Use of OPTins Electronic Tax and Fee Filing and Payment System - Mandatory Effect of Regulation 482-1-144

[LOGO] KAY IVEY GOVERNOR JIM L. RIDLING COMMISSIONER STATE OF ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE 201 MONROE STREET, SUITE 502 POST OFFICE BOX 303351 MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36130-3351 TELEPHONE: (334) 269-3550 FACSIMILE: (334) 241-4192 INTERNET: www.aldoi.gov DEPUTY COMMISSIONERS JERRY WORKMAN MARK FOWLER CHIEF EXAMINER RICHARD L. FORD STATE FIRE MARSHAL SCOTT F. PILGREEN GENERAL COUNSEL REYN NORMAN # BULLETIN NO. 2018-03 TO: All insurers and surplus lines brokers licensed to do business in Alabama FROM: Jim L. Ridling Commissioner of Insurance JLR DATE: August 21, 2018 RE: Use of OPTins electronic tax and fee filing and payment system – mandatory effect of Regulation 482-1-144 RESCINDS: Bulletin 2009-03 (effective 10.01.2018) EFFECTIVE: Immediate Effective January 1, 2009, Department regulation 482-1-144 required use of the OPTins system maintained by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners for the filing of premium tax and surplus line broker tax returns and EFT payment of premium taxes, surplus line broker taxes, and fees as prescribed in the regulation. Bulletin 2009-03, issued on March 9, 2009, made use of the OPTins system voluntary instead of mandatory due to operational issues with the system. The Commissioner of Insurance finds that use of the OPTins system for electronic filing of returns and EFT payment of taxes and fees, all as addressed in Regulation 482-1-144, shall be mandatory as already provided in the regulation unless the Commissioner of Insurance grants an entity or person subject to the regulation a "hardship" exemption as set forth in rule 482-1-144-.09. Any operational issues have been resolved. Bulletin 2009-03 is thus rescinded, effective October 1, 2018. Mandatory use of the OPTins system shall start as follows: Electronic filing of premium tax returns and EFT payment of premium taxes and any stated fees payable on a quarterly basis for the third quarter of 2018 must be done through the OPTins system not later than November 15, 2018. Alabama Department of Insurance Established 1897 Bulletin No. 2018-03 August 21, 2018 Page 2 Electronic filing of annual premium tax returns and EFT payment of premium taxes and any stated fees for calendar year 2018 must be done through the OPTins system not later than March 1, 2019. Electronic filing of surplus line broker tax returns and EFT payment of surplus line broker taxes for the third quarter of 2018 must be done through the OPTins system not later than November 15, 2018. Electronic filing of annual surplus line broker tax returns and EFT payment of surplus line brokers taxes for calendar year 2018 must be done through the OPTins system not later than March 1, 2019. Regulation 482-1-144 shall thereafter be in effect. Manual filing of tax returns and checks in payment of taxes will no longer be accepted absent a valid “hardship” exemption. If not already done, entities and persons subject to this Bulletin and Regulation 482-1-144 must make appropriate arrangements to access the OPTins system in time to meet the dates set forth above. In case of questions about this Bulletin, please contact: LaKisha Hardy, Premium Tax Supervisor Office: Accounting Division Phone: 1-800-433-3966 Email: premiumtax@insurance.alabama.gov For technical questions concerning the OPTins registration process, please go to: http://www.optins.org. JLR/JFM/bc