[R.O. 2001 § 615.010; Ord. No.
811 § 83.010, 11-7-1996]
When used in this Chapter, the following words shall have the
meanings respectively ascribed to them:
CIGARETTE
An item manufactured of tobacco or any substitute therefor,
wrapped in paper or any substitute therefor, weighing not to exceed
three (3) pounds per one thousand (1,000) cigarettes and which is
commonly classified, labeled or advertised as a cigarette.
CONSUMER
A person who comes into possession of tobacco for the purpose
of consuming it, giving it away or disposing of it in any way.
DEALER
Any person dealing directly with the manufacturer of cigarettes
in their purchase and in the business of selling cigarettes as a first
seller.
FIRST SALE WITHIN THE STATE
The first sale of a tobacco product by a manufacturer, wholesaler
or other person to a person who intends to sell such tobacco products
at retail or to a person at retail within the State of Missouri
PACKAGE
A container of any type composition in which is normally
contained twenty (20) individual cigarettes, except as in special
instances when the number may be more or less than twenty (20).
PERSON
Any individual, corporation, firm, partnership, incorporated
or unincorporated association, or any other legal or commercial entity.
RETAILER
Any person who sells to a consumer or to any person for any
purpose other than resale.
SALE
Includes sales, barters, exchanges and every other manner,
method and form of transferring the ownership of personal property
from one (1) person to another. "Sale" also means the possession of
cigarettes or tobacco products by any person other than a manufacturer,
wholesaler or retailer and shall be prima facie evidence of possession
for consumption.
VENDING MACHINE OPERATOR
Includes all persons engaged the distribution or sale of
cigarettes by means of coin-operated vending machines.
WHOLESALER
Any person, firm or corporation organized and existing, or
doing business, primarily to sell cigarettes or tobacco products to,
and render service to, retailers in the territory the person, firm
or corporation chooses to serve; that purchases cigarettes or tobacco
products directly from the manufacturer; that carries at all times
at his/her or its principal place of business a representative stock
of cigarettes or tobacco products for sale; and that comes into the
possession of cigarettes or tobacco products for the purpose of selling
them to retailers or to persons outside or within the State who might
resell or retail the cigarettes or tobacco products to consumers.
This shall include any manufacturer, jobber, broker, agent or other
person, whether or not enumerated in this Chapter, who so sells or
so distributes cigarettes or tobacco products.
[R.O. 2001 § 615.020; Ord. No.
811 § 83.020, 11-7-1996]
This is the one (1) and only license or other tax that cigarette
dealers or wholesalers shall pay within the City of Memphis.
[R.O. 2001 § 615.030; Ord. No.
811 § 83.030, 11-7-1996]
This tax shall be paid by the dealer or wholesaler, as defined in Section
615.010, selling cigarettes or offering them for sale.
[R.O. 2001 § 615.040; Ord. No.
811 § 83.040, 11-7-1996]
Every dealer or wholesaler engaged in the business of selling cigarettes or offering or displaying the same for sale within the City shall pay an occupation tax at the rate of two dollars ($2.00) per thousand (1,000) for all cigarettes sold or offered or displayed for sale. This tax shall be paid but once, as provided for in Section
615.060, and only by the dealer selling cigarettes or displaying or offering them for sale. The intent and meaning of this Section is that the same shall levy an occupation tax based upon and pursuant to the methods provided for by Section 92.040, RSMo., and pursuant to the powers therein granted and the powers contained in the City Code of the City of Memphis.
[R.O. 2001 § 615.050; Ord. No.
811 § 83.050, 11-7-1996]
The tax provided for in Section
615.040 shall be paid to the City Collector and, in the collection of such tax, the City Collector shall allow a discount of ten percent (10%) of the face value thereof.
[R.O. 2001 § 615.060; Ord. No.
811 § 83.060, 11-7-1996]
It shall be the duty of every dealer or wholesaler, as defined in Section
615.010, selling, offering or displaying for sale any package of cigarettes to remit the monthly cigarette tax reporting form and full payment by the 20th day of each following month. The canceled check, accompanied by the monthly cigarette tax reporting form, shall be proof of payment.
[R.O. 2001 § 615.070; Ord. No.
811 § 83.070, 11-7-1996]
A. For the purpose of enabling the City Collector to enforce the terms
of this Chapter, the following provisions are enacted:
1.
Each dealer in the City and those wholesalers and retailers as defined in Section
615.010 shall procure and retain invoices showing the amount and value of the shipment of cigarettes received by him/her, the date thereof, and the name of the shipper and shall retain this invoice for a period of three (3) years subject to the use and inspection of the City Collector.
2.
All dealers, wholesalers and retailers as defined in Section
615.010 within the City of Memphis shall maintain and keep for a period of three (3) years such other records of cigarettes received, sold or delivered within the City as may be required by the City Collector.
3.
The City Collector or his/her duly authorized representatives
are authorized to examine the books, papers, invoices and other records,
stock of cigarettes in and upon any premises where they are placed,
stored or sold, and equipment of any such dealer, wholesaler or retailer
pertaining to the sale and delivery of cigarettes taxable under this
Chapter.
4.
To verify the accuracy of the occupation tax imposed and assessed by this Section, each person, as defined in Section
615.010, is directed and required to give to the City Collector or his/her duly authorized representatives the means, facilities and opportunity for such examinations as are herein provided for and required.
5.
In addition to the powers herein granted to the City Collector
he/she is authorized and empowered to prescribe, adopt, promulgate
and enforce rules and regulations relating to the delegation of his/her
powers to a deputy or other employee of his/her office and any other
matter or thing pertaining to the administration and enforcement of
the provisions of this Chapter.
6.
Cigarette tax reporting information received from the State
of Missouri shall be held in confidence and used solely for verifying
cigarette tax payments.
[R.O. 2001 § 615.080; Ord. No.
811 § 83.080, 11-7-1996]
The City Collector is authorized to adopt, prescribe and promulgate
rules and regulations including a monthly cigarette tax reporting
form with regard to the presentation and proof of claim for refunds
and credits as he/she may deem advisable.
[R.O. 2001 § 615.090; Ord. No.
811 § 83.090, 11-7-1996]
The City Collector or his/her employees or agents duly designated
and authorized by him/her shall have power to administer oaths and
take affidavits in relation to any matter or proceedings in the exercise
of their powers and duties under this Section. The City Collector
shall have power to subpoena and require the attendance of witnesses
and the production of books, papers and documents to secure information
pertinent to the enforcement of this Section and to examine them in
relation thereto.
[R.O. 2001 § 615.100; Ord. No.
811 § 83.100, 11-7-1996]
Any person violating this Chapter by failing to file the report and make the payment provided for in Section
615.060 hereof shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) or imprisoned for not more than ninety (90) days, or be punished by both such fine and imprisonment. Failure to file each monthly report and make each monthly payment shall be deemed a separate offense.
[R.O. 2001 § 615.110; Ord. No.
811 § 83.110, 11-7-1996]
Any dealer whose place of business is outside the corporate
limits of the City shall be bound by all of the provisions of this
Chapter.
[R.O. 2001 § 615.120; Ord. No.
811 § 83.120, 11-7-1996]
The provisions of this Chapter shall be severable. In the event
that any provision of this Chapter is found by a court of competent
jurisdiction to be unconstitutional, the remaining provisions of this
Chapter are valid unless the court finds the valid provisions of this
Chapter are so essentially and inseparably connected with, and so
dependent upon, the void provision that it cannot be presumed that
the City Collector would have enacted the valid provisions without
the void ones or unless the court finds that the valid provisions,
standing alone, are incomplete and incapable of being executed in
accordance with the legislative intent.