CR_09-087 Hearings to consider emergency rules and permanent rules revising Chs. Tax 2 and 11, relating to penalties for failure to produce records. EmR0929,  

  • The Department is proposing rules establishing the DHS enforcement standard recommendations as ch. NR 140 , Wis. Adm. Code, state groundwater quality enforcement standards. The Department is also proposing rules establishing ch. NR 140 , Wis. Adm. Code, state groundwater quality preventive action limits in accordance with s. 160.15 (1) , Stats.
    Analysis and supporting documentation used to determine effect on small businesses
    In its determination of the effect of this proposed rule on small businesses, the Department used analysis and supporting documentation that included information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture—National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the University of Wisconsin (UW)—Department of Agronomy and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). Information used from the United States Department of Agriculture NASS included agricultural chemical usage reports from 2001-2007, and the NASS Agricultural Chemical Use Database. Information used from the UW Department of Agronomy included the UW Extension 2008 Herbicide price list and the UW Extension Corn and Soybean Herbicide Chart. Information from DATCP included data from DATCP's Agricultural Chemicals in Wisconsin Groundwater - Final Report March 2008 document and results from the agency's groundwater monitoring and pesticide registration databases.
    Small Business Impact
    The Department has determined that this rule order will not have a significant economic impact on small businesses. Chapter NR 140 , Wis. Adm. Code, currently contains groundwater standards for 123 substances of public health concern, 8 substances of public welfare concern and 15 indicator parameters. The proposed groundwater standard revisions would apply to all regulated facilities, practices and activities which may impact groundwater quality.
    The enforcement of Wisconsin state groundwater quality standards is done by state regulatory agencies through their groundwater protection programs. State regulatory agencies, in exercising their statutory powers and duties, establish groundwater protection regulations that assure that regulated facilities and activities will not cause state groundwater quality standards to be exceeded. A state regulatory agency may establish specific design and management criteria to ensure that regulated facilities and activities will not cause the concentration of a substance in groundwater, affected by the facilities or activities, to exceed state groundwater quality enforcement standards or preventive action limits at an applicable "point of standards application" location.
    Regulated facilities, practices and activities, which are sources of the substances for which new and revised groundwater standards are proposed are, for the most part, likely sources of substances for which groundwater standards already exist. Consequently, there will likely be few cases where the proposed standards will be exceeded where existing standards are not currently being exceeded. Additional monitoring costs may be imposed upon regulated facilities, practices and activities, but the extent of such monitoring and any costs associated with it, while too speculative to quantify at this time, are not expected to be significant.
    The proposed revisions to state groundwater quality standards include new and revised standards for some pesticides and pesticide degradation products found in Wisconsin groundwater. New proposed groundwater quality standards include standards for the insecticide chlorpyrifos, the herbicides acetochlor, dimethenamid and propazine, and the herbicide degradation products acetochlor ethane sulfonic acid and oxanilic acid, and metolachlor ethane sulfonic acid and oxanilic acid.
    The insecticide active ingredient chlorpyrifos is used in corn to control rootworm, and in soybeans to control aphids and spider mites. There are currently 32 insecticide products registered in Wisconsin that contain the active ingredient chlorpyrifos. Chlorpyrifos has been reported as detected in groundwater at 2% of DATCP Agricultural Chemical Cleanup Program sites. In a DATCP 2007 statewide survey of agricultural chemicals in Wisconsin groundwater, no chlorpyrifos was reported detected in 398 private water supply wells sampled.
    Acetochlor and dimethenamid/dimethenamid-P are herbicides that have been used in Wisconsin to control weeds in corn and soybeans. There are currently 46 herbicide products registered in Wisconsin that contain the active ingredient acetochlor or dimethenamid/dimethenamid-P. Acetochlor has been reported as detected in groundwater at 25% of DATCP Agricultural Chemical Cleanup Program sites and dimethenamid/dimethenamid-P has been reported as detected at 27% of those sites. In DATCP's 2007 statewide survey of agricultural chemicals in Wisconsin groundwater, no "parent" acetochlor or dimethenamid/dimethenamid-P were reported as detected in 398 private water supply wells sampled. Metabolite degradation products of these herbicides were, however, detected in some of the sampled wells.
    Propazine is a herbicide used for weed control on sorghum, umbelliferous crops (carrots, parsley etc.) and greenhouse ornamentals. It is also a contaminant of the herbicide atrazine, which is used in Wisconsin on corn. There are currently no herbicide products registered in Wisconsin that contain the active ingredient propazine. Propazine has been reported as detected in groundwater at 22% of DATCP Agricultural Chemical Cleanup Program sites.
    The acetochlor ethane sulfonic acid and oxanilic acid (acetochlor ESA & OXA) degradation products of acetochlor have been found in Wisconsin groundwater. In DATCP's 2007 statewide survey of agricultural chemicals in Wisconsin groundwater, acetochlor ESA & OXA were reported as detected in 16 private water supply wells and 3 private water supply wells respectively, of 398 wells sampled. The highest levels of acetochlor ESA & OXA reported in the DATCP study were 2.32 ppb and 4.36 ppb respectively. The highest levels reported in the DATCP groundwater monitoring database for private water supply wells are 9.52 ppb for acetochlor-ESA and 4.36 ppb for acetochlor-OXA.
    In the DATCP's 2007 statewide survey of agricultural chemicals in Wisconsin groundwater, metolachlor ESA & OXA were reported as detected in 106 private water supply wells and 18 private water supply wells respectively, of 398 wells sampled. The highest levels of metolachlor ESA & OXA reported in the DATCP study were 6.54 ppb and 1.37 ppb respectively. The highest levels reported in the DATCP groundwater monitoring database for private water supply wells are 31.2 ppb for metolachlor-ESA and 22.8 ppb for metolachlor-OXA.
    As it appears that the occurrence of the pesticides chlorpyrifos, acetochlor, dimethenamid/dimethenamid-P and propazine in Wisconsin groundwater is limited to DATCP Agricultural Chemical Cleanup Program sites, and as the pesticide metabolite degradation products acetochlor ESA & OXA and metolachlor ESA & OXA have been detected statewide at levels relatively low compared to proposed state groundwater quality standards for those substances, and as comparably priced alternative herbicide products appear to be available to state farmers, the Department has determined that any management practice restrictions placed on the pesticides chlorpyrifos, acetochlor, dimethenamid/dimethenamid-P and propazine to limit their impact on Wisconsin groundwater, or on acetochlor or metolachlor to limit the impact of their ESA or OXA metabolite degradation products on groundwater, are unlikely to have a significant economic impact on corn or soybean growers in Wisconsin.
    Small business regulatory coordinator
    The Department's Small Business Regulatory Coordinator may be contacted at SmallBusiness@dnr.state.wi.us or by calling (608) 266-1959.
    Environmental Analysis
    The Department has made a preliminary determination that this action does not involve significant adverse environmental effects and does not need an environmental analysis under ch. NR 150 , Wis. Adm. Code. However, based on the comments received, the Department may prepare an environmental analysis before proceeding with the proposal. This environmental review document would summarize the Department's consideration of the impacts of the proposal and reasonable alternatives.
    Fiscal Estimate
    Summary
    Although additional monitoring costs may be imposed upon the state or local government entities that are within the regulated community, the extent of such monitoring and any costs associated with it — while too speculative to quantify at this time — are not expected to be significant. Further, any increased monitoring costs associated with the setting of an ES and PAL for new substances and the lowering of the existing ES and PAL for other substances may be offset by cost savings associated with the relaxing of ESs and PALs for other compounds. Thus, on balance, the Department believes it is unlikely that there will be additional costs to state and local governments resulting from adopting these groundwater standards
    State fiscal effect
    None.
    Local government costs
    None.
    Agency Contact Person
    Mike Lemcke, Chief, Groundwater Management Section, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Drinking Water & Groundwater, 101 S. Webster Street, Madison, WI 53707-7921; (608) 266-2104; Michael.Lemcke@wisconsin.gov .
    Notice of Hearings
    Revenue
    NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN That pursuant to ss. 71.80 (9m) (c) , 77.61 (19) (c) , and 227.24 , Stats., the Department of Revenue will hold public hearings to consider emergency rules and the creation of permanent rules revising Chapters Tax 2 and 11 , relating to penalties for failure to produce records.
    Hearing Information
    The hearings will be held:
    December 10, 2009 at 1:30 p.m.
    Events Room
    State Revenue Building
    2135 Rimrock Road
    Madison, Wisconsin
    December 21, 2009 at 9:00 a.m.
    Events Room
    State Revenue Building
    2135 Rimrock Road
    Madison, Wisconsin
    Handicap access is available at the hearing location.
    Submission of Written Comments
    Interested persons are invited to appear at the hearings and may make an oral presentation. It is requested that written comments reflecting the oral presentation be given to the department at the hearings. Written comments may also be submitted to the contact person shown below no later than December 21, 2009. Written comments will be given the same consideration as testimony presented at the hearings.
    Dale Kleven
    Department of Revenue
    Mail Stop 6-40
    2135 Rimrock Road
    P.O. Box 8933
    Madison, WI 53708-8933
    Analysis Prepared by the Department of Revenue
    Statutes interpreted
    Sections 71.80 (9m) and 77.61 (19) , Stats.
    Statutory authority
    Sections 71.80 (9m) (c) and 77.61 (19) (c) , Stats.
    Explanation of agency authority
    Sections 71.80 (9m) (c) and 77.61 (19) (c) , Stats., provide that the Department shall promulgate rules to administer the penalties for failure to produce records.
    Related statute or rule
    There are no other applicable statutes or rules.
    Plain language analysis
    This proposed rule does the following:
      Reflects changes in Wisconsin's tax laws due to the adoption of penalties for failure to produce records.
      Provides guidance to Department employees and taxpayers so that the penalties can be administered in a fair and consistent manner. This includes providing a standard response time, a standard for noncompliance, and penalty waiver provisions.
    Comparison with federal regulations
    There is no existing or proposed federal regulation that is intended to address the activities to be regulated by the rule.
    Comparison with rules in adjacent states
    The department is not aware of a similar rule in an adjacent state.
    Summary of factual data and analytical methodologies
    2009 Wisconsin Act 28 adopted statutory changes creating penalties for failure to produce records. Within these provisions are requirements that the Department promulgate rules to administer these penalties. The department has created this rule to reflect these changes in Wisconsin's tax laws and comply with statutory requirements.
    Analysis and supporting documents used to determine effect on small business
    As explained above, this emergency rule is created to reflect changes in Wisconsin's tax laws and comply with statutory requirements. As the rule itself does not impose any significant financial or other compliance burden, the department has determined that it does not have a significant effect on small business.
    Anticipated costs incurred by private sector
    This proposed rule does not have a significant fiscal effect on the private sector.
    Small Business Impact
    This proposed rule does not have a significant effect on small business.
    Fiscal Estimate
    Summary
    The fiscal effect of these changes (a minimal increase in state revenues) was included in the fiscal estimates of 2009 Wisconsin Act 28 . Consequently, this proposed rule has no fiscal effect.
    State fiscal effect
    None.
    Local government costs
    None.
    Text of Proposed Rule
    SECTION 1. Tax 2.85 is created to read:
    Tax 2.85 Penalty for failure to produce records under s. 71.80(9m) , Stats. (1) GENERAL. A person who fails to produce records or documents, as provided under ss. 71.74 (2) and 73.03 (9) , Stats., that were requested by the department may be subject to the following penalties:
    (a) The disallowance of deductions, credits, exemptions or income inclusion to which the requested records relate.
    (b) In addition to any other penalties that the department may impose, a penalty for each violation under s. 71.80 (9m) , Stats., that is equal to the greater of $500 or 25% of the amount of the additional tax on any adjustment made by the department that results from the person's failure to produce the records.
    (2) DEFINITIONS. In this section:
    (a) "Disallowance," "inclusion," or "adjustment" include action taken by the department when a proposed assessment or refund or notice of assessment or refund is issued to a taxpayer.
    (b) "Records" or "documents" include both paper and electronic formats. Examples include, but are not limited to, bills, receipts, invoices, contracts, letters, memos, accounting statements or schedules, general ledgers, journal entries, and board of director's minutes.
    (c) "Records requested were not provided" means that all records requested were not provided to the department within the time specified by the department.
    (d) "Written request for records" includes requests made by letter, e-mail, fax or any other written form.
    (3) PROCEDURES. The penalties in this section may be imposed if the records requested were not provided and the department provided the following notifications regarding the records requested:
    (a) A first written request for records where the department allowed the person a minimum of 15 days for the records to be provided.
    (b) A second written request for records where the department allowed the person a minimum of 30 days for the records to be provided. This second written request for records shall include a statement explaining that if the requested records are not provided by the date specified, the penalties provided by s. 71.80(9m) , Stats., may be imposed.
    Examples: 1) The department issues a first written request for records to John Jones on May 5, 2010, allowing him until May 20, 2010 to provide the records requested. Mr. Jones does not provide the requested records to the department by May 20, 2010. The department issues a second written request for records to him on June 1, 2010, allowing him until July 1, 2010, to provide the records requested. Included in this second written request for records is a notification regarding the penalties provided by s. 71.80(9m) , Stats. Mr. Jones does not provide the requested records by July 1, 2010. Therefore, the department may disallow the deductions, credits, or exemptions or include in Wisconsin income the additional income to which the requested records relate and impose a penalty equal to the greater of $500 or 25% of the additional tax on the adjustments made resulting from Mr. Jones not providing the records requested.
    2) The department issues a first written request for records to Corporation A on September 1, 2009, allowing Corporation A until October 6, 2009, to provide the records requested. Corporation A does not provide the requested records to the department by October 6, 2009. The department issues a second written request for records to Corporation A on October 21, 2009, allowing Corporation A until November 30, 2009, to provide the records requested. Included in this second written request for records is a notification regarding the penalties provided by s. 71.80(9m) , Stats. Corporation A does not provide the requested records by November 30, 2009. Therefore, the department may disallow the deductions, credits, or exemptions or include in Wisconsin income the additional income to which the requested records relate and impose a penalty equal to the greater of $500 or 25% of the additional tax on the adjustments made resulting from Corporation A not providing the records requested.
    3) The department issues a first written request for records to Corporation B on January 5, 2010, allowing Corporation B until January 20, 2010, to provide the records requested. Corporation B does not provide the requested records to the department by January 20, 2010. The department issues a second written request for records to Corporation B on February 8, 2010, allowing Corporation B until March 10, 2010, to provide the records requested. Included in this second written request for records is a notification regarding the penalties provided by s. 71.80(9m) , Stats. Corporation B provides records to the department by March 10, 2010, but the department determines that the taxpayer did not provide some of the records requested by March 10, 2010. Therefore, since the taxpayer did not provide all of the records requested by March 10, 2010, the department may disallow the deductions, credits, or exemptions or include in Wisconsin income the additional income to which the requested records relate and impose a penalty equal to the greater of $500 or 25% of the additional tax on the adjustments made resulting from Corporation B not providing the records requested.
    (4) WAIVER OF PENALTIES. (a) The penalties in this section may be waived if the person whose records were requested can show that, under all the facts and circumstances, its response to the written request for records or its failure to respond to the written request for records was reasonable or justified by factors beyond the person's control. In determining whether the penalties will be waived, the department may consider the following factors:
    1. Death of the taxpayer, tax preparer, accountant or other responsible party.
    2. Onset of debilitating illness or injury of the taxpayer, tax preparer, accountant or other responsible party.
    3. Natural disaster such as tornado, flood or fire.
    4. Records that were destroyed due to events beyond control of the taxpayer or other responsible party and not due to neglect.
    5. Any other unusual circumstance that the department believes pertinent.
    (b) Providing requested records after the time period required for providing the records has expired, as provided in sub. (3), may result in a reduction of the penalty provided in sub. (1) (a) if the department determines that these records support a reduction in the disallowance or inclusion previously made by the department, but would not result in a reduction of the penalty provided in sub. (1) (b) unless the person can show that under all the facts and circumstances providing the requested records at that time was reasonable or justified by factors beyond the person's control.
    Examples: 1) Since Corporation C does not provide the records requested by the date specified in a second written request for records to support interest expense deducted, the department issues a proposed audit report to Corporation C disallowing all the interest expense previously deducted. Additional tax of $100,000 and penalty of $25,000 results in the proposed audit report from disallowing this interest expense. Corporation C provides the records requested 26 days after the department issues the proposed audit report but before the notice of assessment is issued and explains that they were too busy with other aspects of their business to respond to the two written requests for records by the dates specified. In this situation, the failure to provide the records requested is not reasonable or justified by factors beyond the person's control. However, the records provided support half of the interest expense deduction previously claimed. Therefore, the interest expense adjustment is modified to reduce the proposed additional tax from $100,000 to $50,000, but the original proposed penalty of $25,000 for failure to provide records remains.
    2) Since Mr. Smith does not provide the records requested regarding his cash business to support the reported gross receipts by the date specified in a second written request for records, the department issues a notice of assessment to Mr. Smith including an estimated amount into income for unreported receipts. Additional tax of $60,000, a negligence penalty of $15,000 and a penalty for failure to produce records of $15,000 results in the assessment from including these estimated receipts. Mr. Smith appeals the assessment, provides the records that were requested during the audit, and explains that he forgot to provide the records that were previously requested. In this situation, the failure to provide the records requested is not reasonable or justified by factors beyond the person's control. However, the records provided show that unreported receipts were only 20% of the amount previously included by the department as estimated unreported receipts. Therefore, the unreported receipts adjustment and negligence penalty are modified to reduce the additional tax from $60,000 to $12,000 and the negligence penalty from $15,000 to $3,000, but the original penalty for failure to produce records of $15,000 remains.
    3) Assume the same facts as example 2, except that Mr. Smith explains that he did not previously provide the requested records because his accountant had possession of them and was in the hospital when the records were requested during the audit. In this situation the failure to provide the records requested is reasonable or justified by factors beyond the person's control. Therefore, the unreported receipts adjustment is modified to reduce the additional tax from $60,000 to $12,000, the negligence penalty is reduced from $15,000 to $3,000 and the original penalty for failure to produce records of $15,000 is waived.
    SECTION 2. Tax 11.90 is created to read:
    Tax 11.90 Penalty for failure to produce records under s. 77.61 (19) , Stats. (1) GENERAL. A person who fails to produce records or documents, as provided under ss. 73.03(9) and 77.59(2) , Stats., that were requested by the department may be subject to the following penalties:
    (a) The disallowance of deductions, credits, exemptions or inclusions of additional taxable sales or additional taxable purchases to which the requested records relate.
    (b) In addition to any other penalties that the department may impose, a penalty for each violation under s. 77.61(19) , Stats., that is equal to the greater of $500 or 25% of the amount of the additional tax on any adjustment made by the department that results from the person's failure to produce the records.
    (2) DEFINITIONS. In this section:
    (a) "Disallowance," "inclusion," or "adjustment" include action taken by the department when a proposed assessment or refund or notice of assessment or refund is issued to a taxpayer.
    (b) "Records" or "documents" include both paper and electronic formats. Examples include, but are not limited to, bills, receipts, invoices, contracts, letters, memos, accounting statements or schedules, general ledgers, journal entries, and board of director's minutes.
    (c) "Records requested were not provided" means that all records requested were not provided to the department within the time specified by the department.
    (d) "Written request for records" includes requests made by letter, e-mail, fax or any other written form.
    (3) PROCEDURES. The penalties in this section may be imposed if the records requested were not provided and the department provided the following notifications regarding the records requested:
    (a) A first written request for records where the department allowed the person a minimum of 15 days for the records to be provided.
    (b) A second written request for records where the department allowed the person a minimum of 30 days for the records to be provided. This second written request for records shall include a statement explaining that if the requested records are not provided by the date specified, the penalties provided by s. 77.61 (19) , Stats., may be imposed.
    Examples: 1) The department issues a first written request for records to John Jones on May 5, 2010, allowing him until May 20, 2010, to provide the records requested. Mr. Jones does not provide the requested records to the department by May 20, 2010. The department issues a second written request for records to him on June 1, 2010, allowing him until July 1, 2010, to provide the records requested. Included in this second written request for records is a notification regarding the penalties provided by s. 77.61(19) , Stats. Mr. Jones does not provide the requested records by July 1, 2010. Therefore, the department may disallow the deductions, credits, or exemptions or include the additional taxable sales or additional taxable purchases to which the requested records relate and impose a penalty equal to the greater of $500 or 25% of the additional tax on the adjustments made resulting from Mr. Jones not providing the records requested.
    2) The department issues a first written request for records to Corporation A on September 1, 2009, allowing Corporation A until October 6, 2009, to provide the records requested. Corporation A does not provide the requested records to the department by October 6, 2009. The department issues a second written request for records to Corporation A on October 21, 2009, allowing Corporation A until November 30, 2009, to provide the records requested. Included in this second written request for records is a notification regarding the penalties provided by s. 77.61 (19) , Stats. Corporation A does not provide the requested records by November 30, 2009. Therefore, the department may disallow the deductions, credits, or exemptions or include the additional taxable sales or additional taxable purchases to which the requested records relate and impose a penalty equal to the greater of $500 or 25% of the additional tax on the adjustments made resulting from Corporation A not providing the records requested.
    3) The department issues a first written request for records to Corporation B on January 5, 2010, allowing Corporation B until January 20, 2010, to provide the records requested. Corporation B does not provide the requested records to the department by January 20, 2010. The department issues a second written request for records to Corporation B on February 8, 2010, allowing Corporation B until March 10, 2010, to provide the records requested. Included in this second written request for records is a notification regarding the penalties provided by s. 77.61 (19) , Stats. Corporation B provides records to the department by March 10, 2010, but the department determines that the taxpayer did not provide some of the records requested by March 10, 2010. Therefore, since the taxpayer did not provide all of the records requested by March 10, 2010, the department may disallow the deductions, credits, or exemptions or include the additional taxable sales or additional taxable purchases to which the requested records relate and impose a penalty equal to the greater of $500 or 25% of the additional tax on the adjustments made resulting from Corporation B not providing the records requested.
    (4) WAIVER OF PENALTIES. (a) The penalties in this section may be waived if the person whose records were requested can show that, under all the facts and circumstances, its response to the written request for records or its failure to respond to the written request for records was reasonable or justified by factors beyond the person's control. In determining whether the penalties will be waived, the department may consider the following factors:
    1. Death of the taxpayer, tax preparer, accountant or other responsible party.
    2. Onset of debilitating illness or injury of the taxpayer, tax preparer, accountant or other responsible party.
    3. Natural disaster such as tornado, flood or fire.
    4. Records that were destroyed due to events beyond control of the taxpayer or other responsible party and not due to neglect.
    5. Any other unusual circumstance that the department believes pertinent.
    (b) Providing requested records after the time period required for providing the records has expired, as provided in sub. (3), may result in a reduction of the penalty provided in sub. (1) (a) if the department determines that these records support a reduction in the disallowance or inclusion previously made by the department, but would not result in a reduction of the penalty provided in sub. (1) (b) unless the person can show that under all the facts and circumstances providing the requested records at that time was reasonable or justified by factors beyond the person's control.
    Examples: 1) Since Corporation C does not provide the records requested by the date specified in a second written request for records to support deductions for exempt sales, the department issues a proposed audit report to Corporation C disallowing all the deductions for exempt sales previously claimed. Additional tax of $100,000 and penalty of $25,000 results in the proposed audit report from disallowing the deductions for exempt sales. Corporation C provides the records requested 26 days after the department issues the proposed audit report but before the notice of assessment is issued and explains that they were too busy with other aspects of their business to respond to the two written requests for records by the dates specified. In this situation, the failure to provide the records requested is not reasonable or justified by factors beyond the person's control. However, the records provided support half of the deductions for exempt sales previously claimed. Therefore, the deductions for exempt sales adjustment is modified to reduce the proposed additional tax from $100,000 to $50,000, but the original proposed penalty of $25,000 for failure to provide records remains.
    2) Since Mr. Smith does not provide the records requested regarding his cash business to support the reported gross receipts by the date specified in a second written request for records, the department issues a notice of assessment to Mr. Smith including an estimated amount into taxable sales for unreported receipts. Additional tax of $60,000, a negligence penalty of $15,000 and a penalty for failure to produce records of $15,000 results in the assessment from including these estimated receipts. Mr. Smith appeals the assessment, provides the records that were requested during the audit, and explains that he forgot to provide the records that were previously requested. In this situation, the failure to provide the records requested is not reasonable or justified by factors beyond the person's control. However, the records provided show that unreported receipts were only 20% of the amount previously included by the department as estimated unreported receipts. Therefore, the unreported receipts adjustment and negligence penalty are modified to reduce the additional tax from $60,000 to $12,000 and the negligence penalty from $15,000 to $3,000, but the original penalty for failure to produce records of $15,000 remains.
    3) Assume the same facts as example 2, except that Mr. Smith explains that he did not previously provide the requested records because his accountant had possession of them and was in the hospital when the records were requested during the audit. In this situation the failure to provide the records requested is reasonable or justified by factors beyond the person's control. Therefore, the unreported receipts adjustment is modified to reduce the additional tax from $60,000 to $12,000, the negligence penalty is reduced from $15,000 to $3,000 and the original penalty for failure to produce records of $15,000 is waived.
    Agency Contact Person
    Dale Kleven
    Department of Revenue
    Mail Stop 6-40
    2135 Rimrock Road
    PO Box 8933
    Madison WI 53708-8933
    Telephone: (608) 266-8253