LAC 61:I.4913 — Collection of In-State Tax Liabilities by Debt Collection Agencies or the Attorney General's Office

A. Definitions
1. For purposes of this rule, the following terms shall have the meaning ascribed to them.
Attorney Generalthe Attorney General of the state of Louisiana.
Collection Contractorthe attorney general or one or more private persons, companies, associations, or corporations who provide debt collection services inside the state.
B.1. The secretary is authorized to enter into contracts with collection contractors to facilitate the collection of taxes, interest, penalties, and fees due the department after an obligation has become collectible by distraint and sale.
2. The secretary may only enter into a collection contract after notice by regular mail has been transmitted to the taxpayer at the address given in the last report filed by the taxpayer, or to any address obtainable from any private entity that will provide such address free of charge or from any federal, state, or local government entity, including but not limited to the United States Postal Service or from United States Postal Service certified software.
3. The taxpayer will be informed of the following:
a. that the obligation is a final judgment;
b. all the actions the secretary is authorized to take in order to collect the debt; and
c. that if the debt is not paid within 60 days of the date of the notice, a collection fee not to exceed 25 percent of the total liability will be charged to the account.
4. The taxpayer must pay the full amount of any additional charge for the collection of any taxes, interest, penalties, or fees. If an account is referred to a collection contractor, the additional charge will be paid to the collection contractor.
C. The secretary will consider the following criteria in selecting collection contractors:
1. fees charged;
2. organizational structure;
3. experience with government accounts;
4. computer capabilities including the ability to generate reports and formatting;
5. collection methodology;
6. financial stability; and,
7. personnel resources.
D. Prior to entering into any contract, the secretary will require a performance bond, cash, or securities from the collection contractor in an amount not to exceed $100,000.
E. Once the collection contract is entered into, the secretary will provide information to the collection contractors concerning the accounts of individual taxpayers only to the extent necessary for the collection contractor to fulfill his contractual obligation.
1. The information furnished by the secretary will be considered confidential and privileged by the collection contractor and members of his staff, as provided by R.S. 47:1508.
2. Collection contractors may not take any action that exceeds the authority of the secretary and must follow the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
F. With the approval of the secretary, the collection contractor may file suit, at his expense, in the name of the secretary in the courts of this state for the purpose of collecting the tax debt.
G.1. Nothing contained in this rule shall be construed to affect in any manner any rights and remedies available to the taxpayer.
2. This rule does not apply to a spouse who qualifies for liability relief under the innocent spouse provisions of R.S. 47:101.B(7).
H. The attorney general will have a right of first refusal for all accounts selected to be sent to a collection contractor.
1. A list of accounts selected will be compiled by the secretary and forwarded to the attorney general for the exercise of his right of first refusal.
2. The right of first refusal shall be exercised within 30 days of the date of mailing or electronic transmission of the list.
3. If the attorney general fails to exercise his right of first refusal within 30 days or refuses to accept an account, the secretary may send the account to any collection contractor meeting the requirements of Subsection C.
4. When the attorney general accepts an account for collection, the collection fee may not exceed 15 percent of the total liability.