Michigan Chamber of Commerce Applauds Governor Snyder for Signing Important Taxpayer Protections

LANSING, Mich., Feb. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Michigan Chamber of Commerce today commended Governor Snyder for signing important reforms to Michigan's officer liability tax laws. Senate Bill 337 (Brandenburg, R-11), now Public Act 3 of 2014, implements meaningful reforms that will protect taxpayers and improve the efficiency of tax auditing and refund approvals.           

"Senate Bill 337 is a comprehensive bill that puts in place concrete deadlines for the Michigan Department of Treasury to finish audits and respond to refund claims," said Tricia Kinley, Senior Director of Tax & Regulatory Reform for the Michigan Chamber. "In addition, the new law will dramatically improve Michigan's officer tax liability statute, long viewed as extreme among states, by giving those who have been unfairly assessed a fair opportunity to absolve themselves."

"We applaud Governor Snyder for standing up for individuals who have been unfairly assessed taxes by the State and for recognizing that the administration of tax audits and tax refunds was in desperate need of reform," Kinley continued. "This new Act will set an expectation that the Michigan Department of Treasury should be thorough and efficient in its day-to-day administration of tax laws and that it should treat taxpayers in Michigan fairly."

"We also applaud the sponsor of the bill, Senator Jack Brandenburg, who, along with House and Senate leadership, worked across the aisle with his Democratic counterparts and made efficiency and fair treatment of taxpayers a priority," said Jim Holcomb, Senior Vice President for Business Advocacy & General Counsel for the Michigan Chamber. "Senator Brandenburg refused to give up on these individuals or the greater pursuit of better administration of tax laws."

"The unanimous bi-partisan support shown for this bill is truly appreciated by our members," Holcomb concluded.  

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce is a statewide business organization representing approximately 6,400 employers, trade associations and local chambers of commerce. The Michigan Chamber represents businesses of every size and type in all 83 counties of the state. Michigan Chamber member businesses provide jobs to 1.5 million residents. One of every 2.6 employees in Michigan works for a Chamber member firm. The Michigan Chamber was established in 1959 to be an advocate for Michigan's job providers in the legislative, political and legal process. It is one of only six state chambers accredited by the U.S. Chamber and one of only four state chambers accredited with distinction.

SOURCE Michigan Chamber of Commerce

For further information: Tricia Kinley, Michigan Chamber of Commerce, (517) 371-2100