Louisiana Department of Revenue Announces Formation of the Audit Protest Bureau

On June 24, 2010, The Louisiana Department of Revenue (“Department”) announced the formation of the Audit Protest Bureau (APB) to give taxpayers a new avenue for audit dispute resolution. The APB will be an independent group within the Department comprised of legal and tax administration experts who are trained in dispute resolution.

“APB’s purpose is to resolve tax-related disputes at the earliest opportunity,” said Secretary of Revenue Cynthia Bridges. “This is the first step in a process to find an equitable solution for both parties without resorting to costly and time-consuming litigation.”

Once a proposed assessment is issued, the taxpayer will have the option to file a protest with the APB. The protest must be filed within 30 days of the proposed assessment. APB will then have control of the audit protest process. They will analyze any outstanding issues related to the audit and issue a written determination. The protest petition form is available on the Department’s Website.