98-0295

Withholding Tax

Signed 7/13/98

BEFORE THE UTAH STATE TAX COMMISSION

____________________________________

PETITIONER, :

:

Petitioner, : ORDER

:

v. : Appeal No. 98-0295

:

COLLECTION DIVISION OF THE : Account No. #####

UTAH STATE TAX COMMISSION, :

STATE OF UTAH, :

:

Respondent. : Tax Type: Withholding Tax

_____________________________________


STATEMENT OF CASE

This matter came before the Utah State Tax Commission for an Initial Hearing pursuant to the provisions of Utah Code Ann. §59-1-502.5 on May 12, 1998. Gail S. Reich, Administrative Law Judge, heard the matter for and on behalf of the Commission. Present on the telephone and representing Petitioner were NAME. Present and representing Respondent were Ms. Vickie Christoffersen and Ms. Laurie Allred, from the Collection Division.

This appeal involves late filing and late payment penalties imposed for January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August and September of 1997. Petitioner filed and paid on November 19, 1997. Petitioner argued that a new business entity was created and the business transition, coupled with employee error, created this problem. Petitioner characterized the problem as a one time error. Petitioner also referred to a good history of payment under another filing number. Respondent represented the penalties as being placed in an appropriate manner and recommended that none be waived.

The withholding tax obligation is a monthly obligation. The record supports waiver of the first month, that is January, on first time error. Unfortunately the record does not support grounds for waiver of the penalties imposed for the remaining months in issue.

APPLICABLE LAW

The Tax Commission is granted the authority to waive, reduce, or compromise penalties and interest upon a showing of reasonable cause. (Utah Code Ann. §59-1-401(10).)

DECISION AND ORDER

The Tax Commission finds sufficient cause does exist to waive the penalty associated with January 1997, but not the remainder of the penalties. It is so ordered.

This Decision does not limit a party's right to a Formal Hearing. Any party to this case may file 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 appeal rights in this matter.

DATED this 13 day of July, 1998.

BY ORDER OF THE UTAH STATE TAX COMMISSION.

GAIL S. REICH

Administrative Law Judge

The agency has reviewed this case and the undersigned concur in this decision.

DATED this 13 day of July, 1998.

BY ORDER OF THE UTAH STATE TAX COMMISSION.

W. Val Oveson Richard B. McKeown

Chairman Commissioner

Joe B. Pacheco Pam Hendrickson

Commissioner Commissioner

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