North Dakota Code § 57-38-38

Tax commissioner to audit returns and assess tax
Open in Lexace · Ask the AI about this section
1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the tax commissioner shall proceed to 
audit the returns of taxpayers and, not later than three years after the due date of the 
return, or three years after the return was filed, whichever period expires later, assess 
the tax and, if any additional tax is found due, shall notify the taxpayer in detail as to 
the reason for the increase.
2. For taxable years beginning before January 1, 1991, as to any corporation or other 
person whose principal place for managing or directing a business is outside North 
Dakota, the tax commissioner has six years after the due date of the return or six 
years after the return was filed, whichever period expires later, to audit the return of 
the corporation or other person and assess any additional tax found due. Effective for 
the taxable years beginning after December 31, 1990, and before January 1, 1993, the 
tax commissioner has five years to audit the return of the corporation or other person 
and assess any additional tax found due. Effective for taxable years beginning after 
December 31, 1992, and before January 1, 1995, the time period for assessment 
under this subsection is four years. Effective for taxable years beginning after 
December 31, 1994, the time period for assessment under this subsection is three 
years.
3. If there is a change in taxable income or income tax liability by an amount which is in 
excess of twenty -five percent of the amount of taxable income or income tax liability 
stated in the return as filed, any additional tax determined to be due may be assessed 
at any time within six years after the due date of the return, or six years after the return 
was filed, whichever period expires later.
4. If a person has failed to file a return of income as required by this chapter, the tax may 
be assessed under section 57 -38-33 or subsection 6 of section 57-38-45, or an action 
brought under section 57 -38-47, at any time within ten years after the due date of the 
return.
5. If false or fraudulent information is given in the return, or if the failure to file a return is 
due to the fraudulent intent or the willful attempt of the taxpayer in any manner to 
evade the tax, the time limitations in this section do not apply, and the tax may be 
assessed at any time.
6. a. If a person files an amended state income tax return, or other information as 
required by the tax commissioner, pursuant to section 57 -38-34.4, the tax 
commissioner has two years after the amended state income tax return, or other 

information as required by the tax commissioner, is filed to audit the state income 
tax return and assess any additional state income tax attributable to the changes 
or corrections made by the United States internal revenue service, or other 
competent authority, or that is attributable to the amended federal income tax 
return, even though other time periods prescribed in this section for the 
assessment of tax may have expired. The provisions of this subsection do not 
limit or restrict any other time period prescribed in this section for the assessment 
of tax that has not expired as of the end of the two -year period prescribed in this 
subsection.
b. For taxable years beginning before January 1, 1991, any person who consents to 
an extension of time for the assessment of taxes with the internal revenue service 
shall be presumed to have consented to a similar extension of time for the 
assessment or refund of state income tax with the state tax commissioner. 
Refunds under this subdivision are limited to tax years beginning after July 1, 
1983.
c. If a determination is made under subdivision a that additional tax is due and the 
tax commissioner has previously refunded income taxes related to the amended 
return or claim, subsection 2 of section 57 -38-45 does not apply to the refunded 
amount.
7. If a person fails to file an amended state income tax return, or other information as 
required by the tax commissioner, under section 57 -38-34.4, the tax commissioner 
may assess any additional tax found due which is attributable to the changes or 
corrections made by the United States internal revenue service, or other competent 
authority, or which is attributable to the amended federal income tax return, at any 
time, even though other time periods prescribed in this section may have expired.
8. If before the expiration of the time periods prescribed in subsections 1, 2, and 3 the tax 
commissioner and a person consent in writing to an extension of time for the 
assessment of the tax, an assessment of additional state income tax may be made at 
any time prior to the expiration of the period agreed upon. The period so agreed upon 
may be extended by subsequent agreements in writing made before the expiration of 
the period previously agreed upon. If a person refuses to consent to an extension of 
time or a renewal thereof, the tax commissioner may make an assessment based on 
the best information available. The period agreed upon in this subsection, including 
extensions, expires upon issuance of an assessment by the tax commissioner.
9. Except for an amended return required to be filed under section 57 -38-34.4, if a 
person files an amended state income tax return within the time periods prescribed in 
subsections 1, 2, and 3 of this section or subsections 1 and 2 of section 57 -38-40, the 
tax commissioner has two years after the amended state income tax return is filed to 
audit the state income tax return and assess any additional state income tax 
attributable to the changes or corrections on the amended return, even though other 
time periods prescribed in this section for the assessment of tax may have expired. 
The provisions of this subsection do not limit or restrict any other time period 
prescribed in this section for the assessment of tax that has not expired at the end of 
the two-year period prescribed in this subsection.
10. For investments made under chapters 57 -38.5 and 57-38.6 after December 31, 2002, 
the tax commissioner has four years after the due date of the return, or four years after 
the return was filed, whichever period expires later, to audit any seed capital 
investment tax credit or agricultural business investment tax credit claimed by a 
taxpayer and assess the tax if additional tax is found due. The provisions of this 
subsection do not limit or restrict any other time period prescribed in this section for 
the assessment of tax.
11. This section applies if additional tax would be due under the provisions of chapter 
57-35.3 in effect for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2013.

‹ Prev All North Dakota sections Next ›


Lexace provides legal information, not legal advice, and no attorney–client relationship is created. Statute text is provided for general information and may not reflect the most recent amendments; verify against the official state code.