Chapter 3.15
REAL ESTATE EXCISE TAX
Sections:
3.15.030 Consistency with state tax.
3.15.040 Distribution of tax proceeds and limiting the use thereof.
3.15.090 Excessive and improper payment.
3.15.010 Imposition.
There is hereby imposed a tax at the rate of one-half of one percent of the selling price on each sale of real property within the corporate limits of the town of La Conner. [Ord. 678 § 1, 1996; Ord. 537 § 1, 1986.]
3.15.015 Imposition.
In accordance with RCW 82.46.035, and in addition to the first quarter percent of real estate excise tax on the sale of real property, there is hereby imposed an excise tax on each sale of real property located within the corporate limits of the town of La Conner at the rate of one-quarter of one percent (0.25%) of the selling price to be collected by the county as prescribed in RCW 82.46.060. Proceeds from this additional tax shall be deposited in a separate account in the REET 2 Fund 305 and expended as authorized by law under RCW 82.46.035. [Ord. 1098 § 1, 2013].
3.15.020 Taxable events.
Taxes imposed in this chapter shall be collected from persons who are taxable by the state under Chapter 82.45 RCW and Chapter 458-61 WAC upon the occurrence of any taxable event as therein defined within the corporate limits of the town of La Conner. [Ord. 537 § 2, 1986.]
3.15.030 Consistency with state tax.
The taxes imposed in this chapter shall comply with all applicable rules, regulations, laws and court decisions regarding real estate excise taxes as imposed by the state under Chapter 82.45 RCW and Chapter 458-61 WAC. The provisions of those chapters, to the extent they are not inconsistent with this chapter, shall apply as though fully set forth herein. [Ord. 537 § 3, 1986.]
3.15.040 Distribution of tax proceeds and limiting the use thereof.
(1) The county treasurer shall place one percent of the proceeds of the taxes imposed pursuant to LCMC 3.15.010 in the county current expense fund to defray costs of collection.
(2) The remaining proceeds from town taxes imposed thereby shall be distributed to the town monthly and those taxes imposed under subsection (1) of this section shall be placed by the town treasurer in REET 1 Fund No. 304. This capital improvements fund shall be used by the town as authorized by RCW 82.46.010, as now or hereafter amended, for any capital purpose identified in a capital improvements plan and local capital improvements, including those listed in RCW 35.43.040.
(3) This section shall not limit the existing authority of the town to impose special assessments on property benefited thereby in the manner prescribed by law. [Ord. 1097 § 1, 2013; Ord. 916 § 1, 2004; Ord. 678 § 2, 1996; Ord. 537 § 4, 1986.]
3.15.050 Lien provisions.
Any tax imposed in this chapter and any interest or penalties thereon is a specific lien upon each piece of real property sold from the time of sale or 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. 537 § 5, 1986.]
3.15.060 Seller’s obligation.
The taxes imposed in this chapter are the obligation of the seller and may be enforced through an action of debt against the seller or 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. 537 § 6, 1986.]
3.15.070 Notation of payment.
The taxes imposed in this chapter shall be paid to and collected by the treasurer of Skagit County. The county treasurer shall act as agent for the town. The county treasurer shall cause a stamp evidencing satisfaction of the lien to be affixed to the instrument of sale or conveyance prior to its recording or to the real estate tax affidavit in the case of used mobile home sales. A receipt issued by the county treasurer for the payment of the tax imposed herein shall be evidence of the satisfaction of the lien imposed in LCMC 3.15.050 and may be recorded in the manner prescribed for recording satisfactions of mortgages. No instrument of sale or conveyance evidencing a sale subject to the tax may be accepted by the county auditor for filing or recording until the tax is paid and the stamp affixed thereto; in case the tax 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 county treasurer. [Ord. 537 § 7, 1986.]
3.15.080 Date payable.
The tax imposed hereunder shall become due and payable immediately at the time of sale and, if not so paid within 30 days thereafter, shall bear interest at the rate of one percent per month from the time of sale until the date of payment. [Ord. 537 § 8, 1986.]
3.15.090 Excessive and improper payment.
If, upon written application by a taxpayer to the 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 Skagit County treasurer to the taxpayer; provided, that no refund shall be made unless the state has first authorized the refund of an excessive amount or 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 town. [Ord. 537 § 9, 1986.]