94-1413

Withholding

Signed 3/28/95

 

BEFORE THE UTAH STATE TAX COMMISSION

____________________________________

XXXXX, )

:

Petitioner, : ORDER

:

v. : Appeal No. 94-1413

:

COLLECTION DIVISION OF THE : Account No. XXXXX

UTAH STATE TAX COMMISSION, :

:

Respondent. : Tax Type: Withholding

_____________________________________

STATEMENT OF CASE

This matter came before the Utah State Tax Commission for a Settlement Conference pursuant to the provisions of Utah Code Ann. §59-1-502.5, on XXXXX. Jane Phan, Administrative Law Judge, heard the matter for and on behalf of the Commission. Present and representing Petitioner by telephone conference call was XXXXX XXXXX. Present and representing Respondent was XXXXX.

Penalties in the amount of $$$$$ and interest of approximately $$$$$ were assessed against Petitioner relating to withholding tax for the XXXXX filing period. The underlying amount of withholding tax owed for this period was $$$$$. Petitioner had requested a waiver of the penalties and interest from the Collection Division Waiver Unit which was denied. Petitioner is appealing this denial.

At the conference Petitioner's representative stated that Petitioner had inadvertently overlooked the timely filing of the XXXXX withholding tax. As soon as Petitioner realized the error Petitioner corrected it. The correction was made within XXXXX of the filing due date.

Respondent stated that Petitioner had corrected the error prior to any notice from the Tax Commission and Petitioner had an excellent payment history at the Tax Commission. For these reasons Respondent recommended waiver of the penalty.

In considering Petitioner's request for waiver or reduction of the interest the Tax Commission applies more stringent reasonable cause standards because Petitioner continued to enjoy the benefit of the use of the funds and the State of Utah was denied the benefit of the use of the funds from the time the underlying taxes were due until they were actually paid by Petitioner.

DECISION AND ORDER

Based upon the information presented at the conference, and the records of the Tax Commission, the Commission finds sufficient cause has been shown to waive the penalties of $$$$$ assessed for the XXXXX withholding tax. Sufficient cause has not been shown to waive the interest.

This decision does not limit a party's right to a formal hearing. However, this Decision and Order will become the Final Decision and Order of the Commission unless any party to this case files a written request within thirty (30) days of the date of this decision to proceed to a Formal Hearing. Such a request shall be mailed to the address listed below and must include the Petitioner's name, address, and appeal number:

Utah State Tax Commission

Appeals Division

210 North 1950 West

Salt Lake City, Utah 84134

Failure to request a Formal Hearing will preclude any further administrative action or appeal rights in this matter.

DATED this 28th day of March, 1995.

BY ORDER OF THE UTAH STATE TAX COMMISSION.

W. Val Oveson Roger O. Tew

Chairman Commissioner

Joe B. Pacheco Alice Shearer

Commissioner Commissioner

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