Chapter 224 Oregon Laws 1999

Session Law

AN ACT

HB 2130

Relating to taxation; creating new provisions; and amending ORS 305.230, 305.265, 305.270, 314.011, 314.840, 314.870, 316.012 and 317.010.

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

SECTION 1. ORS 305.265 is amended to read:

305.265. (1) Except as provided in ORS 305.305, the provisions of this section shall apply to all reports or returns of tax or tax liability including claims under ORS 310.630 to 310.706 filed with the Department of Revenue under the revenue and tax laws administered by it, except those filed under ORS chapter 320 and ORS 323.005 to 323.455 and 323.990.

(2) As soon as practicable after a report or return is filed, the department shall examine or audit it, if required by law or the department deems such examination or audit practicable. If the department discovers from an examination or an audit of a report or return or otherwise that a deficiency exists, it shall compute the tax and give notice to the person filing the return of the deficiency and of the department's intention to assess the deficiency, plus interest and any appropriate penalty. Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, the notice shall:

(a) State the reason for each adjustment;

(b) Give a reference to the statute, regulation or department ruling upon which the adjustment is based; and

(c) Be certified by the department that the adjustments are made in good faith and not for the purpose of extending the period of assessment.

(3) When the notice of deficiency described in subsection (2) of this section results from the correction of a mathematical or clerical error and states what would have been the correct tax but for the mathematical or clerical error, such notice need state only the reason for each adjustment to the report or return.

(4) With respect to any tax return filed under ORS chapter 314, 316, 317 or 318, deficiencies shall include but not be limited to the assertion of additional tax arising from:

(a) The failure to report properly items or amounts of income subject to or which are the measure of the tax;

(b) The deduction of items or amounts not permitted by law;

(d) Improper credits or offsets against the tax claimed in the return.

(5)(a) The notice of deficiency shall be accompanied by a statement explaining the person's right to make written objections, the person's right to request a conference and the procedure for requesting a conference. The statement, and an accompanying form, shall also explain that conference determinations are routinely transmitted via regular mail and that a person desiring to have conference determinations transmitted by certified mail may do so by indicating on the form the person's preference for certified mail and by returning the form with the person's written objections as described in paragraph (b) of this subsection.

[(5)] (b) Within 30 days from the date of the notice of deficiency, the person given notice shall pay the deficiency with interest computed to the date of payment and any penalty proposed. Or within that time the person shall advise the department in writing of objections to the deficiency, and may request a conference with the department, which shall be held prior to the expiration of the one-year period set forth in subsection (7) of this section.

(6) If a request for a conference is made, the department shall notify the person of a time and place for conference and appoint a conference officer to meet with the person for an informal discussion of the matter. After the conference, the conference officer shall send [to the person, by certified mail,] the determination of the issues to the person. The determination letter shall be sent by regular mail, or by certified mail if the person given notice has indicated a preference for transmission of the determination by certified mail. [, and] The department shall assess any deficiency in the manner set forth in subsection (7) of this section. If no conference is requested and written objections are received, the department shall make a determination of the issues considering such objections, and shall assess any deficiency in the manner provided in subsection (7) of this section. The failure to request or have a conference shall not affect the rights of appeal otherwise provided by law.

(7) If neither payment nor written objection to the deficiency is received by the department within 30 days after the notice of deficiency has been mailed, the department shall assess the deficiency, plus interest and penalties, if any, and shall send the person a notice of assessment, stating the amount so assessed, and interest and penalties. The notice of assessment shall be mailed within one year from the date of the notice of deficiency unless an extension of time is agreed upon as described in subsection (8) of this section. The notice shall advise the person of the rights of appeal.

(8) If, prior to the expiration of any period of time prescribed in subsection (7) of this section for giving of notice of assessment, the department and the person consent in writing to the deficiency being assessed after the expiration of such prescribed period, such deficiency may be assessed at any time prior to the expiration of the period agreed upon. The period so agreed upon may be extended by subsequent agreements in writing made before the expiration of the period agreed upon.

(9) The failure to hold a requested conference within the one-year period prescribed in subsection (5) of this section shall not invalidate any assessment of deficiency made within the one-year period pursuant to subsection (7) of this section or within any extension of time made pursuant to subsection (8) of this section, but shall invalidate any assessment of interest or penalties attributable to the deficiency. After an assessment has been made, the department and the person assessed may still hold a conference within 90 days from the date of assessment. If a conference is held, the 90-day period under ORS 305.280 (2) shall run from the date of the conference officer's written determination of the issues.

(10) In the case of a failure to file a report or return on the date prescribed therefor (determined with regard to any extension for filing), the department shall determine the tax according to the best of its information and belief, assess the tax plus appropriate penalty and interest, and give written notice of the failure to file the report or return and of the determination and assessment to the person required to make the filing. The amount of tax shall be reduced by the amount of any part of the tax which is paid on or before the date prescribed for payment of the tax and by the amount of any credit against the tax which may be lawfully claimed upon the return.

(11) Mailing of notice to the person at the person's last-known address shall constitute the giving of notice as prescribed in this section.

(12) If a return is filed with the department accompanied by payment of less than the amount of tax shown on or from the information on the return as due, the difference between the tax and the amount submitted is considered as assessed on the due date of the report or return (determined with regard to any extension of time granted for the filing of the return) or the date the report or return is filed, whichever is later. For purposes of this subsection, the amount of tax shown on or from the information on the return as due shall be reduced by the amount of any part of the tax that is paid on or before the due date prescribed for payment of the tax, and by any credits against the tax that are claimed on the return. If the amount required to be shown as tax on a return is less than the amount shown as tax on the return, this subsection shall be applied by substituting the lesser amount.

(13) Every deficiency shall bear interest at the rate established under ORS 305.220 for each month or fraction of a month computed from the due date of the return to date of payment. If the return was falsely prepared and filed with intent to evade the tax, a penalty equal to 100 percent of the deficiency shall be assessed and collected. All payments received shall be credited first to penalty, then to interest accrued, and then to tax due.

(14) If the deficiency is paid in full before a notice of assessment is issued, the department is not required to send a notice of assessment, and the tax shall be considered as assessed as of the date which is 30 days from the date of the notice of deficiency or the date the deficiency is paid, whichever is the later. A partial payment of the deficiency shall constitute only a credit to the account of the person assessed. Assessments and billings of taxes shall be final after the expiration of the appeal period specified in ORS 305.280, and payment of the tax shall not give any person any extension of the period within which an appeal may be taken.

(15) Appeal may be taken to the tax court from any notice of assessment. The provisions of this chapter with respect to appeals to the tax court shall apply to any deficiency, penalty or interest assessed.

SECTION 2. ORS 305.270 is amended to read:

305.270. (1) If the amount of the tax shown as due on a report or return originally filed with the Department of Revenue with respect to a tax imposed under ORS chapter 118, 308, 310, 314, 316, 317, 318 or 321, or collected pursuant to ORS 305.620, or as corrected by the department, is less than the amount theretofore paid, or if a person files a claim for refund of any tax paid to the department under such laws within the period specified in subsection (2) of this section, any excess tax paid shall be refunded by the department with interest as provided in this section and ORS 314.415.

(2) The claim shall be made on a form prescribed by the department, except that an amended report or return showing a refund due and filed within the time allowed by this subsection for the filing of a claim for refund, shall constitute a claim for refund. The claim shall be filed within the period specified in ORS 314.415 (1)(b) for taxes imposed under ORS chapters 310, 314, 316, 317 and 318, or collected pursuant to ORS 305.620 (except where any applicable ordinance specifies another period), within the period specified in ORS 118.100 (2) for taxes imposed under ORS chapter 118 and within two years of the payment of any tax under ORS chapter 308 or 321.

(3) Upon receipt of a claim for refund, or original report or return claiming a refund, the department shall either refund the amount requested or send to the claimant a notice of any proposed adjustment to the refund claim, stating the basis upon which the adjustment is made. A proposed adjustment may either increase or decrease the amount of the refund claim or result in the finding of a deficiency. If the proposed adjustment results in a determination by the department that some amount is refundable, the department may send the claimant the adjusted amount with the notice.

(4)(a) The notice of proposed adjustment shall be accompanied by a statement explaining the claimant's right to make written objections to the refund adjustment, the claimant's right to request a conference and the procedure for requesting a conference. The statement, and an accompanying form, shall also explain that conference determinations are routinely transmitted via regular mail and that a claimant desiring to have conference determinations transmitted by certified mail may do so by indicating on the form the claimant's preference for certified mail and by returning the form with the claimant's written objections as described in paragraph (b) of this subsection.

[(4)] (b) The claimant may, within 30 days of the date of the notice of proposed adjustment, advise the department in writing of objections to the refund adjustment and may request a conference with the department, which shall be held within one year of the date of the notice. The department shall notify the claimant of a time and place for the conference, and appoint a conference officer to meet with the claimant for an informal discussion of the claim. After the conference, the conference officer shall send a determination of the matter to the claimant[, by certified mail, a determination of the matter, and include therewith]. The determination letter shall be sent by regular mail, or by certified mail if the claimant has indicated a preference for transmission of the determination by certified mail. The department shall issue either a notice of refund denial or payment of any amount found to be refundable, together with any applicable interest provided by this section. If the conference officer determines that a deficiency exists, the [officer shall include] department shall issue a notice of assessment [with the determination].

(5) If no conference is requested, and the adjustments have not resulted in the finding of a deficiency, the following shall apply:

(a) If written objections have been made by the claimant, the department shall consider the objections, determine any issues raised and send the claimant a notice of refund denial or payment of any amount found to be refundable, together with any interest provided by this section.

(b) If no written objections are made, the notice of any proposed adjustment shall be final after the period for requesting a conference or filing written objections has expired.

(6) If no conference is requested, and the notice of proposed adjustment has asserted a deficiency, the department shall consider any objections made by the person denied the refund, make a determination of any issues raised, pay any refunds found due, with applicable interest, or assess any deficiency and mail a notice thereof within one year from the date of the notice of deficiency, unless an extension of time is agreed upon as described in subsection (7) of this section.

(7) If, prior to the expiration of any period of time prescribed in subsection (6) of this section for giving of notice of assessment, the department and the person consent in writing to the deficiency being assessed after the expiration of such prescribed period, such deficiency may be assessed at any time prior to the expiration of the period agreed upon. The period so agreed upon may be extended by subsequent agreements in writing made before the expiration of the period agreed upon.

(8) If the department refunds the amount requested as provided in subsection (3) of this section, without examination or audit of the refund claim, the department shall give notice of this to the claimant at the time of making the refund. Thereafter, the department shall have one year in which to examine or audit the refund claim, and send the notice of proposed adjustment provided for in subsection (3) of this section, in addition to any time permitted in ORS 314.410 or 314.415.

(9) The failure to hold a requested conference within the one-year period prescribed in subsection (4) of this section shall not invalidate any assessment of deficiency made within the one-year period pursuant to subsection (8) of this section or within any extension of time made pursuant to subsection (7) of this section, but shall invalidate any assessment of interest or penalties attributable to the deficiency. After an assessment has been made, the department and the person assessed may still hold a conference within 90 days from the date of assessment. If a conference is held, the 90-day period under ORS 305.280 (2) shall run from the date of the conference officer's written determination of the issues.

(10) The claimant may appeal any notice of proposed adjustment, refund denial or notice of assessment in the manner provided in ORS 305.404 to 305.560. The failure to file written objections or to request or have a conference shall not affect the rights of appeal so provided. All notices and determinations shall set forth rights of appeal.

SECTION 3. ORS 314.840 is amended to read:

314.840. (1) The Department of Revenue may:

(a) Furnish any taxpayer or [authorized] representative authorized to represent the taxpayer under ORS 305.230, upon request of the taxpayer or representative, with a copy of the taxpayer's income tax return filed with the department for any year, or with a copy of any report filed by the taxpayer in connection with the return, or with any other information the department considers necessary.

(b) Publish lists of taxpayers who are entitled to unclaimed tax refunds.

(c) Publish statistics so classified as to prevent the identification of income or any particulars contained in any report or return.

(d) Disclose a taxpayer's name, address, telephone number, refund amount, amount due, social security number or employer identification number to the extent necessary in connection with collection activities or the processing and mailing of correspondence or of forms for any report, return or claim required in the administration of ORS 310.630 to 310.706, any local tax under ORS 305.620, or any law imposing a tax upon or measured by net income.

(2) The department also may disclose and give access to information described in ORS 314.835 to:

(a) The Governor of the State of Oregon or the authorized representative of the Governor:

(A) With respect to an individual who is designated as being under consideration for appointment or reappointment to an office or for employment in the office of the Governor. The information disclosed shall be confined to whether the individual:

(i) Has filed returns with respect to the taxes imposed by ORS chapter 316 for those of not more than the three immediately preceding years for which the individual was required to file an Oregon individual income tax return.

(ii) Has failed to pay any tax within 30 days from the date of mailing of a deficiency notice or otherwise respond to a deficiency notice within 30 days of its mailing.

(iii) Has been assessed any penalty under the Oregon personal income tax laws and the nature of the penalty.

(iv) Has been or is under investigation for possible criminal offenses under the Oregon personal income tax laws. Information disclosed pursuant to this paragraph shall be used only for the purpose of making the appointment, reappointment or decision to employ or not to employ the individual in the office of the Governor.

(B) For use by an officer or employee of the Oregon Department of Administrative Services duly authorized or employed to prepare revenue estimates, or a person contracting with the Oregon Department of Administrative Services to prepare revenue estimates, in the preparation of revenue estimates required for the Governor's budget under ORS 291.201 to 291.226, or required for submission to the Emergency Board, or if the Legislative Assembly is in session, to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means, and to the Legislative Revenue Officer under ORS 291.342, 291.348 and 291.445. The information disclosed or to which access is given under this subparagraph shall be confined to the identity of a corporate taxpayer, the amount of the corporate tax liability of the corporate taxpayer and the amount of the payments made by the corporation to the Department of Revenue under the corporate excise and income tax laws of this state. Any officer, employee or person furnished or granted access to information under this subparagraph shall not remove the information from the premises of the Department of Revenue.

(b) The Commissioner of Internal Revenue or authorized representative, for tax purposes only.

(c) The proper officer of any state or the District of Columbia, or their authorized representatives, for tax purposes only, if such state or district has a provision of law which meets the requirements of any applicable provision of the Internal Revenue Code as to confidentiality.

(d) The Multistate Tax Commission or its authorized representatives, for tax purposes only. However, the Multistate Tax Commission may make such information available to the Commissioner of Internal Revenue or the proper officer of any state or the District of Columbia, or their authorized representatives, for tax purposes only, if the state or district has a provision of law which meets the requirements of any applicable provision of the Internal Revenue Code as to confidentiality.

(e) The Attorney General, assistants and employees in the Department of Justice, or other legal representative of the State of Oregon, to the extent the department deems disclosure or access necessary for the performance of the duties of advising or representing the department pursuant to ORS 180.010 to 180.240 and the tax laws of this state.

(f) Employees of the State of Oregon, other than of the Department of Revenue or Department of Justice, to the extent the department deems disclosure or access necessary for such employees to perform their duties under contracts or agreements between the department and any other department, agency or subdivision of the State of Oregon, in the department's administration of the tax laws.

(g) Other persons, partnerships, corporations and other legal entities, and their employees, to the extent the department deems disclosure or access necessary for the performance of such others' duties under contracts or agreements between the department and such legal entities, in the department's administration of the tax laws.

(h) The Legislative Revenue Officer or authorized representatives upon compliance with ORS 173.850. Such officer or representative shall not remove from the premises of the department any materials that would reveal the identity of any taxpayer or any other person.

(i) The Department of Consumer and Business Services, to the extent the department requires such information to determine whether it is appropriate to adjust those workers' compensation benefits the amount of which is based pursuant to ORS chapter 656 on the amount of wages or earned income received by an individual.

(j) Any agency of the State of Oregon, or any person, or any officer or employee of such agency or person to whom disclosure or access is given by state law and not otherwise referred to in this section, including but not limited to the Secretary of State as Auditor of Public Accounts under section 2, Article VI of the Oregon Constitution; the Adult and Family Services Division of the Department of Human Resources pursuant to ORS 314.860 and 418.135; the Support Enforcement Division of the Department of Justice and district attorney regarding cases for which they are providing support enforcement services under ORS 25.080; the State Board of Tax Service Examiners, pursuant to ORS 673.710; and the State Board of Accountancy, pursuant to ORS 673.415.

(k) The Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services to determine that a person complies with ORS chapter 656 and the Director of the Employment Department to determine that a person complies with ORS chapter 657, the following employer information:

(A) Identification numbers.

(B) Names and addresses.

(D) Nature of business.

(E) Entity changes.

(F) Date of last payroll.

(L) The Assistant Director for Mental Health and Developmental Disability Services to determine that a person has the ability to pay for care that includes services provided by the state institutions as described in ORS 179.321 or the Mental Health and Developmental Disability Services Division or to collect any unpaid cost of care as provided by ORS chapter 179.

(m) Employees of the Employment Department to the extent the Department of Revenue deems disclosure or access to information on a combined tax report filed under ORS 316.168 is necessary to performance of their duties in administering the tax imposed by ORS chapter 657.

(n) The State Fire Marshal to assist the State Fire Marshal in carrying out duties, functions and powers under ORS 453.307 to 453.414, the employer or agent name, address, telephone number and standard industrial classification, if available.

(o) Employees of the Division of State Lands for the purposes of identifying, locating and publishing lists of taxpayers entitled to unclaimed refunds as required by the provisions of chapter 694, Oregon Laws 1993. The information shall be limited to the taxpayer's name, address and the refund amount.

(3) Each officer or employee of the department and each person described or referred to in subsection (2)(a), (e) to (k) or (m) to (o) of this section to whom disclosure or access to the tax information is given under subsection (2) of this section or any other provision of state law, prior to beginning employment or the performance of duties involving such disclosure or access, shall be advised in writing of the provisions of ORS 314.835 and 314.991, relating to penalties for the violation of ORS 314.835, and shall as a condition of employment or performance of duties execute a certificate for the department, in a form prescribed by the department, stating in substance that the person has read these provisions of law, that the person has had them explained and that the person is aware of the penalties for the violation of ORS 314.835.

(4) The Department of Revenue may recover the costs of furnishing the information described in subsection (2)(k), (L) and (n) to (o) of this section from the respective agencies.

SECTION 4. ORS 305.230 is amended to read:

305.230. Notwithstanding ORS 9.320:

(1) Any person who is duly qualified to practice law or public accounting in this state or the authorized employee of a taxpayer who is regularly employed by the taxpayer in tax matters may represent the taxpayer before a tax court magistrate or the Department of Revenue in any conference or proceeding with respect to the administration of any tax.

(2) Any person who is duly licensed by the State Board of Tax Service Examiners or who is exempt from such licensing requirement as provided for and limited by ORS 673.610 may represent a taxpayer before a tax court magistrate or the department in any conference or proceeding with respect to the administration of any tax on or measured by net income.

(3) Any shareholder of an S corporation, as defined in section 1361 of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended and in effect on December 31, 1996, may represent the corporation in any proceeding before a tax court magistrate or the department in the same manner as if the shareholder were a partner and the S corporation were a partnership. The S corporation must designate in writing a tax matters shareholder authorized to represent the S corporation.

(4) Any person who is licensed as a real estate broker under ORS 696.025 or is a state certified appraiser or state licensed appraiser under ORS 674.310 or is a registered appraiser under ORS 308.010 may represent a taxpayer before a tax court magistrate or the department in any conference or proceeding with respect to the administration of any ad valorem property tax.

(5) A general partner who has been designated by members of a partnership as their tax matters partner under ORS 305.242 may represent those partners in any conference or proceeding with respect to the administration of any tax on or measured by net income.

(6) In a small claims procedure, a taxpayer may be represented by any of the persons described in subsections (1) to (5) of this section or by any other person permitted by the tax court.

(7) No person shall be recognized as representing a taxpayer pursuant to this section unless there is first filed with the magistrate or department a written authorization, or unless it appears to the satisfaction of the magistrate or department that the representative does in fact have authority to represent the taxpayer. A person recognized as an authorized representative under rules or procedures adopted by the tax court shall be considered an authorized representative by the department.

(8) A taxpayer represented by someone other than an attorney is bound by all things done by the authorized representative, and may not thereafter claim any proceeding was legally defective because the taxpayer was not represented by an attorney.

(9) Prior to the holding of a conference or proceeding before the tax court magistrate or department, written notice shall be given by the magistrate or department to the taxpayer of the provisions of subsections (6) and (8) of this section.

SECTION 5. Section 6 of this 1999 Act is added to and made a part of ORS chapter 305.

SECTION 6. Any alternative dispute resolution process undertaken under the authority of the Multistate Tax Commission need not comply with and is not subject to ORS chapter 36.

SECTION 7. ORS 316.012 is amended to read:

316.012. Any term used in this chapter has the same meaning as when used in a comparable context in the laws of the United States relating to federal income taxes, unless a different meaning is clearly required or the term is specifically defined in this chapter. Any reference in this chapter to the laws of the United States or to the Internal Revenue Code means:

(1) In the case of a reference relating to the definition of the income on, in respect to or by which the tax imposed by this chapter is imposed or measured, the laws of the United States relating to income taxes or the Internal Revenue Code as they are in effect and applicable for the tax year of the taxpayer, except where the Legislative Assembly has specifically provided otherwise; or

(2) In the case of a reference for any other purpose, as these laws are amended and in effect on December 31, 1998, except where the Legislative Assembly has specifically provided otherwise.

SECTION 8. ORS 317.010 is amended to read:

317.010. As used in this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise:

(1) "Centrally assessed corporation" means every corporation the property of which is assessed by the Department of Revenue under ORS 308.505 to 308.665.

(2) "Department" means the Department of Revenue.

(3)(a) "Consolidated federal return" means the return permitted or required to be filed by a group of affiliated corporations under section 1501 of the Internal Revenue Code.

(b) "Consolidated state return" means the return required to be filed under ORS 317.710 (5).

(4) "Doing business" means any transaction or transactions in the course of its activities conducted within the state by a national banking association, or any other corporation; provided, however, that a foreign corporation whose activities in this state are confined to purchases of personal property, and the storage thereof incident to shipment outside the state, shall not be deemed to be doing business unless such foreign corporation is an affiliate of another foreign or domestic corporation which is doing business in Oregon. Whether or not corporations are affiliated shall be determined as provided in section 1504 of the Internal Revenue Code.

(5) "Excise tax" means a tax measured by or according to net income imposed upon national banking associations, all other banks, and financial, centrally assessed, mercantile, manufacturing and business corporations for the privilege of carrying on or doing business in this state.

(6) "Financial institution" or "financial corporation" means a bank or trust company organized under ORS chapter 707, national banking association or production credit association organized under federal statute, building and loan association, savings and loan association, mutual savings bank, and any other corporation whose principal business is in direct competition with national and state banks.

(7) "Internal Revenue Code" means:

(a) In the case of a reference relating to the definition of the income on, in respect to or by which the tax imposed by this chapter is imposed or measured, the laws of the United States relating to income taxes as they are in effect and applicable for the tax year of the taxpayer; or

(b) In the case of a reference for any other purpose, the laws of the United States relating to income taxes as they are amended and in effect on December 31, 1998, except where the Legislative Assembly has specifically provided otherwise.

(8) "Oregon taxable income" means taxable income, less the deduction allowed under ORS 317.476, except as otherwise provided with respect to insurers in subsection (11) of this section and ORS 317.650 to 317.665.

(9) "Oregon net loss" means taxable loss, except as otherwise provided with respect to insurers in subsection (11) of this section and ORS 317.650 to 317.665.

(10) "Taxable income or loss" means the taxable income or loss determined, or in the case of a corporation for which no federal taxable income or loss is determined, as would be determined, under chapter 1, Subtitle A of the Internal Revenue Code and any other laws of the United States relating to the determination of taxable income or loss of corporate taxpayers, with the additions, subtractions, adjustments and other modifications as are specifically prescribed by this chapter except that in determining taxable income or loss for any year, no deduction under ORS 317.476 or 317.478 and section 45b, chapter 293, Oregon Laws 1987, shall be allowed. If the corporation is a corporation to which ORS 314.280 or 314.605 to 314.675 (requiring or permitting apportionment of income from transactions or activities carried on both within and without the state) applies, to derive taxable income or loss, the following shall occur:

(a) From the amount otherwise determined under this subsection, subtract nonbusiness income, or add nonbusiness loss, whichever is applicable.

(b) Multiply the amount determined under paragraph (a) of this subsection by the Oregon apportionment percentage defined under ORS 314.280, 314.650 or 314.670, whichever is applicable. The resulting product shall be Oregon apportioned income or loss.

(c) To the amount determined as Oregon apportioned income or loss under paragraph (b) of this subsection, add nonbusiness income allocable entirely to Oregon under ORS 314.280 or 314.625 to 314.645, or subtract nonbusiness loss allocable entirely to Oregon under ORS 314.280 or 314.625 to 314.645. The resulting figure is "taxable income or loss" for those corporations carrying on taxable transactions or activities both within and without Oregon.

(11) As used in ORS 317.122 and 317.650 to 317.665, " insurer" means any domestic, foreign or alien insurer as defined in ORS 731.082 and any interinsurance and reciprocal exchange and its attorney in fact with respect to its attorney in fact net income as a corporate attorney in fact acting as attorney in compliance with ORS 731.458, 731.462, 731.466 and 731.470 for the reciprocal or interinsurance exchange. However, "insurer" does not include title insurers or health care service contractors operating pursuant to ORS 750.005 to 750.095.

SECTION 9. ORS 314.011 is amended to read:

314.011. (1) As used in this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise, "department" means the Department of Revenue.

(2)(a) As used in this chapter, any term has the same meaning as when used in a comparable context in the laws of the United States relating to federal income taxes, unless a different meaning is clearly required or the term is specifically defined in this chapter.

(b) A reference to the laws of the United States or to the Internal Revenue Code that relates to the definition of the income on, in respect to or by which taxes imposed by ORS chapter 316, 317 or 318 are imposed or measured, refers to the laws of the United States or the Internal Revenue Code as they are in effect and applicable for the tax year of the taxpayer, except where the Legislative Assembly has specifically provided otherwise.

[(b)] (c) With respect to ORS 314.105, 314.256 (relating to proxy tax on lobbying expenditures), 314.260 (1)(b), 314.265 (1)(b), 314.302, 314.306, 314.330, 314.360, 314.362, 314.385, 314.402, 314.410, 314.412, 314.525, 314.742 (7), 314.750 and 314.752 and other provisions of this chapter, except those described in paragraph (b) of this subsection, any reference in this chapter to the laws of the United States or to the Internal Revenue Code means the laws of the United States relating to income taxes or the Internal Revenue Code as they are amended on or before December 31, [1996,] 1998, even where the amendments take effect or become operative after that date, except where the Legislative Assembly has specifically provided otherwise.

[(c) Except as specifically listed in paragraph (b) of this subsection or as otherwise provided by law, any reference in this chapter to the laws of the United States or to the Internal Revenue Code means the laws of the United States relating to income taxes or the Internal Revenue Code as they are in effect and applicable for the taxable year of the taxpayer.]

(3) Insofar as is practicable in the administration of this chapter, the department shall apply and follow the administrative and judicial interpretations of the federal income tax law. When a provision of the federal income tax law is the subject of conflicting opinions by two or more federal courts, the department shall follow the rule observed by the United States Commissioner of Internal Revenue until the conflict is resolved. Nothing contained in this section limits the right or duty of the department to audit the return of any taxpayer or to determine any fact relating to the tax liability of any taxpayer.

(4) When portions of the Internal Revenue Code incorporated by reference as provided in subsection (2) of this section refer to rules or regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury, then such rules or regulations shall be regarded as rules adopted by the department under and in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, whenever they are prescribed or amended.

(5)(a) When portions of the Internal Revenue Code incorporated by reference as provided in subsection (2) of this section are later corrected by an Act or a Title within an Act of the United States Congress designated as an Act or Title making technical corrections, then notwithstanding the date that the Act or Title becomes law, those portions of the Internal Revenue Code, as so corrected, shall be the portions of the Internal Revenue Code incorporated by reference as provided in subsection (2) of this section and shall take effect, unless otherwise indicated by the Act or Title (in which case the provisions shall take effect as indicated in the Act or Title), as if originally included in the provisions of the Act being technically corrected. If, on account of this subsection, any adjustment is required to an Oregon return that would otherwise be prevented by operation of law or rule, the adjustment shall be made, notwithstanding any law or rule to the contrary, in the manner provided under ORS 314.135.

(b) As used in this subsection, "Act or Title" includes any subtitle, division or other part of an Act or Title.

SECTION 10. ORS 314.870 is amended to read:

314.870. (1) Section 7508 of the Internal Revenue Code, insofar as it describes periods of time to be disregarded with respect to the performance of acts relative to federal income tax liability of an individual (or individual and spouse) who performs service in an area designated as a combat zone, or is hospitalized as a result of injury received while serving in such area, shall apply as appropriate to the same or similar acts for purposes of the tax imposed by this chapter and ORS chapter 316.

(2) If an individual is entitled to the benefits of subsection (1) of this section with respect to any return and if the return is timely filed (determined after the application of subsection (1) of this section), then notwithstanding ORS 314.415 or other law, any overpayment of tax with respect to such return shall bear interest from the due date of the return (determined without the application of subsection (1) of this section).

(3) If the federal income tax liability of any taxpayer is forgiven under section 692 of the Internal Revenue Code for any tax period, then the Oregon income tax liability for the same tax period shall be forgiven in the same manner.

[(4) As used in this section, "Internal Revenue Code" means the Internal Revenue Code as described under ORS 314.011 (2)(b), and as thereafter amended by the Act known as Time Extension For Individuals in Desert Shield Operations (P.L. 102-2).]

Approved by the Governor June 7, 1999

Filed in the office of Secretary of State June 7, 1999

Effective date October 23, 1999

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