Disclosure of inheritance tax information; offense

Sec. 12. (a) The department, the department's counsel, agents, clerks, stenographers, other employees, or former employees, or any other person who gains access to the inheritance tax files shall not divulge any information disclosed by the documents required to be filed under this article. However, disclosure may be made in the following cases: (1) To comply with an order of a court. (2) To the members and employees of the department. (3) To the members and employees of county offices and courts to the extent they need the information for inheritance tax purposes. IC 5-14-3-6.5 does not apply to this subdivision. (4) To the governor. (5) To the attorney general. (6) To any other legal representative of the state in any action pertaining to the tax due under this article. (7) To any authorized officer of the United States, when the recipient agrees that the information is confidential and will be used solely for official purposes. (8) Upon the receipt of a certified request, to any designated officer of a tax department of any other state, district, territory, or possession of the United States, when the state, district, territory, or possession permits the exchange of like information with the taxing officials of Indiana and when the recipient agrees that the information is confidential and will be used solely for tax collection purposes. (9) Upon receipt of a written request, to the director of the department of child services or to the director of the division of family resources and to any county director of family and children, when the recipient agrees that the information is confidential and will be used only in connection with their official duties. (10) To the attorney listed on the inheritance tax return under IC 6-4.1-4-1 or IC 6-4.1-4-7. (11) To a devisee, an heir, a successor in interest, or a surviving joint tenant of the decedent for whom an inheritance tax return was filed or, upon the receipt of a written request, to an agent or attorney of a devisee, an heir, a successor in interest, or a surviving joint tenant of the decedent. (b) Any person who knowingly violates this section: (1) commits a Class C misdemeanor; and (2) shall be immediately dismissed from the person's office or employment, if the person is an officer or employee of the state.