(a) The Superintendent or any authorized employee is hereby authorized to examine the books, papers, records and copies of Federal Income Tax Returns of any employer or of any taxpayer or person subject to, or whom the Superintendent believes is subject to, the provisions of 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, within ten days following a written request by the Superintendent, or his or her duly authorized agent or employee, the means, facilities and opportunity for making such examinations and investigations as are hereby authorized.
(b) The Superintendent 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 returned for taxation or any transaction tending to affect such income, and for this purpose may compel the production of books, papers, records and copies of 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 copies of Federal Income Tax Returns, 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 the provisions of this section or with an order or subpoena of the Superintendent 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 returns, investigations, hearings, or verifications required or authorized by this chapter is confidential, and no person shall disclose such information except in accordance with a proper judicial order or in connection with the performance of that person’s official duties or the official business of the City or as authorized by this chapter or the charter or ordinance authorizing the levy. The Superintendent may furnish copies of returns filed under this chapter to the internal revenue service and to the Tax Commissioner. Any person divulging such information in violation of this chapter, shall, upon conviction thereof, be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be subject to a fine or penalty of not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both. Each disclosure shall constitute a separate offense. (Ord. 9-04. Passed 7-19-04.)
(e) Every taxpayer shall retain all records necessary to compute his or her tax liability for a period of five years from the date his or her return is filed or the withholding taxes are paid.
(Ord. 30-70. Passed 7-13-70.)
(f) The Superintendent is hereby authorized to engage the services of one or more consultants, accountants or outside auditors to assist him or her in carrying out the duties assigned to him or her under this chapter. Any such consultant, accountant or auditor shall be bound by the provisions of this chapter as the same apply to the Superintendent and authorized employees of the City, specifically the provisions of this section.
(Ord. 20-94. Passed 11-21-94.)