EXPEDITED RULES
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 458-61A-302 Disposition of proceeds and affidavit batch
transmittal explains how the counties, the department of
revenue, and the state treasurer process the taxes and
administrative fees received under chapter 458-61A WAC, Real
estate excise tax (REET).
THIS RULE IS BEING PROPOSED UNDER AN EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS THAT WILL ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR THE AGENCY TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS, PREPARE A SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT, OR PROVIDE RESPONSES TO THE CRITERIA FOR A SIGNIFICANT LEGISLATIVE RULE. IF YOU OBJECT TO THIS USE OF THE EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS, YOU MUST EXPRESS YOUR OBJECTIONS IN WRITING AND THEY MUST BE SENT TO Marilou Rickert, Department of Revenue, P.O. Box 47453, Olympia, WA 98504-7453, fax (360) 586-0127, e-mail MarilouR@DOR.WA.GOV , AND RECEIVED BY November 23, 2009.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The department proposes to amend WAC 458-61A-302 to recognize provisions of HB 2170 (chapter 486, Laws of 2005). This legislation removed the dedication of the state portion of the REET "for the support of common schools." Additional editing changes to existing language in the rule are also proposed.
Copies of draft rules are available for viewing and printing on our web site at http://dor.wa.gov/content/FindALawOrRule/RuleMaking/agenda.aspx.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: The amendment is needed to conform to existing law.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 34.05.353 (1)(a), 82.32.300, and 82.01.060(2).
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 82.45.180.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: Department of revenue, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Marilou Rickert, 1025 Union Avenue S.E., Suite #544, Olympia, WA, (360) 570-6115; Implementation and Enforcement: Stuart Thronson, 1025 Union Avenue S.E., Suite #100, Olympia, WA, (360) 570-3230.
September 16, 2009
Alan R. Lynn
Rules Coordinator
OTS-2685.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 05-23-093, filed 11/16/05,
effective 12/17/05)
WAC 458-61A-302
Disposition of proceeds and affidavit
batch transmittal.
(1) Introduction. This rule explains how
the counties, the department of revenue, and the state
treasurer process the taxes and administrative fees received
under this chapter.
(2) County treasurer. The county treasurer distributes the proceeds of the real estate excise tax along with the cash receipt journal summary in accordance with the provisions of chapters 82.45 and 82.46 RCW. When no real estate excise tax is due on a transaction, the county will collect an administrative fee for processing the real estate excise tax affidavit. RCW 82.45.180.
(3) Adjustments. Requests from county treasurers for
adjustments to the funds that have been distributed to the
state treasurer must be sent to the department for approval or
denial. ((The department will forward to the state treasurer
those requests that it approves.)) If the department denies a
request for adjustment, the department will return the request
to the county treasurer with an explanation for the denial.
(4) Tax paid directly to the department. Real estate
excise tax for transfers of a controlling interest in an
entity owning real property in Washington, and any other tax
payment under this chapter made directly to the department,
are remitted to the state treasurer for deposit in accordance
with the provisions of chapter 82.45 RCW. ((The state
treasurer deposits the proceeds of the state portion of the
tax in the general fund for the support of the common
schools.)) The state treasurer deposits and distributes the
proceeds of any local taxes in accordance with the provisions
of chapters 82.45 and 82.46 RCW.
(5) Affidavit batch transmittal.
(a) Due date. The county will submit copies of all the real estate excise tax affidavits for the entire month, together with a completed affidavit batch transmittal form, to the department by the fifth business day following the close of the month in which the tax was received. The affidavit batch must include all affidavits processed during the month, plus copies of any documents related to refunds made by the county.
(b) Alternate transmittal method. An alternate method for submitting affidavits may be used in lieu of the paper method described in this rule with the prior approval of the department. Use of an alternate method (e.g., electronic transmittal) requires a signed memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the county and the department.
(c) Distribution. The county will complete the affidavit
transmittal form, supplied by the department, and send one
copy with the affidavit batch to the department. ((The county
will send a second copy of the affidavit batch transmittal
with the monthly cash receipts journal summary to the state
treasurer's office as documentation for the remittance of the
real estate excise tax deposit.))
(d) Reporting of refunds. The county must report any refunds made during the month on the adjustment section provided on the batch transmittal form and attach all refund documentation.
(e) Retention of records. The county treasurer will retain the approved real estate excise tax affidavits, including any supplemental statements, for a period of not less than four years following the year in which the affidavit is received. See RCW 82.45.150 and 82.32.340.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 82.32.300, 82.01.060(2), and 82.45.150. 05-23-093, § 458-61A-302, filed 11/16/05, effective 12/17/05.]