The tax imposed by this chapter shall be a lien upon the property of any person required to collect and/or pay such tax. If he or she sells or quits his or her business, he or she shall make out the return provided for under this chapter within 30 days after the date of the sale of such business or retirement therefrom, and his or her successor in business shall be required to withhold a sufficient amount of the purchase money to cover the amount of such taxes so collected and unpaid, together with interest, if any, until such time as the former owner produces a receipt from the Director of Finance showing that the taxes have been paid or a certificate that no taxes are due. If the purchaser of a business fails to withhold purchase money as provided in this section, and the taxes so collected are due and unpaid after the 30-day period allowed, the purchaser shall be liable for the payment of the taxes collected and unpaid on account of the operation of the business by the former owner, together with interest, as provided in this chapter.
The lien for unpaid taxes imposed under this section shall not become effective until such time as the Director of Finance certifies to the County Auditor the amount of taxes delinquent and such certification is placed on record by the County Recorder in a book maintained for that purpose.