(1) "Authorized tax document" means a tax document which the commissioner has authorized to be filed electronically.

(2) "Electronic" means computer technology.

(3) "Software company" means a developer of tax software.

(4) "Tax" means any tax or other matter administered by the commissioner pursuant to this chapter or any other provision of law.

(5) "Tax document" means a return, report or any other document relating to a tax or other matter administered by the commissioner.

(6) "Tax return preparer" means any person who prepares for compensation, or who employs or engages one or more persons to prepare for compensation, any authorized tax document. For purposes of this section, the term "tax return preparer" also includes a payroll service.

(7) "Tax software" means any computer software program intended for tax return preparation purposes. For purposes of this section, the term "tax software" includes, but is not limited to, an off-the-shelf software program loaded onto a tax return preparer's or taxpayer's computer, or an online tax preparation application.

(b) It shall be unlawful for a tax return preparer or a software company to charge a separate fee for the electronic filing of authorized tax documents. It shall also be unlawful for a software company to offer a version of its tax software that charges a separate fee for the electronic filing of authorized tax documents and one version of the same tax software that does not.

(c) Any tax return preparer or software company violating this section will be liable for a civil penalty of five hundred dollars for the first violation and one thousand dollars for each succeeding violation. The civil penalties imposed by this section shall be paid to the commissioner upon notice and demand, and will be assessed, collected and paid in the same manner as taxes under article twenty-seven of this chapter. * NB There are 2 § 34's