Chapter 7
REAL PROPERTY TRANSFER TAX
Sections:
3-7.03 Person responsible for payment.
3-7.04 Debt security instruments exempted.
3-7.05 Governmental agencies exempted.
3-7.06 Bankruptcies and receiverships.
3-7.07 Securities and Exchange Commission.
3-7.01 Title.
This chapter shall be known as the “Real Property Transfer Tax Law of the City of Watsonville”. It is adopted pursuant to the authority contained in Part 6.7 (commencing with Section 11901) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code of the State.
(§ 1, Ord. 167 C-M, eff. November 28, 1967; tax operative January 1, 1968)
3-7.02 Tax imposed.
There is hereby imposed on each deed, instrument, or writing by which any lands, tenements, or other realty sold within the City shall be granted, assigned, transferred, or otherwise conveyed to, or vested in, the purchaser or purchasers, or any other person or persons, by his or their direction, when the consideration or value of the interest or property conveyed (exclusive of the value of any lien or encumbrances remaining thereon at the time of sale) exceeds One Hundred and no/100ths ($100.00) Dollars a tax at the rate of twenty-seven and one-half ($0.275) cents for each Five Hundred and no/100ths ($500.00) Dollars or fractional part thereof.
(§ 1, Ord. 167 C-M, eff. November 28, 1967; tax operative January 1, 1968)
3-7.03 Person responsible for payment.
Any tax imposed pursuant to the provisions of Section 3-7.02 of this chapter shall be paid by any person who makes, signs, or issues any document or instrument subject to the tax, or for whose use or benefit the same is made, signed, or issued.
(§ 1, Ord. 167 C-M, eff. November 28, 1967; tax operative January 1, 1968)
3-7.04 Debt security instruments exempted.
Any tax imposed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall not apply to any instrument in writing given to secure a debt.
(§ 1, Ord. 167 C-M, eff. November 28, 1967; tax operative January 1, 1968)
3-7.05 Governmental agencies exempted.
The United States, or any agency or instrumentality thereof, any state or territory or political subdivision thereof, or the District of Columbia shall not be liable for any tax imposed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter with respect to any deed, instrument, or writing to which it is a party, but the tax may be collected by assessment from any other party liable therefor.
(§ 1, Ord. 167 C-M, eff. November 28, 1967; tax operative January 1, 1968)
3-7.06 Bankruptcies and receiverships.
Any tax imposed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the making, delivering, or filing of conveyances to make effective any plan of reorganization or adjustment:
(a) Confirmed under the Federal Bankruptcy Act, as amended;
(b) Approved in an equity receivership proceeding in a court involving a railroad corporation, as defined in subsection (m) of Section 205 of Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended;
(c) Approved in an equity receivership proceeding in a court involving a corporation, as defined in subsection (3) of Section 506 of Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended; or
(d) Whereby a mere change in identity, form, or place of organization is effected.
The provisions of this section shall only apply if the making, delivery, or filing of instruments of transfer or conveyances occurs within five (5) years from the date of such confirmation, approval, or change.
(§ 1, Ord. 167 C-M, eff. November 28, 1967; tax operative January 1, 1968)
3-7.07 Securities and Exchange Commission.
Any tax imposed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the making or delivery of conveyances to make effective any order of the Securities and Exchange Commission, as defined in subsection (a) of Section 1083 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, but only if:
(a) The order of the Securities and Exchange Commission in obedience to which such conveyance is made recites that such conveyance is necessary or appropriate to effectuate the provisions of Section 79k of Title 15 of the United States Code relating to the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935;
(b) Such order specifies the property which is ordered to be conveyed; and
(c) Such conveyance is made in obedience to such order.
(§ 1, Ord. 167 C-M, eff. November 28, 1967; tax operative January 1, 1968)
3-7.08 Partnerships.
(a) In the case of any realty held by a partnership, no levy shall be imposed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter by reason of any transfer of an interest in a partnership or otherwise if:
(1) Such partnership (or another partnership) is considered a continuing partnership within the meaning of Section 708 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954; and
(2) Such continuing partnership continues to hold the realty concerned.
(b) If there is a termination of any partnership within the meaning of Section 708 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, for the purposes of this chapter such partnership shall be treated as having executed an instrument whereby there was conveyed, for fair market value (exclusive of the value of any lien or encumbrance remaining thereon), all realty held by such partnership at the time of such termination.
(c) Not more than one tax shall be imposed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter by reason of a termination described in subsection (b) of this section, and any transfer pursuant thereto, with respect to the realty held by such partnership at the time of such termination.
(§ 1, Ord. 167 C-M, eff. November 28, 1967; tax operative January 1, 1968)
3-7.09 Administration.
The County Recorder shall administer the provisions of this chapter in conformity with the provisions of Part 6.7 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code of the State and the provisions of any County ordinance adopted pursuant thereto.
(§ 1, Ord. 167 C-M, eff. November 28, 1967; tax operative January 1, 1968)
3-7.10 Claims for refunds.
Claims for the refund of taxes imposed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be governed by the provisions of Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 5096) of Part 9 of Division 1 of the Revenue and Taxation Code of the State.
(§ 1, Ord. 167 C-M, eff. November 28, 1967; tax operative January 1, 1968)
3-7.11 Operative date.
The provisions of this chapter shall become operative at 12:01 am. on January 1, 1968.
(§ 1, Ord. 167 C-M, eff. November 28, 1967; tax operative January 1, 1968)
3-7.12 Filing with Recorder.
Upon the adoption of the provisions of this chapter the City Clerk shall file two (2) copies of the ordinance adopting this chapter, certified by the City Clerk, with the County Recorder.
(§ 1, Ord. 167 C-M, eff. November 28, 1967; tax operative January 1, 1968)