tax laws; interpretation; application; hearing

SB 1221 protects Arizona taxpayers by limiting retroactive tax changes. It requires the state tax department to notify legislative committees and hold a hearing before implementing new tax interpretations that could harm taxpayers, and prohibits retroactive application of such changes unless they benefit taxpayers. The bill also bans retroactive tax, penalty, or interest assessments based on new interpretations and allows taxpayers to use the change as a defense in disputes over past charges. Taxpayers seeking refunds for overpayments due to new interpretations must prove they were charged an additional fee to cover the tax. This applies to all Arizona taxpayers and tax administrators.