Columbia Computation of gross receipts ordinance (§ 13-28)

(a) Generally. A person who applies for a license for a business or occupation for which the license fee is based upon gross sales or receipts shall pay a license fee based upon actual gross sales or gross receipts incurred during the license year, which fee shall be computed in accordance with the following provisions:

(1) New businesses. Persons commencing a new business or occupation, or a business or occupation which has been in business less than twelve (12) months, for which the license fee is based upon gross sales or receipts, shall estimate the anticipated gross sales or receipts for the license year, or part thereof remaining, and the license tax shall be computed thereon. For purposes of estimating gross sales or annual gross receipts, if the business has been in operation for less than a twelvemonth period, the gross sales or annual gross receipts shall mean twelve (12) times the average monthly gross receipts or sales for the period for which any business was conducted. If in the license application for the next license year the new business shall show an underpayment, based on actual gross sales or receipts, for the preceding estimated license year, such underpayment shall be added

to the current license tax. If actual gross receipts or sales for such preceding year would entitle the licensee to a refund, the licensee shall provide to the business services administrator such computation, and the business services administrator, upon verification thereof, shall first credit such refund against any license tax due or owing, and shall pay the balance of the refund, if any, to the licensee.

(2) Established businesses. A business which has been in operation for the previous twelve (12) months shall pay a license fee based upon gross sales or receipts for the twelve (12) months of the license year and shall use the previous year's gross sales or receipts as a basis for computing the annual license fee.

(b) If any claim for refund because of alleged overpayment of the license fee under section 13-27 is filed with the business services administrator, before such refund shall be made the licensee shall present satisfactory proof in support thereof to the business services administrator, such as copies of federal and state income tax returns, state sales tax returns, statements signed by certified public accountants and original records or ledger sheets showing the amounts which were lawfully owing to the city by the licensee for the term of such license; or, at the option of the business services administrator, the licensee shall submit to an audit of licensee's records at the place of business of the licensee, to be made by the business services administrator or any deputy, accountant or employee if ordered to do so by the business services administrator, and if it appears from such audit that the licensee has failed to pay the true amount due for such license, or a previous license, then such licensee shall be subject to the penalties and requirements of this chapter.

(c) All such claims shall be made within ninety (90) days after the end of the license year or within ninety (90) days after a business stops operating, whichever occurs first.