  liable for fine and punishment as provided by law for a

 8  conviction of a misdemeanor of the first degree, as provided

 9  in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

10         (VI)  Any nonresident purchaser of a boat who removes a

11  decal prior to permanently removing the boat from the state,

12  or defaces, changes, modifies, or alters a decal in a manner

13  affecting its expiration date prior to its expiration, or who

14  causes or allows the same to be done by another, will be

15  considered prima facie to have committed a fraudulent act to

16  evade the tax and will be liable for payment of the tax plus a

17  mandatory penalty of 200 percent of the tax, and shall be

18  liable for fine and punishment as provided by law for a

19  conviction of a misdemeanor of the first degree, as provided

20  in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

21         (VII)  The department is authorized to adopt rules

22  necessary to administer and enforce this subparagraph and to

23  publish the necessary forms and instructions.

24         (VIII)  The department is hereby authorized to adopt

25  emergency rules pursuant to s. 120.54(4) to administer and

26  enforce the provisions of this subparagraph.

27  

28  If the purchaser fails to remove the qualifying boat from this

29  state within 90 days after purchase or a nonqualifying boat or

30  an aircraft airplane from this state within 10 days after

31  purchase or, when the boat or aircraft airplane is repaired or

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 1  altered, within 20 days after completion of such repairs or

 2  alterations, or permits the boat or aircraft airplane to

 3  return to this state within 6 months from the date of

 4  departure, or if the purchaser fails to furnish the department

 5  with any of the documentation required by this subparagraph

 6  within the prescribed time period, the purchaser shall be

 7  liable for use tax on the cost price of the boat or aircraft

 8  airplane and, in addition thereto, payment of a penalty to the

 9  Department of Revenue equal to the tax payable.  This penalty

10  shall be in lieu of the penalty imposed by s. 212.12(2) and is

11  mandatory and shall not be waived by the department.  The

12  90-day period following the sale of a qualifying boat tax

13  exempt to a nonresident may not be tolled for any reason.

14  Notwithstanding other provisions of this paragraph to the

15  contrary, an aircraft purchased in this state under the

16  provisions of this paragraph may be returned to this state for

17  repairs within 6 months after the date of its departure

18  without being in violation of the law and without incurring

19  liability for the payment of tax or penalty on the purchase

20  price of the aircraft if the aircraft is removed from this

21  state within 20 days after the completion of the repairs and

22  if such removal can be demonstrated by invoices for fuel,

23  tie-down, hangar charges issued by out-of-state vendors or

24  suppliers, or similar documentation.

25         Section 14.  Paragraph (e) of subsection (1) of section

26  212.06, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

27         212.06  Sales, storage, use tax; collectible from

28  dealers; "dealer" defined; dealers to collect from purchasers;

29  legislative intent as to scope of tax.--

30         (1)

31  

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 1         (e)1.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this

 2  chapter, tax shall not be imposed on any vessel registered

 3  under pursuant to s. 328.52 by a vessel dealer or vessel

 4  manufacturer with respect to a vessel used solely for

 5  demonstration, sales promotional, or testing purposes. The

 6  term "promotional purposes" shall include, but not be limited

 7  to, participation in fishing tournaments.  For the purposes of

 8  this paragraph, "promotional purposes" means the entry of the

 9  vessel in a marine-related event where prospective purchasers

10  would be in attendance, where the vessel is entered in the

11  name of the dealer or manufacturer, and where the vessel is

12  clearly marked as for sale, on which vessel the name of the

13  dealer or manufacturer is clearly displayed, and which vessel

14  has never been transferred into the dealer's or manufacturer's

15  accounting books from an inventory item to a capital asset for

16  depreciation purposes.

17         2.  The provisions of this paragraph do not apply to

18  any vessel when used for transporting persons or goods for

19  compensation; when offered, let, or rented to another for

20  consideration; when offered for rent or hire as a means of

21  transportation for compensation; or when offered or used to

22  provide transportation for persons solicited through personal

23  contact or through advertisement on a "share expense" basis.

24         3.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this

25  chapter, tax may not be imposed on any vessel imported into

26  this state for the sole purpose of being offered for sale at

27  retail by a yacht broker or yacht dealer registered in this

28  state if the vessel remains under the care, custody, and

29  control of the registered broker or dealer and the owner of

30  the vessel does not make personal use of the vessel during

31  that time. The provisions of this chapter govern the

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 1  taxability of any sale or use of the vessel subsequent to its

 2  importation under this provision.

 3         Section 15.  Present paragraph (e) of subsection (2) of

 4  section 212.12, Florida Statutes, is redesignated as paragraph

 5  (f), present paragraph (f) of that subsection is redesignated

 6  as paragraph (g) and amended, and a new paragraph (e) is added

 7  to that subsection, to read:

 8         212.12  Dealer's credit for collecting tax; penalties

 9  for noncompliance; powers of Department of Revenue in dealing

10  with delinquents; brackets applicable to taxable transactions;

11  records required.--

12         (2)

13         (e)  A person who willfully attempts in any manner to

14  evade any tax, surcharge, or fee imposed under this chapter or

15  the payment thereof is, in addition to any other penalties

16  provided by law, liable for a specific penalty in the amount

17  of 100 percent of the tax, surcharge, or fee, and commits a

18  felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s.

19  775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

20         (g)(f)  A dealer who files Dealers filing a

21  consolidated return pursuant to s. 212.11(1)(e) is shall be

22  subject to the penalty established in paragraph (e) unless the

23  dealer has paid the required estimated tax for his or her

24  consolidated return as a whole without regard to each

25  location.  If the dealer fails to pay the required estimated

26  tax for his or her consolidated return as a whole, each filing

27  location shall stand on its own with respect to calculating

28  penalties pursuant to paragraph (f) (e).

29         Section 16.  Paragraph (l) of subsection (7) of section

30  213.053, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

31         213.053  Confidentiality and information sharing.--

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 1         (7)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this

 2  section, the department may provide:

 3         (l)  Information relative to chapter 212 and the Bill

 4  of Lading Program to the Office of Agriculture Law Enforcement

 5  of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in the

 6  conduct of its official duties the Bill of Lading Program.

 7  This information is limited to the business name and whether

 8  the business is in compliance with chapter 212.

 9         Section 17.  Subsection (10) of section 213.21, Florida

10  Statutes, is amended to read:

11         213.21  Informal conferences; compromises.--

12         (10)(a)  Effective July 1, 2003, Notwithstanding any

13  other provision of law and solely for the purpose of

14  administering the taxes tax imposed by ss. 125.0104 and

15  125.0108, and chapter 212, except s. 212.0606, under the

16  circumstances set forth in this subsection, the department

17  shall settle or compromise a taxpayer's liability for penalty

18  without requiring the taxpayer to submit a written request for

19  compromise or settlement.

20         (b)  For taxpayers who file returns and remit tax on a

21  monthly basis:

22         1.  Any penalty related to a noncompliant filing event

23  shall be settled or compromised if the taxpayer has:

24         a.  No noncompliant filing event in the immediately

25  preceding 12-month period and no unresolved chapter 212

26  liability under s. 125.0104, s. 125.0108, or chapter 212

27  resulting from a noncompliant filing event; or

28         b.  One noncompliant filing event in the immediately

29  preceding 12-month period, resolution of the current

30  noncompliant filing event through payment of tax and interest

31  and the filing of a return within 30 days after notification

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 1  by the department, and no unresolved chapter 212 liability

 2  under s. 125.0104, s. 125.0108, or chapter 212 resulting from

 3  a noncompliant filing event.

 4         2.  If a taxpayer has two or more noncompliant filing

 5  events in the immediately preceding 12-month period, the

 6  taxpayer shall be liable, absent a showing by the taxpayer

 7  that the noncompliant filing event was due to extraordinary

 8  circumstances, for the penalties provided in s. 125.0104 or s.

 9  125.0108 and s. 212.12, including loss of collection

10  allowance, and shall be reported to a credit bureau.

11         (c)  For taxpayers who file returns and remit tax on a

12  quarterly basis, any penalty related to a noncompliant filing

13  event shall be settled or compromised if the taxpayer has no

14  noncompliant filing event in the immediately preceding

15  12-month period and no unresolved chapter 212 liability under

16  s. 125.0104, s. 125.0108, or chapter 212 resulting from a

17  noncompliant filing event.

18         (d)  For purposes of this subsection:

19         1.  "Noncompliant filing event" means a failure to

20  timely file a complete and accurate return required under s.

21  125.0104, s. 125.0108, or chapter 212 or a failure to timely

22  pay the amount of tax reported on a return required by s.

23  125.0104, s. 125.0108, or chapter 212.

24         2.  "Extraordinary circumstances" means the occurrence

25  of events beyond the control of the taxpayer, such as, but not

26  limited to, the death of the taxpayer, acts of war or

27  terrorism, natural disasters, fire, or other casualty, or the

28  nonfeasance or misfeasance of the taxpayer's employees or

29  representatives responsible for compliance with s. 125.0104,

30  s. 125.0108, or the provisions of chapter 212. With respect to

31  the acts of an employee or representative, the taxpayer must

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 1  show that the principals of the business lacked actual

 2  knowledge of the noncompliance and that the noncompliance was

 3  resolved within 30 days after actual knowledge.

 4         Section 18.  The amendment to section 213.21(10),

 5  Florida Statutes, as made by this act, shall operate

 6  retroactively to July 1, 2003.

 7         Section 19.  Subsections (1) and (2) of section 213.27,

 8  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

 9         213.27  Contracts with debt collection agencies and

10  certain vendors.--

11         (1)  The Department of Revenue may, for the purpose of

12  collecting any delinquent taxes due from a taxpayer, including

13  taxes for which a bill or notice has been generated, contract

14  with any debt collection agency or attorney doing business

15  within or without this state for the collection of such

16  delinquent taxes including penalties and interest thereon. The

17  department may also share confidential information pursuant to

18  the contract necessary for the collection of delinquent taxes

19  and taxes for which a billing or notice has been generated.

20  Contracts will be made pursuant to chapter 287.  The taxpayer

21  must be notified by mail by the department, its employees, or

22  its authorized representative at least 30 days prior to

23  commencing any litigation to recover any delinquent taxes. The

24  taxpayer must be notified by mail by the department at least

25  30 days prior to the initial assignment by the department of

26  the taxpayer's account for assigning the collection of any

27  taxes by to the debt collection agency.

28         (2)  The department may enter into contracts with any

29  individual or business for the purpose of identifying

30  intangible personal property tax liability.  Contracts may

31  provide for the identification of assets subject to the tax on

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 1  intangible personal property, the determination of value of

 2  such property, the requirement for filing a tax return and the

 3  collection of taxes due, including applicable penalties and

 4  interest thereon. The department may share confidential

 5  information pursuant to the contract necessary for the

 6  identification of taxable intangible personal property.

 7  Contracts shall be made pursuant to chapter 287.  The taxpayer

 8  must be notified by mail by the department at least 30 days

 9  prior to the department assigning identification of intangible

10  personal property to an individual or business.

11         Section 20.  Subsection (2) of section 215.26, Florida

12  Statutes, is amended to read:

13         215.26  Repayment of funds paid into State Treasury

14  through error.--

15         (2)  Application for refunds as provided by this

16  section must be filed with the Chief Financial Officer, except

17  as otherwise provided in this subsection, within 3 years after

18  the right to the refund has accrued or else the right is

19  barred. Except as provided in chapter 198, and s. 220.23, and

20  s. 624.50921, an application for a refund of a tax enumerated

21  in s. 72.011, which tax was paid after September 30, 1994, and

22  before July 1, 1999, must be filed with the Chief Financial

23  Officer within 5 years after the date the tax is paid, and

24  within 3 years after the date the tax was paid for taxes paid

25  on or after July 1, 1999. The Chief Financial Officer may

26  delegate the authority to accept an application for refund to

27  any state agency, or the judicial branch, vested by law with

28  the responsibility for the collection of any tax, license, or

29  account due. The application for refund must be on a form

30  approved by the Chief Financial Officer and must be

31  supplemented with additional proof the Chief Financial Officer

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 1  deems necessary to establish the claim; provided, the claim is

 2  not otherwise barred under the laws of this state. Upon

 3  receipt of an application for refund, the judicial branch or

 4  the state agency to which the funds were paid shall make a

 5  determination of the amount due. If an application for refund

 6  is denied, in whole or in part, the judicial branch or such

 7  state agency shall notify the applicant stating the reasons

 8  therefor. Upon approval of an application for refund, the

 9  judicial branch or such state agency shall furnish the Chief

10  Financial Officer with a properly executed voucher authorizing

11  payment.

12         Section 21.  Effective for policies issued or renewed

13  on or after January 1, 2006, section 252.372, Florida

14  Statutes, is amended to read:

15         252.372  Imposition and collection of surcharge.--In

16  order to provide funds for emergency management, preparedness,

17  and assistance, an annual surcharge of $2 per policy shall be

18  imposed on every homeowner's, mobile home owner's, tenant

19  homeowner's, and condominium unit owner's policy, and an

20  annual $4 surcharge shall be imposed on every commercial fire,

21  commercial multiple peril, and business owner's property

22  insurance policy, issued or renewed on or after May 1, 1993.

23  The surcharge shall be paid by the policyholder to the

24  insurer.  The insurer shall collect the surcharge and remit it

25  to the Department of Revenue, which shall collect, administer,

26  audit, and enforce the surcharge pursuant to s. 624.5092.  The

27  surcharge is not to be considered premiums of the insurer;

28  however, nonpayment of the surcharge by the insured may be a

29  valid reason for cancellation of the policy. For those

30  policies in which the surplus lines tax and the service fee

31  are collected and remitted to the Surplus Lines Service

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 1  Office, as created under s. 626.921, the surcharge must be

 2  remitted to the service office at the same time as the surplus

 3  lines tax is remitted. All penalties for failure to remit the

 4  surplus lines tax and service fee are applicable for those

 5  surcharges required to be remitted to the service office. The

 6  service office shall deposit all surcharges that it collects

 7  into the Emergency Management, Preparedness, and Assistance

 8  Trust Fund at least monthly. All proceeds of the surcharge

 9  shall be deposited in the Emergency Management, Preparedness,

10  and Assistance Trust Fund and may not be used to supplant

11  existing funding.

12         Section 22.  Effective January 1, 2006, paragraph (e)

13  of subsection (3) of section 443.131, Florida Statutes, is

14  amended, present paragraphs (g), (h), (i), and (j) of that

15  subsection are redesignated as paragraphs (h), (i), (j), and

16  (k), respectively, and a new paragraph (g) is added to that

17  subsection to read:

18         443.131  Contributions.--

19         (3)  VARIATION OF CONTRIBUTION RATES BASED ON BENEFIT

20  EXPERIENCE.--

21         (e)  Assignment of variations from the standard rate.--

22         1.  The tax collection service provider shall assign a

23  variation from the standard rate of contributions for each

24  calendar year to each eligible employer. In determining the

25  contribution rate, varying from the standard rate to be

26  assigned each employer, adjustment factors computed under

27  sub-subparagraphs a.-c. shall be added to the benefit ratio.

28  This addition shall be accomplished in two steps by adding a

29  variable adjustment factor and a final adjustment factor. The

30  sum of these adjustment factors computed under

31  sub-subparagraphs a.-c. shall first be algebraically summed.

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 1  The sum of these adjustment factors shall next be divided by a

 2  gross benefit ratio determined as follows: Total benefit

 3  payments for the 3-year period described in subparagraph (b)2.

 4  shall be charged to employers eligible for a variation from

 5  the standard rate, minus excess payments for the same period,

 6  divided by taxable payroll entering into the computation of

 7  individual benefit ratios for the calendar year for which the

 8  contribution rate is being computed. The ratio of the sum of

 9  the adjustment factors computed under sub-subparagraphs a.-c.

10  to the gross benefit ratio shall be multiplied by each

11  individual benefit ratio that is less than the maximum

12  contribution rate to obtain variable adjustment factors;

13  except that in any instance in which the sum of an employer's

14  individual benefit ratio and variable adjustment factor

15  exceeds the maximum contribution rate, the variable adjustment

16  factor shall be reduced in order that the sum equals the

17  maximum contribution rate. The variable adjustment factor for

18  each of these employers is multiplied by his or her taxable

19  payroll entering into the computation of his or her benefit

20  ratio. The sum of these products shall be divided by the

21  taxable payroll of the employers who entered into the

22  computation of their benefit ratios. The resulting ratio shall

23  be subtracted from the sum of the adjustment factors computed

24  under sub-subparagraphs a.-c. to obtain the final adjustment

25  factor. The variable adjustment factors and the final

26  adjustment factor shall be computed to five decimal places and

27  rounded to the fourth decimal place. This final adjustment

28  factor shall be added to the variable adjustment factor and

29  benefit ratio of each employer to obtain each employer's

30  contribution rate. An employer's contribution rate may not,

31  however, be rounded to less than 0.1 percent.

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 1         a.  An adjustment factor for noncharge benefits shall

 2  be computed to the fifth decimal place and rounded to the

 3  fourth decimal place by dividing the amount of noncharge

 4  benefits during the 3-year period described in subparagraph

 5  (b)2. by the taxable payroll of employers eligible for a

 6  variation from the standard rate who have a benefit ratio for

 7  the current year which is less than the maximum contribution

 8  rate. For purposes of computing this adjustment factor, the

 9  taxable payroll of these employers is the taxable payrolls for

10  the 3 years ending June 30 of the current calendar year as

11  reported to the tax collection service provider by September

12  30 of the same calendar year. As used in this

13  sub-subparagraph, the term "noncharge benefits" means benefits

14  paid to an individual from the Unemployment Compensation Trust

15  Fund, but which were not charged to the employment record of

16  any employer.

17         b.  An adjustment factor for excess payments shall be

18  computed to the fifth decimal place, and rounded to the fourth

19  decimal place by dividing the total excess payments during the

20  3-year period described in subparagraph (b)2. by the taxable

21  payroll of employers eligible for a variation from the

22  standard rate who have a benefit ratio for the current year

23  which is less than the maximum contribution rate. For purposes

24  of computing this adjustment factor, the taxable payroll of

25  these employers is the same figure used to compute the

26  adjustment factor for noncharge benefits under

27  sub-subparagraph a. As used in this sub-subparagraph, the term

28  "excess payments" means the amount of benefits charged to the

29  employment record of an employer during the 3-year period

30  described in subparagraph (b)2., less the product of the

31  maximum contribution rate and the employer's taxable payroll

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 1  for the 3 years ending June 30 of the current calendar year as

 2  reported to the tax collection service provider by September

 3  30 of the same calendar year. As used in this

 4  sub-subparagraph, the term "total excess payments" means the

 5  sum of the individual employer excess payments for those

 6  employers that were eligible to be considered for assignment

 7  of a contribution rate different a variation from the standard

 8  rate.

 9         c.  If the balance of the Unemployment Compensation

10  Trust Fund on June 30 of the calendar year immediately

11  preceding the calendar year for which the contribution rate is

12  being computed is less than 3.7 percent of the taxable

13  payrolls for the year ending June 30 as reported to the tax

14  collection service provider by September 30 of that calendar

15  year, a positive adjustment factor shall be computed. The

16  positive adjustment factor shall be computed annually to the

17  fifth decimal place and rounded to the fourth decimal place by

18  dividing the sum of the total taxable payrolls for the year

19  ending June 30 of the current calendar year as reported to the

20  tax collection service provider by September 30 of that

21  calendar year into a sum equal to one-fourth of the difference

22  between the balance of the fund as of June 30 of that calendar

23  year and the sum of 4.7 percent of the total taxable payrolls

24  for that year. The positive adjustment factor remains in

25  effect for subsequent years until the balance of the

26  Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund as of June 30 of the year

27  immediately preceding the effective date of the contribution

28  rate equals or exceeds 3.7 percent of the taxable payrolls for

29  the year ending June 30 of the current calendar year as

30  reported to the tax collection service provider by September

31  30 of that calendar year. If the balance of the Unemployment

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 1  Compensation Trust Fund as of June 30 of the year immediately

 2  preceding the calendar year for which the contribution rate is

 3  being computed exceeds 4.7 percent of the taxable payrolls for

 4  the year ending June 30 of the current calendar year as

 5  reported to the tax collection service provider by September

 6  30 of that calendar year, a negative adjustment factor shall

 7  be computed. The negative adjustment factor shall be computed

 8  annually to the fifth decimal place and rounded to the fourth

 9  decimal place by dividing the sum of the total taxable

10  payrolls for the year ending June 30 of the current calendar

11  year as reported to the tax collection service provider by

12  September 30 of the calendar year into a sum equal to

13  one-fourth of the difference between the balance of the fund

14  as of June 30 of the current calendar year and 4.7 percent of

15  the total taxable payrolls of that year. The negative

16  adjustment factor remains in effect for subsequent years until

17  the balance of the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund as of

18  June 30 of the year immediately preceding the effective date

19  of the contribution rate is less than 4.7 percent, but more

20  than 3.7 percent of the taxable payrolls for the year ending

21  June 30 of the current calendar year as reported to the tax

22  collection service provider by September 30 of that calendar

23  year.

24         d.  The maximum contribution rate that may be assigned

25  to an employer is 5.4 percent, except employers participating

26  in an approved short-time compensation plan may be assigned a

27  maximum contribution rate that is 1 percent greater than the

28  maximum contribution rate for other employers in any calendar

29  year in which short-time compensation benefits are charged to

30  the employer's employment record.

31  

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 1         2.  If the transfer of an employer's employment record

 2  to an employing unit under paragraph (f) which, before the

 3  transfer, was an employer, the tax collection service provider

 4  shall recompute a benefit ratio for the successor employer

 5  based on the combined employment records and reassign an

 6  appropriate contribution rate to the successor employer

 7  effective on the first day of the calendar quarter immediately

 8  after the effective date of the transfer.

 9         (g)  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, upon

10  transfer or acquisition of a business, the following

11  conditions apply to the assignment of rates and to transfers

12  of unemployment experience:

13         1.a.  If an employer transfers its trade or business,

14  or a portion thereof, to another employer and, at the time of

15  the transfer, there is any common ownership, management, or

16  control of the two employers, the unemployment experience

17  attributable to the transferred trade or business shall be

18  transferred to the employer to whom the business is so

19  transferred.  The rates of both employers shall be

20  recalculated and made effective as of the beginning of the

21  calendar quarter immediately following the date of the

22  transfer of the trade or business unless the transfer occurred

23  on the first day of a calendar quarter, in which case the rate

24  shall be recalculated as of that date.

25         b.  If, following a transfer of experience under

26  sub-subparagraph a., the Agency for Workforce Innovation or

27  the tax collection service provider determines that a

28  substantial purpose of the transfer of trade or business was

29  to obtain a reduced liability for contributions, the

30  experience rating account of the employers involved shall be

31  

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 1  combined into a single account and a single rate assigned to

 2  the account.

 3         2.  Whenever a person who is not at the time an

 4  employer under this chapter acquires the trade or business of

 5  an employer, the unemployment experience of the acquired

 6  business shall not be transferred to the person if the Agency

 7  for Workforce Innovation or the tax collection service

 8  provider finds that such person acquired the business solely

 9  or primarily for the purpose of obtaining a lower rate of

10  contributions.  Instead, such person shall be assigned the new

11  employer rate under paragraph (2)(a). In determining whether

12  the business was acquired solely or primarily for the purpose

13  of obtaining a lower rate of contributions, the tax collection

14  service provider shall consider:

15         a.  Whether the person continued the business

16  enterprise of the acquired business;

17         b.  How long such business enterprise was continued; or

18         c.  Whether a substantial number of new employees was

19  hired for performance of duties unrelated to the business

20  activity conducted before the acquisition.

21         3.  If a person knowingly violates or attempts to

22  violate subparagraph 1. or subparagraph 2. or any other

23  provision of this chapter relating to determining the

24  assignment of a contribution rate, or if a person knowingly

25  advises another person to violate the law, the person shall be

26  subject to the following penalties:

27         a.  If the person is an employer, the employer shall be

28  assigned the highest rate assignable under this chapter for

29  the rate year during which such violation or attempted

30  violation occurred and for the 3 rate years immediately

31  following this rate year. However, if the person's business is

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 1  already at the highest rate for any year, or if the amount of

 2  increase in the person's rate would be less than 2 percent for

 3  such year, then a penalty rate of contribution of 2 percent of

 4  taxable wages shall be imposed for such year.

 5         b.  If the person is not an employer, the person shall

 6  be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $5,000. The

 7  procedures for the assessment of a penalty shall be in

 8  accordance with the procedures set forth in s. 443.141(2), and

 9  the provisions of s. 443.141(3) shall apply to the collection

10  of the penalty.  Any such penalty shall be deposited in the

11  penalty and interest account established under s. 443.211(2).

12         4.  For the purposes of this paragraph, the term:

13         a.  "Knowingly" means having actual knowledge of or

14  acting with deliberate ignorance or reckless disregard for the

15  prohibition involved.

16         b.  "Violates or attempts to violate" includes, but is

17  not limited to, intent to evade, misrepresent, or willfully

18  nondisclose.

19         c.  "Person" has the meaning given to the term by s.

20  7701(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

21         d.  "Trade or business" includes the employer's

22  workforce.

23         5.  In addition to the penalty imposed by subparagraph

24  3., any person who violates this paragraph commits a felony of

25  the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082,  s.

26  775.083, or s. 775.084.

27         6.  The Agency for Workforce Innovation and the tax

28  collection service provider shall establish procedures to

29  identify the transfer or acquisition of a business for the

30  purposes of this paragraph and shall adopt any rules necessary

31  to administer this paragraph.

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 1         7.  This paragraph shall be interpreted and applied in

 2  such a manner as to meet the minimum requirements contained in

 3  any guidance or regulations issued by the United States

 4  Department of Labor.

 5         Section 23.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) and

 6  paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section 443.141, Florida

 7  Statutes, are amended to read:

 8         443.141  Collection of contributions and

 9  reimbursements.--

10         (2)  REPORTS, CONTRIBUTIONS, APPEALS.--

11         (a)  Failure to make reports and pay contributions.--If

12  an employing unit determined by the tax collection service

13  provider to be an employer subject to this chapter fails to

14  make and file any report as and when required by this chapter

15  or by any rule of the Agency for Workforce Innovation or the

16  state agency providing tax collection services, for the

17  purpose of determining the amount of contributions due by the

18  employer under this chapter, or if any filed report is found

19  by the service provider to be incorrect or insufficient, and

20  the employer, after being notified in writing by the service

21  provider to file the report, or a corrected or sufficient

22  report, as applicable, fails to file the report within 15 days

23  after the date of the mailing of the notice, the tax

24  collection service provider may:

25         1.  Determine the amount of contributions due from the

26  employer based on the information readily available to it,

27  which determination is deemed to be prima facie correct;

28         2.  Assess the employer the amount of contributions

29  determined to be due; and

30         3.  Immediately notify the employer by registered or

31  certified mail of the determination and assessment including

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 1  penalties as provided in this chapter, if any, added and

 2  assessed, and demand payment together with interest on the

 3  amount of contributions from the date that amount was due and

 4  payable.

 5         (3)  COLLECTION PROCEEDINGS.--

 6         (a)  Lien for payment of contributions or

 7  reimbursements.--

 8         1.  There is created a lien in favor of the tax

 9  collection service provider upon all the property, both real

10  and personal, of any employer liable for payment of any

11  contribution or reimbursement levied and imposed under this

12  chapter for the amount of the contributions or reimbursements

13  due, together with interest, costs, and penalties. If any

14  contribution or reimbursement imposed under this chapter or

15  any portion of that contribution, reimbursement, interest, or

16  penalty is not paid within 60 days after becoming delinquent,

17  the tax collection service provider may subsequently issue a

18  notice of lien that may be filed in the office of the clerk of

19  the circuit court of any county in which the delinquent

20  employer owns property or has conducted business. The notice

21  of lien must include the periods for which the contributions,

22  reimbursements, interest, or penalties are demanded and the

23  amounts due. A copy of the notice of lien must be mailed to

24  the employer at her or his last known address by registered

25  mail. The notice of lien may not be issued and recorded until

26  15 days after the date the assessment becomes final under

27  subsection (2). Upon presentation of the notice of lien, the

28  clerk of the circuit court shall record it in a book

29  maintained for that purpose, and the amount of the notice of

30  lien, together with the cost of recording and interest

31  accruing upon the amount of the contribution or reimbursement,

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 1  becomes a lien upon the title to and interest, whether legal

 2  or equitable, in any real property, chattels real, or personal

 3  property of the employer against whom the notice of lien is

 4  issued, in the same manner as a judgment of the circuit court

 5  docketed in the office of the circuit court clerk, with

 6  execution issued to the sheriff for levy. This lien is prior,

 7  preferred, and superior to all mortgages or other liens filed,

 8  recorded, or acquired after the notice of lien is filed. Upon

 9  the payment of the amounts due, or upon determination by the

10  tax collection service provider that the notice of lien was

11  erroneously issued, the lien is satisfied when the service

12  provider acknowledges in writing that the lien is fully

13  satisfied. A lien's satisfaction does not need to be

14  acknowledged before any notary or other public officer, and

15  the signature of the director of the tax collection service

16  provider or his or her designee is conclusive evidence of the

17  satisfaction of the lien, which satisfaction shall be recorded

18  by the clerk of the circuit court who receives the fees for

19  those services.

20         2.  The tax collection service provider may

21  subsequently issue a warrant directed to any sheriff in this

22  state, commanding him or her to levy upon and sell any real or

23  personal property of the employer liable for any amount under

24  this chapter within his or her jurisdiction, for payment, with

25  the added penalties and interest and the costs of executing

26  the warrant, together with the costs of the clerk of the

27  circuit court in recording and docketing the notice of lien,

28  and to return the warrant to the service provider with

29  payment. The warrant may only be issued and enforced for all

30  amounts due to the tax collection service provider on the date

31  the warrant is issued, together with interest accruing on the

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 1  contribution or reimbursement due from the employer to the

 2  date of payment at the rate provided in this section. In the

 3  event of sale of any assets of the employer, however,

 4  priorities under the warrant shall be determined in accordance

 5  with the priority established by any notices of lien filed by

 6  the tax collection service provider and recorded by the clerk

 7  of the circuit court. The sheriff shall execute the warrant in

 8  the same manner prescribed by law for executions issued by the

 9  clerk of the circuit court for judgments of the circuit court.

10  The sheriff is entitled to the same fees for executing the

11  warrant as for a writ of execution out of the circuit court,

12  and these fees must be collected in the same manner.

13         Section 24.  Section 624.50921, Florida Statutes, is

14  created to read:

15         624.50921  Adjustments.--

16         (1)  If a taxpayer is required to amend its corporate

17  income tax liability under chapter 220, or the taxpayer

18  receives a refund of its workers' compensation administrative

19  assessment paid under chapter 440, the taxpayer shall file an

20  amended insurance premium tax return not later than 60 days

21  after such an occurrence.

22         (2)  If an amended insurance premium tax return is

23  required under subsection (1), notwithstanding any other

24  provision of s. 95.091(3):

25         (a)  A notice of deficiency may be issued at any time

26  within 3 years after the date the amended insurance premium

27  tax return is given; or

28         (b)  If a taxpayer fails to file an amended insurance

29  premium tax return, a notice of deficiency may be issued at

30  any time.

31  

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 1  The amount of any proposed assessment set forth in such a

 2  notice of deficiency shall be limited to the amount of any

 3  deficiency resulting under this code from recomputation of the

 4  taxpayer's insurance premium tax and retaliatory tax for the

 5  taxable year after giving effect only to the change in

 6  corporate income tax paid and the change in the amount of the

 7  workers' compensation administrative assessment paid.

 8  Interest in accordance with s. 624.5092 is due on the amount

 9  of any deficiency from the date fixed for filing the original

10  insurance premium tax return for the taxable year until the

11  date of payment of the deficiency.

12         (3)  If an amended insurance premium tax return is

13  required by subsection (1), a claim for refund may be filed

14  within 2 years after the date on which the amended insurance

15  premium tax return was due, regardless of whether such notice

16  was given, notwithstanding any other provision of s. 215.26.

17  However, the amount recoverable pursuant to such a claim shall

18  be limited to the amount of any overpayment resulting under

19  this code from recomputation of the taxpayer's insurance

20  premium tax and retaliatory tax for the taxable year after

21  giving effect only to the change in corporate income tax paid

22  and the change in the amount of the workers' compensation

23  administrative assessment paid.

24         Section 25.  Subsection (5) of section 624.509, Florida

25  Statutes, is amended to read:

26         624.509  Premium tax; rate and computation.--

27         (5)

28         (a)1.  There shall be allowed a credit against the net

29  tax imposed by this section equal to 15 percent of the amount

30  paid by an the insurer in salaries to employees located or

31  

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 1  based within this state and who are covered by the provisions

 2  of chapter 443.

 3         2.  As an alternative to the credit allowed in

 4  subparagraph 1., an affiliated group of corporations which

 5  includes at least one insurance company writing premiums in

 6  Florida may elect to take a credit against the net tax imposed

 7  by this section in an amount that may not exceed 15 percent of

 8  the salary of the employees of the affiliated group of

 9  corporations who perform insurance-related activities, are

10  located or based within this state, and are covered by chapter

11  443. For purposes of this subparagraph, the term "affiliated

12  group of corporations" means two or more corporations that are

13  entirely owned directly or indirectly by a single corporation

14  and that constitute an affiliated group as defined in s.

15  1504(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. The amount of credit

16  allowed under this subparagraph is limited to the combined

17  Florida salary tax credits allowed for all insurance companies

18  that were members of the affiliated group of corporations for

19  the tax year ending December 31, 2002, divided by the combined

20  Florida taxable premiums written by all insurance companies

21  that were members of the affiliated group of corporations for

22  the tax year ending December 31, 2002, multiplied by the

23  combined Florida taxable premiums of the affiliated group of

24  corporations for the current year. An affiliated group of

25  corporations electing this alternative calculation method must

26  make such election on or before August 1, 2005. The election

27  of this alternative calculation method is irrevocable and

28  binding upon successors and assigns of the affiliated group of

29  corporations electing this alternative. However, if a member

30  of an affiliated group of corporations acquires or merges with

31  another insurance company after the date of the irrevocable

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 1  election, the acquired or merged company is not entitled to

 2  the affiliated group election and shall only be entitled to

 3  calculate the tax credit under subparagraph 1.

 4  

 5  In no event shall the salary paid to an employee by an

 6  affiliated group of corporations be claimed as a credit by

 7  more than one insurer or be counted more than once in an

 8  insurer's calculation of the credit as described in

 9  subparagraph 1. or subparagraph 2.  Only the portion of an

10  employee's salary paid for the performance of

11  insurance-related activities may be included in the

12  calculation of the premium tax credit in this subsection.

13         (b) For purposes of this subsection:

14         1.(a)  The term "salaries" does not include amounts

15  paid as commissions.

16         2.(b)  The term "employees" does not include

17  independent contractors or any person whose duties require

18  that the person hold a valid license under the Florida

19  Insurance Code, except adjusters, managing general agents, and

20  service representatives, as persons defined in s. 626.015 s.

21  626.015(1), (14), and (16).

22         3.(c)  The term "net tax" means the tax imposed by this

23  section after applying the calculations and credits set forth

24  in subsection (4).

25         4.(d)  An affiliated group of corporations that created

26  a service company within its affiliated group on July 30,

27  2002, shall allocate the salary of each service company

28  employee covered by contracts with affiliated group members to

29  the companies for which the employees perform services. The

30  salary allocation is based on the amount of time during the

31  tax year that the individual employee spends performing

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 1  services or otherwise working for each company over the total

 2  amount of time the employee spends performing services or

 3  otherwise working for all companies. The total amount of

 4  salary allocated to an insurance company within the affiliated

 5  group shall be included as that insurer's employee salaries

 6  for purposes of this section.

 7         a.1.  Except as provided in subparagraph 2., the term

 8  "affiliated group of corporations" means two or more

 9  corporations that are entirely owned by a single corporation

10  and that constitute an affiliated group of corporations as

11  defined in s. 1504(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.

12         b.2.  The term "service company" means a separate

13  corporation within the affiliated group of corporations whose

14  employees provide services to affiliated group members and

15  which are treated as service company employees for

16  unemployment compensation and common law purposes. The holding

17  company of an affiliated group may not qualify as a service

18  company. An insurance company may not qualify as a service

19  company.

20         c.3.  If an insurance company fails to substantiate,

21  whether by means of adequate records or otherwise, its

22  eligibility to claim the service company exception under this

23  section, or its salary allocation under this section, no

24  credit shall be allowed.

25         (c)  The department may adopt rules pursuant to ss.

26  120.536(1) and 120.54 to administer this subsection.

27         Section 26.  The intent of the revision to section

28  624.509(5)(b), Florida Statutes, in section 25 is to clarify

29  that adjusters, managing general agents, and service

30  representatives, as defined in section 626.015, Florida

31  Statutes, are considered employees for purposes of the salary

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 1  credit provided in section 626.509, Florida Statutes. The

 2  reference in section 624.509, Florida Statutes, to section

 3  626.015, Florida Statutes, was never intended to reference the

 4  definition of a "resident."

 5         Section 27.  Notwithstanding section 11 of chapter

 6  2000-312, Laws of Florida, section 213.21, Florida Statutes,

 7  shall not stand repealed on October 1, 2005, as scheduled by

 8  that law, but that section is revived and readopted.

 9         Section 28.  If a security agreement pledging

10  condominium or homeowner association assessments or fees or

11  club membership dues, fees, or assessments was recorded after

12  April 15, 2000, and before April 10, 2005, with a clerk of the

13  court, and if a Uniform Commercial Code financing statement

14  was filed with the Secretary of State or the Florida Secured

15  Transaction Registry with respect to such security agreement,

16  the excise tax on documents under chapter 201, Florida

17  Statutes, is not due solely as a result of the recording of

18  the security agreement if an affidavit attesting that the

19  security agreement was recorded in error or by mistake is

20  filed or recorded with the clerk of the court.

21         Section 29.  Except as otherwise expressly provided in

22  this act, this act shall take effect July 1, 2005.

23  

24  

25  

26  

27  

28  

29  

30  

31  

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 1          STATEMENT OF SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES CONTAINED IN
                       COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR
 2                         Senate Bill 2032

 3                                 

 4  This committee substitute:

 5  o    Provides a documentary stamp tax exemption for documents
         that were recorded in error between April 15, 2000 and
 6       before April 10, 2005.

 7  o    Allows all Florida salaries paid to people providing
         insurance related services and employed by affiliates to
 8       be eligible for salary credits, subject to certain
         limitations.
 9  
    o    Expands the authorized uses of convention development tax
10       revenues to include the acquisition, construction,
         extension, enlargement, remodeling, repair, improvement,
11       planning for, operation, management, or maintenance of
         golf courses.
12  

13  

14  

15  

16  

17  

18  

19  

20  

21  

22  

23  

24  

25  

26  

27  

28  

29  

30  

31  

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