Bill > H3185

This bill aims to eliminate the use of contingency fee auditors by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, the State Treasurer, and other state agencies. The key provisions of the bill are: 1. Prohibiting the state from contracting with or employing any person, agent, or firm who is compensated on a contingency fee basis or any other basis related to the amount of tax, interest, or penalty assessed against or collected from the taxpayer. 2. Prohibiting the state from compensating any person or firm assisting local municipal assessors on a contingency fee basis or any other similar method that may impair the assessor's independence. 3. Expressly prohibiting the state from contracting with or employing any person, agent, or firm on a contingency fee basis or any other similar method that may impair an auditor's independence. 4. Prohibiting the state from contracting with or employing a tax expert for determining a taxpayer's tax liability or defending the state's position during a dispute, mediation, or litigation on a contingency fee basis or any other similar method that may impair the assessor's independence. 5. Requiring the repeal of any regulations authorizing the use of contingency-based contracts. The bill aims to ensure the independence and objectivity of the state's tax auditors, assessors, and experts by eliminating the potential conflicts of interest that may arise from contingency fee arrangements.

Government Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H3185