HomeMy WebLinkAboutFull Text of Ordinance - General Transactions and Use Tax (Sales Tax)DocuSi gn Envelope ID: EA293266·EEC3-49DD-8E0E-BD5F67AFFF02
Resolution No. 2024-031
ORDINANCE NO. --
AN ORDINANCE OF THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF PALM
DESERT, CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 3.26 TO TITLE 3
OF THE PALM DESERT MUNICIPAL CODE TO ENACT A ONE
PERCENT (1%) GENERAL TRANSACTIONS AND USE TAX
(SALES TAX) TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE CALIFORNIA
DEPARTMENT OF TAX AND FEE ADMINISTRATION
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WHEREAS, pursuant to California Revenue and Taxation Code section 7285.9 the
City of Palm Desert ("City") is authorized to levy a Transactions and Use Tax for general
purposes, subject to majority voter approval; and
WHEREAS, the People of the City desire add Chapter 3.26 to Title 3 of the Palm
Desert Municipal Code establishing a general Transactions and Use Tax ("TUT") until
ended by voters, on the sale and/or use of all tangible personal property sold at retail in
the City, at a rate of one percent (1 %).
NOW, THEREFORE, THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT DO
HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS :
SECTION 1. Title and Text. This Ordinance shall be known as the "Palm Desert
General Transactions and Use Tax", the full text of which is set forth in Attachment "1",
attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
SECTION 2. Approval by the City Council. Pursuant to California Government Code
section 53724 and Revenue and Taxation Code section 7285.9, this Ordinance was
duly approved for placement on the ballot by a minimum two-thirds (2/3) supermajority
of all members of the City Council on June 13, 2024.
SECTION 3. Approval by the Voters. Pursuant to California Elections Code section
9217, this Ordinance shall be deemed adopted and take effect only if approved by a
majority of the eligible voters of the City of Palm Desert voting at the General Municipal
Election of November 5, 2024. It shall be deemed adopted when the City Council has
certified the results of that election by resolution and shall take effect ten (10) days
thereafter.
SECTION 4. Operative Date. "Operative Date" for the Transactions and Use Tax
means the first day of the first calendar quarter commencing more than 110 days after
the date this Ordinance is adopted, as set forth in Section 3 above.
SECTION 5 . Severability. If any provision of this Ordinance or the application
thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid , the remainder of the Ordinance
and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be
affected thereby.
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Resolution No. 2024-031 Page 7
I hereby certify that the Palm Desert General Transactions and Use Tax Ordinance
was PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED by the People of the City of Palm Desert
on the 5th day of November, 2024.
ATTEST:
ANTHONY J. MEJIA
CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
ISRA SHAH, CITY ATTORNEY
CITY OF PALM DESERT
KARINA QUINTANILLA
MAYOR
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Resolution No. 2024-031
Chapter 3.26 -GENERAL TRANSACTIONS AND USE TAX
Sections:
3.26.010 -Title.
3.26.020 -Purpose.
3.26.030 -Contract With State.
3.26.040 -Transactions Tax Rate.
3.26.050 -Place of Sale.
3.26.060 -Use Tax Rate.
3.26.070 -Adoption of Provisions of State Law.
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3.26.080 -Limitations on Adoption of State Law and Collection of Use Taxes.
3.26.090 -Permit Not Required.
3.26.100 -Exemptions and Exclusions.
3.26.110 -Amendments.
3.26.120 -Enjoining Collection Forbidden.
3.26.130 -Duration of Tax
Sections:
3.26.010 -Title.
This ordinance shall be known as the "City of Palm Desert General Transactions and
Use Tax Ordinance". The City of Palm Desert hereinafter shall be called "City." This
ordinance shall be applicable in the incorporated territory of the City.
3.26.020 -Purpose.
This ordinance is adopted to achieve the following, among other purposes, and directs
that the provisions hereof be interpreted in order to accomplish those purposes:
A. To impose a retail transactions and use tax in accordance with the provisions of Part
1.6 (commencing with Section 7251) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation
Code and Section 7285.9 of Part 1. 7 of Division 2 which authorizes the City to adopt
this tax ordinance which shall be operative if a majority of the electors voting on the
measure vote to approve the imposition of the tax at an election called for that
purpose.
B. To adopt a retail transactions and use tax ordinance that incorporates provisions
identical to those of the Sales and Use Tax Law of the State of California insofar as
those provisions are not inconsistent with the requirements and limitations contained
in Part 1.6 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.
C. To adopt a retail transactions and use tax ordinance that imposes a tax and provides
a measure therefore that can be administered and collected by the California
Department of Tax and Fee Administration in a manner that adapts itself as fully as
practicable to, and requires the least possible deviation from, the existing statutory
and administrative procedures followed by the California Department of Tax and Fee
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Resolution No. 2024-031 Page 9
Administration in administering and collecting the California State Sales and Use
Taxes.
D. To adopt a retail transactions and use tax ordinance that can be administered in a
manner that will be, to the greatest degree possible, consistent with the provisions of
Part 1.6 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, minimize the cost of
collecting the transactions and use taxes, and at the same time, minimize the burden
of record-keeping upon persons subject to taxation under the provisions of this
ordinance.
3.26.030 -Contract With State.
Prior to the operative date, the City shall contract with the California Department of Tax
and Fee Administration to perform all functions incident to the administration and
operation of this transactions and use tax ordinance; provided, that if the City shall not
have contracted with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration prior to
the operative date, it shall nevertheless so contract and in such a case the operative
date shall be the first day of the first calendar quarter following th~ execution of such a
contract.
3.26.040 -Transactions Tax Rate.
For the privilege of selling tangible personal property at retail, a tax is hereby imposed
upon all retailers in the incorporated territory of the City at the rate of one percent (1 %)
of the gross receipts of any retailer from the sale of all tangible personal property sold at
retail in said territory on and after the operative date of this ordinance.
3.26.050 -Place of Sale.
For the purposes of this ordinance, all retail sales are consummated at the place of
business of the retailer unless the tangible personal property sold is delivered by the
retailer or his agent to an out-of-state destination or to a common carrier ·for delivery to
an out-of-state destination. The gross receipts from such sales shall include delivery
charges, when such charges are subject to the state sales and use tax, regardless of
the place to which delivery is made. In the event a retailer has no permanent place of
business in the State or has more than one place of business, the place or places at
which the retail sales are consummated shall be determined under rules and regulations
to be prescribed and adopted by the California Department of Tax and Fee
Administration .
3.26.060 -Use Tax Rate.
An excise tax is hereby imposed on the storage, use or other consumption in the City of
tangible personal property purchased from any retailer on and after the operative date
of this ordinance for storage, use or other consumption in said territory at the rate of one
percent (1 %) of the sales price of the property . The sales price shall include delivery
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charges when such charges are subject to state sales or use tax regardless of the place
to which delivery is made.
3.26.070 -Adoption of Provisions of State Law.
Except as otherwise provided in this ordinance and except insofar as they are
inconsistent with the provisions of Part 1.6 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation
Code, all of the provisions of Part 1 (commencing with Section 6001) of Division 2 of the
Revenue and Taxation Code are hereby adopted and made a part of this ordinance as
though fully set forth herein.
3.26.080 -Limitations on Adoption of State Law and Collection of Use Taxes.
In adopting the provisions of Part 1 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code:
A. Wherever the State of California is named or referred to as the taxing agency, the
name of this City shall be substituted therefor. However, the substitution shall not be
made when:
1. The word "State" is used as a part of the title of the State Controller, State
Treasurer, California Victim Compensation Board, California Department of Tax
and Fee Administration, State Treasury, or the Constitution of the State of
California;
2. The result of that substitution would require action to be taken by or against this
City or any agency, officer, or employee thereof rather than by or against the
California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, in performing the functions
incident to the administration or operation of this Ordinance.
3 . In those sections, including, but not necessarily limited to sections referring to the
exterior boundaries of the State of California, where the result of the substitution
would be to:
a. Provide an exemption from this tax with respect to certain sales, storage,
use or other consumption of tangible personal property which would not
otherwise be exempt from this tax while such sales, storage, use or other
consumption remain subject to tax by the State under the provisions of
Part 1 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code , or;
b. Impose this tax with respect to certain sales, storage, use or other
consumption of tangible personal property which would not be subject to
tax by the state under the said provision of that code.
4. In reference to Sections 6701, 6702 (except in the last sentence thereof), 6711,
6715, 6737, 6797 or 6828 of the Revenue and Taxation Code .
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B. The word "city" shall be substituted for the word "state" in the phrase "retailer
engaged in business in this state" in Section 6203 of the Revenue and Taxation
Code and in the definition of that phrase in Section 6203.
1. "A retailer engaged in business in the District" shall also include any retailer that,
in the preceding calendar year or the current calendar year, has total combined
sales of tangible personal property in this state or for delivery in the State by the
retailer and all persons related to the retailer that exceeds five hundred thousand
dollars ($500,000). For purposes of this section, a person is related to another
person if both persons are related to each other pursuant to Section 267(b) of
Title 26 of the United States Code and the regulations thereunder.
3.26.090 -Permit not Required.
If a seller's permit has been issued to a retailer under Section 6067 of the Revenue and
Taxation Code, an additional transactor's permit shall not be required by this Ordinance .
3.26.100 -Exemptions and Exclusions.
A. There shall be excluded from the measure of the transactions tax and the use tax
the amount of any sales tax or use tax imposed by the State of California or by any
city, city and county, or county pursuant to the Bradley-Burns Uniform Local Sales
and Use Tax Law or the amount of any state-administered transactions or use tax.
B. There are exempted from the computation of the amount of transactions tax the
gross receipts from:
1. Sales of tangible personal property, other than fuel or petroleum products, to
operators of aircraft to be used or consumed principally outside the county in
which the sale is made and directly and exclusively in the use of such aircraft as
common carriers of persons or property under the authority of the laws of this
State, the United States, or any foreign government.
2. Sales of property to be used outside the City which is shipped to a point outside
the City, pursuant to the contract of sale, by delivery to such point by the retailer
or his agent, or by delivery by the retailer to a carrier for shipment to a consignee
at such point. For the purposes of this paragraph, delivery to a point outside the
City shall be satisfied:
a. With respect to vehicles (other than commercial vehicles) subject to
registration pursuant to Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 4000) of
Division 3 of the Vehicle Code, aircraft licensed in compliance with Section
21411 of the Public Utilities Code, and undocumented vessels registered
under Division 3.5 (commencing with Section 9840) of the Vehicle Code
by registration to an out-of-City address and by a declaration under
penalty of perjury, signed by the buyer, stating that such address is, in
fact, his or her principal place of residence; and
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b. With respect to commercial vehicles, by registration to a place of business
out-of-City and declaration under penalty of perjury, signed by the buyer,
that the vehicle will be operated from that address.
3. The sale of tangible personal property if the seller is obligated to furnish the
property for a fixed price pursuant to a contract entered into prior to the operative
date of this ordinance.
4. A lease of tangible personal property which is a continuing sale of such property,
for any period of time for which the lessor is obligated to lease the property for an
amount fixed by the lease prior to the operative date of this ordinance .
5 . For the purposes of subparagraphs (3) and (4) of this subsection, the sale or
lease of tangible personal property shall be deemed not to be obligated pursuant
to a contract or lease for any period of time for which any party to the contract or
lease has the unconditional right to terminate the contract or lease upon notice,
whether or not such right is exercised.
C. There are exempted from the use tax imposed by this ordinance, the storage, use or
other consumption in this City of tangible personal property:
1. The gross receipts from the sale of which have been subject to a transactions tax
under any state-administered transactions and use tax ordinance.
2. Other than fuel or petroleum products purchased by operators of aircraft and
used or consumed by such operators directly and exclusively in the use of such
aircraft as common carriers of persons or property for hire or compensation
under a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued pursuant to the
laws of this State, the United States, or any foreign government. This exemption
is in addition to the exemptions provided in Sections 6366 and 6366 .1 of the
Revenue and Taxation Code of the State of California.
3. If the purchaser is obligated to purchase the property for a fixed price pursuant to
a contract entered into prior to the operative date of this Ordinance.
4. If the possession of, or the exercise of any right or power over, the tangible
personal property arises under a lease which is a continuing purchase of such
property for any period of time for which the lessee is obligated to lease the
property for an amount fixed by a lease prior to the operative date of this
Ordinance.
5. For the purposes of subparagraphs (3) and (4) of this subsection, storage, use,
or other consumption, or possession of, or exercise of any right or power over,
tangible personal property shall be deemed not to be obligated pursuant to a
contract or lease for any period of time for which any party to the contract or
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lease has the unconditional right to terminate the contract or lease upon notice,
whether or not such right is exercised.
6. Except as provided in subparagraph (7), a retailer engaged in business in the
City shall not be required to collect use tax from the purchaser of tangible
personal property, unless the retailer ships or delivers the property into the City
or participates within the City in making the sale of the property, including, but not
limited to, soliciting or receiving the order, either directly or indirectly, at a place
of business of the retailer in the City or through any representative, agent,
canvasser, solicitor, subsidiary, or person in the City under the authority of the
retailer.
7. "A retailer engaged in business in the City" shall also include any retailer of any
of the following: vehicles subject to registration pursuant to Chapter 1
(commencing with Section 4000) of Division 3 of the Vehicle Code, aircraft
licensed in compliance with Section 21411 of the Public Utilities Code, or
undocumented vessels registered under Division 3.5 (commencing with Section
9840) of the Vehicle Code. That retailer shall be required to collect use tax from
any purchaser who registers or licenses the vehicle, vessel, or aircraft at an
address in the City.
D. Any person subject to use tax under this ordinance may credit agains t that tax any
transactions tax or reimbursement for transactions tax paid to a district imposing, or
retailer liable for, a transactions tax pursuant to Part 1.6 of Division 2 of the Revenue
and Taxation Code with respect to the sale to the person of the property the storage,
use or other consumption of which is subject to the use tax .
3.26.11 O -Amendments.
All amendments subsequent to the effective date of this ordinance to Part 1 of Division
2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code relating to sales and use taxes and which are not
inconsistent with Part 1.6 and Part 1.7 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code,
and all amendments to Part 1.6 and Part 1.7 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation
Code, shall automatically become a part of this Ordinance, provided however, that no
such amendment shall operate so as to affect the rate of tax imposed by this Ordinance.
3.26.120 -Enjoining Collection Forbidden.
No injunction or writ of mandate or other legal or equitable process shall issue in any
suit, action or proceeding in any court against the State or the City, or against any
officer of the State or the City, to prevent or enjoin the collection under this ordinance, or
Part 1.6 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, of any tax or any amount of
tax required to be collected.
3.26.130 -Duration of Tax .
The tax imposed by this chapter shall continue until this ordinance is repealed.