Whereas , The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to provide forthwith for an extension of time to file income tax returns for certain taxpayers, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary, any taxpayer who obtained an automatic extension of time to file his 1996 Massachusetts income tax return, pursuant to section 19 of chapter 62C of the General Laws, and who shall be reporting gain or loss from the sale or exchange of capital assets pursuant to the provisions of chapter 62 of the General Laws, shall be allowed an automatic additional extension up to and including April 15, 1998 to file such return. For purposes of this section, the commissioner may require the taxpayer to file additional forms or to provide additional information as said commissioner deems to be reasonably necessary.