Sec. 32-533. Exemption from regulation for exempt insurers, banking companies and investment companies. Fee and charges. (a) Exempt insurers shall not generally be subject to regulation by the Insurance Department and exempt banking companies and exempt investment companies shall not generally be subject to regulation by
the Department of Banking, except that each exempt company shall, no later than March
thirty-first of each year, file a certificate with the appropriate department, containing:
(1) The full name and address of the company and each of the officers and directors
thereof; (2) a statement that the company has a net worth which is adequate for the
applicant to transact business; (3) a statement that each director and officer of the exempt
company is of good character, competent to perform his functions with respect to the
exempt company and collectively adequate to manage the business; (4) a statement that
the company is transacting its business in a safe and sound manner and shall maintain
itself in a safe and sound condition; (5) a statement that the company was engaged during
the most recent fiscal year completed, and is engaging in the current fiscal year, only in
exempt activities; (6) financial statements for the exempt company, including a balance
sheet, a statement of income or loss, a statement of changes in capital accounts and a
statement of changes in financial position, for or as of the end of such fiscal year, which
have been audited by and contain an unqualified opinion from an independent certified
public accountant in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; (7) a
diagram disclosing the exact ownership structure of the exempt company, including all
direct, intermediate and ultimate owners of the company, whether owned individually,
in partnership or through another entity, provided an exempt mutual fund investment
company shall not be required to disclose its owners but shall disclose the ownership
of the exempt mutual fund investment management companies who perform services
for it; and (8) a statement that the exempt company has engaged, and in the future shall
engage, only in exempt activities unless and until election to revoke is filed in accordance
with the provisions of subsection (b) of section 32-532. Such certificate shall be in
writing and certified as substantially correct by the president, vice-president or managing
director, attested to by the secretary or the assistant secretary and shall be on a form
prescribed by the appropriate departments.
(b) Each exempt company shall, no later than the date on which it is required to file
the annual certificate required under subsection (a) of this section, pay to the appropriate
department a nonrefundable fee of one thousand dollars to be used for processing the
annual certificate. The Banking Commissioner and the Insurance Commissioner, as
appropriate, may retain legal, financial and examination services, the reasonable cost
of which may be charged against the exempt company, upon determination of any such
commissioner, in such commissioner's discretion, that such services are necessary to
confirm that the exempt company is engaging only in exempt activities and complies
with the "Code of Conduct for Financial Institutions to Assist in the Detection and
Disclosure of Information with Respect to the Criminal Use of the Systems Operated
by Financial Institutions (Money Laundering)".
(P.A. 96-253, S. 4, 12; P.A. 03-84, S. 19.)
History: P.A. 96-253 effective July 1, 1996, and applicable to (1) income years of corporations under chapter 208
commencing on or after January 1, 1996, (2) income years of insurance companies under chapter 207 commencing on or
after January 1, 1996, (3) taxable years of taxpayers under chapter 229 commencing on or after January 1, 1996, or (4)
sales occurring on and after January 1, 1996, as the case may be; (Revisor's note: In Subdiv. (a)(3) the phrase "... the
exempt company are of good character, competent to perform their functions with respect ..." was changed editorially by
the Revisors to "... the exempt company is of good character, competent to perform his functions with respect ..."); P.A.
03-84 changed "Commissioner of Banking" to "Banking Commissioner" and made a technical change in Subsec. (b),
effective June 3, 2003.
Sec. 32-534. Regulation, investigation and examination by Insurance Commissioner to determine if exempt insurer is an exempt company and limits its activities. Judicial action for revocation of certificate. (a) An exempt insurer shall be subject
to regulation, investigation and examination by the Insurance Commissioner, as reasonably necessary, to enable the commissioner to determine if the exempt insurer is an
exempt company and limits its activities to exempt activities. The Insurance Commissioner may adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 to implement the provisions of this section. Such regulations and all investigative and examination activities may include provisions for determination of the status of a company as
an exempt company and revocation of such status. Such regulations and all examination
activities shall be consistent with the confidentiality provisions of section 32-537 and
shall not impose requirements on the exempt insurer except to the extent necessary to
enable the commissioner to verify the company's status as an exempt company. Such
regulations may provide for the assessment and collection of fees from exempt insurers
sufficient, in the commissioner's judgment, to meet the expenses of the Insurance Department in carrying out its responsibilities under this section. If the commissioner finds
that an exempt insurer has (1) intentionally engaged in activities that are not exempt
activities or (2) engaged in a pattern of conduct demonstrating reckless indifference by
engaging in activities that are not exempt activities, the commissioner may bring an
action in the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford to revoke the certificate
filed under section 32-532. The commissioner shall not be required to post a bond with
the court.
(b) Unless otherwise specifically provided in sections 32-530 to 32-540, inclusive,
an exempt insurer shall be treated as if its exempt activities were being conducted from
offices located outside of the United States.
(P.A. 88-230, S. 1, 12; P.A. 90-98, S. 1, 2; P.A. 93-142, S. 4, 7, 8; P.A. 95-220, S. 4-6; P.A. 96-253, S. 5, 12.)
History: P.A. 96-253 effective July 1, 1996, and applicable to (1) income years of corporations under chapter 208
commencing on or after January 1, 1996, (2) income years of insurance companies under chapter 207 commencing on or
after January 1, 1996, (3) taxable years of taxpayers under chapter 229 commencing on or after January 1, 1996, or (4)
sales occurring on and after January 1, 1996, as the case may be (Revisor's note: P.A. 88-230, 90-98, 93-142 and 95-220
authorized substitution of "judicial district of Hartford" for "judicial district of Hartford-New Britain" in public and special
acts of the 1996 session of the General Assembly, effective September 1, 1998).
Sec. 32-535. Regulation, investigation and examination by Banking Commissioner to determine if exempt banking company or investment company is an exempt company and limits its activities. Judicial action for revocation of certificate.
(a) An exempt banking company or exempt investment company shall be subject to
regulation, investigation and examination by the Banking Commissioner as reasonably
necessary to enable the commissioner to determine if the exempt banking company or
investment company is an exempt company and limits its activities to exempt activities.
In any investigation, examination or other proceeding under sections 32-530 to 32-540,
inclusive, the Banking Commissioner shall have the authority provided in section 36a-17. The Banking Commissioner may adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions
of chapter 54 to implement the provisions of this section. Such regulations may include
provisions for determination of the status of a company as an exempt company and
revocation of such status in accordance with section 32-537. Such regulations and all
investigative, enforcement and examination activities shall be consistent with the confidentiality provisions of section 32-537 and shall not impose requirements on the exempt
banking company or investment company except to the extent necessary to enable the
commissioner to verify the company's status as an exempt company. Such regulations
may further provide for the assessment and collection of fees from exempt banking
companies and exempt investment companies sufficient, in the commissioner's judgment, to meet the expenses of the Department of Banking in carrying out its responsibilities under this section. If the commissioner finds that an exempt banking company or
exempt investment company holding a certificate under section 32-532 has engaged in,
is engaging in or is about to engage in activities that are not exempt activities or is about
to violate any regulation adopted or order issued by the commissioner, the commissioner
may issue a cease and desist order under section 36a-52. If the commissioner finds
that an exempt company has (1) intentionally engaged in activities that are not exempt
activities, or (2) engaged in a pattern of conduct demonstrating reckless indifference by
engaging in activities that are not exempt activities, the commissioner may bring an
action in the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford to revoke the certificate
filed under section 32-532. The commissioner shall not be required to post a bond with
the court.
(b) Unless otherwise specifically provided in sections 32-530 to 32-540, inclusive,
an exempt banking company or investment company shall be treated as if its exempt
activities were being conducted from offices located outside of the United States.
(P.A. 88-230, S. 1, 12; P.A. 90-98, S. 1, 2; P.A. 93-142, S. 4, 7, 8; P.A. 95-220, S. 4-6; P.A. 96-253, S. 6, 12; P.A. 03-84, S. 20.)
History: P.A. 96-253 effective July 1, 1996, and applicable to (1) income years of corporations under chapter 208
commencing on or after January 1, 1996, (2) income years of insurance companies under chapter 207 commencing on or
after January 1, 1996, (3) taxable years of taxpayers under chapter 229 commencing on or after January 1, 1996, or (4)
sales occurring on and after January 1, 1996, as the case may be (Revisor's note: P.A. 88-230, 90-98, 93-142 and 95-220
authorized substitution of "judicial district of Hartford" for "judicial district of Hartford-New Britain" in public and special
acts of the 1996 session of the General Assembly, effective September 1, 1998); P.A. 03-84 changed "Commissioner of
Banking" to "Banking Commissioner" and made a technical change in Subsec. (a), effective June 3, 2003.
Sec. 32-536. Exempt companies required to file annual declaration with the
Commissioner of Revenue Services. Commissioner's powers re exempt companies.
Judicial action for revocation of exempt status. (a) Each exempt company shall annually file a declaration with the Commissioner of Revenue Services affirming its status
as an exempt company and describing the exempt activities in which it engages. An
exempt company shall not be required to report to the commissioner the earnings of its
customers or policyholders or, in the case of an exempt mutual investment company,
its owners.
(b) The commissioner may adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of
chapter 54 as to the keeping of records and the content and form of the declaration
required under subsection (a) of this section. The commissioner may require any exempt
company, by regulation or notice served on such person, to make such declaration,
render such statements or keep such records as the commissioner may deem sufficient
to show whether or not such person is liable under the general statutes for a tax or for
the collection of tax.
(c) The commissioner or any person authorized by him may examine the books,
papers, records and equipment of any exempt person liable under the provisions of
sections 32-530 to 32-540, inclusive, and may investigate the activities of the exempt
company in order to verify the accuracy of any declaration made, or, if no return is made
by the person, to ascertain and determine the amount required to be paid.
(d) The Department of Revenue Services may bring an action in the superior court
for the judicial district of Hartford to revoke the status of an exempt company as an
exempt company. Such status shall be revoked if the court finds that the exempt company
has (1) intentionally engaged in activities that are not exempt activities, or (2) engaged
in a pattern of conduct demonstrating reckless indifference by engaging in activities
that are not exempt activities.
(e) The Department of Revenue Services may adopt regulations which provide for
monetary penalties and fines for noncompliance by exempt companies with the exempt
activity provisions of sections 32-530 to 32-540, inclusive, which is other than intentional or reckless.
(f) Any regulations adopted or examinations or investigations authorized under this
section shall be consistent with the confidentiality provisions of section 32-537 and
shall not impose requirements on the exempt insurer other than as minimally required
for the commissioner to verify the company's status as an exempt company.
(P.A. 88-230, S. 1, 12; P.A. 90-98, S. 1, 2; P.A. 93-142, S. 4, 7, 8; P.A. 95-220, S. 4-6; P.A. 96-253, S. 7, 12.)
History: P.A. 96-253 effective July 1, 1996, and applicable to (1) income years of corporations under chapter 208
commencing on or after January 1, 1996, (2) income years of insurance companies under chapter 207 commencing on or
after January 1, 1996, (3) taxable years of taxpayers under chapter 229 commencing on or after January 1, 1996, or (4)
sales occurring on and after January 1, 1996, as the case may be (Revisor's note: P.A. 88-230, 90-98, 93-142 and 95-220
authorized substitution of "judicial district of Hartford" for "judicial district of Hartford-New Britain" in public and special
acts of the 1996 session of the General Assembly, effective September 1, 1998).
Sec. 32-537. Confidentiality. Compliance by exempt companies with code of
conduct. Notwithstanding any provision of sections 32-530 to 32-540, inclusive, the
identity of customers and policyholders of the exempt company, and the owners of an
exempt mutual fund investment company shall be kept strictly confidential and shall
enjoy the same confidentiality they would otherwise enjoy if the exempt company was
located and organized outside of the United States and its exempt activities were being
conducted from offices located outside of the United States. Exempt companies shall
be automatically deemed to have adopted the "Code of Conduct for Financial Institutions
to Assist in the Detection and Disclosure of Information with Respect to the Criminal
Use of the Systems Operated by Financial Institutions (Money Laundering)" and the
Banking Commissioner, Insurance Commissioner or Commissioner of Revenue Services may determine, through examination, an exempt company's compliance with such
code. Repeated failure to comply with the code, after notice and a hearing, shall be
grounds for revocation of exempt company status. Any revocation shall take effect from
the date of revocation and shall not be retroactive.
(P.A. 96-253, S. 8, 12; P.A. 03-84, S. 21.)
History: P.A. 96-253 effective July 1, 1996, and applicable to (1) income years of corporations under chapter 208
commencing on or after January 1, 1996, (2) income years of insurance companies under chapter 207 commencing on or
after January 1, 1996, (3) taxable years of taxpayers under chapter 229 commencing on or after January 1, 1996, or (4)
sales occurring on and after January 1, 1996, as the case may be; P.A. 03-84 changed "Commissioner of Banking" to
"Banking Commissioner", effective June 3, 2003.
Sec. 32-538. Tax exemptions. (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of the general
statutes, for the purposes of title 12 or any successor provisions to said title 12, the
income of exempt companies is exempt from the corporation business tax and income
to non-United-States persons shall not be deemed to be income derived from or connected with sources within this state to such persons for purposes of the income tax.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of the general statutes, exempt insurance companies shall not be subject to any tax imposed on premiums.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of the general statutes, exempt companies shall
not be subject to the sales and use taxes imposed on the purchase of goods and services.
To the extent that exempt companies make sales of goods and services to non-United-States persons the sales and use taxes shall be applicable to such transactions.
(P.A. 96-253, S. 9, 12.)
History: P.A. 96-253 effective July 1, 1996, and applicable to (1) income years of corporations under chapter 208
commencing on or after January 1, 1996, (2) income years of insurance companies under chapter 207 commencing on or
after January 1, 1996, (3) taxable years of taxpayers under chapter 229 commencing on or after January 1, 1996, or (4)
sales occurring on and after January 1, 1996, as the case may be.
Sec. 32-539. Compliance with property tax chapters. Exempt companies shall
be required to comply with the provisions of chapters 203 to 205, inclusive.
(P.A. 96-253, S. 10, 12.)
History: P.A. 96-253 effective July 1, 1996, and applicable to (1) income years of corporations under chapter 208
commencing on or after January 1, 1996, (2) income years of insurance companies under chapter 207 commencing on or
after January 1, 1996, (3) taxable years of taxpayers under chapter 229 commencing on or after January 1, 1996, or (4)
sales occurring on and after January 1, 1996, as the case may be.
Sec. 32-540. Compliance with employment, labor and income tax laws. The
employees of exempt companies shall be considered to be employees of a company
domiciled in the United States and such exempt companies shall be required to comply
with applicable federal and state employment and labor laws and laws requiring the
income tax imposed under chapter 229 to be deducted and withheld from wages of
employees and to be paid over to the Commissioner of Revenue Services.
(P.A. 96-253, S. 11, 12.)
History: P.A. 96-253 effective July 1, 1996, and applicable to (1) income years of corporations under chapter 208
commencing on or after January 1, 1996, (2) income years of insurance companies under chapter 207 commencing on or
after January 1, 1996, (3) taxable years of taxpayers under chapter 229 commencing on or after January 1, 1996, or (4)
sales occurring on and after January 1, 1996, as the case may be.