(A) Each operator shall keep complete and accurate records of lodging furnished, together with a record of the tax collected thereon, which shall be the amount due under this chapter, and shall keep all invoices, and such other pertinent documents. If the operator furnishes lodging not subject to the tax, the operator's records shall show the identity of the transient guest, if the sale was not exempted by reason of such identity, or the nature of the transaction, if exempted for any other reason. The Director of Finance, or any employee authorized by the Director of Finance, is hereby authorized to examine the books, papers, records and federal tax returns of any vendor or other person 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 vendor, supposed vendor, or other person is hereby directed and required to furnish upon written order by the Director of Finance, the means, facilities and opportunity for making such examinations and investigations as are hereby authorized. The Director of Finance is hereby authorized to order any person reasonably believed to have knowledge of the facts to appear before him or her and may examine such person, under oath, concerning any sale which was or should have been returned for taxation or any transaction tending to affect such sale, and for this purpose may compel the production of books, papers, records and federal tax returns and the attendance of all persons before him or her, whether as parties or witnesses, whenever she reasonably believes such persons have knowledge of such income or information pertinent to such inquiry.
(B) Such books, papers, records and other documents shall be opened during business hours to the inspection of the Director of Finance, and shall be preserved for a period of four years, unless the Director of Finance, in writing, consents to their destruction within that period, or by any orders requesting that such records be kept for a longer period of time.
(Ord. 4-05, passed 4-4-05)