(805 ILCS 5/15.97) (from Ch. 32, par. 15.97)

Sec. 15.97. Corporate Franchise Tax Refund Fund.

(a) Beginning July 1, 1993, a percentage of the amounts collected under Sections 15.35, 15.45, 15.65, and 15.75 of this Act shall be deposited into the Corporate Franchise Tax Refund Fund, a special Fund hereby created in the State treasury. From July 1, 1993, until December 31, 1994, there shall be deposited into the Fund 3% of the amounts received under those Sections. Beginning January 1, 1995, and for each fiscal year beginning thereafter, 2% of the amounts collected under those Sections during the preceding fiscal year shall be deposited into the Fund.

(b) Beginning July 1, 1993, moneys in the Fund shall be expended exclusively for the purpose of paying refunds payable because of overpayment of franchise taxes, penalties, or interest under Sections 13.70, 15.35, 15.45, 15.65, 15.75, and 16.05 of this Act and making transfers authorized under this Section. Refunds in accordance with the provisions of subsections (f) and (g) of Section 1.15 and Section 1.17 of this Act may be made from the Fund only to the extent that amounts collected under Sections 15.35, 15.45, 15.65, and 15.75 of this Act have been deposited in the Fund and remain available. On or before August 31 of each year, the balance in the Fund in excess of $100,000 shall be transferred to the General Revenue Fund. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, for the period commencing on or after July 1, 2022, amounts in the fund shall not be transferred to the General Revenue Fund and shall be used to pay refunds in accordance with the provisions of this Act.

(c) This Act shall constitute an irrevocable and continuing appropriation from the Corporate Franchise Tax Refund Fund for the purpose of paying refunds upon the order of the Secretary of State in accordance with the provisions of this Section.

(Source: P.A. 102-282, eff. 1-1-22; 103-8, eff. 6-7-23.)