(a) The Finance Director or his or her authorized agent or employee is hereby authorized to examine the books, papers, records and Federal Income Tax Returns of any employer, taxpayer or person subject to, or whom the Finance Director believes is subject to, this chapter, for the purpose of verifying the accuracy of any return made or, if no return was made, to ascertain the tax due under this chapter. Every such employer, supposed employer, taxpayer or supposed taxpayer is hereby directed and required to furnish, upon written request by the Finance Director or his or her authorized agent or employee, the means, facilities and opportunities for making such examinations and investigations as are hereby authorized.
(b) The Finance Director is hereby authorized to order any person presumed to have knowledge of the facts to appear before him or her and may examine such person, under oath, concerning any income which was or should have been reported for taxation, or any transaction tending to affect such income, and for this purpose may compel the production of books, papers, records and Federal Income Tax Returns and the attendance of all persons before him or her, whether as parties or witnesses, whenever he or she believes such persons have knowledge of such income or information pertinent to such inquiry.
(c) The refusal to produce books, papers, records and Federal Income Tax Returns, or the refusal to submit to such examination by any employer or person subject or presumed to be subject to the tax or by any officer, agent or employee of a person subject to the tax or required to withhold tax, or the failure of any person to comply with any of the provisions of this section or with an order or subpoena of the Finance Director authorized hereby, shall be deemed a violation of this chapter, punishable as provided in Section 880.99.
(d) Any information gained as a result of a return, investigation, verification or hearing before the Finance Director, required by this chapter or authorized by rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to this chapter, shall be confidential, and no disclosure thereof shall be made except for official purposes or as ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction.
(e) Every taxpayer shall retain all records necessary to compute his or her tax liability for five years from the date his or her return is filed or the withholding taxes are paid.
(Res. 29-00. Passed 12-12-00; Ord. 28-04. Passed 11-9-04.)