§ 26-57-614 - Fire protection services -- Additional tax. - Arkansas Statutes

26-57-614. Fire protection services -- Additional tax.

(a) (1) It is found and determined by the General Assembly that additional funding is needed to improve the fire protection services in this state.

(2) It is further found and determined that the public policy of this state is to provide adequate fire protection services for property of citizens through the use of properly trained and equipped firefighters, and that the provisions of this section and 14-284-401 -- 14-284-409 are necessary in furtherance of the public health and safety.

(b) In addition to the premium taxes collected from insurers under other provisions of Arkansas law, each authorized insurer and each formerly authorized insurer shall pay to the Fire Protection Premium Tax Fund a tax at the rate of one-half of one percent (1/2%) on net direct written premiums for coverages upon real and personal property, including, but not limited to, fire, allied lines, farm owner and homeowner multiple peril, vehicle physical damage, and vehicle collision, or any combination thereof.

(c) This tax shall be collected by the Insurance Commissioner from the insurers at the same time and in the same manner as provided in the premium tax sections of the laws of this state under this subchapter and deposited into the fund.

(d) An assessment upon which this premium tax is based shall be made on forms prescribed by the commissioner.

(e) (1) A premium tax payment shall be made upon a company check payable to the fund.

(2) If the cumulative premium tax payment is less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00), then the insurer may defer payment to the following quarter or quarters of the current calendar year but shall pay the tax no later than March 1 of the following year.

(f) The provisions of this section and 14-284-401 et seq. are intended to be supplemental to current provisions of Arkansas law, and shall not be construed as repealing or superseding any other laws applicable thereto.