Chapter 3.12
DOCUMENTARY STAMP TAX

Sections:

3.12.010    Short title.

3.12.020    Tax imposed.

3.12.030    Who must pay.

3.12.040    Exemptions – Instrument to secure debt.

3.12.050    Exemptions – Government agencies.

3.12.060    Exemptions – Transfer of mobile home.

3.12.070    Exemptions – Conveyances to reorganize.

3.12.080    Exemptions – Conveyances to effect order of Securities and Exchange Commission.

3.12.090    Exemptions – Realty held in partnership.

3.12.100    Administration.

3.12.110    Claims for refund.

3.12.120    Operative date.

3.12.010 Short title.

The ordinance codified in this chapter shall be known as the “real property transfer tax ordinance of the city of Etna.” It is adopted pursuant to the authority contained in Part 6.7 (commencing with Section 11901) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code of the state of California. (Ord. 65 § 1, 1967)

3.12.020 Tax imposed.

There is imposed on each deed, instrument or writing by which any lands, tenements or other realty sold within the city shall be granted, assigned, transferred or otherwise conveyed to, or vested in, the purchaser or purchasers, or any other person or persons, by his or their direction, when the consideration or value of the interest or property conveyed (exclusive of the value of any lien or encumbrances remaining thereon at the time of sale) exceeds $100.00, a tax at the rate of $0.275 for each $500.00 or fractional part thereof. (Ord. 65 § 2, 1967)

3.12.030 Who must pay.

Any tax imposed pursuant to EMC 3.12.020 shall be paid by any person who makes, signs or issues any document or instrument subject to the tax, or for whose use or benefit the same is made, signed or issued. (Ord. 65 § 3, 1967)

3.12.040 Exemptions – Instrument to secure debt.

Any tax imposed pursuant to this chapter shall not apply to any instrument in writing given to secure a debt nor with respect to any deed, instrument, or writing to a beneficiary or mortgagee, which is taken from the mortgagor or trustor as a result of or in lieu of foreclosure; provided, that such tax shall apply to the extent that the consideration exceeds the unpaid debt, including accrued interest and cost of foreclosure. The consideration, unpaid debt amount and identification of grantee as beneficiary or mortgagee shall be noted on said deed, instrument or writing or stated in an affidavit or declaration, under penalty of perjury for tax purposes. (Ord. 106 § 1, 1983; Ord. 65 § 4, 1967)

3.12.050 Exemptions – Government agencies.

Any deed, instrument or writing to which the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof, any state or territory, or political subdivision thereof is a party shall be exempt from any tax imposed pursuant to this chapter when the exempt agency is acquiring title. (Ord. 128 § 1, 1983; Ord. 65 § 5, 1967)

3.12.060 Exemptions – Transfer of mobile home.

Any tax imposed pursuant to this chapter shall not apply to the transfer of any mobile home installed on a foundation system, pursuant to Section 18551 of the Health and Safety Code of the state, and subject to local property taxation, shall not be subject pursuant to this chapter, or of any chapter of any code in which this chapter shall be included. (Ord. 105, 1983; Ord. 65 § 5.5, 1967)

3.12.070 Exemptions – Conveyances to reorganize.

A. Any tax imposed pursuant to this chapter shall not apply to the making, delivering or filing of conveyances to make effective any plan of reorganization or adjustment:

1. Confirmed under the Federal Bankruptcy Act, as amended;

2. Approved in an equity receivership proceeding in a court involving a railroad corporation, as defined in subdivision (m) of Section 205 of Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended;

3. Approved in an equity receivership proceeding in a court involving a corporation, as defined in subdivision (3) of Section 506 of Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended; or

4. Whereby a mere change in identity, form or place of organization is effected.

B. Subsections (A)(1) through (A)(4) of this section shall only apply if the making, delivery or filing of instruments of transfer or conveyance occurs within five years from the date of such confirmation, approval or change. (Ord. 65 § 6, 1967)

3.12.080 Exemptions – Conveyances to effect order of Securities and Exchange Commission.

Any tax imposed pursuant to this chapter shall not apply to the making or delivery of conveyances to make effective any order of the Securities and Exchange Commission, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 1083 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, but only if:

A. The order of the Securities and Exchange Commission in obedience to which such conveyance is made recites that such conveyance is necessary or appropriate to effectuate the provisions of Section 79k of Title 15 of the United States Code, relating to the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935;

B. Such order specified the property which is ordered to be conveyed;

C. Such conveyance is made in obedience to such order. (Ord. 65 § 7, 1967)

3.12.090 Exemptions – Realty held in partnership.

A. In the case of any realty held by a partnership, no levy shall be imposed pursuant to this chapter by reason of any transfer of an interest in a partnership or otherwise, if:

1. Such partnership (or another partnership) is considered a continuing partnership within the meaning of Section 708 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954; and

2. Such continuing partnership continues to hold the realty concerned.

B. If there is a termination of any partnership within the meaning of Section 708 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, for purposes of this chapter, such partnership shall be treated as having executed an instrument where there was conveyed, for fair market value (exclusive of the value of any lien or encumbrance remaining thereon), all realty held by such partnership at the time of such termination.

C. Not more than one tax shall be imposed pursuant to this chapter by reason of a termination described in subsection (B) of this section, and any transfer pursuant thereto, with respect to the realty held by such partnership at the time of such termination. (Ord. 65 § 8, 1967)

3.12.100 Administration.

The county recorder shall administer this chapter in conformity with the provisions of Part 6.7 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code and the provisions of any county ordinance adopted pursuant thereto. (Ord. 65 § 9, 1967)

3.12.110 Claims for refund.

Claims for refund of taxes imposed pursuant to this chapter shall be governed by the provisions of Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 5096) of Part 9 of Division 1 of the Revenue and Taxation Code of the state. (Ord. 65 § 10, 1967)

3.12.120 Operative date.

This chapter shall become operative upon the operative date of any ordinance adopted by the county of Siskiyou pursuant to Part 6.7 (commencing with Section 11901) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code of the state, or upon the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, whichever is the later. (Ord. 65 § 11, 1967)