FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact: Rick Clayburgh, Tax Commissioner   701-328-2770
May 16, 2002	Dan Rouse, Legal Counsel   701-328-2770

Tax Department Updates Taxpayer Bill of Rights

BISMARCK --- Tax Commissioner Rick Clayburgh unveiled an updated North Dakota Taxpayer Bill of Rights today. Taken directly from existing laws, rules, and policies, the Taxpayer Bill of Rights highlights taxpayers’ rights, protections, and responsibilities when dealing with the Office of State Tax Commissioner.

“The North Dakota Taxpayer Bill of Rights is part of the Office of State Tax Commissioner’s focus on providing exceptional customer service and taxpayer education,” said Commissioner Clayburgh. “We work hard to ensure that tax laws are enforced correctly, consistently, and that honest taxpayers do not shoulder an unfair responsibility.”

The Taxpayer Bill of Rights assures taxpayers that their rights, privacy, and property are safeguarded during the assessment, levy, collection, and enforcement of North Dakota taxes. The Office of State Tax Commissioner designed the Bill of Rights to explain these rights and obligations to taxpayers, appraisers, tax collectors, and Tax Department staff. A central principle of the Bill of Rights is to protect the confidential information provided to the Department.

“The public entrusts us with personal financial information with the understanding that we will not betray this trust,” said Clayburgh. “I cannot emphasize enough the importance of confidentiality.”

Some of the highlights of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights include the right to rely on written advice received from the Office of State Tax Commissioner, implementation of a fair collection process, including installment payments for tax liabilities, and employee evaluations that emphasize courteous and professional treatment of taxpayers.

“A fair and just tax system is the cornerstone of good government for the state of North Dakota,” said Commissioner Clayburgh. “We believe that respecting taxpayers’ rights is as important as collecting tax, and we work hard to earn the taxpayers’ confidence in our systems’ integrity, fairness, and efficiency.”

Anyone wishing to receive more information can contact the Office of State Tax Commissioner at 1-800-638-2901 (Bismarck-Mandan area residents can call 328-2770); or visit the Tax Department’s web site at www.nd.gov/tax