(a) The Administrator, or any authorized employee, is hereby authorized to examine the books, papers, records and federal and state income tax returns of any employer or of any taxpayer or person subject to, or whom the Administrator 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, upon written request by the Administrator, or his duly authorized agent or employee, the means, facilities and opportunity for making such examination and investigations as hereby authorized.
(b) The Administrator or his duly authorized agent is hereby authorized to order any person presumed to have knowledge of the facts to appear before him 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 federal and state income tax returns and the attendance of all persons before him, whether as parties or witnesses, whenever he 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 to 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 Administrator authorized hereby shall be deemed a violation of this chapter punishable as provided in Section 171.99.
(d) Any information gained as the result of any returns, investigations, hearings or verifications required or authorized by this chapter shall be confidential except for official tax purposes, or except in accordance with proper judicial order. No person shall divulge such information.
(e) Every taxpayer shall retain all records necessary to compute his tax liability for a period of six years from the date his return is filed, or the withholding taxes are paid.
(Ord. 06-05. Passed 2-14-05.)