Section 40-29-118 Attempts to Interfere with Administration of State Revenue Laws; Taxpayer Protection from Harassment.
AI-assisted research summary: This section prohibits corrupt or forcible interference with state revenue law administration, forcible rescue of seized property, and intimidation or harassment of taxpayers by Department of Revenue employees; it also sets fines, jail terms, and dismissal consequences.
(a) Corrupt or forcible interference. Whoever corruptly or by force or threats of force (including any threatening letter or communication) endeavors to intimidate or impede any officer or employee of the State of Alabama acting in an official capacity under this title, or in any other way corruptly or by force or threats of force (including any threatening letter or communication) obstructs or impedes, or endeavors to obstruct or impede, the due administration of this title, shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not more than $5,000, or imprisoned not more than three years, or both, except that if the offense is committed only by threats of force, the person convicted thereof shall be fined not more than $3,000, or imprisoned not more than one year, or both. The term “threats of force,” as used in this subsection, means threats of bodily harm to the officer or employee of the State of Alabama or to a member of his family. (b) Forcible rescue of seized property. Any person who forcibly rescues or causes to be rescued any property after it shall have been seized under this title, or shall attempt or endeavor so to do, shall, excepting in cases otherwise provided for, for every such offense, be fined not more than $500, or not more than double the value of the property so rescued, whichever is the greater, or be imprisoned not more than two years. (c) Intimidation or harassment of taxpayer; “threats of force” defined. Any employee of the state Department of Revenue acting in an official capacity under the provisions of this title who by unlawful force or threats of force endeavors to intimidate or harass a taxpayer, upon determination by a special board to be appointed by the state Personnel Department that the charge is valid, shall be subject to immediate dismissal, and upon such dismissal may be subject to such penalties as provided under this section. The term “threats of force” as used in this subsection means threats of bodily harm to the taxpayer or to a member of his family.