1999 Minnesota Code
Chapters 296 - 299 Excise and Sales Taxes
Chapter 297F Cigarettes and Tobacco Taxes
Section 297F.16 Assessments.

297F.16 Assessments.

Subdivision 1. General rule. The commissioner shall make determinations, corrections, and assessments with respect to any tax under this chapter, including interest, additions to taxes, and assessable penalties.

Subd. 2. Commissioner filed returns. If a taxpayer fails to file a required return, the commissioner, from information in the commissioner's possession or obtainable by the commissioner, may make a return for the taxpayer. The return is prima facie correct and valid. The commissioner may use statistical or other sampling techniques consistent with generally accepted auditing standards in examining returns or records and making assessments.

Subd. 3. Order of assessment; notice and demand to taxpayer. (a) When a return has been filed and the commissioner determines that the tax disclosed by the return is different than the tax determined by the examination, the commissioner shall send an order of assessment to the taxpayer. When no return has been filed, the commissioner may make a return for the taxpayer under subdivision 2 or may send an order of assessment under this subdivision. The order must explain the basis for the assessment and must explain the taxpayer's appeal rights. An order of assessment is final when made but may be reconsidered by the commissioner under this chapter.

(b) Penalties under this chapter are not imposed and no collection action can be taken, including the filing of liens under section 270.69, if the amount shown on the order is paid to the commissioner:

(1) within 60 days after notice of the amount and demand for its payment have been mailed to the taxpayer by the commissioner; or

(2) if an administrative appeal is filed under this chapter, or a tax court appeal is filed under chapter 271, within 60 days following final determination of the appeal if the appeal is based upon a constitutional challenge to the tax, and if not, when the decision of the tax court is made.

Subd. 4. Erroneous refunds or credits. An erroneous refund or credit is considered an underpayment of tax on the date made. An assessment of a deficiency arising out of an erroneous refund or credit must be made within 3-1/2 years from the date prescribed for filing the return, plus any extension of time granted for filing the return, but only if filed within the extended time, or two years from the time the tax is paid in full, whichever period expires later.

Subd. 5. Assessment presumed valid. A return or assessment of tax made by the commissioner is prima facie correct and valid. The taxpayer has the burden of establishing its incorrectness or invalidity in any related action or proceeding.

Subd. 6. Aggregate refund or assessment. The commissioner, on examining returns of a taxpayer for more than one year or period, may issue one order covering the period under examination that reflects the aggregate refund or additional tax due.

Subd. 7. Sufficiency of notice. An order of assessment, sent postage prepaid by United States mail to the taxpayer at the taxpayer's last known address, is sufficient even if the taxpayer is deceased or is under a legal disability, or, in the case of a corporation, has terminated its existence, unless the department has been provided with a new address by a party authorized to receive notices of assessment.

HIST: 1997 c 106 art 1 s 16