Chapter 3.28
UTILITY TAXES
Sections:
3.28.030 Businesses subject to tax.
3.28.040 Exceptions and deductions from gross income.
3.28.050 Quarterly returns and payment.
3.28.060 Allocation of income for cellular telephone service.
3.28.070 Books and records – Inspection and confidentiality.
3.28.080 Investigation of returns.
3.28.090 Over or under payment.
3.28.100 Failure to make return or pay taxes.
3.28.110 Appeal to city council.
3.28.120 Rules and regulations.
3.28.140 Penalty for violation.
3.28.010 Purpose.
The provisions of this chapter shall be deemed to be an exercise of the power of the city of Clyde Hill to impose excises for revenue, as authorized by RCW 35.21.865, 35A.82.020, and other applicable state law. (Ord. 829 § 1, 2001)
3.28.020 Definitions.
Where used in this chapter, the following words and terms shall have the meanings as defined in this section, unless, from the context, a more limited or different meaning is clearly defined or apparent:
A. “Cable service” shall have the meaning set forth in 47 U.S.C. Section 522(6), as said statute presently exists or is hereafter amended.
B. “Cellular telephone service” means a one- or two-way telecommunications system used to transmit voice and/or data-based signals or content in whole, or substantially in part, on wireless radio communications, and which is not subject to regulation by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC). This includes cellular mobile service, pager services, specialized mobile radio (SMR), personal communications services (PCS), and any other evolving wireless radio communications technology which accomplishes a purpose similar to cellular mobile service, including paging services. Cellular telephone service shall not include competitive telephone service.
C. “Clerk” shall mean the city clerk of the city of Clyde Hill, or his or her designee.
D. “Gross income” means the value proceeding or accruing from the sale of tangible property or service, and receipts (including all sums earned or charged, whether received or not) by reason of the investment of capital of the business engaged in, including rentals, royalties, fees or other emoluments, receipts or proceeds from the use or sale of real property or any interest therein, and proceeds from the sale of notes, bonds, mortgages or other evidences of indebtedness or stock and the like) and without any deduction on account of the cost of the property or service sold, the cost of materials used, labor costs, interest or discount paid, taxes, or any expense whatsoever, and without any deduction on account of losses.
E. “Person” or “persons” means natural persons of either gender, firms, co-partnerships, corporations, municipal corporations, and other associations of natural persons whether acting by themselves or by servants, agents or employees.
F. “Taxpayer” means any person liable for taxes imposed by this chapter.
G. “Tax year” or “taxable year” means the 12-month period commencing January 1st and ending December 31st of the same year. (Ord. 829 § 1, 2001)
3.28.030 Businesses subject to tax.
There is hereby levied upon all persons engaged in business activities taxable under this chapter a utility tax or business and occupation tax in the amounts to be determined by the application of the respective rates against gross income of such taxpayer. Taxpayers engaged in or carrying on the business shall be charged with collection of the tax as a condition of doing business, and the tax shall be levied thereafter upon their subscribers at the rate set forth below.
A. Upon every person engaged in or carrying on a telephone business, as defined in Chapter 82.04 RCW, as said statute presently exists or is hereafter amended, a tax equal to six percent of the total gross income, exclusive of the revenues from intrastate and interstate toll calls, derived from the operation of such business within the city. To the extent permitted by applicable federal and state law, any telecommunications services provided by a cable operator (as defined in 47 U.S.C. Section 522(5)) or other persons over cable television facilities owned or controlled by a cable operator shall be taxable hereunder.
B. Upon every person engaged in a gas distribution business, as defined in RCW 82.16.010(7), as said statute presently exists or is hereafter amended, a tax equal to six percent of the total gross income derived from the operation of such business within the city.
C. Upon every person engaged in a light or power business, as defined in RCW 82.16.010(5), as said statute presently exists or is hereafter amended, a tax equal to six percent of the total gross income derived from such business within the city.
D. Upon every person engaged in or carrying on the sale of cellular telephone service, a tax equal to six percent of the total gross income derived from the operation of such business within the city.
E. Upon every person engaged in the sale, delivery, distribution, or furnishing of water for domestic, farm, and other uses, a tax equal to 10 percent of the total gross income derived from the operation of such business within the city; provided, however, that the tax imposed by this subsection shall not apply to any entity which the city is prohibited from taxing under applicable federal or state law or to any entity which pays an equivalent franchise or other comparable fee to the city.
F. Upon every person engaged in the operation and sale of sewer utility services, a tax equal to 10 percent of the total gross income derived from the operation of such business within the city; provided, however, that the tax imposed by this subsection shall not apply to any entity which the city is prohibited from taxing under applicable federal or state law or to any entity which pays an equivalent franchise or other comparable fee to the city.
G. There is levied a tax on the business of solid waste collection, transportation, or disposal and for the privilege of carrying on the business, such tax to be equal to six percent of the total gross revenue derived from solid waste collection, transportation, or disposal within the city.
H. There is levied a tax on the business of transmitting television by cable and for the privilege of carrying on the business, such tax to be equal to nine percent of the gross revenue derived from the sale of cable television services. (Ord. 999 §§ 1 – 3, 2023; Ord. 896 §§ 1 – 4, 2008; Ord. 885 § 1, 2006; Ord. 883 §§ 1, 2, 2006; Ord. 876 §§ 1, 2, 3, 2005; Ord. 869 §§ 1, 2, 3, 2004; Ord. 829 § 1, 2001)
3.28.040 Exceptions and deductions from gross income.
There shall be excluded from the total gross income upon which the tax is computed the following:
A. Revenues derived from transactions in interstate or foreign commerce, or from business done for the United States and the state, or their officers or agents or any amounts paid by the taxpayer to the United States and the state, the city or to any political subdivision of the state, as excise taxes levied or imposed upon the sale or distribution of property or services, or as a utility tax.
B. That portion of gross income derived from charges to another telecommunications company, as defined in RCW 80.40.010, for connecting fees, switching charges, or carrier access charges relating to intrastate toll telephone services, or for access to, or charges for, interstate service.
C. Charges incurred by a taxpayer engaging in a telephone business and paid to a telecommunications company, as defined in RCW 80.40.010, for telephone service that the taxpayer purchases for the purpose of resale.
D. Adjustments made to a billing or to a customer account or a telecommunications company accrual account in order to reverse a billing or a charge that has been made as a result of third party fraud or other crime and was not properly a debt of a customer.
E. A deduction from gross income, and for cellular telephone companies which keep their regular books of accounts on an accrual basis, for cash discounts and credit losses sustained by a taxpayer as a result of cellular telephone service business. (Ord. 829 § 1, 2001)
3.28.050 Quarterly returns and payment.
A. On or before the thirtieth day following the end of each calendar quarter (i.e., April 30th, July 30th, October 30th, and January 30th), each taxpayer shall remit payment for the preceding quarter’s tax, accompanied by a quarterly statement showing the manner in which the quarterly payment is calculated. The quarterly statement shall be upon a form provided by the clerk and shall contain such information as may be necessary to enable the clerk to arrive at the lawful amount of the tax. The taxpayer shall, in a legible manner provide all information required by the clerk on such returns, shall sign the same, and by affidavit shall swear or affirm that the information therein given is full and true and that the taxpayer knows the same to be so.
B. Quarterly returns shall be accompanied by a remittance by bank draft, certified check, cashier’s check or money order, payable to the city of Clyde Hill, or in cash, in the amount of the fee or tax owed, including delinquencies and installments.
C. Payment made by draft or check shall not be deemed a payment of the fee or tax unless and until the same has been honored in the usual course of business, nor shall acceptance of any such check or draft operate as an acquittance or discharge of the fee or tax unless and until the check or draft is honored.
D. If the taxpayer is a partnership, returns must be made by one of the partners; if a corporation, by one of the officers thereof; if a foreign corporation, co-partnership or nonresident individual, by the resident agent or local manager of said corporation, co-partnership or individual. (Ord. 829 § 1, 2001)
3.28.060 Allocation of income for cellular telephone service.
A. Service Address. Payments by a customer for the telephone service from telephones without a fixed location (i.e., cellular telephone service) shall be allocated among taxing jurisdictions to the location which the customer’s principal service address during the period for which the tax applies.
B. Presumption. There is a presumption that the service address a customer supplies to the taxpayer is current and accurate, unless the taxpayer has actual knowledge to the contrary.
C. Roaming Phones. When service is provided while a customer is roaming outside the customer’s normal cellular network area, the gross income shall be assigned consistent with the taxpayer’s accounting system to the location of the originating cell site of the call, or to the location of the main cellular switching office that switched the call.
D. Authority of Clerk. The clerk is authorized to represent the city in negotiations with other cities for the proper allocation of cellular telephone service taxes imposed pursuant to this chapter. (Ord. 829 § 1, 2001)
3.28.070 Books and records – Inspection and confidentiality.
A. It is the duty of each taxpayer to keep and enter in a proper book or set of books or records an account which shall accurately reflect the amount of its gross income, which account shall be open to inspection by the clerk, or his or her designee at a reasonable time, and from which the clerk or his or her designee may verify returns made by the taxpayer.
B. To the extent permitted by Chapter 42.17 RCW and other applicable statutes, returns made to the clerk pursuant to this chapter shall not be made public, nor shall they be subject to the inspection of any person except the mayor, the city administrator, the city attorney, the clerk, or his or her authorized agent and members of the city council. (Ord. 829 § 1, 2001)
3.28.080 Investigation of returns.
If any taxpayer fails to make his or her return, or if the clerk is dissatisfied as to the correctness of the statements made in the return of any taxpayer, the clerk, or his or her designee, may: (A) enter the premises of such taxpayer at any reasonable time for the purpose of inspecting and auditing the taxpayer’s books or records to ascertain the amount of the fee or tax or to determine the correctness of such statements, as the case may be; (B) may examine any person under oath administered by the clerk, or his or her designee, touching the matters inquired into; or (C) fix a time and place for an investigation of the correctness of the return, and issue a subpoena to the taxpayer, or any other person, to attend such investigation and testify, under oath administered by the clerk, or his or her agent, in regard to the matters inquired into and may, by subpoena, require him or her, or any person, to bring with him or her such books, records and papers as may be necessary. In the event that any such audit reveals an underpayment of 10 percent or more, the taxpayer shall, in addition to any other penalties established by law, be responsible for all of the costs associated with the audit, including, but not limited to, staff time and overhead, accounting fees, professional service fees, and attorneys’ fees. (Ord. 829 § 1, 2001)
3.28.090 Over or under payment.
A. Overpayment. If the clerk, upon investigation or upon checking returns, finds that the fee or tax paid by a taxpayer is more than the amount required of the taxpayer, he or she shall return the amount overpaid, upon the written request of the taxpayer. Refund requests not made by the taxpayer within four years of any overpayment shall be forever barred.
B. Underpayment. If the clerk finds that the fee or tax paid by a taxpayer is less than required, he or she shall send a statement to the taxpayer showing the balance due, together with a penalty of 10 percent of the amount due, and the taxpayer shall, within 10 days, pay the amount shown thereon. If payment is not received by the clerk by the due date specified in the notice, the clerk shall add a penalty of an additional 25 percent of the amount of the additional tax found due. In the event that the balance due, including all penalties, is not paid in full within 30 days from the date specified, the penalty shall be increased by 15 percent of the amount due and the total amount due shall accrue interest at the rate of 12 percent per annum. If the clerk finds that all, or any part of, the deficiency resulted from an intent to evade the tax payable hereunder, a penalty of 50 percent of the additional tax found to be due shall be added and the amounts due, including penalties, shall accrue interest at the rate of 12 percent per annum from the date the tax became due and the date payment is actually made. (Ord. 829 § 1, 2001)
3.28.100 Failure to make return or pay taxes.
If any taxpayer fails to make a return or pay the fees or taxes therefor, or any part thereof, the clerk shall ascertain the amount of the fee or tax or installment thereof due and shall notify the taxpayer thereof, who shall be liable therefor in any suit or action by the city for the collection thereof. In the event that any taxes imposed by this chapter remain unpaid, the clerk may refer such claims to a collection agency or to the city attorney for collection. If referred to the city attorney for collection, the city attorney shall, with the assistance of the clerk, collect the same by any appropriate means or by suit or action in the name of the city. In the event that the city prevails on any claim that a taxpayer in noncompliance with the terms of this chapter, the city shall be entitled to an award of its reasonable attorneys’ fees and other professional expenses associated with prosecuting the action. (Ord. 829 § 1, 2001)
3.28.110 Appeal to city council.
A. Any taxpayer aggrieved by the amount of the fee, tax, or penalty found by the clerk to be required under the provisions of this chapter, may appeal to the city council from such finding by filing a written notice of appeal with the clerk within five days from the time such taxpayer was given notice of such amount and paying an appeal fee as established by the city council by resolution from time to time. The clerk shall, as soon as practicable, fix a time and place for the hearing of such appeal, which time shall be not more than 30 days after the filing of the notice of appeal, and the clerk shall cause a notice of the time and place thereof to be delivered or mailed to the appellant. At such hearing the taxpayer shall be entitled to be heard and to introduce evidence on his or her own behalf. The city council shall thereupon ascertain the correct amount of the fee, tax, or penalty by resolution and the clerk shall immediately notify the appellant thereof, which amount, together with costs of the appeal including outside legal, accounting, and other expenses, if the appellant is unsuccessful therein, must be paid within 10 days after such notice is given.
B. Any judicial appeal of the city council’s final determination of such an appeal shall be filed and served within 21 days of the date of the city council’s final vote on the matter, and the taxpayer shall be responsible for payment of the costs associated with producing the city’s administrative record therein. (Ord. 829 § 1, 2001)
3.28.120 Rules and regulations.
The clerk shall have the power to adopt, publish and enforce rules and regulations not inconsistent with this chapter or with applicable law for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this chapter, and it is unlawful for any person or taxpayer to violate or fail to comply with any such rule or regulation. (Ord. 829 § 1, 2001)
3.28.130 Unlawful acts.
It is unlawful:
A. For any person liable for taxes or fees hereunder to fail or refuse to file returns or to pay any fee or tax or installment thereof when due;
B. For any person to make any false or fraudulent return or any false statement or representation in, or in connection with any such return;
C. To aid or abet another in any attempt to evade payment of the fee or tax, or any part thereof;
D. For any person to fail to appeal and/or testify in response to subpoena issued pursuant hereto;
E. To testify falsely upon any investigation of the correctness of a return, or upon the hearing of any appeal; or
F. In any manner to hinder or delay the city or any of its officers in carrying out the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 829 § 1, 2001)
3.28.140 Penalty for violation.
Any person violating any of the provisions or failing to comply with any of the requirements of this chapter shall, in addition to being liable for the monetary penalties set forth herein, be subject to punishment in accordance with CHMC 1.08.010. (Ord. 829 § 1, 2001)
3.28.150 Rate change.
No change in the rate of tax upon persons engaging in providing services taxable under this chapter shall apply to business activities occurring before the effective date of the change, and, except for a change in the tax rate authorized by RCW 35.21.870, no change in the rate of the tax may take effect sooner than 60 days following the enactment of the ordinance establishing the change. The clerk, or his or her designee, shall send to each taxpayer known to the city a copy of any ordinance changing the rate or tax upon taxable services promptly upon its enactment. (Ord. 829 § 1, 2001)