(1)(a) The department may apply for deferral of state and local sales and use taxes on the site preparation for, the construction of, the acquisition of any related machinery and equipment that will become a part of, and the rental of equipment for use in, the state route number 520 corridor improvements - west end project.
(b) The application must be made to the department of revenue in a form and manner prescribed by the department of revenue. The application must contain information regarding estimated or actual costs, time schedules for completion and operation, and other information required by the department of revenue. The department of revenue shall approve the application within 60 days if it meets the requirements of this section.
(2) The department of revenue shall issue a sales and use tax deferral certificate for state and local sales and use taxes imposed or authorized under chapters
82.08, 82.12, and
82.14 RCW and RCW
81.104.170 on the project. No new deferral certificates may be issued once the project is operationally complete as described in subsection (3) of this section.
(3) If the department is granted a tax deferral under this section, the department must begin paying the deferred taxes in the 24th year after the date certified by the department of revenue as the date on which the project is operationally complete. The project, which completes corridor improvements between Interstate 5 and the west high rise, is operationally complete under this section when the department notifies the department of revenue in writing that all projects qualifying for a deferral under this section are operationally complete. The first payment is due on December 31st of the 24th calendar year after the certified date, with subsequent annual payments due on December 31st of the following nine years. Each payment shall equal 10 percent of the deferred tax.
(4) The department of revenue may authorize an accelerated repayment schedule upon request of the department granted a deferral under this section.
(5) Interest shall not be charged on any taxes deferred under this section for the period of deferral, although all other penalties and interest applicable to delinquent excise taxes may be assessed and imposed for delinquent payments under this section. The debt for deferred taxes is not extinguished by insolvency or other failure of any private entity granted a deferral under this section.
(6) Applications and any other information received by the department of revenue under this section are not confidential and are subject to disclosure. Chapter
82.32 RCW applies to the administration of this section.