On January 27, House Bill 105 was introduced by Representative Paul DeMarco (R-Homewood), and will be handled in the Senate by Ben Brooks (R-Mobile), both of whom are well-respected attorneys. This landmark legislation reflects the work of the Alabama State Bar Tax Section in cooperation with the Alabama Society of CPAs, along with input from the business community, the Alabama Department of Revenue (“ADOR”) and local government organizations, over the past several years. HB 105 is virtually identical to last year’s HB 427, which passed the House of Representatives unanimously and then the Senate Judiciary Committee during the 2011 regular session, and incorporates the Senate floor amendment negotiated by State Bar President Jim Pratt and the two co-sponsors.

Rep. DeMarco stated in a press release today that “[t]his bill will ensure that businesses and taxpayers choosing to appeal tax assessments are given a level playing field and referees who will remain neutral from the beginning of the process to the end. This bill can be summed up in two words that are at the core of its intent – simple fairness.”

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