(a) If any person fails to make the return or any semi-annual installment required by this article, or makes its return but fails to remit, in whole or in part, the proper amount of tax, there shall be added to the amount of tax unpaid, from the date such tax should have been paid, a penalty in the amount of twenty-five (25.00%) percent of the tax due for the period of such failure or delinquency. Such tax and penalty shall bear interest at the rate of twelve percent (12.00%) per annum from the due date of the payment until paid. Additionally, whoever engages in any activity contrary to the provisions of this article shall, in addition to paying the tax imposed by this article, penalty and interest, be subject to an additional penalty of fifty dollars ($50.00) for each month or fraction thereof during which he has been in default of said tax. It shall be the duty of the treasurer to collect the full amount of the tax, penalty and interest imposed. Upon the recommendation of the municipality's Finance Committee, for good cause shown, and upon the request by the person, the municipality may abate and forgive the penalty and interest, or both, in whole or in part.
(b) Interest and penalties may be collected in the same manner as the tax imposed by this article.
(c) Any person who shall willfully, and with intent to evade, refuse to pay all or any part of the tax imposed by this article shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. If the amount of the unpaid tax shall be less than one thousand dollars ($1,000), such person shall, in addition to such tax, penalties and interest as is owed, be fined not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500.00), and if the amount of the unpaid tax shall be one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more, such person shall, in addition to such tax, penalties and interest as is owed, be fined not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or be both fined and imprisoned as herein provided. Each day or part thereof that any violation continues shall be deemed to constitute a distinct and separate offense and be punishable accordingly.
(d) Whoever knowingly makes a false statement in any tax form or application shall be fined not less than two hundred dollars ($200.00) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000). Each false statement, whether made with or without other false statements on any one or more applications shall constitute a separate offense. And, whoever shall knowingly make a false statement in two separate "tax filings", whether or not said applications shall have been filed consecutively, and whether or not said person shall have been previously convicted thereof, shall be fined not less than five hundred dollars ($500.00) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) and imprisoned not more than six months, or both.
(Ord. 2024-005. Passed 6-3-24.)