Committee backs creation of independent tax appeals commission

Senator Blake Johnson presented House Bill 14‑68 to create an independent tax appeals commission within the Department of Inspector General to resolve disputes between taxpayers and the Department of Finance before payment is required. The commission would be a three‑member tribunal with nominees selected from the Arkansas Bar Association, the Arkansas Supreme Court and the Arkansas Society of Certified Public Accountants; the chief commissioner would be the Supreme Court nominee and must be both an attorney and a CPA for cases above $250,000.

Sponsor Johnson said the proposal has broad stakeholder support — DFNA, the governor’s office, the inspector general’s office, the state chamber, the Society of CPAs and the Bar Association — and that the measure aims to provide a fairer process for taxpayers who currently face internal appeal limits. Committee members asked about appointment pools and term replacements; the sponsor said replacement nominees would come from the same nominating bodies. The committee approved the bill by voice vote.