In what appears to be a case of everyone being happy, the Alabama legislature with near unanimity (just one ‘no’ vote in both houses of the legislature) approved the new Alabama Tax Appeals Commission. The measure still must be signed off by Governor Robert Bentley.
The new Commission will hear tax appeals, including sales and rental taxes (though cities can opt out). The Commission is expected to save money for both the state and taxpayers–that sounds like a huge win-win. The bill authorizing the Commission also includes conformity provisions to federal tax law.
As J. Wray Pearce, a CPA, told Al.com, “will make tax filing simpler for everyone, more effective and less expensive…The independent tax tribunal should make needed appeals easier, and reduce the time required to get resolution.”