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PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 2015
PRINTER'S NO. 2073
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
1326
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY BLAKE, HAYWOOD, SANTARSIERO, TARTAGLIONE, HUGHES,
COSTA, MENSCH, BROWNE AND SCHWANK, SEPTEMBER 25, 2020
SENATOR HUTCHINSON, FINANCE, AS AMENDED, OCTOBER 6, 2020
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), entitled "An
act relating to tax reform and State taxation by codifying
and enumerating certain subjects of taxation and imposing
taxes thereon; providing procedures for the payment,
collection, administration and enforcement thereof; providing
for tax credits in certain cases; conferring powers and
imposing duties upon the Department of Revenue, certain
employers, fiduciaries, individuals, persons, corporations
and other entities; prescribing crimes, offenses and
penalties," in tax credit eligibility, further providing for
definitions and for eligibility and providing for independent
audit for tax credits, for additional requirements for
certain tax credits, for independent audit for certain tax
benefits, for additional requirements for certain tax
benefits, for broker licensing, for tax credit
administration, for tax benefit administration and for
guidelines; in research and development tax credit, further
providing for credit for research and development expenses
and for report to General Assembly; in keystone innovation
zones, further providing for keystone innovation zone tax
credits and for annual report; and making editorial changes.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The heading of Article XVII-A.1 of the act of
March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of
1971, is amended to read:
ARTICLE XVII-A.1
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TAX CREDIT [ELIGIBILITY] ADMINISTRATION
Section 2. The definition of "tax credit" in section 1701-
A.1 of the act is amended and the section is amended by adding
definitions to read:
Section 1701-A.1. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this article
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Administering agency." The department, board or commission
that administers a tax benefit or tax credit.
"Broker." Any person registered to engage in the business of
effecting transactions in tax credits for the account of others,
including assisting a taxpayer, business firm or other recipient
to apply for, sell or purchase a tax credit. The term includes
an entity and any partner, officer, director or affiliate of the
entity or a person occupying a similar status or performing
similar functions for the entity.
* * *
"Tax benefit." A tax benefit authorized under any of the
following:
(1) Article XVII-A.
(2) Article XVIII-C.
(3) Article XIX-B.
(4) Article XIX-D.
(5) Article XXIX-C.
(6) Article XXIX-D.
(7) The act of October 6, 1998 (P.L.705, No.92), known
as the Keystone Opportunity Zone, Keystone Opportunity
Expansion Zone and Keystone Opportunity Improvement Zone Act.
"Tax credit." A tax credit authorized under any of the
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following:
(1) Article XVII-B.
(2) Article XVII-D.
(3) Article XVII-E.
(4) Article XVII-G.
(5) Article XVII-H.
(6) Article XVII-I.
(7) Article XVII-J.
(8) Article XVII-K.
(8.1) Article XVII-L.
(9) Article XVIII.
(10) Article XVIII-B.
(11) Article XVIII-D.
(12) Article XVIII-E.
(13) Article XVIII-F.
(14) Article XVIII-G.
(14.1) Article XVIII-H.
(15) Article XIX-A.
(16) Article XIX-E.
(16.1) Article XIX-C.
(16.2) Article XIX-F.
(17) Section 2010.
(18) Article XXIX-D.
(19) Article XX-B of the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30,
No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949.
(20) The act of December 1, 2004 (P.L.1750, No.226),
known as the First Class Cities Economic Development District
Act.
(21) 12 Pa.C.S. Ch. 34 (relating to Infrastructure and
Facilities Improvement Program).
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Section 3. Section 1702-A.1 of the act is amended to read:
Section 1702-A.1. Eligibility.
(a) Except as otherwise provided by law, before a tax credit
or tax benefit can be awarded, the department or administering
agency, as applicable, may make a finding that the taxpayer has
filed all required State tax reports and returns for all
applicable taxable years and paid any balance of State tax due
as determined at settlement or assessment by the department,
unless the tax due is currently under appeal.
(b) [(Reserved).] The department or administering agency,
as applicable, may require returns, reports, documents,
statements, applications or registrations for a tax benefit or
tax credit to be filed electronically.
Section 4. The act is amended by adding sections to read:
Section 1703-A.1. Independent audit for tax credits.
(a) Except as otherwise provided by law, before a tax credit
can be awarded, sold or assigned, the applicant may be required
to hire an independent auditor to prepare audited financial
statements. The department may require the audited financial
statements due to material misrepresentations made on a tax
credit application or if the administering agency suspects the
applicant is committing fraudulent activity. The department may
require that the audited financial statements contain
information as the department requires.
(b) The independent audit under subsection (a) shall be
conducted by a certified public accountant.
Section 1704-A.1. Additional requirements for tax credits.
(a) Except as otherwise provided by law, before a tax credit
may be awarded, sold or assigned, the department, in
consultation with the administering agency, may:
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(1) Require the submission of all of the following with
a tax credit application:
(i) Photo identification of the applicant's chief
executive officer and authorized representative
responsible for submitting the tax credit application.
Photo identification shall include the individual's name
and address.
(ii) Bank account statements relating to the
business.
(iii) Business records, such as receipts and
expenditures.
(iv) Business origination documents, such as
articles of incorporation, partnership or reference to
documents under this subparagraph in records of the
Department of State or similar entity in another
jurisdiction.
(2) Require that the applicant meet for an in-person
interview with representatives or agents of the department to
verify the application and materials provided under this
section.
(3) Require the business to agree to submit to scheduled
and unscheduled site inspections by the administering agency
or the representatives and agents of the department.
(b) The administering agency may require all representatives
and agents of the administering agency who assist businesses
with applications for tax credits to:
(1) Obtain appropriate training from the administering
agency for conducting on-site visits for the purposes of
verifying compliance with all requirements relating to
application for and issuance of a tax credit.
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(2) Advise a business that has been issued a tax credit
of the responsibility of the business in filing reports
concerning use of the tax credit as provided by law.
(3) Conduct scheduled and unscheduled visits to the
sites of tax credit awardees to ensure compliance with the
requirements of the tax credit.
(c) A successful applicant who is awarded a tax credit shall
file an annual report with the department detailing how the tax
credit was used or if the tax credits were sold. The report
shall include the following and any other information the
department deems necessary:
(1) Itemization of expenses and income generated by the
business to which the tax credit applied.
(2) A report of how money associated with the tax credit
was used.
(3) If sold, the broker used in the transaction of sale.
Section 1705-A.1. Independent audit for tax benefits.
(a) Except as otherwise provided by law, before a tax
benefit can be awarded, sold or assigned, the applicant may be
required to hire an independent auditor to prepare audited
financial statements. The department may require the submission
of audited financial statements. Audited financial statements
shall be required if the administering agency suspects the
applicant is committing fraudulent activity or that a material
misrepresentation was made on the tax benefit application. The
department may require that the audited financial statements
contain information as the department requires.
(b) The independent audit under subsection (a) shall be
conducted by a certified public accountant.
Section 1706-A.1. Additional requirements for tax benefits.
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(a) Except as otherwise provided by law, before a tax
benefit may be awarded, sold or assigned, the department, in
consultation with the administering agency, may:
(1) Require the submission of all of the following with
a tax benefit application:
(i) Photo identification of the applicant's chief
executive officer and authorized representative
responsible for submitting the tax credit application.
Photo identification shall include the individual's name
and address.
(ii) Bank account statements relating to the
business.
(iii) Business records, such as receipts and
expenditures.
(iv) Business origination documents, such as
articles of incorporation, partnership or reference to
documents under this subparagraph in records of the
Department of State or similar entity in another
jurisdiction.
(2) Require that the applicant meet for an in-person
interview with representatives or agents of the department to
verify the application and materials provided under this
section.
(3) Require the business to agree to submit to scheduled
and unscheduled site inspections by the administering agency
or the representatives or agents of the department.
(b) The administering agency may require all representatives
and agents of the administering agency who assist businesses
with applications for tax benefit to:
(1) Obtain appropriate training from the administering
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agency for conducting on-site visits for the purposes of
verifying compliance with all requirements relating to
application for and issuance of a tax benefit.
(2) Advise a business that has been issued a tax benefit
of the responsibility of the business for filing reports
concerning use of the tax benefit as provided by law.
(3) Conduct scheduled and unscheduled visits to the
sites of tax benefit awardees to ensure compliance with the
requirements of the tax benefit.
(c) A successful applicant who is awarded a tax benefit
shall file an annual report with the department detailing how
the tax benefit was used or if the tax benefits were sold. The
report shall include, but is not limited to, the following:
(1) Itemization of expenses and income generated by the
business to which the tax benefit applied.
(2) A report of how money associated with the tax
benefit was used.
(3) If sold, the broker used in the transaction of sale.
Section 1707-A.1. Broker registration.
(a) All brokers shall be registered under this section. Any
agent or other party representing a broker or assisting a broker
in effecting the application for, purchase of or sale of a tax
credit or tax benefit shall be registered under this section.
(b) The department, in consultation with the Department of
COMMUNITY AND Economic Development, shall establish guidelines
providing for the application and registration of brokers under
this article. The guidelines shall require, but not be limited
to, the following:
(1) Name and address of the broker showing that the
broker resides in this Commonwealth.
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(2) Name and address of the business with which the
broker is employed or otherwise associated that is located in
this Commonwealth.
(3) The broker be at least 18 years of age.
(4) Minimum educational requirements, qualifications and
experience necessary for the issuance of a registration under
this article.
(5) A criminal background check prepared by the
Pennsylvania State Police that demonstrates the broker has
not been convicted of any felony offense or an offense that
involved fraud or misrepresentation in this Commonwealth or
any other jurisdiction.
(6) A list of any professional licenses that have been
issued to the broker and whether the broker is in good
standing with the licensing authority.
(7) Verification that the application is submitted under
18 Pa.C.S. ยงยง 4903 (relating to false swearing) and 4904
(relating to unsworn falsification to authorities).
(8) Payment of any required application, licensing and
registration fees.
(9) Tax clearance showing all satisfaction of all State
and local taxes.
(c) A broker shall obtain an initial or renewed registration
by filing an application with the department, providing
information and documentation and paying all fees as required by
the department.
(d) A registration issued under this section shall include a
unique registration number for the registrant and be valid for
two years from the date of issue. A registration issued under
this section may be suspended or revoked by the department for
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good cause.
(e) A broker denied a registration, or whose registration is
suspended or revoked, may appeal the department's determination
in the same manner as provided by Article XXVII.
(f) Brokers effecting the sale of a tax credit or tax
benefit or assisting a taxpayer, business firm or other
recipient to apply for or purchase a tax credit or tax benefit,
shall attach to the application a certification that the
statements and representations made in the application are true
and correct and subject to the penalties as set forth in 18
Pa.C.S. ยง 4903 or 4904 and shall include the broker's unique
registration number issued by the department.
(g) The department may require the payment of an application
fee to review and process a registration.
(h) A broker registered under this section shall post a bond
of $50,000 with the department.
Section 1708-A.1. Tax credit administration.
(a) The department shall have the following powers:
(1) To audit a taxpayer, business firm or other
recipient of a tax credit, including the purchaser of a tax
credit.
(2) To issue an assessment against a taxpayer, business
firm or other recipient of a tax credit or beneficiary of a
tax credit if the department determines that the tax credit
was improperly issued or the benefits of the tax credit were
improperly conferred. If a tax credit is sold to a bona fide
purchaser for value, the department may only issue an
assessment against the party selling the tax credit and the
broker signing the certification required by section 1707-
A.1(f). The seller and the broker shall be jointly and
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severally liable for the amount due.
(b) The procedures, collection, enforcement and appeals of
any assessment made under this section shall be governed by Part
X of Article III, except that the limitations on assessment and
collection in section 348 shall not apply.
(c) The department shall issue an assessment under this
section subject to the following limitations:
(1) Within three years of the date the tax credit is
awarded or within three years of the date the tax credit is
sold, whichever is later.
(2) If the taxpayer obtains a tax credit by fraud, the
department may issue an assessment at any time.
Section 1709-A.1. Tax benefit administration.
(a) The department shall have the following powers:
(1) To audit a taxpayer, business firm or other
recipient of a tax benefit.
(2) To issue an assessment against a taxpayer, business
firm or other recipient of a tax benefit if the department
determines that the tax benefit was improperly issued or
improperly conferred.
(b) The procedures, collection, enforcement and appeals of
any assessment made under this section shall be governed by Part
X of Article III, except that the limitations on assessment and
collection in section 348 shall not apply.
(c) The department shall issue an assessment under this
section subject to the following limitations:
(1) Within three years of the date the tax benefit is
awarded.
(2) If the taxpayer obtains a tax benefit by fraud, the
department may issue an assessment at any time.
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Section 1710-A.1. Guidelines.
The department shall develop written guidelines for the
implementation of this article.
Section 5. Sections 1703-B(a) and (c), 1711-B, 1906-F(b) and
1908-F of the act are amended to read:
Section 1703-B. Credit for Research and Development
Expenses.--(a) A taxpayer who incurs Pennsylvania qualified
research and development expense in a taxable year may apply for
a research and development tax credit as provided in this
article. By [September 15] December 1, a taxpayer must submit an
application to the department for Pennsylvania qualified
research and development expense incurred in the taxable year
that ended in the prior calendar year.
* * *
(c) By [December 15] June 1 of the second calendar year
following the close of the taxable year during which the
Pennsylvania qualified research and development expense was
incurred, the department shall notify the taxpayer of the amount
of the taxpayer's research and development tax credit approved
by the department.
Section 1711-B. Report to General Assembly.--The secretary
shall submit an annual report to the General Assembly indicating
the effectiveness of the credit provided by this article no
later than [March 15] October 1 following the calendar year in
which the credits were approved. The report shall include the
names of all taxpayers utilizing the credit as of the date of
the report and the amount of credits approved and utilized by
each taxpayer. Notwithstanding any law providing for the
confidentiality of tax records, the information contained in the
report shall be public information. The report may also include
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any recommendations for changes in the calculation or
administration of the credit.
Section 1906-F. Keystone innovation zone tax credits.
* * *
(b) Application for tax credit.--A KIZ company may file an
application for a tax credit with the department. An application
under this subsection must be filed by [September 15 of each
year for the prior taxable year, beginning September 15, 2006.]
December 1 for the prior tax year. The application must be
submitted on a form required by the department and must be
accompanied by a certification from the KIZ coordinator that the
KIZ company falls within a targeted industry segment identified
in the strategic plan adopted by the KIZ partnership, and meet
any other requirements specified by the department. The
department shall review the application and, upon being
satisfied that all requirements have been met, the department
shall issue a tax credit certificate to the KIZ company. All
certificates shall be awarded by [December 15] June 1 of each
year following the calendar year of application.
* * *
Section 1908-F. Annual report.
The department shall submit an annual report to the Secretary
of the Senate and the Chief Clerk of the House of
Representatives indicating the effectiveness of the keystone
innovation zone tax credit provided by this article by [December
31 of each year, beginning December 31, 2007.] October 1 of each
year following the calendar year of application. Notwithstanding
any law providing for the confidentiality of tax records, the
report shall include the names of all taxpayers awarded the
credits, all taxpayers utilizing the credits, the amount of
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credits approved and utilized by each taxpayer and the locations
of the KIZ companies awarded the credits. The report shall be a
public document.
Section 6. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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