1. The Legislature hereby declares that each taxpayer has the right:

(a) To be treated by officers and employees of the Department with courtesy, fairness, uniformity, consistency and common sense.

(b) To a prompt response from the Department to each communication from the taxpayer.

(c) To provide the minimum documentation and other information as may reasonably be required by the Department to carry out its duties.

(d) To written explanations of common errors, oversights and violations that taxpayers experience and instructions on how to avoid such problems.

(e) To be notified, in writing, by the Department whenever its officer, employee or agent determines that the taxpayer is entitled to an exemption or has been taxed or assessed more than is required by law.

(f) To written instructions indicating how the taxpayer may petition for:

(1) An adjustment of an assessment;

(2) A refund or credit for overpayment of taxes, interest or penalties; or

(3) A reduction in or the release of a bond or other form of security required to be furnished pursuant to the provisions of chapters 365 and 366 of NRS.

(g) To recover an overpayment of taxes promptly upon the final determination of such an overpayment.

(h) To obtain specific advice from the Department concerning the taxes imposed pursuant to chapters 365, 366 and 373 of NRS.

(i) In any meeting with the Department, including an audit, conference, interview or hearing:

(1) To an explanation by an officer, agent or employee of the Department that describes the procedures to be followed and the taxpayer’s rights thereunder;

(2) To be represented by himself or herself or anyone who is otherwise authorized by law to represent the taxpayer before the Department;

(3) To make an audio recording using the taxpayer’s own equipment and at the taxpayer’s own expense; and

(4) To receive a copy of any document or audio recording made by or in the possession of the Department relating to the determination or collection of any tax for which the taxpayer is assessed, upon payment of the actual cost to the Department of making the copy.

(j) To a full explanation of the authority of the Department to assess a tax or to collect delinquent taxes, including the procedures and notices for review and appeal that are required for the protection of the taxpayer. An explanation which meets the requirements of this section must also be included with each notice to a taxpayer that an audit will be conducted by the Department.

(k) To the immediate release of any lien which the Department has placed on real or personal property for the nonpayment of any tax when:

(1) The tax is paid;

(2) The period of limitation for collecting the tax expires;

(3) The lien is the result of an error by the Department;

(4) The Department determines that the taxes, interest and penalties are secured sufficiently by a lien on other property;

(5) The release or subordination of the lien will not jeopardize the collection of the taxes, interest and penalties;

(6) The release of the lien will facilitate the collection of the taxes, interest and penalties; or

(7) The Department determines that the lien is creating an economic hardship.

(l) To the release or reduction of a bond or other form of security required to be furnished pursuant to the provisions of chapters 365 and 366 of NRS by the Department in accordance with applicable statutes and regulations.

(m) To be free from harassment and intimidation by an officer, agent or employee of the Department for any reason.

(n) To have statutes imposing taxes and any regulations adopted pursuant thereto construed in favor of the taxpayer if those statutes or regulations are of doubtful validity or effect, unless there is a specific statutory provision that is applicable.

2. The provisions of chapters 365, 366 and 373 of NRS governing the administration and collection of taxes by the Department must not be construed in such a manner as to interfere or conflict with the provisions of this section or any applicable regulations.

3. The provisions of this section apply to all taxes administered and collected by the Department pursuant to the provisions of chapters 365, 366 and 373 of NRS and any regulations adopted by the Department relating thereto.

(Added to NRS by 2005, 22nd Special Session, 130)