181.09 INVESTIGATIVE POWERS OF THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE.

   (a)   The Director of Finance, or any authorized employee, is hereby authorized to examine the books, papers, records and federal income tax returns of any employer or of any taxpayer or person subject to, or whom the Director of Finance 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 Director of Finance, or his duly authorized agent or employee, the means, facilities and opportunity for making such examinations and investigations as are hereby authorized.

   (b)   The Director of Finance or his duly authorized agent or employee 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 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 or presumed to be subject to the tax or by any officer, agent or employee of any 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 Director of Finance authorized hereby, shall be deemed a violation of this chapter, punishable as provided in Section 181.99.

   (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 in accordance with proper judicial order. Any person divulging such information in violation of this chapter shall be subject to the penalty provided in Section 181.99. Each disclosure shall constitute a separate offense.

   In addition to such penalty, any employee of the City who violates the provisions of this section relative to the disclosure of confidential information is guilty of an offense punishable by immediate dismissal.

   (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. 65905. Passed 12-30-59.)