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Senate taxation committee hears bill to let taxpayers opt in to electronic notices from Department of Revenue
Summary
A bill sponsored by Rep. Mark Thane would let Montanans elect to receive correspondence from the Department of Revenue electronically; department officials said the change is optional and intended to speed communication and reduce costs.
Representative Mark Thane opened testimony on House Bill 91, telling the Senate Taxation Committee the bill would give taxpayers the option to receive communications from the Department of Revenue electronically rather than by traditional mail. “House Bill 91 provides an option for electronic communication,” Thane said.
The bill would add a provision authorizing the Department of Revenue to send letters, notices and other communications electronically when a taxpayer elects that option on a department-provided form. Casey Redley, information governance unit supervisor for the Department of Revenue, told the committee the option would be voluntary: “This choice will not be mandatory. It will be entirely up to the taxpayer.” Redley said the department intends to offer opt‑in through its public portal (TAP) and may support email, fax, system-to-system messages and possibly text messaging.
Proponents argued the change would speed delivery, reduce mailing costs and help the department track correspondence by linking it to taxpayers’ accounts. Alan Lloyd, executive director of the Montana Society of CPAs, testified in support and said tax preparers appreciate that the bill leaves the choice optional.
Committee members asked whether processing for taxpayers who continue to receive paper mail would be delayed. Redley said roles and processing priorities would remain the same for both electronic and traditional mail. No opponents appeared and no committee vote was recorded at the hearing’s close.
The hearing record shows House Bill 91 was presented at the request of the Department of Revenue and closes without a committee action recorded. The committee chair closed the hearing and the bill will await further committee action or scheduling.
