(a) Tax deficiency determinations. The Tax Administrator shall make a deficiency determination if he or she determines that any service user or service supplier required to pay or collect taxes pursuant to the provisions of this chapter has failed to pay, collect, and/or remit the proper amount of tax by improperly applying or by failing to apply the tax to one or more taxable services or charges. Nothing herein shall require that the Tax Administrator institute proceedings under this section if, in the opinion of the Tax Administrator, the cost of collection or enforcement likely outweighs the tax benefit.
(b) Notice of deficiency. The Tax Administrator shall mail a notice of such deficiency determination to the person or entity allegedly owing the tax, which notice shall refer briefly to the amount of the taxes owed, plus simple interest at the rate of 9% per year, or any fraction thereof, on the amount of the tax from the date on which the tax should have been received by the City. Within 14 days after the date of service of such notice, the person or entity allegedly owing the tax may request in writing to the Tax Administrator a hearing on the matter.
(c) Hearing on deficiency. If the person or entity allegedly owing the tax fails to request a hearing within the prescribed time period, the amount of the deficiency determination shall become a final assessment, and shall immediately be due and owing to the City. If such person or entity requests a hearing, the Tax Administrator shall cause the matter to be set for hearing, which shall be scheduled within 30 days after receipt of the written request for hearing. Notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be mailed by the Tax Administrator to such person at least ten days prior to the hearing, and, if the Tax Administrator desires said person to produce specific records at such hearing, such notice may designate the records requested to be produced.
(d) Determination after hearing. At the time fixed for the hearing, the Tax Administrator shall hear all relevant testimony and evidence, including that of any other interested parties. At the discretion of the Tax Administrator, the hearing may be continued from time to time for the purpose of allowing the presentation of additional evidence. Within a reasonable time following the conclusion of the hearing, the Tax Administrator shall issue a final assessment (or non-assessment), thereafter, by confirming, modifying or rejecting the original deficiency determination, and shall mail a copy of such final assessment to the person or entity owing the tax. The decision of the Tax Administrator may be appealed pursuant to Section 3.26.200, and such an appeal and a final decision thereon is a prerequisite to a suit thereon.
(e) Delinquencies. Payment of the final assessment shall become delinquent if not received by the Tax Administrator on or before the thirtieth day following the date of receipt of the notice of final assessment. The penalty for delinquency shall be 15% on the total amount of the assessment, along with simple interest at the rate of 9% per year, or any fraction thereof, on the amount of the tax, exclusive of penalties, from the date of delinquency, until paid. The applicable statute of limitations regarding a claim by the City seeking payment of a tax assessed under this chapter shall commence from the date of delinquency as provided in this subsection.
(f) Notice of delinquency. All notices under this section may be sent by regular mail, first class, postage prepaid, and shall be deemed received on the third calendar day following the date of mailing, as established by a proof of mailing.
(Ord. 177, passed 11-6-2018)