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Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
S. 154
STATUS INFORMATION
General Bill
Sponsors: Senator Martin
Document Path: l:\s-res\srm\001dor .kmm.srm.docx
Introduced in the Senate on January 12, 2021
Introduced in the House on April 6, 2021
Last Amended on March 31, 2021
Currently residing in the House Committee on Ways and Means
Summary: Revenue Department, taxation
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
Date Body Action Description with journal page number
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12/9/2020 Senate Prefiled
12/9/2020 Senate Referred to Committee on Finance
1/12/2021 Senate Introduced and read first time (Senate Journal-page 194)
1/12/2021 Senate Referred to Committee on Finance
(Senate Journal-page 194)
3/17/2021 Senate Committee report: Favorable with amendment Finance
(Senate Journal-page 9)
3/25/2021 Senate Committee Amendment Adopted (Senate Journal-page 14)
3/30/2021 Senate Read second time (Senate Journal-page 11)
3/31/2021 Senate Amended (Senate Journal-page 34)
3/31/2021 Senate Read third time and sent to House
(Senate Journal-page 34)
3/31/2021 Senate Roll call Ayes-43 Nays-0 (Senate Journal-page 34)
4/6/2021 House Introduced and read first time (House Journal-page 123)
4/6/2021 House Referred to Committee on Ways and Means
(House Journal-page 123)
View the latest legislative information at the website
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
12/9/2020
3/17/2021
3/25/2021
3/31/2021
AS PASSED BY THE SENATE
March 31, 2021
S. 154
S. Printed 3/31/21--S.
Read the first time January 12, 2021.
TO AMEND CHAPTER 54, TITLE 12 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE UNIFORM METHOD OF COLLECTION AND ENFORCEMENT OF TAXES LEVIED AND ASSESSED BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, BY ADDING SECTION 12-54-20, TO PROVIDE THAT A TAXPAYER THAT PREVAILS IN AN ACTION OR PROCEEDING TO RECOVER A TAX OR PENALTY IS ENTITLED TO REASONABLE ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH DEFENDING THE ACTION OR PROCEEDING.
Amend Title To Conform
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Chapter 54, Title 12 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 12-54-20. (A) An individual that is a party in any action or proceeding with, or on behalf of, the department regarding any tax imposed by this title and administered by the department, is entitled to an equitable award by the court, at the conclusion of the action, of reasonable attorneys' fees and costs associated with the action or proceeding if the court finds:
(a) the individual is the substantially prevailing party in the action or proceeding; or
(b) the department does not meet the timeliness requirements set forth in law. For purposes of this subsection, reasonable attorneys' fees and costs means the fees and costs incurred by the individual due to the department's delay.
(B) The department is entitled to an equitable award of reasonable attorneys' fees and costs associated with an action commenced against it by an individual regarding any tax imposed by this title and administered by the department if the court finds that the action commenced by the individual is frivolous, unreasonable, without foundation, or in bad faith.
(C) In determining an award made pursuant to subsections (A) and (B), the court shall consider the following:
(1) the nature, extent, and difficulty of the legal services rendered;
(2) the time and labor necessarily devoted to the case;
(3) the professional standing of counsel; and
(4) the beneficial results obtained.
(D) For purposes of this section, an individual also includes sole proprietorships, partnerships, and 'S' corporations, including limited liability companies taxed as sole proprietorships, partnerships, or 'S' corporations."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
This web page was last updated on April 7, 2021 at 9:35 AM