Tax shelter promotion.

Beginning on October 27, 2007, any person who organizes or assists in organizing a tax shelter, or directly or indirectly participates in the sale of any interest in a tax shelter, and who makes or provides or causes another person to make or provide, in connection with such organization or sale, a statement that the person knows or has reason to know is false or fraudulent as to any material matter regarding the allowability of any tax deduction or credit, the excludability of any income, the manipulation of any allocation or apportionment rule, or the securing of any other tax benefit resulting from holding an interest in the entity or participating in the plan or arrangement, shall pay a penalty to the department, with respect to each sale or act of organization described under this paragraph, in an amount equal to 50 percent of the person’s gross income derived from the sale or act.

For purposes of administering this chapter, beginning on October 27, 2007, a written communication to any person, director, officer, employee, agent, or representative of the person, or any other person holding a capital or profits interest in the person, regarding the promotion of, or advice with respect to, the person’s direct or indirect participation in any tax shelter is not considered a confidential or privileged communication.