ORD 99-28 LICENSING OF BUSINESSES AND B & O TAXORDINANCE NO. 99-28
AN ORDINANCE of the City of Bainbridge Island, Washington,
relating to the City' s licensing of businesses and its business and
occupation tax; mending Chapter 5.04 and adding a new Chapter
5.05 to the Bainbridge Island Municipal Code.
Wlll~REAS, RCW 35.21.710 provides that cities are authorized to require the
licensing of businesses and to levy and collect a tax not to exceed two-tenths of one
percent on their gross income; and
WltF~REAS, the City of Bainbridge Island has imposed such licensing and tax
requirements continuously since at least 1982; and
Wlt!~REAS, the Finance Committee of the Bainbridge Island City Council has
conducted extensive public meetings to determine needed improvements, corrections and
adjustments to BIMC Chapter 5 04; now, therefore
~ CITY COUNCIL OF ~ CITY OF BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, DOES
ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Chapter 5.04 of the Bainbridge Island Municipal Code is hereby
amended as.follows:
Chapter 5.04 Business Licenses
Sections:
5.04.010
5.04.020
5.04.030
5.04.040
5.04.050
5.04.055
5.04.060
5.04.070
5.04.080
5.04.190
5.04.200
5.04.210
5.04.220
5.04.230
Purpose.
Definitions and presumption.
License required.
License - Application and issuance.
License - Nontransferable.
Standards of Conduct.
License - Suspension, Denial or Revocation.
License - Multiple locations.
Exempt Activities.
License - Fee additional to others.
License - Collection.
Over or underpayment of License.
Appeal procedure.
License - Contidentiality of applications.
5.04.240
5.04.250
5.04.260
5.04.270
5.04.280
Duties of the director.
Civil penalty.
Violation - Penalty.
Uxability of Successor
Limitations on License
5.04.010 Purpose.
The provisions of this chapter are an exercise of the police and taxation powers of the city
to license for revenue purposes and to govern the privilege of engaging in business in the
city.
5.04.020 Definitions and presumption.
A. This chapter incorporates by reference all definitions set forth in Chapter 82.04 RCW,
hereafter amended, except where a conflicting definition is stated in this chapter.
B. "Director" means the director of finance and administrative services for the city.
C. Businesses or persons soliciting business within the city or using either a business
telephone number or business address within the city shall be presumed to be engaged
in business within the city.
5.04.030 License required.
Every person who engages in business activities within the city shall apply for and obtain
from the director a license for the privilege of engaging in business within the city for each
calendar year or portion thereof The fee for the business license shall be in the amount
established by resolution of the city council. No person shall engage in any business for
which a business license is required under this chapter without being so licensed,
regardless of the amount of income received, except as otherwise provided in this rifle.
5.04.040 License - Application and issuance.
A. Business licenses must be obtained and the fee paid before a business commences
operation within the city. The license fee shall be considered delinquent if not paid
when due.
B. The business license required by this chapter shall expire on December 31st of the year
for which it is issued. A new license shall be required for each year and the fee paid on
or before the last day of February.
C. Applications for business licenses shall be made to and issued by the finance director
on forms provided by the city, which shall state the residence of the applicant, the
nature of each business activity in which the applicant desires to engage, and the place
where the applicant proposes to conduct its business. fithe director finds that the
application is complete and correct, that all required fees have been paid, and all laws
and requirements have been complied with, the business license shall be issued.
D. The director shall, when appropriate, refer applications to the Department of planning
and Community Development, the Department of Public Safety, the Balnbridge Island
Fire Department, and other governmental agencies for their review.
E. Multiple business activities under common ownership may be conducted under a single
license.
F. Neither the filing of an application for a license, or the renewal thereof, nor the
payment of any application or renewal fee, shall authorize a person to engage in or
conduct a business until such license has been granted or renewed.
5.04.050 License - Nontransferable.
The business license issued under this chapter shall be personal and nontransferable, and
shall at all times be posted in the place of business for which it is issued. Where a
licensee's place of business is changed, the licensee shall return the license to the director
and a new license shall be issued for the new place of business without charge. No licensee
shall allow another person to operate a business under, or display, the license, nor shall
another person operate under or display the license.
5.04,055 S~andards of Conduct
Even licensee under this chapter shall:
A. Permit reasonable inspections of the business premises by governmental authorities for
the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this chapter~
B. Comply with all federal, state and city statutes, laws, ordinances and regulations
relating to the business premises and the conduct of the business thereon~
C. Refrain from unfair or deceptive acts or practices, or consumer fraud, in the conduct of
the business, and avoid maintaining a public nuisance on the business premises;
D. Re~ain from operating the business after expiration of a license or during the period
that the license may be suspended or revoked.
5.04.060 License - Suspension, Denial or Revocation.
A. A business license may be suspended by the city without notice for any of the
following causes:
(1). The licensee or any of its officers, directors, agents or employees while
acting within the scope of their duties has violated or failed to keep the
building structure or equipment of the licensed premises in compliance with
applicable health, building, fire, or safety laws, ordinances, or regulations;
(2).. Failed to comply with the standards of conduct specified in this chapter;
Such suspension shall remain in effect until the conditions causing the suspension
are cured and reasonable measures are taken to ensure that those conditions will
not recur.
B. In addition to the other penalties provided by law, a business license may be denied or
revoked by the city for any of the causes in A (1) and (2) above or if the license was
issued through mistake or inadvertence;
C. Upon suspension, denial or revocation of a license, the director shall, by certified mail,
give written notice of such action to the applicant, including a written report
summarizing the complaints, objections and information received and considered by
the director and further stating the reason for the action. Notice mailed to the mailing
address on the application or most recent renewal shall be deemed received three days
after mailing. Appeal of the director' s decision shall follow the appeal procedures set
forth in this chapter.
D. A bus'mess license may be revoked on 20 days' written notice to the licensee where the
licensee fails to pay the annual license fee and/or bus'mess and occupation tax, together
with any penalties due thereon, within six months after the fee or tax is due and owing.
The licensee shall have the fight to full reinstatement of the bus'mess license upon
payment of all amounts due within 10 days of the revocation.
5.04.070 License - Multiple locations.
If bus.mess is transacted by one person at two or more separate locations within the city, a
separate license shall be obtained and displayed in each location at which business is
5.04.080 Exempt Activities.
The fullowing activities shall be exempt from the licensing provisions of this chapter:
A. Nonprofit activities carried on by religious, charitable, educational, benevolent,
fraternal or social organizations which have been determined by the Internal Revenue
Service of the United States to be exempt from the payment of income tax;
B. The exercise of governmental functions performed by any instrumentality of the United
States, the State of Washington, or any political subdivision thereof.
C. Faxmers or gardeners selling their own farm products raised and grown exclusively
upon lands owned or occupied by them;
D. Garage sales conducted on residential premises in compliance with this code;
E. The mere delivery of goods or services to the customer or client by bus'messes where
the sale occurred on business premises outside of the city, and was the only event
occurring within the city except that the performance of contracting or subcontracting
services is not an exempt activity; or
F. Any bus'mess activity which is owned and operated solely by a person under the age of
18, and which does not generate a gross income of more than $2,500 per year.
5.04.090 Payment of License F~:.
A. There shall be a license fee imposed for the privilege of doing bus'mess as set by
resolution of the city count'ft.
B. Payment of the fee imposed by this chaptershall be due on or before the
commencement of business and renewed on or before the last day of]February of each
successive year.
C. On or before the due date, every person required to pay a license fee or a tax as set
forth by this chapter shall fie with the city a written return, upon such foiiii and
including such information as the director shah require, together with the payment of
the amount of the fee.
5.04.190 License - Fee additional to others.
The license imposed and levied by this chapter shall be in addition to any license fee or tax
imposed or levied under any law or other ordinance of the city, except as otherwise
expressly provided.
5.04.200 License Fee - Collection.
The license fee imposed by this chapter, and all penalties thereon, shall constitute a debt to
the city, and may be collected by court proceedings in the same manner as any other debt
in like amount, which remedy shall be in addition to all other existing remedies. Any
judgment entered in favor of the city shall include an award to the city of all court and
collection costs including attorneys' fees. Amounts delinquent more than 90 days may be
assigned to a third party for coliection, in which case the amount of any collection charges
shall be in addition to all other amounts owed. Amounts due shall not be considered paid
until the city has received good funds for the full amount due or has discharged the
amount due and not paid.
5.04.210 Over or underpayment of fees.
In the event that any person makes an overpayment, and within two years of the date of
such overpayment makes application for a refund or credit, the person's claim shall be
allowed and a refund made by the city upon determination by the director that no other
sums are owed by the person to the city. ff a person determines that the fees have been
underpaid and without notice by any party pays the amount due to the city, the amount
underpaid and corrected by the person shall not be subject to penalty.
5.04.220 Appeal procedure.
A person who has had a license suspended, denied or revoked or who has been aggrieved
by the amount of the license fee deteua~ined to be due to the city by the director under the
provisions of this chapter may appeal to the city council from such determination by filing
a written notice of appeal with the city clerk within 20 days from the date on which such
person is given notice of the license fee. The city counc'~ or a committee of the city
council shall, as soon as practicable, fix a time and place for the hearing for such appeal.
Notice of the hearing shah be given to the appellant by certified mail at least five days
prior to the date of the hearing. The licensee may appear at the hearing and be heard in
opposition to such denial, suspension or revocation or to the fee imposed. The decision of
the city council or its committee shall be announced at the conclusion of the hearing and
shall be final, subject only to a writ of certiorari being filed with the Kitsap County
Superior Court within 14 days following the date of the c:,~' :cur, c:d': decision of the city
council or a committee of the city counc'~.
5.04.230 License - Confldentiality of applications. ,
The applications made to the city pursuant to this chapter shall be made public, and shall
be subject to inspection excepfmg only that emergency telephone numbers shall not be
made public except where required by law.
5.04.240 Duties of the director.
A. The director shall keep full and accurate records of all funds received under the
provisions of this chapter. Upon receipt of any license fee or penalties collected under
the provisions of this chapter, the director shall deposit the amounts collected into the
current expense fund of the city.
B. In order to carry out the provisions of this chapter, the director shall have the power to
adopt, publish and enforce rules and regulations consistent with this chapter.
5.04.250 Civil penalty.
In the event that any person fails to pay the license fee imposed by this chapter within 15
days of the due date, a civil penalty shall be imposed in the amount of 10 percent of the
delinquent license fee plus any previously assessed and unpaid penalties under this chapter.
For the purposes of calculating the penalty, each month that the mounts owed under this
chapter are due and unpaid shall be considered a separate violation subject to penalty.
Civil penalties shall be limited to not more than amount of the full license fee for each year
for which a license is required and shall not commence until the bus'mess has been notified
of the need for a license and failed to get one within thirty days. A fraction of a month
shall be deemed a full month. In the event that a penalty has been wrongfully collected,
the director shall refund the penalty.
$.04.260 Violation - Penalty.
A. It shall be a violation of this chapter:
1. For a person required obtaining a business license under this chapter to fail or refuse
to secure the business ficense or to fail to pay the fee imposed;
2. For a person to make any false representation in connection with application for a
business license under this chapter;
3. For a person to evade payment of the fee or any part thereoi~
4. For a person to fail to appear and/or refuse to testify in response to a subpoena
issued hereto;
5. For a person to test'fly falsely upon any investigation of the correctness of a return,
or upon the head'mS of any appeal; or
6. For a person to in any manner hinder or delay the city or any of its officers in
carrying out the provisions of this chapter.
B. It shall be unlawful for any person to conduct business within the city limits when not
in compliance with this chapter.
C. A person violating any of the provisions of this chapter, upon conviction thereof, shall
be punished by a fine of not more than $500.00 or by imprisonment for not more than
six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Each such person is gu'dty of a
separate offense for each and every day during the portion of which any violation of
any provision of this chapter is committed, continued or permitted by any such person
and he is punishable accordingly.
5.04.270 Sueee~sor Liability
A. Whenever any person required to be licensed by this chapter quits business, or sells
out, exchanges or otherwise disposes of his/her business or stock of goods, any license
fees or penalty payable to the city shall immediately become due and payable, and such
person shall, within thirty days, file the required forms and pay the fees due. Any
person who becomes a successor to such person shall become liable for the full
amount of the license fees and penalties due and owing and shall withhold from the
purchase price a sum sufficient to pay any amount due from the seller until such time
as the seller shall produce a receipt from the city clerk showing payment in full of any
amount due or a certificate that no license fees are due. The payment of the fees by
the successor shall, to the extent thereof, be deemed a payment upon the purchase
price, and if such payment is greater than the purchase price, the amount of the
difference shall become a debt due such successor from the seller. The successor's
liability shall be limited to the purchase price or the fair market value of the business if
no cash transaction took place.
B. No successor shall be liable for any license fees due from the person from whom
he/she has acquired a business or stock of goods if he/she gives written notice to the
city clerk or director of such acquisition, and no assessment is issued by the director
within six months of receipt of such notice against the former operation of the business
and a copy of the assessment mailed to the successor.
C. Each person's account will remain on an active status and be subject to all license fees,
and penalties until such time as the director is notified in writing that the person has
discontinued business activity within the city.
5.04.280 Limitations on License.
Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary, a license issued under this chapter shall
not be issued to any person who uses or occupies or proposes to use or occupy and real
property or otherwise conducts or proposes to conduct any business in violation of the
provisions of an ordinance of the City of Balnbridge Island, specifically including the city' s
zoning laws, or of the laws of the State of WashinSton. The granting of a business license
shall in no way be construed as permission or acquiescence in a prohibited activity or other
violation. Because the issuance of a license under this chapter specifically denies the
applicant authority to violate any law or regulation, the city shall not be held liable for the
actions of any licensed business by virtue of having issued a license to conduct business.
Section 2. A new Chapter 5.05 is hereby added to the Bainbridge Island Municipal
Code as follows:
Chapter 5.05 Business and Occupation Tax
Sections:
5.05.010
5.05.020
5.05.080
5.05.085
5.05.090
5.05.100
5.05.110
5.05.120
5.05.130
5.05.140
5.05.150
5.05.160
5.05.170
5.05.180
5.05.190
5.05.200
5.05.210
5.05.220
5.05.230
5.05.240
5.05.250
5.05.260
5.05,270
Purpose.
Definitions and presumption.
Persons subject to tax- Amount.
Exempt Businesses.
Exemptions--- Type of Income.
Amount of income taxed.
Limits on taxation.
Taxes- Apportionment- Statement of principle.
Taxes - Apportionment - Persons rendering services inside and outside the
city.
Tax - Apportionment - Persons engaged in business activity other than
rendering services.
Taxes - Apportionment- Allocation authority of director.
Taxes - Apportionment- Records.
Taxes - Apportionment - Effect of apportionment on tax exemption.
Payment of tax.
Tax Additional to others.
Collection.
Over or underpayment of tax.
Appeal procedure.
Confidentiality of Tax returns.
Duties of the director.
Civil penalty.
Violation- Penalty.
Liability of Successor
5.05.010 Purpose.
The provisions of this chapter are an exercise of the taxation powers of the city.
5.05.020 Definitions and presumption.
A. This chapter incorporates by reference all definitions set forth in Chapter 82.04 RCW,
hereafter amended, except where a conflicting definition is stated in this chapter.
B. "Director" means the director of finance and administrative services for the city.
C. Businesses or persons soliciting business within the city or using either a business
telephone number or business address within the city shall be presumed to be engaged
in business within the city.
5.05.080 Persons subject to tax - Amount.
In addition to the business license fee required by Chapter 5.04, there is levied upon and
shall be collected from every persen, for the act or privilege of engagin8 in business
activities within the city, a business and occupation tax per calendar year, or any portion
thereof, except as otherwise provided in this title. The business and occupation tax shall be
in the mount of one-tenth of one percent of the mount of gross income subject to tax by
the state of Washington pursuant to Chapter 82.04 RCW, as hereafter amended, for
business activities occurring within the city.
5.05.085 Exempt Activities.
The following activities shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter:
A. Nonprofit activities carried on by religious, charitable, educational, benevolent,
fraternal or so~ial organizations which have been deteiH,ined by the Internal Revenues
Service of the United States to be exempt from the payment of income tax;
B. The exercise of governmental functions performed by any instrumentality of the United
States, the State of Washington, or any political subdivision thereof.
C. Garage sales conducted on residential premises in compliance with this code;
D. The mere delivery of goods or services to the customer or client by businesses where
the sale occurred on business premises outside of the city, and was the only event
occurring within the city except that the performance of contracting or subcontracting
services is not an exempt activity; or
E. Any business activity which is owned and operated solely by a person under the age of
18, and which does not generate a gross income of more than $2,500 per year.
5.05.090 Exemptions - Type of income.
The following types and sources of income shall not be included in the gross income
subject to the tax imposed by this chapter:
A. All types and sources of income, revenue, proceeds or receipts which are exempt from
the business and occupation tax imposed by the state of Washington pursuant to
Chapter 82.04 RCW, as hereafter mended;
B. Gross income derived from the operation of a commercial parking lot business and
which is subject to the commercial parking lot tax imposed in this title;
C. Gross income or proceeds derived fxom liquor, as defined by RCW 66.04.010(15),
motor vehicle fuels, and any other business or item which is not subject to taxation by
the city pursuant to state law;
D. Gross income of any telephone business;
E. Gross income of a temporary stationary business as deftned in Chapter 5.40 BIMC;
and
F. Gross income, revenue, proceeds or receipts which are subject to taxation by any other
5.05.100 Amount of income taxed.
A. The business and occupation tax shall only be imposed if the gross income of the
person exceeds $250,000 per year. Persons with gross income exceeding $250,000 per
year shall be taxed only on the amount of gross income exceeding $250,000. Only one
such exemption shall be allowed to any group of bus.messes under common ownership.
For the purposes of this chapter, businesses shall be considered to be under common
ownership if 10 percent or more of the ownership of the business is held or controlled
by the same person or persons.
B. If a person operates a business for less than a full year, the amount of gross 'income
exempted from the business and occupation tax shall be reduced proportionately.
5.05.110 Limit~ on taxation.
Washington law limits the amount of tax that a city may levy on a person. The tax
imposed by this chapter is within those limits at the time this chapter is enacted. ffin the
future the rates imposed by this chapter exceed statutory limits, the taxes imposed by this
chapter shall be automatically reduced to the highest legal rate.
5.05.120 Taxes - Apportionment - Statement of principle.
It is the intent of this chapter that a person pay a tax no more than once to local
government on manufacturing and selling the same product. No deduction is allowed for
the payment of taxes to the state of Washington or for the payment of diss'wnilar fees or
taxes. fithe imposition of the city's business and occupation tax would place an undue
burden upon interstate commerce or violate constitutional provisions, a person shall be
allowed a deduction to the extent necessary to preserve the validity of the city's tax. The
taxpayer may deduct from gross income or receipts the value of goods manufactured
inside the city and sold outside the city in those cases where the goods are sold outside the
State of Washington and are subject to a gross income or receipts tax where the tax is not
separately stated from the sales price or where the goods are sold in any foreign country.
5.05.130 Taxes - Apportionment - Persons rendering services inside and
outside the city.
Persons who render services both inside and outside the city and who maintain an office or
place of business within the city and not elsewhere, shall be taxed on the gross income
from the business without regard to the place where the business is conducted. Persons
who render services both inside and outside of the city and who maintain an office or place
of business both inside the city and outside the city, or who have no office or other place
of business within the city, shall have the option, for purposes of limiting their tax liability
to the city under this chapter, of apportioning to the city that portion of gross income
derived from services rendered within the city. If the person cannot readily determine the
portion of gross income derived from services rendered within the city, the person shall
apportion to the city that portion of total income which the cost of rendering services
within the city bears to the total cost of rendering services both inside and outside of the
city.
5.05.140 Tax - Apportionment - Persons engaged in business activity other
than rendering services.
Any person who is subject to tax under this chapter and who has no office, store or other
place of business within the city, shall allocate to the city the gross proceeds of all sales in
which the person's business activity within the city is either a determining element in the
transaction or a predominant factor in making or holding the market in the city.
Conversely, a person who engages in business using an office, store or other outlet within
the city and maintains no equivaient fac'dity elsewhere in Washington, may deduct the
gross proceeds of sales which (1) are used by another Washington city to calculate a
license fee or tax measured by gross receipts, and (2) reflect bus'mess activity conducted in
the taxing city that is either a determining element in the transaction or a predominant
factor in making or holding the taxpayer's market in that city. A person who engages in
business us'me stores, offices, or outlets both within the city and outside of the city may
allocate the gross proceeds of sales to the store, office or outlet where the predominant
selling activity occurs.
5.05.150 Taxes - Apportionment - Allocation authority of director.
To prevent or reduce overlapping municipal taxation, the director is authorized to (1)
agree with one or more Washington cities for a joint andit of a person, and for the
reciprocal application of common principles or policies consistent with the provisions of
this chapter relating to the allocation or apportionment of the gross proceeds of sales,
gross receipts, or gross income with respect to any person; and (2) as part of an inter-city
agreement, or in concert with other Washington cities, include or implement reciprocal
policies and procedures, consistent with this chapter, to ensure that this city and the other
cities receive the tax payments each city is due when a person in good faith has overpaid
municipal taxes measured by the person's ~oss proceeds of sale, gross receipts, or gross
income to either city when such overpayments are due both to this city and the other
cities.
5.05.160 Taxes - Apportionment - Records.
Each person who elects to apportion his gross receipts or gross income shall keep for five
years all records reflecting the amount of his value of products, gross proceeds of sale, or
gross income or gross receipts of business, as the case may be. Such records shall be open
at all reasonable runes to the inspection of the director, or his duly authorized agent, for
the verification of the persods tax returns.
5.05.170 Taxes - Apportionment - Effect of apportionment on tax exemption.
All persons electing to apportion their income or gross revenue shall also reduce the
amount of the income exempt from taxation, as defined under this chapter, by the same
proportion as the proportion of income derived from or attributed to sources outside the
city.
5.05.180 Payment of tax.
A. Payment of the tax imposed by this chapter shall be due on or before the last day of
February of the year following the tax year.
B. On or before the due date, every person required to pay a tax as set forth by this
chapter shall file with the city a written return, upon such form and including such
information as the director shall require, together with the payment of the amount of
the tax. Payment shall he accompanied by either copies of the pages of the Washington
state tax return showing the amounts subject to business and occupation tax by the
state of Washington, or an affidavit of either the owner or an authorized officer of the
business certifying the amount of income subject to business and occupation tax by the
state of Washington. In any instance in which the documents mentioned in this
subsection do not allow the ready calculation of the amount of tax due the city, the
director may also require the person to file a written return, upon such form and
setting forth such information as the finance director may reasonably require in order
to determine the amount of tax due to the city.
C. The director shall have the right to require proof of gross income or gross receipts.
Upon supplying the director with the Washington state tax returns filed with the
Department of Revenue for the state of Washington and the city tax returns filed with
the responsible city officials for all cities for which apportionment deductions are
claimed for the period of time in question, the person shall be deemed to have made a
prima facie showing of proof of the person's gross income or gross receipts. fithe
information provided by the taxpayer is deemed by the director to be inadequate to
substantiate the amount of income claimed or the tax paid, the director may require the
taxpayer to produce the records of the business for audit at a location satisfactory to
the city.
If payment of any tax due is not received by the city by the last day of the month in
which the tax becomes due, such payment shall be considered delinquent.
D,
5.05.190 Tax - Additional to others.
The business and occupation tax imposed and levied by this chapter shall be in addition to
any license fee or tax imposed or levied under any law or other ordinance of the city,
except as otherwise expressly provided.
5.05.200 Tax - Collection.
The tax imposed by this chapter, and all penalties thereon, shah constitute a debt to the
city, and may be collected by court proceedings in the same manner as any other debt in
like amount, which remedy shall be in addition to all other existing remedies. Any
judgment entered in favor of the city shall include an award to the city of all court and
collection costs including attorneys' fees. Amounts delinquent more than 90 days may be
assigned to a third patty for collection, in which case the amount of any collection charges
shall be in addition to all other amounts owed. Amounts due shall not be considered paid
until the city has received good funds for the full mount due or has discharged the
amount due and not paid.
5.05.210 Over or underpayment of tax.
In the event that any person makes an overpayment, and within two years of the date of
such overpayment makes application for a refund or credit, the person's claim shall be
allowed and a refund made by.the city upon determination by the director that no other
sums are owed by the person to the city. If a person determines that the tax has been
underpaid and without notice by any party pays the amount due to the city, the amount
underpaid and corrected by the person shatl not be subject to penalty.
5.05.220 Appeal procedure.
A person who has been aggrieved by the amount of the tax determined to be due to the
city by the director under the provisions of this chapter may appeal to the city council
from such determination by filing a written noticeof appeal with the city clerk within 20
days from the date on which such person is given notice of the tax. The city council or a
committee of the city council shall, as soon as practicable, fix a time and place for the
hearing for such appeal. Notice of the hearing shall be given to the appellant by certified
mall at least five days prior to the date of the hearing. The licensee may appear at the
hearing and be heard in opposition to such denial, suspension or revocation or to the tax
imposed. The decision of the city council or its committee shall be announced at the
conclusion of the hearing and shall be final, subject only to a writ of certiorari being ~ed
with the Kitsap County Superior Court within 14 days following the date of the decision
of the city council or a committee of the city council.
5.05.230 Con~dentiality of Tax returns.
The tax returns made to the city pursuant to this chapter shall not be made public, nor
shall they be subject to the inspection of any person who is not an employee of or under
contract to the city and then only when such persons are acting in an o~cial capacity. It
shall be unlawful for any person to make public or to infoLm any other person as to the
contents of a tax return, to permit inspection of an application except as authorized in this
section or as required by law. This section shall not be con~strued to prohibit disclosure of
information received under this chapter to the Federal Internal Revenue Service, State
Department of Revenue, or to any other city in this state for official purposes only; and
this section shall not be construed to prohibit or make unlawful the disclosure of the name
and address of any person subject to tax under this chapter, or of any person signing a tax
return.
5.05.240 Duties of the director.
A.' The director shall keep furl and accurate records of all funds received under the
provisions of this chapter. Upon receipt of any tax, or penalties collected under the
provisions of this chapter, the director shall deposit the amounts collected into the
current expense fund of the city.
B. In order to cany out the provisions of this chapter, the director shall have the power
to adopt, publish and enforce rules and regulations consistent with this chapter.
C. The director for good cause shown may extend the time for making and filing any tax
return as required under this chapter', provided, that any extension in excess of 30 days
shall be conditioned upon payment of interest of one percent for each 30 days or
portion thereof on the mount of tax from the date upon which the tax became due.
5.05.250 Civil penalty.
In the event that any person fails to pay the tax imposed by this chapter within 15 days of
the due date, a civil penalty shall be imposed in the amount of 10 percent of the delinquent
tax plus any previously assessed and unpaid penalties under this chapter. For the purposes
of calculating the penalty, each month that the amounts owed under this chapter are due
and unpaid shall be considered a separate violation subject to penalty. Penalties on the tax
imposed by this chapter shall not be limited. A fraction of a month shall be deemed a full
month. In the event that a penalty has been wrongfully collected, the director shall refund
the penalty.
5.
6.
B. It
C.A
5.05.260 Violation - Penalty.
A. It shall be a violation of this chapter:
1. For a person required to pay a tax under this chapter to fail or refi~se to pay the fee
or tax imposed;
2. For a person to make any false representation in connection with application for a
business license under this chapter;
3. For a person to evede payment of the tax, or any part thereof;
For a person to fail to appear and/or refuse to testify in response to a subpoena
issued hereto;
For a person to testify falsely upon any investigation of the correotness of a return,
or upon the heading of any appeal; or
For a person to in any manner hinder or delay the city or any of its officers in
carrying out the provisions of this chapter.
shall be unlawful for any person to coonduct business within the city limits when not
in compliance with this chapter.
person violating any of the provisions of this chapter, upon conviction thereof, shall
be punished by a fine of not more than $500.00 or by imprisonment for not more than
six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Each such person is guilty of a
separate offense for each and every day during the portion of which any violation of
any provision of this chapter is committed, continued or pcaa,~tted by any such person
and he is punishable accordingly.
5.05.270 Successor Liability
~ Whenever any taxpayer quits business, or sells out, exchanges or otherwise disposes of
his/her business or stock of goods, any tax, interest or penalty payable to the city shall
immediately become due and payable, and such taxpayer shall, within thirty days, make
a return and pay the tax due. Any person who becomes a successor to such taxpayer
shall become liable for the full amount of the tax, interest and penalties due and owing
and shall withhold from the purchase price a sum sufficient to pay any amount due
from the taxpayer until such time as the taxpayer shall produce a receipt from the city
clerk showing payment in full of any amount due or a certificate that no tax is due.
The payment of the tax by the successor shall, to the extent thereof, be deemed a
payment upon the purchase price, and if such payment is greater than the purchase
price, the amount of the difference shall become a debt due such successor from the
taxpayer. The successor's liability shall be limited to the purchase price or the fair
market value of the business if no cash transaction took place.
B. No successor shall be liable for any tax due from the person from whom he/she has
acquired a business or stock of goods if he/she gives written notice to the city clerk or
director of such acquisition, and no assessment is issued by the director within six
months of receipt of such notice against the former operation of the business and a
copy of the assessment mailed to the successor.
C. Each taxpayer's account will remain on an active status and be subject to all tees,
penalties, and interest until such time as the director is notified in writing that the
taxpayer has discontinued business activity within the city.
Section. 3. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force on and after August 1,
1999, which date is more than five days from and after its passage, approval, and
publication.
PASSED by the City Council this 23rd day of June, 1999.
APPROVED by the Mayor the 25_ th day of June, 1999.
ATTEST/AUTHENTICATE:
S~~P. KASP//~R, City Clex'/~~k
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
ROD P. KASEGUMA, City Attorney
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL
PUBLISHED:
EFFECTIVE DATE:
ORDINANCE 99 - 28
February 10, 1999
June 23, 1999
June 30, 1999
August 1, 1999