By Cory Fong
For Immediate Release
03-16-10
Contact: Beth Boustead – 701-328-3039
Bismarck, N.D. – Tax Commissioner Cory Fong today warned North Dakota businesses and residents to be wary of companies or web sites that sell sales tax resale certificates that supposedly allow buyers to avoid paying sales tax.
“We’ve heard that there are web sites that are trying to sell sales tax resale certificates,” said Fong. “Businesses and individuals need to be cautious when dealing with companies that try to charge a fee for these or other tax identification numbers.”
The Tax Department does not charge a fee for sales tax certificates issued by the Department and it does not release taxpayer permit numbers for private use. Fong recommends that businesses avoid dealing with any company that tries to sell a North Dakota sales tax form, permit, or certificate.
Fong said, “We want people to know that if they are approached by a company trying to sell a sales tax resale certificate or other tax identification number, it is probably a scam. The certificate number or identification number is phony and the company is likely trying to gather the consumers’ credit card and personal information.”
Any individual or business that makes taxable retail sales is required to hold a North Dakota sales tax permit. To receive a permit, the business or individual applies to the state Tax Department for a sales tax permit. The Tax Department does not charge a fee for the permit. Permit holders file sales tax returns to report sales made and to pay any sales tax collected on their sales.
Businesses making purchases of items intended for resale do not pay sales tax on the supplies to the vendor. Instead, they need to complete a resale certificate at the time they make the purchase. Businesses or individuals needing a resale certificate can download it free from the Tax Department’s web site at www.nd.gov/tax.
“The seller keeps the resale certificate to document the exempt sale,” said Fong. “And later on, when the business sells the item, they will need to collect the sales tax from the customer and then report and pay the tax they collected to the Office of State Tax Commissioner.”
For more information about sales tax permits, resale certificates, or other tax matters, visit the Tax Department’s web site at www.nd.gov/tax or follow the Tax Department on facebook.
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Filed in: Latest News
By Cory Fong
For Immediate Release
March 11, 2010
Contact:
Cory Fong, North Dakota Tax Commissioner
701-226-7743
corygfong@hotmail.com
OR
Adam Jones, Executive Director
ND Republican Party
701-471-2362
North Dakota Tax Commissioner kicks off his 2010 re-election campaign
West Fargo and Bismarck – North Dakota Tax Commissioner Cory Fong kicked off his 2010 re-election campaign today with announcements in West Fargo and Bismarck, citing his desire to continue building upon his successes in historic tax relief, efficient tax administration and expansion of electronic filing options for North Dakotans. All three of these areas have been enhanced since Fong took office in 2005.
Tax relief has been Fong’s primary focus during his first term, and the area in which he says he has best served North Dakotans.
“Since I’ve been Tax Commissioner, we’ve delivered a total of one-half billion dollars in tax relief to citizens of North Dakota.”
According to Fong, the tax relief means about $1,200 in property tax savings for the average farmer and rancher, and approximately $1,800 in property tax savings for the average small business. For the average family earning between $60,000 and $80,000 with a $150,000 home, it means between $600 and $700 in property and income tax savings.
Another priority area for Fong during his first term as Tax Commissioner has been tax administration. Changes to the department’s processes have allowed the tax department to more effectively and efficiently serve the people of North Dakota.
Fong highlighted the department’s successful on-time and under-budget completion of an integrated tax system project in 2007 which resulted in $2.8 million savings for the people of North Dakota.
“This is unheard of in large-scale IT projects,” he said. “This project has already resulted in a revenue enhancement to the state of nearly $10 million. Not only is the new system helping us manage tax collections more efficiently and effectively, it’s also paying for itself.”
This same focus on process and responsible fiscal management allowed the Tax Department to return nearly $2 million to the General Fund during his term.
A third area of success during Fong’s tenure has been a simplification of North Dakota’s tax system and the expansion of electronic filing options for North Dakota taxpayers. Both are items Fong said “make it even easier for our taxpayers and businesses to comply with the law.”
During the 2009 filing season alone, nearly 65 percent – more than 222,000 individual income tax returns – were filed electronically. This represents two-thirds of North Dakota’s total individual income tax filers and a 50 percent increase in E-file during Fong’s tenure.
“Our goal this tax season is for 70 percent of our individual income tax filers to file electronically. We are making it easier to do so everyday with new tools and information on our Web site,” Fong said.
Fong closed his announcements by asking for the support of North Dakotans in November. “During my tenure, I’ve helped deliver tax relief for North Dakotans, made the Tax Department one of the most efficient and cost effective agencies in state government and helped simplify our tax system and expanded electronic filing options. While this is a great roster of successes so far, I hope North Dakotans will elect me to another term as Tax Commissioner, so I can continue to get the job for the people of North Dakota.”
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About Cory Fong:
Cory Fong was elected the North Dakota State Tax Commissioner in North Dakota’s 2006 statewide election, after being appointed to the position in 2005. Fong is dedicated to promoting a tax structure and business climate in North Dakota that allows businesses and industries to grow and prosper.
Fong’s primary focus during his first term was a historic tax relief program, which provided one-half billion dollars in tax relief to the citizens of North Dakota. In addition, his responsible fiscal management allowed the Tax Department to return nearly $2 million to the state’s General Fund.
His prior experience includes serving as the Director of Elections and Deputy Secretary of State, both with the North Dakota Office of Secretary of State; Deputy Director of the North Dakota Republican Party; Director of Governor John Hoeven’s 2004 re-election campaign; and Deputy Commissioner of the North Dakota Dept. of Commerce.
Fong is a graduate of Gonzaga University, Spokane, Wash., with a Bachelor’s degree in political science and speech communications. He’s lived in Bismarck since 1994, with his wife Cecily, and son Conrad.
Filed in: Latest News
