Effective on and after January 1, 1997, there is imposed a tax of one-half of one percent of the selling price on each sale of real property within the corporate limits of the city of Centralia.
(Ord. 1623 § 1 (part), 1988; Ord. 1973 § 1, 1996)
The taxes imposed under this chapter shall comply with all applicable rules, regulations, laws and court decisions regarding real estate excise taxes as imposed by the state under Chapters 82.45 and 82.46 RCW, and Chapter 458-61 WAC, as now in force or hereafter amended, added to or deleted from. The provisions of those chapters, to the extent they are not inconsistent with this chapter, shall apply as though fully set forth herein.
(Ord. 1623 § 1 (part), 1988; Ord. 1973 § 2, 1996)
A.
The Lewis County treasurer shall place one percent of the proceeds of the tax imposed under this chapter in the Lewis County current expense fund to defray costs of collection.
B.
The remaining proceeds from the tax imposed under this chapter shall be distributed to the city of Centralia monthly and shall be placed by the city manager in the capital improvements fund hereby established. The capital improvements fund shall be used by the city for local improvements, including those listed in RCW 35.43.040.
C.
This section shall not limit the existing authority of the city to impose special assessments on property benefitted thereby in the manner prescribed by law.
(Ord. 1623 § 1 (part), 1988)
The tax imposed under this chapter is the obligation of the seller and may be enforced through the action of debt against the seller or in the manner prescribed for the foreclosure of mortgages.
(Ord. 1623 § 1 (part), 1988)
The tax imposed under this chapter and any interest or penalties thereon shall be a continuing lien upon each specific piece of real property sold from the time of sale until the tax is paid, which lien may be enforced in the manner prescribed for the foreclosure of mortgages. Resort to one course of enforcement is not an election not to pursue the other.
(Ord. 1623 § 1 (part), 1988)
The tax imposed under this chapter shall be paid to and collected by the Lewis County treasurer. The Lewis County treasurer shall act as agent for the city of Centralia. The Lewis County treasurer shall cause a stamp evidencing satisfaction of the lien to be affixed to the instrument of sale or conveyance prior to the recording thereof or to the real estate excise tax affidavit in the case of used mobile home sales. A receipt issued by the Lewis County treasurer for the payment of the tax imposed under this chapter shall be evidence of the satisfactions of mortgages. No instrument of sale or conveyance evidencing a sale subject to the tax imposed under this chapter may be accepted by the Lewis County auditor for filing or recording until the tax is paid and the stamp affixed thereto; and, in any case where the tax imposed under this chapter is not due on the transfer, the instrument shall not be accepted until suitable notation of this fact is made on the instrument by the Lewis County treasurer.
(Ord. 1623 § 1 (part), 1988)
The tax imposed under this chapter shall become due and payable immediately at the time of sale and, if not so paid within thirty days thereafter, shall bear interest at the rate of one percent per month from the time of sale until the date of payment.
(Ord. 1623 § 1 (part), 1988)
If, upon written application by the taxpayer to the Lewis County treasurer for a refund, it appears a tax has been paid in excess of the amount actually due or upon a sale or other transfer declared to be exempt, such excess amount or improper payment shall be refunded by the Lewis County treasurer to the taxpayer; provided, that no refund shall be made unless the state has first authorized the refund of an excessive amount of an improper amount paid, unless such improper amount was paid as a result of a miscalculation. Any refund made shall be withheld from the next monthly distribution to the city of Centralia.
(Ord. 1623 § 1 (part), 1988)