La. Admin. Code tit. 61 § I-4910

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

Section I-4910 - Electronic Funds Transfer

A. Electronic Funds Transfer Requirements

1. For taxable periods beginning on or after January 1, 2004, taxpayers are required to remit their tax payments by electronic funds transfer under any of the following circumstances:

a. the payments made in connection with the filing of any business tax return or report averaged, during the prior 12-month period, more than $15,000 per reporting period; or

b. any business tax return or report is filed more frequently than monthly and the average total payments during the prior 12-month period were more than $15,000 per month; or

c. any company who files withholding tax returns and payments on behalf of other taxpayers and payments during the previous 12-month period averaged more than $15,000 per month for all tax returns filed.

2. For taxable periods beginning on or after January 1, 2006, taxpayers are required to remit their tax payments by electronic funds transfer under any of the following circumstances:

a. the payments made in connection with the filing of any business tax return or report averaged, during the prior 12-month period, more than $10,000 per reporting period; or

b. any business tax return or report is filed more frequently than monthly and the average total payments during the prior 12-month period were more than $10,000 per month; or

c. any company who files withholding tax returns and payments on behalf of other taxpayers and payments during the previous 12-month period averaged more than $10,000 per month for all tax returns filed.

3. For taxable periods beginning on or after January 1, 2008, taxpayers are required to remit their tax payments by electronic funds transfer under any of the following circumstances:

a. the payments made in connection with the filing of any business tax return or report averaged, during the prior 12-month period, more than $5,000 per reporting period; or

b. any business tax return or report is filed more frequently than monthly and the average total payments during the prior 12-month period were more than $5,000 per month; or

c. any company who files withholding tax returns and payments on behalf of other taxpayers and payments during the previous 12-month period averaged more than $5,000 per month for all tax returns filed.

4. Any taxpayer may voluntarily remit amounts due by electronic funds transfer with the approval of the secretary. After requesting to electronically transfer tax payments, the taxpayer must continue to do so for a period of at least 12 months.

B. Definitions. For the purposes of this Section, the following terms are defined.

Automated Clearinghouse Credit-an automated clearinghouse transaction in which taxpayers through their own banks, originate an entry crediting the state's bank account and debiting their own bank account. Banking costs incurred for the automated clearinghouse credit transaction shall be paid by the person originating the credit.

Automated Clearinghouse Debit-an automated clearinghouse transaction in which the state, through its designated depository bank, originates an automated clearinghouse transaction debiting the taxpayer's bank account and crediting the state's bank account for the amount of tax. Banking costs incurred for the automated clearinghouse debit transaction shall be paid by the state.

Business Tax-any tax, except for individual income tax, collected by the Department of Revenue.

Electronic Funds Transfer-any transfer of funds other than a transaction originated by check, draft, or similar paper instrument, that is initiated electronically so as to order, instruct, or authorize a financial institution to debit or credit an account. Electronic funds transfer shall be accomplished by an automated clearinghouse debit or automated clearinghouse credit. Federal Reserve Wire Transfers (FedWire) may be used only in emergency situations and with prior approval from the department.

FedWire Transfer-any transaction originated by taxpayers utilizing the national electronic payment system to transfer funds through the Federal Reserve banks, when the taxpayers debit their own bank accounts and credit the state's bank account. Electronic funds transfers may be made by FedWire only if payment cannot, for good cause, be made by automated clearinghouse debit or credit and the use of FedWire has the prior approval of the department. Banking costs incurred for the FedWire transaction shall be paid by the person originating the transaction.

Other Immediately Investible Funds-cash, money orders, credit and debit card payments, bank drafts, certified checks, teller's checks, electronic checks, and cashier's checks. The taxpayer is responsible for payment of any fee charged for making payment by means defined in this Paragraph as other immediately investible funds.

Payment-any amount paid to the Department of Revenue representing a tax, fee, interest, penalty, or other amount.

C. Taxes Required to be Electronically Transferred. Tax payments required to be electronically transferred may include corporation income and franchise taxes including declaration payments; income tax withholding; sales and use taxes; severance taxes; excise taxes; and any other tax or fee administered or collected by the Department of Revenue except for individual income tax. A separate transfer shall be made for each return.

D. Taxpayer Notification

1. Those taxpayers required to electronically transfer tax payments will be notified in writing by the department of the electronic funds transfer data format and procedures at least 90 days prior to the required electronic funds transfer effective date. The taxpayer will be given payment method options (ACH debit, ACH credit, or other immediately investible funds) from which to select. Depending on the method selected, the taxpayer will be required to submit specific information needed to process electronic payments. Before using ACH debit, the taxpayer must register at least 60 days in advance. Once required to remit taxes by electronic funds transfer, the taxpayer must continue to do so until notified otherwise by the department.

2. After one year, taxpayers whose average payments have decreased below the threshold may request to be relieved of the electronic funds transfer requirement.

3. Taxpayers experiencing a change in business operations that results in the average payments not meeting the requirements, may request to be relieved of the electronic funds transfer requirement. "Change in business operations" shall include changing of pay services for the purpose of filing income tax withholding.

E. Failure to Timely Transfer Electronically

1. Remittances transmitted electronically are considered timely paid if the payment transaction's confirmation time and date stamp is on or before the due date. However, if the payment is not timely paid, the date of receipt by the secretary will govern for purposes of determining the amount of any late payment penalties.

2. Failure to make payment or remittance in immediately available funds in a timely manner, or failure to provide such evidence of payment or remittance in a timely manner, shall subject the affected taxpayer or obligee to penalty, interest, and loss of applicable discount, as provided by state law for delinquent or deficient tax, fee or obligation payments. If payment is timely made in other than immediately available funds, penalty, interest, and loss of applicable discount shall be added to the amount due from the due date of the tax, fee or obligation payment to the date that funds from the tax, fee, or obligation payment subsequently becomes available to the state.

3. When the statutory filing deadline, without regard to extensions, falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal Reserve holiday, the payments must be electronically transferred by the next business day.

4. If a taxpayer has made a good faith attempt and exercises due diligence in initiating a payment under the provisions of R.S. 47:1519 and this rule, but because of unexpected problems arising at financial institutions, Federal Reserve facilities, the automated clearinghouse system, or state agencies, the payment is not timely received, the delinquent penalty may be waived as provided by R.S. 47:1603. Before a waiver will be considered, taxpayers must furnish the department with documentation proving that due diligence was exercised and that the delay was clearly beyond their control.

5. Tax return must be filed.

a. A tax return or report must be filed separately from the electronic transmission of the remittance.

b. Failure to timely file a tax return or report shall subject the affected taxpayer or obligee to penalty, interest, and loss of applicable discount, as provided by state law.

6. In situations involving extenuating circumstances as set forth in writing by the taxpayer and deemed reasonable by the secretary of the Department of Revenue, the secretary may grant an exception to the requirement to transmit funds electronically.

La. Admin. Code tit. 61, § I-4910

Promulgated by the Department of Revenue and Taxation, Office of the Secretary, LR 19:1032 (August 1993), repromulgated LR 19:1340 (October 1993), amended LR 20:672 (June 1994), LR 23:448 (April 1997), amended by the Department of Revenue, Office of the Secretary, LR 25:2442 (December 1999), amended by the Department of Revenue, Policy Services Division, LR 28:866 (April 2002), LR 29:2854 (December 2003), LR 31:484 (February 2005), LR 38:2382 (September 2012).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 47:1519 and R.S. 47:1511.