(1) Subject to the restriction that apprenticeship tax credits may not exceed the taxpayer's total tax liability, the total amount of credit an employer participating in a state-registered apprenticeship training program may claim is determined by the Montana Department of Labor and Industry (DLI). The department can only adjust the total credit allocation among the owners of an S corporation, partnership, or limited liability company in order to conform to 15-30-2357 and 15-31-173, MCA, and this rule.

(a) If the employer is an S corporation, the shareholders' share of the total credit is based on their pro rata share of income or loss.

(b) If the employer is a partnership or a limited liability company that is taxed like a partnership, the partners' or members' share of the total credit is based on the their distributive share of the entity's income or loss reported for Montana income tax purposes.

(2) A taxpayer who files a tax return on a calendar year basis shall claim the credit for the tax year in which the DLI approved the credit.

(3) A taxpayer who files a tax return on a fiscal year basis shall claim the credit allowed for the calendar year that ends within the taxpayer's fiscal period.

(4) The taxpayer shall include copies of all tax certification numbers, agreements, DLI approval notice, and supporting documents when filing their return. If the return is filed electronically using software that does not support attachments, the taxpayer shall retain the information and provide it to the department upon request.

(5) When reviewing a claim for the credit, the department may request additional information to determine a taxpayer's eligibility for the allocation of the credit being claimed. This information may include, but is not limited to:

(a) a Montana Schedule K-1 issued by a partnership, S corporation, or fiduciary indicating the partner, shareholder, or beneficiary's share of the credit; or

(b) a return filed by a partnership, S corporation, or fiduciary including information showing the owners of the entity.