(a) The commissioner may contract with any debt collection agency or attorney to collect unpaid taxes, licenses, fees and/or interest and penalty, or any other amount otherwise collectible by the commissioner.
Person: includes a corporation, firm, company or association. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
(b) Any amounts collected pursuant to the contract shall be remitted to the state of Tennessee; provided, that the contract may provide for amounts to be received by the contractor as compensation for collection services. The amount of such compensation shall be added to the unpaid amount due from the taxpayer and shall be collectible in the same manner as taxes under this part.(c) The commissioner shall require a bond from any person contracting under this section in an amount not in excess of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) guaranteeing compliance with the terms of the contract and all applicable laws.(d) All persons seeking to contract under this section shall demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the commissioner, their good moral character and ability to perform effectively the terms of the contract. In addition to the specific requirements of this section, the commissioner may impose additional requirements tending to ensure the good moral character and effective performance of persons contracting under this section.(e) This section shall only apply after the department has completed all administrative notices and actions under this part and the taxpayer has exhausted or not exercised the taxpayer’s rights under part 18 of this chapter.
