Chapter 3.72 ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS FOR BUSINESS AND OCCUPATION TAX

The purpose of this chapter is to implement Washington Constitution Article XI, Sec. 12, and RCW 35A.11.020 and 35A.82.020 and interpreting case law, which give the city authority to license for revenue and to define taxation categories in order to respond to the unique concerns and responsibilities of local government, to implement a business and occupation tax, and to provide a structure for the efficient administration of the city’s business and occupation tax. It is intended that this chapter be uniform and consistent with the mandatory requirements of chapter 35.102 RCW and optional in provisions thereof that have been incorporated. For the purposes of interpretations, in the event any section herein shall be deemed to be in conflict with any other section of this chapter, the presumption shall be that the intent is to levy the tax authorized herein at the highest of any conflicting rates. (Ord. 1894, 2020; Ord. 1893 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020).

3.72.015 Application of chapter stated.

The provisions of this chapter shall apply with respect to the taxes imposed under this chapter and under other titles, chapters, and sections in such manner and to such extent as indicated in each such title, chapter or section. (Ord. 1894, 2020; Ord. 1893 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020).

3.72.020 Definitions.

For purposes of administering this chapter:

The definitions contained in this section shall apply equally to the provisions of this section unless the term is defined otherwise in this section. In addition, the following definitions will apply:

“Reporting period” means:

1. A one-month period beginning the first day of each calendar month (monthly); or

2. A three-month period beginning the first day of January, April, July or October of each year (quarterly); or

3. A 12-month period beginning the first day of January of each year (annual).

“Return” means any document a person is required by the city to file to satisfy or establish a tax or fee obligation that is administered or collected by the city and that has a statutorily defined due date.

“Successor” means any person to whom a taxpayer quitting, selling out, exchanging, or disposing of a business sells or otherwise conveys, directly or indirectly, in bulk and not in the ordinary course of the taxpayer’s business, any part of the materials, supplies, merchandise, inventory, fixtures, or equipment of the taxpayer. Any person obligated to fulfill the terms of a contract shall be deemed a successor to any contractor defaulting in the performance of any contract as to which such person is a surety or guarantor.

“Tax year” or “taxable year” means the calendar year. (Ord. 1894, 2020; Ord. 1893 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020).

3.72.021 Definitions – References to chapter 82.32 RCW.

Where provisions of chapter 82.32 RCW are incorporated in BMC 3.72.090, “Department” as used in the RCW shall refer to the “director” as defined in BMC 3.70.030 and “warrant” as used in the RCW shall mean “citation or criminal complaint.” (Ord. 1894, 2020; Ord. 1893 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020).

3.72.025 Registration/license requirements.

Applications for a business license and/or business registration shall be made to and issued by the finance director of the city on forms provided by the finance director, on which shall be stated the residence of the applicant; an emergency notification name, address, and telephone number; the nature of the applicant’s business or business activity; the place where it is proposed to be conducted; the applicant’s uniform business identification number (if such number is required to be issued by the state of Washington); and the amount of the fee prescribed by this chapter. If the city finance director finds the application to be correct, the finance director shall, upon payment of the fee, issue a license in accordance with this chapter. If required by the state of Washington, or at the discretion of the finance director if not required by the state of Washington, business license applications may instead be administered by the state of Washington through the state’s Business Licensing Service (BLS) or other similar service offered now or in the future by Washington State.

The license shall be personal and nontransferable. In case business is transacted at two or more separate places by one person within the city, a separate license for each place in which business is transacted with the public shall be required, in accordance with the classifications set forth in this chapter, and the person shall pay for each place of business a fee in accordance with said classification. Each license shall at all times be conspicuously posted in the place of business for which it is issued. Where a place of business of a taxpayer is changed, the taxpayer shall return the license to the city clerk-treasurer and a new license shall be issued for the new place of business free of charge. (Ord. 1894, 2020; Ord. 1893 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020).

3.72.030 Registration/license enforcement.

It shall be the duty of the city clerk-treasurer to require all parties engaging in any business activity to procure such license, and should there be any license fee not paid by any person, it shall be the duty of the city clerk-treasurer to enforce collection thereof in the manner provided in this chapter.

Any person violating or failing to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed to have committed an infraction, and upon a final determination of having committed such infraction, such person shall be subject to the following monetary penalties:

A. Any person who engages in or carries on any business subject to licensing hereunder without having a business license to do so shall be guilty of a violation of this chapter for each day during which the business is engaged in or carried on, and any person who fails or refuses to pay the license fee or tax or any part thereof on or before the due date shall be deemed to be operating without having a license so to do.

B. All violations of the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to the monetary penalty for like violations as set forth in the Infraction Rules for Courts of Limited Jurisdiction promulgated by the Washington State Supreme Court, as such rules now exist or may hereafter be amended. (Ord. 1894, 2020; Ord. 1893 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020).

3.72.040 When due and payable – Reporting periods – Monthly, quarterly, and annual returns – Threshold provisions or relief from filing requirements – Computing time periods – Failure to file returns.

A. Other than any annual license fee or registration fee assessed under another chapter, the tax imposed by this chapter shall be due and payable in quarterly installments. At the finance director’s discretion, businesses may be assigned to a monthly or annual reporting period depending on the tax amount owing or type of tax. Tax payments are due on or before the last day of the next month following the end of the assigned reporting period covered by the return. Effective January 1, 2021, tax payments are due on or before the time as provided in RCW 82.32.045(1), (2), and (3).

B. Taxes shall be paid as provided in this chapter and accompanied by a return on forms as prescribed by the finance director. The return shall be signed by the taxpayer personally or by a responsible officer or agent of the taxpayer. The individual signing the return shall swear or affirm that the information in the return is complete and true.

C. Tax returns must be filed and returned by the due date whether or not any tax is owed.

D. For purposes of the tax imposed under this chapter, any person whose value of products, gross proceeds of sales, or gross income of the business, subject to tax after all allowable deductions, is equal to or less than $1,000,000 in the current calendar year, shall file a return, declare no tax due on their return, and submit the return to the finance director. The gross receipts and deduction amounts shall be entered on the tax return even though no tax may be due.

E. A taxpayer that commences to engage in business activity shall file a return and pay the tax or fee for the portion of the reporting period during which the taxpayer is engaged in business activity.

F. Except as otherwise specifically provided by any other provision of this chapter, in computing any period of days prescribed by this chapter the day of the act or event from which the designated period of time runs shall not be included. The last day of the period shall be included unless it is a Saturday, Sunday, or city or federal legal holiday, in which case the last day of such period shall be the next succeeding day which is neither a Saturday, Sunday, or city or federal legal holiday.

G. If any taxpayer fails, neglects or refuses to make a return as and when required in this chapter, the finance director is authorized to determine the amount of the tax or fees payable by obtaining facts and information upon which to base the finance director’s estimate of the tax or fees due. Such assessment shall be deemed prima facie correct and shall be the amount of tax owed to the city by the taxpayer. The finance director shall notify the taxpayer by mail of the amount of tax so determined, together with any penalty, interest, and fees due; the total of such amounts shall thereupon become immediately due and payable. (Ord. 1894, 2020; Ord. 1893 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020).

3.72.050 Payment methods – Mailing returns or remittances – Time extension – Deposits – Recording payments – Payment must accompany return – NSF checks.

A. Taxes shall be paid to the finance director in United States currency by bank draft, certified check, cashier’s check, personal check, money order, cash, or by wire transfer or electronic payment if such wire transfer or electronic payment is authorized by the finance director. If payment so received is not paid by the bank on which it is drawn, the taxpayer, by whom such payment is tendered, shall remain liable for payment of the tax and for all legal penalties, the same as if such payment had not been tendered. Acceptance of any sum by the finance director shall not discharge the tax or fee due unless the amount paid is the full amount due.

B. A return or remittance that is transmitted to the city by United States mail shall be deemed filed or received on the date shown by the cancellation mark stamped by the post office upon the envelope containing it. The finance director may allow electronic filing of returns or remittances from any taxpayer. A return or remittance which is transmitted to the city electronically shall be deemed filed or received according to procedures set forth by the finance director.

C. If a written request is received prior to the due date, the finance director, for good cause, may grant, in writing, additional time within which to make and file returns.

D. The finance director shall keep full and accurate records of all funds received or refunded. The finance director shall apply payments first against all penalties and interest owing, and then upon the tax, without regard to any direction of the taxpayer.

E. For any return not accompanied by a remittance of the tax shown to be due thereon, the taxpayer shall be deemed to have failed or refused to file a return and shall be subject to the penalties and interest provided in this chapter.

F. Any payment made that is returned for lack of sufficient funds or for any other reason will not be considered received until payment by certified check, money order, or cash of the original amount due, plus a “nonsufficient funds” (NSF) charge in an amount in accordance with the then currently adopted city fee schedule, is received by the finance director.

G. The finance director is authorized, but not required, to mail tax return forms to taxpayers, but failure of the taxpayer to receive any such forms shall not excuse the taxpayer from filing returns and making payment of the taxes or fees, when and as due under this chapter. (Ord. 1894, 2020; Ord. 1893 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020).

3.72.060 Records to be preserved – Examination – Estoppel to question assessment.

Every person liable for any fee or tax imposed by this chapter shall keep and preserve, for a period of five years after filing a tax return, such records as may be necessary to determine the amount of any fee or tax for which the person may be liable; which records shall include copies of all federal income tax and state tax returns and reports made by the person. All books, records, papers, invoices, vendor lists, inventories, stocks of merchandise, and other data including federal income tax and state tax returns and reports shall be open for examination at any time by the finance director or its duly authorized agent. Every person’s business premises shall be open for inspection or examination by the finance director or a duly authorized agent.

A. If a person does not keep the necessary books and records within the city, it shall be sufficient if such person (1) produces within the city such books and records as may be required by the finance director, or (2) bears the cost of examination by the finance director’s agent at the place where such books and records are kept; provided, that the person electing to bear such cost shall pay in advance to the finance director the estimated amount thereof including round-trip fare, lodging, meals and incidental expenses, subject to adjustment upon completion of the examination.

B. Any person who fails, or refuses a city request, to provide or make available records, or to allow inspection or examination of the business premises, shall be forever barred from questioning in any court action, the correctness of any assessment of taxes made by the city for any period for which such records have not been provided, made available or kept and preserved, or in respect of which inspection or examination of the business premises has been denied. The finance director is authorized to determine the amount of the tax or fees payable by obtaining facts and information upon which to base the estimate of the tax or fees due. Such fee or tax assessment shall be deemed prima facie correct and shall be the amount of tax owing the city by the taxpayer. The finance director shall notify the taxpayer by mail the amount of tax so determined, together with any penalty, interest, and fees due; the total of such amounts shall thereupon become immediately due and payable. (Ord. 1894, 2020; Ord. 1893 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020).

3.72.070 Accounting methods.

A. A taxpayer may file tax returns in each reporting period with amounts based upon cash receipts only if the taxpayer’s books of account are kept on a cash receipts basis. A taxpayer that does not regularly keep books of account on a cash receipts basis must file returns with amounts based on the accrual method.

B. The taxes imposed and the returns required hereunder shall be upon a calendar year basis. (Ord. 1894, 2020; Ord. 1893 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020).

3.72.080 Public work contracts – Payment of fee and tax before final payment for work.

The finance director may, before issuing any final payment to any person performing any public work contract for the city, require such person to pay in full all fees or taxes due under this title from such person on account of such contract or otherwise, and may require such taxpayer to file with the finance director a verified list of all subcontractors supplying labor and/or materials to the person in connection with said public work. (Ord. 1894, 2020; Ord. 1893 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020).

3.72.090 Underpayment of tax, interest, or penalty – Interest.

A. If, upon examination of any returns, or from other information obtained by the finance director, it appears that a tax or penalty less than that properly due has been paid, the finance director shall assess the additional amount found to be due and shall add thereto interest on the tax only. The finance director shall notify the person by mail of the additional amount, which shall become due and shall be paid within 30 days from the date of the notice, or within such time as the finance director may provide in writing.

B. 1. For the purposes of this section, the rate of interest to be charged to the taxpayer for tax periods prior to January 1, 2005, shall be an average of the federal short-term rate as defined in 26 U.S.C. Section 1274(d) plus two percentage points. The rate shall be computed by taking an arithmetical average to the nearest percentage point of the federal short-term rate, compounded annually, for the months of January, April, July, and October of the year immediately preceding the calendar year as published by the United States Secretary of the Treasury. The rate shall be adjusted on the first day of January of each year for use in computing interest for that calendar year. For tax periods prior to January 1, 2005, interest shall be computed from the last day of the month following the end of the reporting period and will continue to accrue until payment is made.

2. For tax periods after December 31, 2004, the director shall compute interest in accordance with RCW 82.32.050 as it now exists or as it may be amended.

3. If subsection (B)(2) of this section is held to be invalid, then the provisions of RCW 80.32.050 existing at the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter shall apply. (Ord. 1894, 2020; Ord. 1893 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020).

3.72.095 Time in which assessment may be made.

The finance director shall not assess, or correct an assessment for, additional taxes, penalties, or interest due more than four years after the close of the calendar year in which they were incurred, except that the finance director may issue an assessment:

A. Against a person who is not currently registered or licensed or has not filed a tax return as required by this chapter for taxes due within the period commencing 10 years prior to the close of the calendar year in which the person was contacted in writing by the finance director;

B. Against a person that has committed fraud or who misrepresented a material fact; or

C. Against a person that has executed a written waiver of such limitations. (Ord. 1894, 2020; Ord. 1893 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020).

3.72.100 Overpayment of tax, penalty, or interest – Credit or refund – Interest rate – Statute of limitations.

A. If, upon receipt of an application for a refund, or during an audit or examination of the taxpayer’s records and tax returns, the finance director determines that the amount of tax, penalty, or interest paid is in excess of that properly due, the excess amount shall be credited to the taxpayer’s account or shall be refunded to the taxpayer. Except as provided in subsection (B) of this section, no refund or credit shall be made for taxes, penalties, or interest paid more than four years prior to the beginning of the calendar year in which the refund application is made or examination of records is completed.

B. The execution of a written waiver shall extend the time for applying for, or making a refund or credit of any taxes paid during, or attributable to, the years covered by the waiver if, prior to the expiration of the waiver period, an application for refund of such taxes is made by the taxpayer or the finance director discovers that a refund or credit is due.

C. Refunds shall be made by means of vouchers approved by the finance director and by the issuance of a city check or warrants drawn upon and payable from such funds as the city may provide.

D. Any final judgment for which a recovery is granted by any court of competent jurisdiction for tax, penalties, interest, or costs paid by any person shall be paid in the same manner, as provided in subsection (C) of this section, upon the filing with the finance director a certified copy of the order or judgment of the court.

E. 1. The finance director shall compute interest on refunds or credits of amounts paid or other recovery allowed a taxpayer in accordance with RCW 82.32.060 as it now exists or as it may be amended.

2. For tax periods after December 31, 2004, the director shall compute interest on refunds or credits of amounts paid or other recovery allowed a taxpayer in accordance with RCW 82.32.060 as it now exists or as it may be amended.

3. If subsection (E)(2) of this section is held to be invalid, then the provisions of RCW 82.32.060 existing at the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter shall apply. (Ord. 1894, 2020; Ord. 1893 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020).

3.72.110 Late payment – Disregard of written instructions – Evasion – Penalties.

A. If payment of any tax due on a return to be filed by a taxpayer is not received by the finance director by the due date, the finance director shall add a penalty in accordance with RCW 82.32.090(1), as it now exists or as it may be amended.

B. If the finance director determines that any tax has been substantially underpaid as defined in RCW 82.32.090(2), there shall be added a penalty in accordance with RCW 82.32.090(2), as it now exists or as it may be amended.

C. If a citation or criminal complaint is issued by the city for the collection of taxes, fees, assessments, interest or penalties, there shall be added thereto a penalty in accordance with RCW 82.32.090(3), as it now exists or as it may be amended.

D. If the finance director finds that a person has engaged in any business or performed any act upon which a tax is imposed under this title and that person has not obtained from the director a license as required by BMC Title 5, the finance director shall impose a penalty in accordance with RCW 82.32.090(4), as it now exists or as it may be amended. No penalty shall be imposed under this subsection (D) if the person who has engaged in business without a license obtains a license prior to being notified by the finance director of the need to be licensed.

E. If the finance director finds that all or any part of the deficiency resulted from an intent to evade the tax payable, the finance director shall assess a penalty in accordance with RCW 82.32.090(6), as it now exists or as it may be amended.

F. The penalties imposed under subsections (A) through (E) of this section can each be imposed on the same tax found to be due. This subsection does not prohibit or restrict the application of other penalties authorized by law.

G. The finance director shall not impose both the evasion penalty and the penalty for disregarding specific written instructions on the same tax found to be due.

H. For the purposes of this section, “return” means any document a person is required by the city of Burlington to file to satisfy or establish a tax or fee obligation that is administered or collected by the city, and that has a statutorily defined due date.

I. If incorporation into the city of Burlington code of future changes to RCW 82.32.090 is deemed invalid, then the provisions of RCW 82.32.090 existing at the time the ordinance codified in this chapter is effective shall apply. (Ord. 1894, 2020; Ord. 1893 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020).

3.72.120 Cancellation of penalties.

A. The finance director may cancel any penalties imposed under this section if the taxpayer shows that its failure to timely file or pay the tax was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect. Willful neglect is presumed unless the taxpayer shows that it exercised ordinary business care and prudence in making arrangements to file the return and pay the tax but was, nevertheless, due to circumstances beyond the taxpayer’s control, unable to file or pay by the due date. The finance director has no authority to cancel any other penalties or to cancel penalties for any other reason except as provided in subsection (C) of this section.

B. A request for cancellation of penalties must be received by the finance director within 30 days after the date the department mails the notice that the penalties are due. The request must be in writing and contain competent proof of all pertinent facts supporting a reasonable cause determination. In all cases the burden of proving the facts rests upon the taxpayer.

C. The finance director may cancel the penalties one time if a person:

1. Is not currently licensed and filing returns;

2. Was unaware of its responsibility to file and pay tax; and

3. Obtained business licenses and filed past due tax returns within 30 days after being notified by the department.

4. The finance director shall not cancel any interest charged upon amounts due. (Ord. 1894, 2020; Ord. 1893 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020).

3.72.130 Taxpayer quitting business – Liability of successor.

A. Whenever any taxpayer quits business, sells out, exchanges, or otherwise disposes of his business or his stock of goods, any tax payable hereunder shall become immediately due and payable. Such taxpayer shall, within 10 days thereafter, make a return and pay the tax due.

B. Any person who becomes a successor shall become liable for the full amount of any tax owing. The successor shall withhold from the purchase price a sum sufficient to pay any tax due to the city from the taxpayer until such time as: (1) the taxpayer shall produce a receipt from the city showing payment in full of any tax due or a certificate that no tax is due, or (2) more than six months has passed since the successor notified the finance director of the acquisition and the director has not issued and notified the successor of an assessment.

C. Payment of the tax by the successor shall, to the extent thereof, be deemed a payment upon the purchase price. If such payment is greater in amount than the purchase price, the amount of the difference shall become a debt due such successor from the taxpayer.

D. Notwithstanding the above, if a successor gives written notice to the finance director of the acquisition, and the finance department does not within six months of the date it received the notice issue an assessment against the taxpayer and mail a copy of that assessment to the successor, the successor shall not be liable for the tax. (Ord. 1894, 2020; Ord. 1893 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020).

3.72.140 Administrative appeal.

Any person aggrieved by the amount of the fee or tax determined by the finance director to be required under the provisions of this chapter may pay the amount due in full and appeal from such determination by filing a written notice of appeal with the finance director within 30 days from the date written notice of such amount was mailed to the taxpayer. Such appeal shall include the current hearing examiner appeal fee and all appeals shall be heard by the city’s hearing examiner. (Ord. 1894, 2020; Ord. 1893 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020).

3.72.150 Judicial review of administrative appeal decision.

The taxpayer or the city may obtain judicial review of the hearing examiner administrative decision by applying for a writ of review in Skagit County superior court within 30 days from the date of the hearing examiner’s decision in accordance with the procedure set forth in chapter 7.16 RCW, other applicable law, and court rules. The city shall have the same right of review from the administrative decision as does a taxpayer. (Ord. 1894, 2020; Ord. 1893 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020).

3.72.160 Finance director to make rules.

The finance director shall have the power, from time to time, to adopt, publish and enforce rules and regulations not inconsistent with this chapter or with law for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this chapter and it shall be unlawful to violate or fail to comply with any such rule or regulation. (Ord. 1894, 2020; Ord. 1893 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020).

3.72.170 Ancillary allocation authority of finance director.

The finance director is authorized to enter into agreements with other Washington cities which impose an “eligible gross receipts tax”:

A. To conduct an audit or joint audit of a taxpayer by using an auditor employed by the city of Burlington, another city, or a contract auditor; provided, that such contract auditor’s pay is not in any way based upon the amount of tax assessed;

B. To allocate or apportion in a manner that fairly reflects the gross receipts earned from activities conducted within the respective cities the gross proceeds of sales, gross receipts, or gross income of the business, or taxes due from any person that is required to pay an eligible gross receipts tax to more than one Washington city;

C. To apply the city’s tax prospectively where a taxpayer has no office or place of business within the city and has paid tax on all gross income to another Washington city where the taxpayer is located; provided, that the other city maintains an eligible gross receipts tax, and the income was not derived from contracts with the city. (Ord. 1894, 2020; Ord. 1893 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020).

3.72.180 Mailing of notices.

Any notice required by this chapter to be mailed to any taxpayer or licensee shall be sent by ordinary mail, addressed to the address of the taxpayer or licensee as shown by the records of the finance department. Failure of the taxpayer or licensee to receive any such mailed notice shall not release the taxpayer or licensee from any tax, fee, interest, or any penalties thereon, nor shall such failure operate to extend any time limit set by the provisions of this chapter. It is the responsibility of the taxpayer to inform the finance director in writing about a change in the taxpayer’s address. (Ord. 1894, 2020; Ord. 1893 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020).

3.72.190 Tax declared additional.

The fee and tax herein levied shall be additional to any license fee or tax imposed or levied under any law or any other ordinance of the city of Burlington except as herein otherwise expressly provided. (Ord. 1894, 2020; Ord. 1893 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020).

3.72.200 Public disclosure – Confidentiality – Information sharing.

A. For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:

1. “Disclose” means to make known to any person in any manner whatever a return or tax information.

2. “Tax information” means:

a. A taxpayer’s identity;

b. The nature, source, or amount of the taxpayer’s income, payments, receipts, deductions, exemption, credits, assets, liability, net worth, tax liability deficiencies, overassessments, or tax payments, whether taken from the taxpayer’s books and records or any other source;

c. Whether the taxpayer’s return was, is being, or will be examined or subject to other investigation or processing; or

d. Other data received by, recorded by, prepared by, or provided to the city with respect to the determination or the existence, or possible existence, of liability, or the amount thereof, for a tax, penalty, interest, fine, forfeiture, or other imposition, or offense. However, data, material, or documents that do not disclose information related to a specific or identifiable taxpayer do not constitute tax information under this section. Nothing in this chapter requires any person possessing data, material, or documents made confidential and privileged by this section to delete information from such data, material or documents so as to permit its disclosure.

3. “City agency” means every city office, department, division, bureau, board, commission, or other city agency.

4. “Taxpayer identity” means the taxpayer’s name, address, telephone number, registration number, or any combination thereof, or any other information disclosing the identity of the taxpayer.

B. Returns and tax information are confidential and privileged, and except as authorized by this section, neither the finance director nor any other person may disclose any return or tax information.

C. This section does not prohibit the finance director from:

1. Disclosing such return or tax information in a civil or criminal judicial proceeding or an administrative proceeding:

a. In respect of any tax imposed under the city of Burlington’s tax code if the taxpayer or its officer or other person liable under this title is a party in the proceeding; or

b. In which the taxpayer about whom such return or tax information is sought and another state agency are adverse parties in the proceeding;

2. Disclosing, subject to such requirements and conditions as the finance director prescribes by rules adopted pursuant to this section, such return or tax information regarding a taxpayer to such taxpayer or to such person or persons as that taxpayer may designate in a request for, or consent to, such disclosure, or to any other person, at the taxpayer’s request, to the extent necessary to comply with a request for information or assistance made by the taxpayer to such other person. However, tax information not received from the taxpayer must not be so disclosed if the finance director determines that such disclosure would compromise any investigation or litigation by any federal, state, or local government agency in connection with the civil or criminal liability of the taxpayer or another person, or that such disclosure would identify a confidential informant, or that such disclosure is contrary to any agreement entered into by the department that provides for the reciprocal exchange of information with other government agencies which agreement requires confidentiality with respect to such information unless such information is required to be disclosed to the taxpayer by the order of any court;

3. Publishing statistics so classified as to prevent the identification of particular returns or reports or items thereof;

4. Disclosing such return or tax information, for official purposes only, to the mayor or city attorney, or to any city agency, or to any member of the city council or their authorized designees dealing with matters of taxation, revenue, trade, commerce, the control of industry or the professions;

5. Permitting the city’s records to be audited and examined by the proper state officer, his or her agents and employees;

6. Disclosing any such return or tax information to a peace officer as defined in RCW 9A.04.110 or county prosecuting attorney, for official purposes. The disclosure may be made only in response to a search warrant, subpoena, or other court order, unless the disclosure is for the purpose of criminal tax enforcement. A peace officer or county prosecuting attorney who receives the return or tax information may disclose that return or tax information only for use in the investigation and a related court proceeding, or in the court proceeding for which the return or tax information originally was sought or where otherwise allowed to be disclosed under this section;

7. Disclosing any such return or tax information to the proper officer of the Internal Revenue Service of the United States, the Canadian government or provincial governments of Canada, or to the proper officer of the tax department of any state or city or town or county, for official purposes, but only if the statutes of the United States, Canada or its provincial governments, or of such other state or city or town or county, as the case may be, grant substantially similar privileges to the proper officers of the city;

8. Disclosing any such return or tax information to the United States Department of Justice, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Department of Defense, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Customs and Border Protection Agencies of the United States Department of Homeland Security, the United States Coast Guard, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau of the United States Department of Treasury, and the United States Department of Transportation, or any authorized representative of these federal agencies or their successors, for official purposes;

9. Publishing or otherwise disclosing the text of a written determination designated by the director as a precedent pursuant to RCW 82.32.410;

10. Disclosing, in a manner that is not associated with other tax information, the taxpayer name, entity type, business address, mailing address, revenue tax registration numbers and the active/closed status of such registrations, state or local business license registration identification and the active/closed status and effective dates of such licenses, reseller permit numbers and the expiration date and status of such permits, North American Industry Classification System or Standard Industrial Classification Code of a taxpayer, and the dates of opening and closing of business. Except that this subsection may not be construed as giving authority to the city or any recipient to give, sell, or provide access to any list of taxpayers for any commercial purpose;

11. Disclosing such return or tax information that is also maintained by another Washington State or local governmental agency as a public record available for inspection and copying under the provisions of chapter 42.56 RCW or is a document maintained by a court of record and is not otherwise prohibited from disclosure;

12. Disclosing such return or tax information to the United States Department of Agriculture, or successor department or agency, for the limited purpose of investigating food stamp fraud by retailers;

13. Disclosing to a financial institution, escrow company, or title company, in connection with specific real property that is the subject of a real estate transaction, current amounts due the city for a filed tax warrant, judgment, or lien against the real property;

14. Disclosing to a person against whom the department has asserted liability as a successor the return or tax information pertaining to the specific business of the taxpayer to which the person has succeeded;

15. Disclosing real estate excise tax affidavit forms in the possession of the city, including real estate excise tax affidavit forms for transactions exempt or otherwise not subject to tax;

16. Disclosing such return or tax information to the court or hearing examiner in respect to the city’s application for a subpoena if there is probable cause to believe that the records in possession of a third party will aid the director in connection with its official duties under this title or a civil or criminal investigation.

D. 1. The finance director may disclose return or taxpayer information to a person under investigation or during any court or administrative proceeding against a person under investigation as provided in this subsection (D). The disclosure must be in connection with the department’s official duties under this title, or a civil or criminal investigation. The disclosure may occur only when the person under investigation and the person in possession of data, materials, or documents are parties to the return or tax information to be disclosed. The department may disclose return or tax information such as invoices, contracts, bills, statements, resale or exemption certificates, or checks. However, the department may not disclose general ledgers, sales or cash receipt journals, check registers, accounts receivable/payable ledgers, general journals, financial statements, expert’s workpapers, income tax returns, state tax returns, tax return workpapers, or other similar data, materials, or documents.

2. Before disclosure of any tax return or tax information under this subsection (D), the finance director must, through written correspondence, inform the person in possession of the data, materials, or documents to be disclosed. The correspondence must clearly identify the data, materials, or documents to be disclosed. The finance director may not disclose any tax return or tax information under this subsection (D) until the time period allowed in subsection (D)(3) of this section has expired or until the court has ruled on any challenge brought under subsection (D)(3) of this section.

3. The person in possession of the data, materials, or documents to be disclosed by the department has 20 days from the receipt of the written request required under subsection (D)(2) of this section to petition the superior court of the county in which the petitioner resides for injunctive relief. The court must limit or deny the request of the finance director if the court determines that:

a. The data, materials, or documents sought for disclosure are cumulative or duplicative, or are obtainable from some other source that is more convenient, less burdensome, or less expensive;

b. The production of the data, materials, or documents sought would be unduly burdensome or expensive, taking into account the needs of the department, the amount in controversy, limitations on the petitioner’s resources, and the importance of the issues at stake; or

c. The data, materials, or documents sought for disclosure contain trade secret information that, if disclosed, could harm the petitioner.

4. The finance director must reimburse reasonable expenses for the production of data, materials, or documents incurred by the person in possession of the data, materials, or documents to be disclosed.

5. Requesting information under subsection (D)(2) of this section that may indicate that a taxpayer is under investigation does not constitute a disclosure of tax return or tax information under this section.

E. Service of a subpoena issued by the court does not constitute a disclosure of return or tax information under this section. Notwithstanding anything else to the contrary in this section, a person served with a subpoena issued by the court may disclose the existence or content of the subpoena to that person’s legal counsel.

F. Any person acquiring knowledge of any return or tax information in the course of his or her employment with the city and any person acquiring knowledge of any return or tax information as provided under subsection (C)(4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), or (11) of this section, who discloses any such return or tax information to another person not entitled to knowledge of such return or tax information under the provisions of this section, is guilty of a misdemeanor. If the person guilty of such violation is an officer or employee of the city, such person must forfeit such office or employment and is incapable of holding any public office or employment in this city for a period of two years thereafter. (Ord. 1894, 2020; Ord. 1893 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020).

3.72.210 Tax constitutes debt.

Any fee or tax due and unpaid under this chapter, and all interest and penalties thereon, shall constitute a debt to the city of Burlington and may be collected in the same manner as any other debt in like amount, which remedy shall be in addition to all other existing remedies. (Ord. 1894, 2020; Ord. 1893 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020).

3.72.220 Unlawful actions – Violation – Penalties.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person liable for fees under this chapter:

1. To violate or fail to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter or any lawful rule or regulation adopted by the finance director;

2. To make any false statement on any license application or tax return;

3. To aid or abet any person in any attempt to evade payment of a license fee or tax;

4. To fail to appear or testify in response to a subpoena;

5. To testify falsely in any investigation, audit, or proceeding conducted pursuant to this chapter.

B. Violation of any of the provisions of this chapter is a gross misdemeanor. Any person convicted of a violation of this chapter may be punished by a fine not to exceed $1,000, imprisonment not to exceed one year, or both fine and imprisonment. Penalties or punishments provided in this chapter shall be in addition to all other penalties provided by law.

C. Any person, or officer of a corporation, convicted of continuing to engage in business after the revocation of a license shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor and may be punished by a fine not to exceed $5,000, or imprisonment not to exceed one year, or both fine and imprisonment. (Ord. 1894, 2020; Ord. 1893 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020).

3.72.230 Suspension or revocation of business registration [license].

A. The finance director, or designee, shall have the power and authority to suspend or revoke any license issued under the provisions of this chapter. The finance director, or designee, shall notify such licensee in writing by certified mail of the suspension or revocation of his or her license and the grounds therefor. Any license issued under this chapter may be suspended or revoked based on one or more of the following grounds:

1. The license was procured by fraud or false representation of fact.

2. The licensee has failed to comply with any provisions of this chapter.

3. The licensee has failed to comply with any provisions of the Burlington Municipal Code.

4. The licensee is in default in any payment of any license fee or tax under BMC Title 5.

5. The licensee or employee has been convicted of a crime involving the business.

B. Any licensee may, within 30 days from the date that the suspension or revocation notice was mailed to the licensee, appeal from such suspension or revocation by filing a written notice of appeal (“petition”) setting forth the grounds therefor with the hearing examiner. A copy of the petition must be provided by the licensee to the finance director and the city attorney on or before the date the petition is filed with the hearing examiner. The hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the procedures for hearing contested cases set out in BMC 14A.05.190. The hearing examiner shall set a date for hearing said appeal and notify the licensee by mail of the time and place of the hearing. After the hearing thereon the hearing examiner shall, after appropriate findings of fact, and conclusions of law, affirm, modify, or overrule the suspension or revocation and reinstate the license, and may impose any terms upon the continuance of the license.

C. No suspension or revocation of a license issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall take effect until 30 days after the mailing of the notice thereof by the department, and if appeal is taken as herein prescribed the suspension or revocation shall be stayed pending final action by the hearing examiner. All licenses which are suspended or revoked shall be surrendered to the city on the effective date of such suspension or revocation.

The decision of the hearing examiner shall be final. The licensee and/or the department may seek review of the decision by the superior court of Washington in and for Skagit County within 30 days from the date of the decision. If review is sought as herein prescribed the suspension or revocation shall be stayed pending final action by the superior court.

D. Upon revocation of any license as provided in this chapter no portion of the license fee shall be returned to the licensee. (Ord. 1894, 2020; Ord. 1893 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020).

3.72.260 Severability.

If any provision of this chapter or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the chapter or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected. If the provisions of this chapter are found to be inconsistent with other provisions of the Burlington Municipal Code, this chapter is deemed to control. (Ord. 1894, 2020; Ord. 1893 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020).