CERTIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT

 

                        HOUSE BILL 1341

 

 

                   Chapter 156, Laws of 1997

 

 

 

 

                        55th Legislature

                      1997 Regular Session

 

 

EXCISE AND PROPERTY TAX STATUTES--TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS

 

 

 

                    EFFECTIVE DATE:  7/27/97

Passed by the House March 12, 1997

  Yeas 97   Nays 0

 

 

 

             CLYDE BALLARD

Speaker of the

      House of Representatives

 

Passed by the Senate April 10, 1997

  Yeas 48   Nays 0

             CERTIFICATE

 

I, Timothy A. Martin, Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives of the State of Washington, do hereby certify that the attached is HOUSE BILL 1341  as passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on the dates hereon set forth.

 

 

 

               BRAD OWEN

President of the Senate

          TIMOTHY A. MARTIN

                          Chief Clerk

 

 

Approved April 23, 1997 Place Style On Codes above, and Style Off Codes below.    

                                FILED          

 

 

           April 23, 1997 - 4:11 p.m.

 

 

 

              GARY LOCKE

Governor of the State of Washington

                   Secretary of State

                  State of Washington


          _______________________________________________

 

                          HOUSE BILL 1341

          _______________________________________________

 

             Passed Legislature - 1997 Regular Session

 

State of Washington      55th Legislature     1997 Regular Session

 

By Representatives Thompson, Dunshee, B. Thomas and Wensman; by request of Department of Revenue

 

Read first time 01/22/97.  Referred to Committee on Finance.

 

 

Making technical corrections for tax provisions.   


    AN ACT Relating to technical corrections for tax provisions; amending RCW 82.01.070, 82.01.080, 82.32.080, 82.32.180, 82.60.040, 84.36.470, 84.36.800, 84.36.805, and 84.36.810; decodifying RCW 82.04.435; repealing RCW 82.04.444 and 82.04.445; and providing an expiration date.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

 

    Sec. 1.  RCW 82.01.070 and 1982 c 128 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

    The director shall have charge and general supervision of the department of revenue.  ((He)) The director shall appoint an assistant director for administration, hereinafter in chapter 26, Laws of 1967 ex. sess. referred to as the assistant director, and subject to the provisions of chapter 41.06 RCW may appoint and employ such clerical, technical and other personnel as may be necessary to carry out the powers and duties of the department.  The director may also enter into personal service contracts with out-of-state individuals or business entities for the performance of auditing services outside the state of Washington when normal efforts to recruit classified employees are unsuccessful.  The director may agree to pay to the department's employees or contractors who reside out of state such amounts in addition to their ordinary rate of compensation as are necessary to defray the extra costs of facilities, living, and other costs reasonably related to the out-of-state services, subject to legislative appropriation for those purposes.  The special allowances shall be in such amounts or at such rates as are approved by the office of financial management.  This section does not apply to audit functions performed in states contiguous to the state of Washington.

 

    Sec. 2.  RCW 82.01.080 and 1967 ex.s. c 26 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:

    The director may delegate any power or duty vested in or transferred to ((him)) the director by law, or executive order, to the assistant director or to any of the director's subordinates; but the director shall be responsible for the official acts of the officers and employees of the department.

 

    Sec. 3.  RCW 82.32.080 and 1990 c 69 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

    Payment of the tax may be made by uncertified check under such regulations as the department shall prescribe, but, if a check so received is not paid by the bank on which it is drawn, the taxpayer, by whom such check is tendered, shall remain liable for payment of the tax and for all legal penalties, the same as if such check had not been tendered.

    Payment of the tax ((is to)) shall be made by electronic funds transfer, as defined in RCW 82.32.085, if the amount of the tax due in a calendar year is ((two hundred forty)) one million eight hundred thousand dollars or more((, provided that until January 1, 1992, electronic funds transfer shall be required only if the tax due is one million eight hundred thousand dollars or more.  After January 1, 1992,)).  The department may by rule provide for tax thresholds between two hundred forty thousand dollars and one million eight hundred thousand dollars for mandatory use of electronic funds transfer.  All taxes administered by this chapter are subject to this requirement except the taxes authorized by chapters 82.14A, 82.14B, 82.24, 82.27, 82.29A, and 84.33 RCW.  It is the intent of this section to require electronic funds transfer for those taxes reported on the department's combined excise tax return or any successor return.

    A return or remittance which is transmitted to the department by United States mail shall be deemed filed or received on the date shown by the post office cancellation mark stamped upon the envelope containing it, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.

    The department, for good cause shown, may extend the time for making and filing any return, and may grant such reasonable additional time within which to make and file returns as it may deem proper, but any permanent extension granting the taxpayer a reporting date without penalty more than ten days beyond the due date, and any extension in excess of thirty days shall be conditional on deposit with the department of an amount to be determined by the department which shall be approximately equal to the estimated tax liability for the reporting period or periods for which the extension is granted.  In the case of a permanent extension or a temporary extension of more than thirty days the deposit shall be deposited within the state treasury with other tax funds and a credit recorded to the taxpayer's account which may be applied to taxpayer's liability upon cancellation of the permanent extension or upon reporting of the tax liability where an extension of more than thirty days has been granted.

    The department shall review the requirement for deposit at least annually and may require a change in the amount of the deposit required when it believes that such amount does not approximate the tax liability for the reporting period or periods for which the extension is granted.

    The department shall keep full and accurate records of all funds received and disbursed by it.  Subject to the provisions of RCW 82.32.105 and 82.32.350, the department shall apply the payment of the taxpayer first against penalties and interest, and then upon the tax, without regard to any direction of the taxpayer.

    The department may refuse to accept any return which is not accompanied by a remittance of the tax shown to be due thereon.   When such return is not accepted, the taxpayer shall be deemed to have failed or refused to file a return and shall be subject to the procedures provided in RCW 82.32.100 and to the penalties provided in RCW 82.32.090.  The above authority to refuse to accept a return shall not apply when a return is timely filed and a timely payment has been made by electronic funds transfer.

 

    Sec. 4.  RCW 82.32.180 and 1992 c 206 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

    Any person, except one who has failed to keep and preserve books, records, and invoices as required in this chapter and chapter 82.24 RCW, having paid any tax as required and feeling aggrieved by the amount of the tax may appeal to the superior court of Thurston county, within the time limitation for a refund provided in chapter 82.32 RCW or, if an application for refund has been made to the department within that time limitation, then within thirty days after rejection of the application, whichever time limitation is later.  In the appeal the taxpayer shall set forth the amount of the tax imposed upon the taxpayer which the taxpayer concedes to be the correct tax and the reason why the tax should be reduced or abated.  The appeal shall be perfected by serving a copy of the notice of appeal upon the department within the time herein specified and by filing the original thereof with proof of service with the clerk of the superior court of Thurston county.

    The trial in the superior court on appeal shall be de novo and without the necessity of any pleadings other than the notice of appeal.  At trial, the burden shall rest upon the taxpayer to prove that the tax as paid by the taxpayer is incorrect, either in whole or in part, and to establish the correct amount of the tax.  In such proceeding the taxpayer shall be deemed the plaintiff, and the state, the defendant; and both parties shall be entitled to subpoena the attendance of witnesses as in other civil actions and to produce evidence that is competent, relevant, and material to determine the correct amount of the tax that should be paid by the taxpayer.  Either party may seek appellate review in the same manner as other civil actions are appealed to the appellate courts.

    It shall not be necessary for the taxpayer to protest against the payment of any tax or to make any demand to have the same refunded or to petition the director for a hearing in order to appeal to the superior court, but no court action or proceeding of any kind shall be maintained by the taxpayer to recover any tax paid, or any part thereof, except as herein provided.

    The provisions of this section shall not apply to any tax payment which has been the subject of an appeal to the board of tax appeals with respect to which appeal a formal hearing has been elected.

 

    Sec. 5.  RCW 82.60.040 and 1995 1st sp.s. c 3 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) The department shall issue a sales and use tax deferral certificate for state and local sales and use taxes due under chapters 82.08, 82.12, and 82.14 RCW on each eligible investment project that:

    (a) Is located in an eligible area as defined in RCW 82.60.020(3)(a), (b), (((d), or)) (c), (e), or (f);

    (b) Is located in an eligible area as defined in RCW 82.60.020(3)(((f)))(g) if seventy-five percent of the new qualified employment positions are to be filled by residents of a contiguous county that is an eligible area as defined in RCW 82.60.020(3)(a) or (((e))) (f); or

    (c) Is located in an eligible area as defined in RCW 82.60.020(3)(((c)))(d) if seventy-five percent of the new qualified employment positions are to be filled by residents of a designated community empowerment zone approved under RCW 43.63A.700 located within the county in which the eligible investment project is located.

    (2) The department shall keep a running total of all deferrals granted under this chapter during each fiscal biennium.

 

    Sec. 6.  RCW 84.36.470 and 1989 c 378 s 12 are each amended to read as follows:

    The following property shall be exempt from taxation:  Any agricultural ((or horticultural produce or crop, including any animal, bird, or insect, or the milk, eggs, wool, fur, meat, honey, or other substance obtained therefrom)) product as defined in RCW 82.04.213 and  grown or produced for sale by any person upon ((his)) the person's own lands or upon lands in which ((he)) the person has a present right of possession ((who is exempted from payment of business and occupation tax pursuant to RCW 82.04.330)).  Taxpayers shall not be required to report, or assessors to list, the inventories covered by this exemption.

    ((Nothing in this section shall be construed to remove or otherwise affect any exemption from assessment granted by RCW 84.44.060.))

 

    Sec. 7.  RCW 84.36.800 and 1994 c 124 s 18 are each amended to read as follows:

    As used in RCW 84.36.020, 84.36.030, ((84.36.550,)) 84.36.037, 84.36.040, 84.36.041, 84.36.050, 84.36.060, 84.36.550, and 84.36.800 through 84.36.865:

    (1) "Church purposes" means the use of real and personal property owned by a nonprofit religious organization for religious worship or related administrative, educational, eleemosynary, and social activities.  This definition is to be broadly construed;

    (2) "Convent" means a house or set of buildings occupied by a community of clergy or nuns devoted to religious life under a superior;

    (3) "Hospital" means any portion of a hospital building, or other buildings in connection therewith, used as a residence for persons engaged or employed in the operation of a hospital, or operated as a portion of the hospital unit;

    (4) "Nonprofit" means an organization, association or corporation no part of the income of which is paid directly or indirectly to its members, stockholders, officers, directors or trustees except in the form of services rendered by the organization, association, or corporation in accordance with its purposes and bylaws and the salary or compensation paid to officers of such organization, association or corporation is for actual services rendered and compares to the salary or compensation of like positions within the public services of the state;

    (5) "Parsonage" means a residence occupied by a member of the clergy who has been designated for a particular congregation and who holds regular services therefor.

 

    Sec. 8.  RCW 84.36.805 and 1995 2nd sp.s. c 9 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

    In order to be exempt pursuant to RCW 84.36.030, ((84.36.550,)) 84.36.035, 84.36.037, 84.36.040, 84.36.041, 84.36.043, 84.36.045, 84.36.047, 84.36.050, 84.36.060, 84.36.350, ((and)) 84.36.480, and 84.36.550, the nonprofit organizations, associations or corporations shall satisfy the following conditions:

    (1) The property is used exclusively for the actual operation of the activity for which exemption is granted, unless otherwise provided, and does not exceed an amount reasonably necessary for that purpose, except:

    (a) The loan or rental of the property does not subject the property to tax if:

    (i) The rents and donations received for the use of the portion of the property are reasonable and do not exceed the maintenance and operation expenses attributable to the portion of the property loaned or rented; and

    (ii) Except for the exemptions under RCW 84.36.030(4) and 84.36.037, the property would be exempt from tax if owned by the organization to which it is loaned or rented;

    (b) The use of the property for fund-raising activities does not subject the property to tax if the fund-raising activities are consistent with the purposes for which the exemption is granted;

    (2) The property is irrevocably dedicated to the purpose for which exemption has been granted, and on the liquidation, dissolution, or abandonment by said organization, association, or corporation, said property will not inure directly or indirectly to the benefit of any shareholder or individual, except a nonprofit organization, association, or corporation which too would be entitled to property tax exemption:  PROVIDED, That the property need not be irrevocably dedicated if it is leased or rented to those qualified for exemption pursuant to RCW 84.36.035, 84.36.040, 84.36.041, or 84.36.043 or those qualified for exemption as an association engaged in the production or performance of musical, dance, artistic, dramatic, or literary works pursuant to RCW 84.36.060, but only if under the terms of the lease or rental agreement the nonprofit organization, association, or corporation receives the benefit of the exemption;

    (3) The facilities and services are available to all regardless of race, color, national origin or ancestry;

    (4) The organization, association, or corporation is duly licensed or certified where such licensing or certification is required by law or regulation;

    (5) Property sold to organizations, associations, or corporations with an option to be repurchased by the seller shall not qualify for exempt status;

    (6) The director of the department of revenue shall have access to its books in order to determine whether such organization, association, or corporation is exempt from taxes within the intent of RCW 84.36.030, 84.36.035, 84.36.037, 84.36.040, 84.36.041, 84.36.043, 84.36.045, 84.36.047, 84.36.050, 84.36.060, 84.36.350, and 84.36.480.

 

    Sec. 9.  RCW 84.36.810 and 1994 c 124 s 19 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) Upon cessation of a use under which an exemption has been granted pursuant to RCW 84.36.030, ((84.36.550,)) 84.36.037, 84.36.040, 84.36.041, 84.36.043, 84.36.050, ((and)) 84.36.060, and 84.36.550, the county treasurer shall collect all taxes which would have been paid had the property not been exempt during the three years preceding, or the life of such exemption, if such be less, together with the interest at the same rate and computed in the same way as that upon delinquent property taxes.  Where the property has been granted an exemption for more than ten years, taxes and interest shall not be assessed under this section.

    (2) Subsection (1) of this section applies only when ownership of the property is transferred or when fifty-one percent or more of the area of the property has lost its exempt status.  The additional tax under subsection (1) of this section shall not be imposed if the cessation of use resulted solely from:

    (a) Transfer to a nonprofit organization, association, or corporation for a use which also qualifies and is granted exemption under the provisions of chapter 84.36 RCW;

    (b) A taking through the exercise of the power of eminent domain, or sale or transfer to an entity having the power of eminent domain in anticipation of the exercise of such power;

    (c) Official action by an agency of the state of Washington or by the county or city within which the property is located which disallows the present use of such property;

    (d) A natural disaster such as a flood, windstorm, earthquake, or other such calamity rather than by virtue of the act of the organization, association, or corporation changing the use of such property;

    (e) Relocation of the activity and use of another location or site except for undeveloped properties of camp facilities exempted under RCW 84.36.030;

    (f) Cancellation of a lease on property that had been exempt under RCW 84.36.040, 84.36.041, 84.36.043, or 84.36.060;

    (g) A change in the exempt portion of a home for the aging under RCW 84.36.041(3), as long as some portion of the home remains exempt;

    (h) The conversion of a full exemption of a home for the aging to a partial exemption or taxable status or the conversion of a partial exemption to taxable status under RCW 84.36.041(8).

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 10.  RCW 82.04.435 is decodified.

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 11.  The following acts or parts of acts are each repealed:

    (1) RCW 82.04.444 and 1974 ex.s. c 169 s 5; and

    (2) RCW 82.04.445 and 1974 ex.s. c 169 s 6.

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 12.  Section 5 of this act expires July 1, 2004.


    Passed the House March 12, 1997.

    Passed the Senate April 10, 1997.

Approved by the Governor April 23, 1997.

    Filed in Office of Secretary of State April 23, 1997.