Chapter 3.19 TAX ADMINISTRATION

The purpose of this chapter of the Everett Municipal Code is to provide for the uniform administration of various taxes levied by the city of Everett (“city”) with respect to returns, deadline, penalties, interest, refund, additional assessments, appeals, time limitations for bringing actions and other administrative matters relative to taxes imposed by the city. (Ord. 3710-19 § 1 (part), 2019)

3.19.015 Application of chapter stated.

The provisions of this chapter shall apply with respect to the taxes imposed under Everett Municipal Code Chapter 3.20 (Admissions Tax), Chapter 3.24 (Business and Occupation Tax), Chapter 3.28 (Business and Occupation Tax—Utilities), and Chapter 3.36 (Gambling Tax) and other titles, chapters, and sections in such manner and to such extent as indicated in each such title, chapter or section. (Ord. 3710-19 § 1 (part), 2019)

3.19.020 Definitions.

For purposes of this chapter:

The definitions contained in Chapter 3.24 shall apply equally to the provisions of this chapter unless the term is defined otherwise in this chapter. In addition, the following definitions will apply:

A. “City” means the city of Everett, a municipal corporation.

B. “Clerk” means the city clerk of Everett, a municipal corporation, or any officer, agent or employee of the city designated to act on the clerk’s behalf.

C. “Director” means the finance director of the city or any officer, agent or employee of the city designated to act on the director’s behalf.

D. “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 twelve-month period beginning the first day of January of each year (annual).

E. “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.

F. “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.

G. “Taxpayer” means any person required to have a business license under this chapter or liable for the collection of any tax or fee under this chapter, or who engages in any business or who performs any act for which a tax or fee is imposed by this chapter.

H. “Tax year” or “taxable year” means the calendar year.

I. “Treasurer” means the treasurer of Everett, a municipal corporation. (Ord. 3710-19 § 1 (part), 2019)

3.19.021 Definitions—References to Chapter 82.32 RCW.

Where provisions of Chapter 82.32 RCW are incorporated in Section 3.19.090, “department” as used in the RCW shall refer to the “director” as defined in Section 3.19.020 and “warrant” as used in the RCW shall mean “citation or criminal complaint.” (Ord. 3710-19 § 1 (part), 2019)

3.19.025 Business license requirements.

No person, whether subject to the payment of tax or not, shall engage in any business or activity in the city of Everett for which a license fee or tax is imposed by this chapter without having first obtained and being a holder of a valid and subsisting license so to do. This license will be known as a business license and is issued under the provisions of this chapter as hereinafter provided. This license concerns only the requirements as set out in this chapter and does not fall within the requirements and guidelines set out in Chapter 5.04. (Ord. 3710-19 § 1 (part), 2019)

3.19.030 Registration/license certificates.

A. Unless exempt under subsection (A)(1) of this section, any person, so engaging in a business activity within the city whether taxable or not, shall apply for and obtain from the city clerk, upon payment of the fee provided in this section, a business license. Such applicant shall complete an application form for such business license upon such forms as provided by the office of the city clerk and shall accompany such application with the required fee. Such business license shall be personal and nontransferable. If a taxpayer transacts business at two or more locations within the city, the taxpayer must obtain additional business licenses for each additional location and pay the required additional location fee annually. Prior to license issuance, all business license applications will be reviewed by the city’s community, planning, and economic development department for compliance with the city’s land use and zoning code. Business license issuance does not indicate that the business complies with all federal, state, and local regulations.

1. For purposes of the license required by this chapter, any person or business whose annual value of products, gross proceeds of sales, or gross income of the business in the city is equal to or less than two thousand dollars and who does not maintain a place of business within the city, shall submit a business license registration to the city clerk. For businesses meeting this threshold, no registration fee is required. The threshold does not apply to regulatory license requirements or activities that require a specialized permit.

B. License Control. Each business license shall be numbered and shall show the name, place and character of the business of the taxpayer and such other information as the office of the clerk deems necessary and shall be posted in a conspicuous place at the place of business for which it is issued.

C. License Duration. Each business license issued by the office of the clerk will be valid from January 1st to December 31st of a calendar year, so long as the taxpayer pays the tax accrued to the city. If a taxpayer changes its place of business, the taxpayer must return its existing business license to the office of the clerk and the office of the clerk will issue a new business license for the new place of business with the same expiration date as the taxpayer’s existing license and without an additional charge.

D. License Restrictions. No person shall engage in any business taxable under this chapter without being registered in compliance with the provisions of this chapter, except that the office of the clerk, by general regulation, may provide for the issuance of temporary business licenses to a temporary place of business without requiring the payment of any fee. No person to whom a business license has been issued may allow any person for whom a separate business license is required to operate under or to display his/her business license. No person may operate under or display a business license issued by the city to another taxpayer.

E. License Fees.

1. Registration Fee. Unless exempt under subsection (A)(1) of this section, a registration fee of eighty-four dollars will be due at the time of filing an application for a business license. If the application for a business license is filed between July 1st and December 31st, and the registrant’s first day of business is July 1st or later, the registration fee will be forty-two dollars.

2. Additional Location Fee. For each additional location at which a taxpayer transacts business, the taxpayer will pay a fee of twenty dollars per year at the time of registration. If the application for an additional location is filed between July 1st and December 31st, the additional location fee will be ten dollars.

3. Renewal Fee. A renewal fee will be due on or before the last day of the next month following expiration of the current license. If the due date is a Saturday, Sunday, or city or federal legal holiday, then the due date shall be the next succeeding day that is neither a Saturday, Sunday, or city or federal legal holiday. For businesses located inside the city limits of Everett with total world-wide gross income of less than twenty thousand dollars in the first three quarters of the year preceding the license year, plus the fourth quarter of the year prior to the preceding year, the annual renewal fee is eleven dollars. For businesses located outside the city limits of Everett with total world-wide gross income of less than twenty thousand dollars in the first three quarters of the year, plus the fourth quarter of the year prior to the preceding year, the annual renewal fee is twenty-eight dollars. For all businesses with total world-wide gross income of twenty thousand dollars or more in the first three quarters of the year preceding the license year, plus the fourth quarter of the year prior to the preceding year, the annual renewal fee is eighty-four dollars. The renewal fee for each additional location will be twenty-three dollars.

4. Fee Adjustment. The office of the clerk shall administratively adjust the fees provided for herein annually in an amount equal to the annual change in the June to June Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) (1982-84=100) for the Seattle-Tacoma-Bremerton area as published by the United States Department of Labor (CPI), compounded from the base year of 2015. To calculate the adjustment, the rate established in subsection (E)(3) of this section will be multiplied by one plus the compounded annual change in the CPI between the current year and 2015. If the annual change in CPI is negative, no adjustment shall be made for the year. The amount of the fees so calculated will be rounded to the nearest whole dollar.

F. License Renewal. Prior to January 31st of each year, a taxpayer desiring to renew its license must submit a renewal form and the renewal fee to the office of the clerk. The renewal form must indicate any changes to the taxpayer’s name, location, or character of business, or affirm that there have not been any changes. Any taxpayer failing to make payment on or prior to January 31st will be subject to penalties in the following amounts:

1. Ten percent of the current renewal fee, as adjusted in subsection (E)(4) of this section, if the payment is not received on or before the last day of the month following the expiration date.

2. Twenty percent of the current renewal fee, as adjusted in subsection (E)(4) of this section, if the payment is not received on or before the last day of the second month following the expiration date.

3. All business licenses issued subsequent to the initial license period will be deemed renewal licenses if there has been no discontinuance of the taxpayer’s operations or activities. Nonpayment by the taxpayer of taxes or business license fees when due during the term of any license will constitute grounds for revocation of, or the refusal to renew, said license. (Ord. 3710-19 § 1 (part), 2019)

3.19.040 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 this chapter, the tax imposed by this chapter shall be due and payable in quarterly installments. At the director’s discretion, businesses may be assigned to a monthly or annual reporting period depending on the tax amount owing or type of tax. Until December 31, 2020, 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 January1, 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 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. Returns not received on or before the due date are subject to penalties and interest in accordance with this chapter.

D. For purposes of the tax imposed by Chapter 3.24, 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 twenty thousand dollars in the current calendar year or five thousand dollars in the current quarter shall file a return, declare no tax due on their return, and submit the return to the director. The gross receipts and deduction amounts shall be entered on the tax return even though no tax may be due.

E. A taxpayer who 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 his or her return as and when required in this chapter, the director is authorized to determine the amount of the tax or fees payable by obtaining facts and information upon which to base his or her 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 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. 3710-19 § 1 (part), 2019)

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

A. Taxes shall be paid to the 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 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 director shall not discharge the tax or fee due unless the amount paid is the full amount due.

B. A return or remittance which 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 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 director.

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

D. The director shall keep full and accurate records of all funds received or refunded. The 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 of twenty dollars, is received by the director. Any license issued upon payment with a NSF check will be considered void, and shall be returned to the director. No license shall be reissued until payment (including the twenty-dollar NSF fee) is received.

G. The 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. 3710-19 § 1 (part), 2019)

3.19.060 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 director or his/her duly authorized agent. Every person’s business premises shall be open for inspection or examination by the 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 director; or

2. Bears the cost of examination by the 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 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 director 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 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 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 so determined, together with any penalty, interest, and fees due the city by the taxpayer. The 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. 3710-19 § 1 (part), 2019)

3.19.070 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 who 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. 3710-19 § 1 (part), 2019)

3.19.080 Public work contracts—Payment of fee and tax before final payment for work.

The 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 license 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 director a verified list of all subcontractors supplying labor and/or materials to the person in connection with said public work. (Ord. 3710-19 § 1 (part), 2019)

3.19.090 Underpayment of tax, interest, or penalty—Interest.

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

B.1. For tax liabilities arising after December 31, 1991, and until January 1, 2005, from the date of the liability to the date of payment, the rate of interest shall be variable and 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 average will be computed as provided in RCW 82.32.050(2).

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 82.32.050 existing at the effective date of the ordinance codified in this section shall apply. (Ord. 3710-19 § 1 (part), 2019)

3.19.095 Time in which assessment may be made.

The 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 the 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 ten years prior to the close of the calendar year in which the person was contacted in writing by the 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. 3710-19 § 1 (part), 2019)

3.19.100 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 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 director discovers that a refund or credit is due.

C. Refunds shall be made by means of vouchers approved by the 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 director a certified copy of the order or judgment of the court.

E.1. For refunds of amounts paid or other recovery allowed to a taxpayer after December 31, 1991, and before July 1, 2002, the rate of interest shall be the rate as computed by taking seventy-five percent of the current (daily) state pool rate compounded annually.

2. For refunds or credits of amounts paid or other recovery allowed to a taxpayer after July 1, 2002, and before January 1, 2005, the rate of interest shall be the federal short-term interest rate as outlined for assessments under Section 3.19.090(B)(2) and (3) less two percentage points.

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

4. If subsection (E)(3) of this section is held invalid, then the provisions of RCW 82.32.060 existing at the effective date of the ordinance codified in this section shall apply. (Ord. 3710-19 § 1 (part), 2019)

3.19.110 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 director by the due date, the 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 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 director 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 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 this chapter, the 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 if the person who has engaged in business without a license obtains a license prior to being notified by the director of the need to be licensed.

E. If the director determines that all or any part of a deficiency resulted from the taxpayer’s failure to follow specific written tax reporting instructions, there shall be assessed a penalty in accordance with RCW 82.32.090(5) as it now exists or as it may be amended.

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

G. 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.

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

I. For the purposes of this section, “return” means any document a person is required by the city of Everett 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.

J. If incorporation into the city of Everett 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 section is effective shall apply. (Ord. 3710-19 § 1 (part), 2019)

3.19.120 Cancellation of penalties.

A. The director may cancel any penalties imposed under Section 3.19.110(A) 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 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 director within thirty days after the date the director 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 director may cancel the penalties in Section 3.19.110(A) 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 thirty days after being notified by the department.

D. The director shall not cancel any interest charged upon amounts due. (Ord. 3710-19 § 1 (part), 2019)

3.19.130 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 ten 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 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 director of the acquisition, and the director 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. 3710-19 § 1 (part), 2019)

3.19.140 Administrative appeal.

A. Any person, except one who has failed to comply with Section 3.19.060, aggrieved by the amount of the fee or tax determined by the director to be required under the provisions of this chapter, Chapter 3.20, 3.24, 3.28, or 3.36 may appeal from such determination by filing a written notice of appeal with the director within thirty days from the date written notice of such amount was mailed to the taxpayer. The hearing examiner shall, as soon as practical, fix a time and place for the hearing of such appeal, and shall cause a notice of the time and place thereof to be delivered or mailed to the parties. The hearing shall be conducted in accord with the provisions of this chapter.

B. Appeals must be in writing and must contain the following:

1. The name and address of the taxpayer;

2. A statement identifying the determination of the director from which the appeal is taken;

3. A statement setting forth the grounds upon which the appeal is taken and identifying specific errors the director is alleged to have made in making the determination; and

4. A statement identifying the requested relief from the determination being appealed.

C. The hearing examiner may establish procedures for hearing such appeal and may, by subpoena, require the attendance of any person, and may also require him/her to produce any pertinent books and records. Any person served with such subpoena shall appear at the time and place therein stated and produce the books and records required, if any, and shall testify truthfully under oath administered by the hearing examiner as to any matter required of him/her which is pertinent to the appeal, and it is unlawful for him/her to refuse to do so.

D. The director’s decision shall be prima facie correct and the taxpayer shall have the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that the director’s determination was erroneous. The hearing examiner may, after appropriate findings of fact and conclusions of law, reverse or modify an action of the director and ascertain the correct amount of the fee or tax due. The decision of the hearing examiner shall be final.

E. During the appeal process, interest on any taxes owed and unpaid will continue to accrue until payment is received. The taxpayer may stop the accrual of interest by paying the assessment and then appealing the tax assessment. If the taxpayer pays the full assessment and then prevails in the appeal, any part of the tax paid, but not owing, will be refunded, plus any interest which has accrued on such funds. (Ord. 3710-19 § 1 (part), 2019)

3.19.150 Judicial review of hearing examiner’s decision.

Any person, except one who has failed to comply with Section 3.19.060, having paid any tax as required and feeling aggrieved by the amount of the tax assessed, and after first exhausting the right of administrative appeal set forth in this chapter, may seek judicial review in the Snohomish County superior court within twenty-one days of the date of the decision of the hearing examiner. The taxpayer shall set forth the amount of the tax imposed upon the taxpayer that the taxpayer concedes to be the correct amount of tax and the reason why the tax imposed should be reduced or abated. The trial in the superior court shall be de novo in accordance with the laws of the state of Washington. The burden shall rest upon the taxpayer to prove that the tax paid by the taxpayer is incorrect, either in whole or in part, and to establish the correct amount of the tax. (Ord. 3710-19 § 1 (part), 2019)

3.19.160 Clerk to make rules, director’s approval.

The clerk, subject to the approval of the director, shall, from time to time, 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. 3710-19 § 1 (part), 2019)

3.19.170 Ancillary allocation authority of director.

The 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 Everett, 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 proceeds 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. 3710-19 § 1 (part), 2019)

3.19.180 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 director. 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 director in writing about a change in the taxpayer’s address. (Ord. 3710-19 § 1 (part), 2019)

3.19.190 Tax declared additional.

The license 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 Everett except as herein otherwise expressly provided. (Ord. 3710-19 § 1 (part), 2019)

3.19.200 Public disclosure—Confidentiality—Information sharing.

A. For purposes of this section, unless a different meaning is clearly established by context, the following definitions apply:

1. “Disclose” means to make known to any person, in any manner whatsoever, 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, over-assessments, 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, of a person under the city’s tax code 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 their 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 director nor any other person may disclose any return or tax information.

C. This section does not prohibit the 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’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 director prescribes by rules adopted pursuant to Section 3.19.160, 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 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 under Section 3.19.130 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 filed under Chapter 3.68 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 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 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 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 twenty 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 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 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 or under Section 3.19.140 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 or under Section 3.19.140 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. 3710-19 § 1 (part), 2019)

3.19.210 Tax constitutes debt.

Any license fee or tax due and unpaid under this chapter, and all interest and penalties thereon, shall constitute a debt to the city of Everett 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. 3710-19 § 1 (part), 2019)

3.19.220 Use of credit agencies or collection agencies to collect taxes outside the city.

The director may retain the services of credit agencies or collection agencies for the purpose of collecting the taxes imposed under this chapter, from sources outside the city of Everett, including interest and penalties thereon. The account of the taxpayer shall be credited with the amounts collected by a collection agency after reduction for any reasonable collection costs. (Ord. 3710-19 § 1 (part), 2019)

3.19.230 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 clerk and approved by the 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 issued pursuant to Section 3.19.140;

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 one thousand dollars, 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 five thousand dollars, or imprisonment not to exceed one year, or both fine and imprisonment. (Ord. 3710-19 § 1 (part), 2019)

3.19.240 Suspension or revocation of business license—Appeal.

A. The director, or designee, shall have the power and authority to suspend or revoke any license issued under the provisions of this chapter. The 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 Chapters 3.19, 3.20, 3.24, 3.28 and 3.36.

3. The licensee has defaulted on any payment of any license fee or tax under Chapters 3.19, 3.20, 3.24, 3.28 and 3.36.

4. The licensee, or an employee thereof, has been convicted of a crime involving the business subject to tax under Chapters 3.20, 3.24, 3.28 and 3.36.

B. Any licensee may, within ten 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 setting forth the grounds therefor with the director.

1. Such appeal will be heard before a hearing examiner appointed by the director.

2. 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.

3. The hearing examiner may establish procedures for hearing such appeal and may, by subpoena, require the attendance of any person, and may also require him/her to produce any pertinent books and records. Any person served with such subpoena shall appear at the time and place therein stated and produce the books and records required, if any, and shall testify truthfully under oath administered by the hearing examiner as to any matter required of him/her which is pertinent to the appeal, and it is unlawful for him/her to refuse to do so.

4. The director’s decision shall be prima facie correct and the taxpayer shall have the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that the director’s determination was erroneous. The hearing examiner shall, after appropriate findings of fact and conclusions of law, affirm, modify, or overrule the suspension or revocation. If the hearing examiner modifies or overrules the suspension or revocation, the hearing examiner may reinstate the license and has discretion to impose additional conditions upon continuance of the license. The decision of the hearing examiner shall be final.

5. No suspension or revocation of a license issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall take effect until three days after the mailing of the notice thereof by the director, 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.

6. The licensee and/or the city may seek review of the decision by the Snohomish County superior court within twenty 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.

C. Upon suspension or revocation of any license as provided in this section, no portion of the license fee shall be returned to the licensee.

D. Suspension or revocation under this section shall in no event relieve a taxpayer or the obligation to pay taxes owing under Chapter 3.20, 3.24, 3.28, or 3.36. (Ord. 3710-19 § 1 (part), 2019)

3.19.250 Closing agreement provisions.

The director may enter into an agreement in writing with any person relating to the liability of such person in respect of any tax imposed by any of the chapters within this title and administered by this chapter for any taxable period(s). Upon approval of such agreement, evidenced by execution thereof by the director and the person so agreeing, the agreement shall be final and conclusive as to the tax liability or tax immunity covered thereby, and, except upon a showing of fraud or malfeasance, or misrepresentation of a material fact:

A. The case shall not be reopened as to the matters agreed upon, or the agreement modified, by the director or the taxpayer; and

B. In any suit, action or proceeding, such agreement, or any determination, assessment, collection, payment, abatement, refund, or credit made in accordance therewith, shall not be annulled, modified, set aside, or disregarded. (Ord. 3710-19 § 1 (part), 2019)

3.19.260 Charge-off of uncollectible taxes.

The director may charge off any tax, penalty, or interest that is owed by a taxpayer, if the director reasonably ascertains that the cost of collecting such amounts would be greater than the total amount that is owed or likely to be collected from the taxpayer. Charge-offs in excess of five thousand dollars require city council approval. (Ord. 3710-19 § 1 (part), 2019)