(A) Any person violating any provision of this chapter for which no specific penalty is prescribed shall be subject to § 10.99.
(B) (1) A business entity subject to tax on net profits may be subject to a penalty equal to 5% of the tax due for each calendar month or fraction thereof if the business entity:
(a) Fails to file any return or report on or before the due date prescribed for filing or as extended by the county;
(b) Fails to pay the tax computed on the return or report on or before the due date prescribed for payment; or
(c) The total penalty levied pursuant to this division (B) shall not exceed 25% of the total tax due; however, the penalty shall not be less than $25.
(2) Every employer who fails to file a return or pay the tax on or before the date prescribed under § 35.39 may be subject to a penalty in an amount equal to 5% of the tax due for each calendar month or fraction thereof. The total penalty levied pursuant to this division (B) shall not exceed 25% of the total tax due; however, the penalty shall not be less than $25.
(3) In addition to the penalties prescribed in this section, any business entity or employer shall pay, as part of the tax, an amount equal to 12% per annum simple interest on the tax shown due, but not previously paid, from the time the tax was due until the tax is paid to the county. A fraction of a month is counted as an entire month.
(5) The county may enforce the collection of the occupational tax due under § 35.37 and any fees, penalties and interest as provided in divisions (B)(1), (B)(2), (B)(3) and (B)(4) above by civil action in a court of appropriate jurisdiction. To the extent authorized by law, the county shall be entitled to recover all court costs and reasonable attorney fees incurred by it in enforcing any provision of §§ 35.35 through 35.45.
(6) In addition to the penalties prescribed in this section, any person, business entity or employer who willfully fails to make a return, willfully makes a false return, or who willfully fails to pay taxes owing or collected, with the intent to evade payment of the tax or amount collected, or any part thereof, shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
(7) Any person who willfully aids or assists in, or procures, counsels or advises the preparation or presentation under, or in connection with, any matter arising under §§ 35.35 through 35.45 of a return, affidavit, claim, or other document, which is fraudulent or is false as to any material matter, whether or not the falsity or fraud is with the knowledge or consent of the person authorized or required to present the return, affidavit, claim or document, shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
(8) A return for the purpose of this section shall mean and include any return, declaration or form prescribed by the county and required to be filed with the county by the provisions of §§ 35.35 through 35.45, or by the rules of the county or by written request for information to the business entity by the county.
(9) Any person violating the provisions of § 35.45 by intentionally inspecting confidential taxpayer information without authorization, shall be fined not more than $500 or imprisoned for not longer than six months, or both.
(10) Any person violating the provisions of § 35.45 by divulging confidential taxpayer information shall be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.
(C) Any person violating any provision of §§ 35.60 through 35.66 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine of not more than $500, or imprisonment for not more than 30 days, or both, for each offense. Every month for which a report was not properly filed shall constitute a separate offense.
(Ord. 2019-09, passed 8-21-2019; Ord. 2022-09, passed 11-21-2022)