1. a. In addition to the powers of the Director of the Division of Taxation prescribed under the State Uniform Tax Procedure Law, R.S.54:48-1 et seq., and notwithstanding the provisions of any other laws to the contrary, the director shall establish a period not to exceed 60 days in duration, which period shall end no later than June 10, 2002, during which a taxpayer who has failed to pay any State tax on or before the day on which the tax is required to be paid may pay to the director on or before the last day of the period established by the director the amount of that tax, without any interest that may otherwise be due, without any costs of collection that may otherwise be due, and without the imposition of any civil or criminal penalties arising out of an obligation imposed under any State tax law. This section shall apply only to State tax liabilities for tax returns due on or after January 1, 1996 and prior to January 1, 2002 and shall not extend to any taxpayer who at the time of the payment is under criminal investigation or charge for any State tax matter, as certified by a county prosecutor or the Attorney General to the director.

Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law to the contrary, no taxpayer shall be entitled to a waiver of penalty, interest and cost of collection pursuant to this subsection unless full payment of the tax due is made in accordance with rules and procedures established by the director.

b. There shall be imposed a 5% penalty, which shall not be subject to waiver or abatement, in addition to all other penalties, interest, or costs of collection otherwise authorized by law, upon any State tax liabilities eligible to be satisfied during the period established pursuant to subsection a. of this section that are not satisfied during the amnesty period.

c. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law to the contrary, if a taxpayer elects to participate in the program established pursuant to this section, as that election shall be evidenced by full payment pursuant to this section of a State tax liability to which this section applies pursuant to subsection a. of this section, then that election shall constitute an express and absolute relinquishment of all administrative and judicial rights of appeal that have not run or otherwise expired as of the date payment is made. The relinquishment of rights of appeal pursuant to this subsection shall apply with respect to all rights of appeal established pursuant to the State Uniform Tax Procedure Law, R.S.54:48-1 et seq., and the specific statutory provisions of any State tax. No tax payment made pursuant to this section shall be eligible for refund or credit, whether claimed by administrative protest or judicial appeal, except as may be permitted pursuant to R.S.54:49-16.

d. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law to the contrary, no amnesty payment shall be accepted without the express approval of the director with respect to any State tax assessment which is the subject of any administrative or judicial appeal as of the effective date of this act.

L.2002,c.6,s.1.