Code of the District of Columbia

Chapter 43. Administration.

Subchapter I. Limitations.

§ 47–4301. Periods of limitation.

(a) Unless otherwise provided in subsection (d) of this section, the amount of a tax imposed under this title shall be assessed within 3 years after the return was filed (whether or not the return was filed after the date due) or, if the tax is payable by stamp, at any time after the tax became due and before the expiration of 3 years after the date on which a part of the tax was paid. A proceeding in court without assessment for the collection of the tax shall not commence after the expiration of such period. For purposes of this chapter, the term “return” means the return of tax required to be filed by the taxpayer (and does not include a return of tax of a person from whom the taxpayer has received an item of income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit).

(b) For purposes of this section, a return filed before the last day prescribed by this title, or by regulations promulgated under this title for filing, shall be considered as filed on the last day.

(c) The execution of a return by the Mayor shall not start the running of the period of limitations on assessment and collection.

(d)(1) In the case of a (A) false or fraudulent return with the intent to evade tax, (B) willful attempt in any manner to defeat or evade tax imposed by this title, (C) failure to file a return, or (D) filing a real property tax exemption application, the tax may be assessed, or a proceeding in court for the collection of the tax may begin without assessment, at any time.

(2)(A) In the case of a tax imposed by Chapter 18 of this title, if the taxpayer omits an amount properly includible in gross income which is in excess of 25% of the amount of gross income stated in the return, the tax may be assessed, or a proceeding in court for the collection of the tax may be begun without assessment, at any time within 6 years after the return was filed. In the case of a trade or business, the term “gross income” means the amount received or accrued from the sale of goods or services (if the amounts are required to be shown on the return) before diminution by the cost of the sales or services.

(B)(i) For the purposes of subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, an understatement of gross income by reason of an overstatement of unrecovered cost or other basis is an omission from gross income.

(ii) This subparagraph shall apply to returns filed:

(I) After [February 18, 2017]; and

(II) On or before [February 18, 2017] if the applicable assessment period provided for in this section for assessment of the taxes with respect to the return has not expired as of the date return was filed.

(3) In the case of a return not under Chapter 18 of this title, if the taxpayer omits from the return an amount of tax properly includible on the return which exceeds 25% of the amount of the tax reported on the return, the tax may be assessed, or a proceeding in court for the collection of the tax may be begun without assessment, at any time within 6 years after the return is filed.

(e) If, before the expiration of the time prescribed in this section for the assessment of a tax imposed by this title, both the Mayor and the taxpayer have consented in writing to its assessment after such time, the tax may be assessed at any time before the expiration of the extended period. The period may be extended further by subsequent agreement in writing made before the expiration of an extended period.

(f) If the amount of taxable income for a taxable year (or portion of a taxable year) of a taxpayer as reported by the taxpayer, or his duly authorized agent, to the United States Department of Treasury for federal income tax purposes is changed or corrected by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, by a court of the United States, or by a court of the District of Columbia, or if the amount of taxable income for a taxable year (or portion of a taxable year) of a taxpayer as reported by the taxpayer or his duly authorized agent, to the District of Columbia for District of Columbia income or franchise tax purposes is changed or corrected by a court of the United States or the District of Columbia, the taxpayer, or his duly authorized agent, shall, within 90 days after the change or correction is finally determined, report in writing the changed or corrected taxable income to the District of Columbia. The Mayor may, within 180 days from the date of the receipt of written notice from the taxpayer of the changed or corrected taxable income as finally determined, assess or reassess the amount of a tax imposed by this title; provided, that if the date of receipt by the District of Columbia of a notice from the taxpayer is more than 180 days before the expiration of the applicable period of limitation, the Mayor shall have until the expiration of the applicable period of limitation to assess or reassess the amount of the tax. Failure to report the changed or corrected taxable income as finally determined within the 90-day period shall suspend the running of the period of limitation for a period of 180 days after the date that the report from the taxpayer, or his duly authorized agent, is received by the District of Columbia.

§ 47–4302. Limitation on collection.

(a) If the assessment of a tax imposed by this title has been made within the applicable period of limitation, the tax may be collected by levy or by a proceeding in court, but only if the levy is made or the proceeding begun within 10 years after the assessment of the tax.

(b) If, before the expiration of the time prescribed in this section for the collection of a tax imposed by this title, both the Mayor and the taxpayer have consented in writing to its collection after such time, the tax may be collected at any time before the expiration of the extended period. The period may be extended further by subsequent agreement in writing made before the expiration of an extended period.

§ 47–4303. Suspension of running of period of limitation.

The running of the period of limitation provided in §§ 47-4301 and 47-4302 on the making of assessments or collection shall be suspended:

(1) Beginning on the day the Chief Financial Officer of the District of Columbia (“CFO”) issues a notice of proposed audit changes pursuant to § 47-4312 for 90 days or until the issuance of a proposed assessment, whichever occurs first; and

(2) Beginning on the day the CFO issues a proposed assessment, until the issuance of a final order by the Office of Administrative Hearings and for the period during which the CFO is prohibited from making the assessment or from collecting due to a proceeding in court, plus:

(i) For assessment, 60 days thereafter; and

(ii) For collection, 6 months thereafter.

§ 47–4304. Limitations on credit or refund.

(a) A credit or refund of an overpayment of a tax imposed by this title shall not be allowed unless the taxpayer files a claim within the later of 3 years from the due date of the return or 3 years from the date that the tax was paid.

(b) If, before the expiration of the period of limitation prescribed in subsection (a) of this section, both the Mayor and the taxpayer have consented in writing, the period of limitation may be extended. The period may be extended further by subsequent agreement in writing made before the expiration of the extended period.

(c) If the amount of taxable income for a taxable year (or portion of a taxable year) of a taxpayer as reported by the taxpayer, or his duly authorized agent, to the United States Department of the Treasury for federal income tax purposes is changed or corrected by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, by a court of the United States, or by a court of the District of Columbia, or if the amount of taxable income for a taxable year (or portion of a taxable year) of a taxpayer as reported by the taxpayer, or his duly authorized agent, to the District of Columbia for District of Columbia income or franchise tax purposes is changed or corrected by a court of the United States or the District of Columbia, a claim for credit or refund shall not be allowed unless the taxpayer files a claim for refund or credit with respect to the correction or change in the amount of taxable income within 180 days after the date that the change or correction is made or ordered.

(d)(1) In the case of an individual, the running of the period of limitation specified in subsection (a) of this section shall be suspended during any period that the individual is financially disabled.

(2) For purposes of paragraph (1) of this subsection, an individual is “financially disabled” if the individual’s ability to receive and evaluate information effectively or to communicate decisions is impaired to such an extent that he or she lacks the capacity to manage some or all of his or her financial resources. An individual shall not be treated as financially disabled during any period that the individual’s spouse, domestic partner, or another person may act on behalf of the individual in financial matters.

(e) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, there shall be no period of limitations if the taxpayer filed an application for a real property tax exemption on or before the date of recordation of the deed and paid the recordation tax.

(f) For the purposes of this section, the term “domestic partner” shall have the same meaning as provided in § 32-701(3).

§ 47–4304.01. Defined tax credit related to IRS income adjustments.

A taxpayer whose taxable income was changed or corrected by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1997, and ending before January 1, 2001, shall be allowed a tax credit equal to the decrease in the District tax for the applicable years; provided, that:

(1) The changed or corrected taxable income was based on a federal income tax provision to which District tax law conforms;

(2) The District has not previously adjusted the taxpayer’s return to encompass the change or correction;

(3) The tax credit shall be applied over a 4-year period in equal amounts in tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2019.

(4) The credit shall be without overpayment interest; and

(5) In each year in which the credit is taken on a return, the taxpayer shall notify the Office of Tax and Revenue by designating on that return the tax type or types to which the credit shall apply for that year.

Subchapter II. Summons Authority; Records; Protests.

§ 47–4310. Summons authority.

(a) For the purpose of ascertaining the correctness of a return; making a return where none has been made; determining the liability of a person or real property for a tax imposed under this title; determining the liability at law or in equity of a transferee or fiduciary of a person for a tax under this title; collecting tax; or inquiring into an offense connected with the administration or enforcement of a law, the Mayor may:

(1) Summon any person to appear and produce all books, records, or other data which may be relevant or material to the inquiry;

(2) Summon any person to give testimony under oath as may be relevant or material to the inquiry;

(3) Summon any person to answer interrogatories under oath as may be relevant or material to the inquiry; and

(4) Administer oaths to a person summoned.

(b) A summons under this section shall be served by the Mayor or by a member of the Metropolitan Police Department in the same manner as a subpoena issued by the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

(c) The Mayor may report to the Superior Court of the District of Columbia the failure of a person to obey a summons.

(d) The Superior Court of the District of Columbia may compel obedience of a summons under this section to the same extent as witnesses may be compelled to obey the subpoenas of the Court.

§ 47–4311. Requirement to maintain books and records.

Every person who is liable for a tax imposed by this title and every owner of real property that is liable for a tax imposed by this title shall maintain sufficient books and records to determine liability for the tax.

§ 47–4312. Protest of assessment.

(a) Unless otherwise provided in this title, before a final assessment of a deficiency, interest, or penalties against a person, the Mayor shall send the person a proposed assessment. No later than 30 days after the proposed assessment is sent, the person may file a protest with the Office of Administrative Hearings, and shall serve a copy on the Mayor. The protest shall explain why the deficiency, interest, and penalties should not be assessed.

(a-1) Unless otherwise provided in this title, the CFO shall send a notice of proposed audit changes to the person at least 30 days before the proposed assessment is sent.

(b) If the person fails to file a protest in a timely manner under subsection (a) of this section, the Mayor shall send the person a final assessment of the deficiency, interest, or penalties.

(c) If a protest is filed in a timely manner under subsection (a) of this section, the Mayor may not issue a final assessment of the deficiency, interest, or penalties, and the Office of Administrative Hearings shall decide, after providing an opportunity for a hearing, whether the deficiency, interest, or penalties are proper. Filing a protest shall be deemed to be an election that the Office of Administrative Hearings shall be the exclusive forum to adjudicate all challenges to the proposed assessment, and shall be deemed to be an irrevocable waiver of any right to adjudication of all such challenges in any other forum. Nothing in this subsection limits the right of any person to judicial review pursuant to § 2-1831.16.

(d) Nothing in this section or in § 2-1831.03(b)(4) shall limit or preclude any person from appealing any assessment to the Superior Court of the District of Columbia pursuant to § 47-3303, or other applicable law, as an alternative to filing a protest with the Office of Administrative Hearings.

(e) Except with respect to the election of remedy and the waiver of rights required by subsection (c) of this section and by § 2-1831.03(j), a final order of the Office of Administrative Hearings in any matter in which a protest has been filed shall have the same effect as a final assessment of a deficiency, interest, or penalties, and the Mayor may undertake any lawful collection efforts for any amount that such final order determines is due from any person.

(f) By October 7, 2004, the Office of Tax and Revenue shall notify in writing any person who filed a timely protest of a proposed assessment with the Office of Tax and Revenue on or before September 30, 2004, of his or her right to file a request for a hearing with the Office of Administrative Hearings on or before November 1, 2004. If any such person does not file a timely request for a hearing pursuant to this subsection, the Mayor shall send the person a final assessment of any deficiency, interest, or penalties.

§ 47–4313. Examinations of books and records.

For the purpose of ascertaining the correctness of any return required to be made by this title, making a return where none has been made, determining the liability of any person or real property for any District of Columbia tax (including any interest, additional amount, addition to the tax, or civil penalty) or the liability at law or equity of any transferee or fiduciary of any person in respect of any District of Columbia revenue tax, collecting any such liability, or inquiring into any offense connected with the administration or endorsement of the District of Columbia revenue law, the Mayor or any authorized officer or employee of the Office of Tax and Revenue may:

(1) Examine any books, papers, records, or other data which may be relevant or material to such inquiry; or

(2) Take such testimony of the person concerned, under oath, as may be relevant to such inquiry.

§ 47–4314. Time and place of examination.

(a) The time and place of examination pursuant to § 47-4313 shall be fixed by the Mayor, or any authorized officer or employee of the Office of Tax and Revenue, and shall be reasonable under the circumstances. The time and place for an examination shall be presumed to be reasonable if it is scheduled:

(1) During a normally scheduled work day and normal business hours of the Office of Tax and Revenue; or

(2) Without regard to seasonal fluctuations in the businesses of particular taxpayers or their representatives.

(b)(1) The Mayor, or an authorized officer or employee of the Office of Tax and Revenue, shall determine whether an examination will be an office examination or a field examination.

(2)(A) An office examination of an individual shall take place at the Office of Tax and Revenue.

(B) A field examination shall take place at the location where the taxpayer’s original books, records, and source documents pertinent to the examination are maintained, which determination shall be made by the Mayor or an authorized officer or employee of the Office of Tax and Revenue. In the case of a sole proprietorship or taxpayer entity, this will usually be the taxpayer’s principal place of business.

(C) A taxpayer shall not be subjected to unnecessary examinations or investigations.