I just want to provide a quick update on some of our work on this issue:
Legislature: We are told that Sen. Kline is concerned about this issue but staff in his office have been too busy with the session to give us an update on their assessment.
If you write your legislator, be sure to tell them about the potential pitfalls of HB 3176 with respect to Microsoft's possible tax amnesty.
State auditor: We've received a response from the State Auditor and public records requests from the auditor's office. We'll be publishing these shortly. Most curious email says: "Audit agencies should not be in the business of interpreting tax laws."
Attorney General Review of Department of Revenue's Denial of Public Records Requests: We're told to expect a non-binding legal finding from the AGO momentarily, on whether the DoR acted appropriately in denying our records request. This could come any day. The AGO finding could lead the DoR to release the records.
Active public records requests: We've requested all the documentation related to Rep. Ross Hunter's work on HB 3176 with respect to Microsoft and its lobbyists. Given that this bill is pending in the legislature, we expect a quick response.
Department of Revenue explanation of Royalty Tax Enforcement: After several months of back and forth, the Department has finally sent us a more detailed explanation of their sense of current law. We'll publish this shortly as well. As far as we can tell, they've made an administrative decision not to collect Microsoft's Nevada royalty taxes - but they are clearly pushing for additional legislation to make it easier for them to crack down on this type of practice - what they call "abusive tax transactions". They just probably didn't expect Rep. Ross Hunter to include tax amnesty for past abusers in HB 3176.
Getting the Seattle Times to report on HB 3176's $100 million tax cut and possible tax amnesty for Microsoft: We're on it. But, it wouldn't hurt if you call the newsroom as well: (206) 464-2200
