2010 US Code
Title 50 - WAR AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
TITLE 50 - APPENDIX-WAR AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
SERVICEMEMBERS CIVIL RELIEF ACT
TITLE V - TAXES AND PUBLIC LANDS

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TITLE V—TAXES AND PUBLIC LANDS Prior Provisions

A prior section 560, acts Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, art. V, §500, 54 Stat. 1186; Oct. 6, 1942, ch. 581, §14, 56 Stat. 776, related to taxes respecting personalty, money, credits, or realty, sale of property to enforce collection, redemption of property sold, penalty for nonpayment, and notice of rights to beneficiaries of section, prior to the general amendment of this Act by Pub. L. 108–189. See section 561 of this Appendix.

§561. Taxes respecting personal property, money, credits, and real property (a) Application

This section applies in any case in which a tax or assessment, whether general or special (other than a tax on personal income), falls due and remains unpaid before or during a period of military service with respect to a servicemember's—

(1) personal property (including motor vehicles); or

(2) real property occupied for dwelling, professional, business, or agricultural purposes by a servicemember or the servicemember's dependents or employees—

(A) before the servicemember's entry into military service; and

(B) during the time the tax or assessment remains unpaid.

(b) Sale of property (1) Limitation on sale of property to enforce tax assessment

Property described in subsection (a) may not be sold to enforce the collection of such tax or assessment except by court order and upon the determination by the court that military service does not materially affect the servicemember's ability to pay the unpaid tax or assessment.

(2) Stay of court proceedings

A court may stay a proceeding to enforce the collection of such tax or assessment, or sale of such property, during a period of military service of the servicemember and for a period not more than 180 days after the termination of, or release of the servicemember from, military service.

(c) Redemption

When property described in subsection (a) is sold or forfeited to enforce the collection of a tax or assessment, a servicemember shall have the right to redeem or commence an action to redeem the servicemember's property during the period of military service or within 180 days after termination of or release from military service. This subsection may not be construed to shorten any period provided by the law of a State (including any political subdivision of a State) for redemption.

(d) Interest on tax or assessment

Whenever a servicemember does not pay a tax or assessment on property described in subsection (a) when due, the amount of the tax or assessment due and unpaid shall bear interest until paid at the rate of 6 percent per year. An additional penalty or interest shall not be incurred by reason of nonpayment. A lien for such unpaid tax or assessment may include interest under this subsection.

(e) Joint ownership application

This section applies to all forms of property described in subsection (a) owned individually by a servicemember or jointly by a servicemember and a dependent or dependents.

(Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, title V, §501, as added Pub. L. 108–189, §1, Dec. 19, 2003, 117 Stat. 2854.)

Prior Provisions

A prior section 561, act Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, art. V, §501, 54 Stat. 1187, related to rights in public lands and grazing lands, prior to the general amendment of this Act by Pub. L. 108–189. See section 562 of this Appendix.

§562. Rights in public lands (a) Rights not forfeited

The rights of a servicemember to lands owned or controlled by the United States, and initiated or acquired by the servicemember under the laws of the United States (including the mining and mineral leasing laws) before military service, shall not be forfeited or prejudiced as a result of being absent from the land, or by failing to begin or complete any work or improvements to the land, during the period of military service.

(b) Temporary suspension of permits or licenses

If a permittee or licensee under the Act of June 28, 1934 (43 U.S.C. 315 et seq.), enters military service, the permittee or licensee may suspend the permit or license for the period of military service and for 180 days after termination of or release from military service.

(c) Regulations

Regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Interior shall provide for such suspension of permits and licenses and for the remission, reduction, or refund of grazing fees during the period of such suspension.

(Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, title V, §502, as added Pub. L. 108–189, §1, Dec. 19, 2003, 117 Stat. 2855.)

References in Text

Act of June 28, 1934, referred to in subsec. (b), is act June 28, 1934, ch. 865, 48 Stat. 1269, as amended, popularly known as the Taylor Grazing Act, which is classified principally to subchapter I (§315 et seq.) of chapter 8A of Title 43, Public Lands. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 315 of Title 43 and Tables.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 562, act Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, art. V, §502, 54 Stat. 1187, related to homestead entries and settlement claims, prior to the general amendment of this Act by Pub. L. 108–189.

§563. Desert-land entries (a) Desert-land rights not forfeited

A desert-land entry made or held under the desert-land laws before the entrance of the entryman or the entryman's successor in interest into military service shall not be subject to contest or cancellation—

(1) for failure to expend any required amount per acre per year in improvements upon the claim;

(2) for failure to effect the reclamation of the claim during the period the entryman or the entryman's successor in interest is in the military service, or for 180 days after termination of or release from military service; or

(3) during any period of hospitalization or rehabilitation due to an injury or disability incurred in the line of duty.

The time within which the entryman or claimant is required to make such expenditures and effect reclamation of the land shall be exclusive of the time periods described in paragraphs (2) and (3).

(b) Service-related disability

If an entryman or claimant is honorably discharged and is unable to accomplish reclamation of, and payment for, desert land due to a disability incurred in the line of duty, the entryman or claimant may make proof without further reclamation or payments, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Interior, and receive a patent for the land entered or claimed.

(c) Filing requirement

In order to obtain the protection of this section, the entryman or claimant shall, within 180 days after entry into military service, cause to be filed in the land office of the district where the claim is situated a notice communicating the fact of military service and the desire to hold the claim under this section.

(Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, title V, §503, as added Pub. L. 108–189, §1, Dec. 19, 2003, 117 Stat. 2856.)

Prior Provisions

A prior section 563, act Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, art. V, §503, 54 Stat. 1187, related to death or incapacity during or resulting from service as affecting rights and perfection of rights, prior to the general amendment of this Act by Pub. L. 108–189. See section 566 of this Appendix.

§564. Mining claims (a) Requirements suspended

The provisions of section 2324 of the Revised Statutes of the United States (30 U.S.C. 28) specified in subsection (b) shall not apply to a servicemember's claims or interests in claims, regularly located and recorded, during a period of military service and 180 days thereafter, or during any period of hospitalization or rehabilitation due to injuries or disabilities incurred in the line of duty.

(b) Requirements

The provisions in section 2324 of the Revised Statutes that shall not apply under subsection (a) are those which require that on each mining claim located after May 10, 1872, and until a patent has been issued for such claim, not less than 0 worth of labor shall be performed or improvements made during each year.

(c) Period of protection from forfeiture

A mining claim or an interest in a claim owned by a servicemember that has been regularly located and recorded shall not be subject to forfeiture for nonperformance of annual assessments during the period of military service and for 180 days thereafter, or for any period of hospitalization or rehabilitation described in subsection (a).

(d) Filing requirement

In order to obtain the protections of this section, the claimant of a mining location shall, before the end of the assessment year in which military service is begun or within 60 days after the end of such assessment year, cause to be filed in the office where the location notice or certificate is recorded a notice communicating the fact of military service and the desire to hold the mining claim under this section.

(Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, title V, §504, as added Pub. L. 108–189, §1, Dec. 19, 2003, 117 Stat. 2856.)

Prior Provisions

A prior section 564, acts Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, art. V, §504, 54 Stat. 1187; Pub. L. 102–12, §9(19), Mar. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 40, related to desert-land entries and the suspension of requirements, prior to the general amendment of this Act by Pub. L. 108–189. See section 563 of this Appendix.

§565. Mineral permits and leases (a) Suspension during military service

A person holding a permit or lease on the public domain under the Federal mineral leasing laws who enters military service may suspend all operations under the permit or lease for the duration of military service and for 180 days thereafter. The term of the permit or lease shall not run during the period of suspension, nor shall any rental or royalties be charged against the permit or lease during the period of suspension.

(b) Notification

In order to obtain the protection of this section, the permittee or lessee shall, within 180 days after entry into military service, notify the Secretary of the Interior by registered mail of the fact that military service has begun and of the desire to hold the claim under this section.

(c) Contract modification

This section shall not be construed to supersede the terms of any contract for operation of a permit or lease.

(Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, title V, §505, as added Pub. L. 108–189, §1, Dec. 19, 2003, 117 Stat. 2857.)

Prior Provisions

A prior section 565, act Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, art. V, §505, 54 Stat. 1188; Pub. L. 102–12, §9(20), Mar. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 41, related to mining claims and the suspension of requirements, prior to the general amendment of this Act by Pub. L. 108–189. See section 564 of this Appendix.

§566. Perfection or defense of rights (a) Right to take action not affected

This title [sections 561 to 571 of this Appendix] shall not affect the right of a servicemember to take action during a period of military service that is authorized by law or regulations of the Department of the Interior, for the perfection, defense, or further assertion of rights initiated or acquired before entering military service.

(b) Affidavits and proofs (1) In general

A servicemember during a period of military service may make any affidavit or submit any proof required by law, practice, or regulation of the Department of the Interior in connection with the entry, perfection, defense, or further assertion of rights initiated or acquired before entering military service before an officer authorized to provide notary services under section 1044a of title 10, United States Code, or any superior commissioned officer.

(2) Legal status of affidavits

Such affidavits shall be binding in law and subject to the same penalties as prescribed by section 1001 of title 18, United State 1 Code.

(Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, title V, §506, as added Pub. L. 108–189, §1, Dec. 19, 2003, 117 Stat. 2857.)

Prior Provisions

A prior section 566, acts Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, art. V, §506, 54 Stat. 1188; Pub. L. 102–12, §9(21), Mar. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 41, related to mineral permits and leases and the suspension of operations and term of permits and leases, prior to the general amendment of this Act by Pub. L. 108–189. See section 565 of this Appendix.

1 So in original. Probably should be “States”.

§567. Distribution of information concerning benefits of title (a) Distribution of information by Secretary concerned

The Secretary concerned shall issue to servicemembers information explaining the provisions of this title [sections 561 to 571 of this Appendix].

(b) Application forms

The Secretary concerned shall provide application forms to servicemembers requesting relief under this title [sections 561 to 571 of this Appendix].

(c) Information from Secretary of the Interior

The Secretary of the Interior shall furnish to the Secretary concerned information explaining the provisions of this title [sections 561 to 571 of this Appendix] (other than sections 501, 510, and 511) [sections 561, 570, and 571 of this Appendix] and related application forms.

(Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, title V, §507, as added Pub. L. 108–189, §1, Dec. 19, 2003, 117 Stat. 2857.)

Prior Provisions

A prior section 567, acts Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, art. V, §507, 54 Stat. 1188; Pub. L. 102–12, §9(22), Mar. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 41, related to right to take action for perfection and defense of rights as unaffected, and affidavits and proofs, prior to the general amendment of this Act by Pub. L. 108–189. See section 566 of this Appendix.

§568. Land rights of servicemembers (a) No age limitations

Any servicemember under the age of 21 in military service shall be entitled to the same rights under the laws relating to lands owned or controlled by the United States, including mining and mineral leasing laws, as those servicemembers who are 21 years of age.

(b) Residency requirement

Any requirement related to the establishment of a residence within a limited time shall be suspended as to entry by a servicemember in military service or the spouse of such servicemember until 180 days after termination of or release from military service.

(c) Entry applications

Applications for entry may be verified before a person authorized to administer oaths under section 1044a of title 10, United States Code, or under the laws of the State where the land is situated.

(Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, title V, §508, as added Pub. L. 108–189, §1, Dec. 19, 2003, 117 Stat. 2857; amended Pub. L. 111–97, §4(a), Nov. 11, 2009, 123 Stat. 3008.)

Prior Provisions

A prior section 568, act Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, art. V, §508, 54 Stat. 1189, related to irrigation rights and suspension of residence requirements, prior to the general amendment of this Act by Pub. L. 108–189.

Amendments

2009—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 111–97 inserted “or the spouse of such servicemember” after “a servicemember in military service”.

Effective Date of 2009 Amendment

Pub. L. 111–97, §4(b), Nov. 11, 2009, 123 Stat. 3008, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to servicemembers in military service (as defined in section 101 of such Act (50 U.S.C. App. 511)) on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 11, 2009].”

§569. Regulations

The Secretary of the Interior may issue regulations necessary to carry out this title [sections 561 to 571 of this Appendix] (other than sections 501, 510, and 511) [sections 561, 570, and 571 of this Appendix].

(Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, title V, §509, as added Pub. L. 108–189, §1, Dec. 19, 2003, 117 Stat. 2858.)

Prior Provisions

A prior section 569, acts Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, art. V, §509, 54 Stat. 1189; Oct. 6, 1942, ch. 581, §15, 56 Stat. 776, related to distribution of information concerning benefits of tax and public lands provisions and forms, prior to the general amendment of this Act by Pub. L. 108–189. See section 567 of this Appendix.

§570. Income taxes (a) Deferral of tax

Upon notice to the Internal Revenue Service or the tax authority of a State or a political subdivision of a State, the collection of income tax on the income of a servicemember falling due before or during military service shall be deferred for a period not more than 180 days after termination of or release from military service, if a servicemember's ability to pay such income tax is materially affected by military service.

(b) Accrual of interest or penalty

No interest or penalty shall accrue for the period of deferment by reason of nonpayment on any amount of tax deferred under this section.

(c) Statute of limitations

The running of a statute of limitations against the collection of tax deferred under this section, by seizure or otherwise, shall be suspended for the period of military service of the servicemember and for an additional period of 270 days thereafter.

(d) Application limitation

This section shall not apply to the tax imposed on employees by section 3101 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [26 U.S.C. 3101].

(Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, title V, §510, as added Pub. L. 108–189, §1, Dec. 19, 2003, 117 Stat. 2858.)

Prior Provisions

A prior section 570, acts Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, art. V, §510, 54 Stat. 1189; Pub. L. 102–12, §9(23), Mar. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 41, related to homestead entrymen permitted to leave entries to perform farm labor, prior to the general amendment of this Act by Pub. L. 108–189.

§571. Residence for tax purposes (a) Residence or domicile (1) In general

A servicemember shall neither lose nor acquire a residence or domicile for purposes of taxation with respect to the person, personal property, or income of the servicemember by reason of being absent or present in any tax jurisdiction of the United States solely in compliance with military orders.

(2) Spouses

A spouse of a servicemember shall neither lose nor acquire a residence or domicile for purposes of taxation with respect to the person, personal property, or income of the spouse by reason of being absent or present in any tax jurisdiction of the United States solely to be with the servicemember in compliance with the servicemember's military orders if the residence or domicile, as the case may be, is the same for the servicemember and the spouse.

(b) Military service compensation

Compensation of a servicemember for military service shall not be deemed to be income for services performed or from sources within a tax jurisdiction of the United States if the servicemember is not a resident or domiciliary of the jurisdiction in which the servicemember is serving in compliance with military orders.

(c) Income of a military spouse

Income for services performed by the spouse of a servicemember shall not be deemed to be income for services performed or from sources within a tax jurisdiction of the United States if the spouse is not a resident or domiciliary of the jurisdiction in which the income is earned because the spouse is in the jurisdiction solely to be with the servicemember serving in compliance with military orders.

(d) Personal property (1) Relief from personal property taxes

The personal property of a servicemember or the spouse of a servicemember shall not be deemed to be located or present in, or to have a situs for taxation in, the tax jurisdiction in which the servicemember is serving in compliance with military orders.

(2) Exception for property within member's domicile or residence

This subsection applies to personal property or its use within any tax jurisdiction other than the servicemember's or the spouse's domicile or residence.

(3) Exception for property used in trade or business

This section does not prevent taxation by a tax jurisdiction with respect to personal property used in or arising from a trade or business, if it has jurisdiction.

(4) Relationship to law of State of domicile

Eligibility for relief from personal property taxes under this subsection is not contingent on whether or not such taxes are paid to the State of domicile.

(e) Increase of tax liability

A tax jurisdiction may not use the military compensation of a nonresident servicemember to increase the tax liability imposed on other income earned by the nonresident servicemember or spouse subject to tax by the jurisdiction.

(f) Federal Indian reservations

An Indian servicemember whose legal residence or domicile is a Federal Indian reservation shall be taxed by the laws applicable to Federal Indian reservations and not the State where the reservation is located.

(g) Definitions

For purposes of this section:

(1) Personal property

The term “personal property” means intangible and tangible property (including motor vehicles).

(2) Taxation

The term “taxation” includes licenses, fees, or excises imposed with respect to motor vehicles and their use, if the license, fee, or excise is paid by the servicemember in the servicemember's State of domicile or residence.

(3) Tax jurisdiction

The term “tax jurisdiction” means a State or a political subdivision of a State.

(Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, title V, §511, as added Pub. L. 108–189, §1, Dec. 19, 2003, 117 Stat. 2858; amended Pub. L. 111–97, §3(a), Nov. 11, 2009, 123 Stat. 3008.)

Prior Provisions

Prior sections 571 to 574 were omitted in the general amendment of this Act by Pub. L. 108–189.

Section 571, act Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, art. V, §511, 54 Stat. 1189, related to land rights of persons under 21. See section 568 of this Appendix.

Section 572, acts Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, art. V, §512, 54 Stat. 1190; Oct. 6, 1942, ch. 581, §16, 56 Stat. 776, related to extension of benefits to persons serving with war allies of the United States. See section 514 of this Appendix.

Section 573, act Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, art. V, §513, 54 Stat. 1190, related to deferral of income tax collection and the statute of limitations. See section 570 of this Appendix.

Section 574, act Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, art. V, §514, as added Oct. 6, 1942, ch. 581, §17, 56 Stat. 777; amended July 3, 1944, ch. 397, §1, 58 Stat. 722; Pub. L. 87–771, Oct. 9, 1962, 76 Stat. 768; Pub. L. 102–12, §9(24), Mar. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 41, related to residence for tax purposes. See section 571 of this Appendix.

Amendments

2009—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 111–97, §3(a)(1), designated existing provisions as par. (1), inserted heading, and added par. (2).

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 111–97, §3(a)(3), added subsec. (c). Former subsec. (c) redesignated (d).

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 111–97, §3(a)(2), redesignated subsec. (c) as (d). Former subsec. (d) redesignated (e).

Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 111–97, §3(a)(4)(A), inserted “or the spouse of a servicemember” after “The personal property of a servicemember”.

Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 111–97, §3(a)(4)(B), inserted “or the spouse's” after “servicemember's”.

Subsecs. (e) to (g). Pub. L. 111–97, §3(a)(2), redesignated subsecs. (d) to (f) as (e) to (g), respectively.

Effective Date of 2009 Amendment

Pub. L. 111–97, §3(b), Nov. 11, 2009, 123 Stat. 3008, provided that: “Subsections (a)(2) and (c) of section 511 of such Act [Servicemembers Civil Relief Act] (50 U.S.C. App. 571), as added by subsection (a) of this section, and the amendments made to such section 511 by subsection (a)(4) of this section [amending this section], shall apply with respect to any return of State or local income tax filed for any taxable year beginning with the taxable year that includes the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 11, 2009].”