(a) The Superintendent or any authorized employee is hereby authorized to examine the books, papers, records and copies of Federal Income Tax Returns of any employer or of any taxpayer or person subject to, or whom the Superintendent 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 within ten days following a written request by the Superintendent, or his or her duly authorized agent or employee, the means, facilities and opportunity for making such examinations and investigations as are hereby authorized.
(b) The Superintendent is hereby authorized to order any person presumed to have knowledge of the facts to appear before him or her 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. For this purpose he or she may compel the production of books, papers, records and copies of Federal and State income tax returns and the attendance of all persons before him or her, whether as parties or witnesses, whenever he or she believes such persons have knowledge of such income or information pertinent to such inquiry.
(c) The refusal to produce books, papers, records and copies of Federal Income Tax Returns, or the refusal to submit to such examination by an employer or person subject 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 Superintendent authorized hereby, shall be deemed a violation of this chapter, punishable as provided in Section 880.99.
(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 purposes, or except when ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction. No person shall divulge such information. See Section 880.99(a).
(e) Every taxpayer shall retain all records necessary to compute his or her tax liability for a period of six years from the date his or her return is filed or the withholding taxes are paid.
(Initiative Ord. Passed 11-5-68; Ord. 2004-11. Passed 4-5-04.)