2015 Wyoming Code
TITLE 39 - TAXATION AND REVENUE
CHAPTER 15 - SALES TAX
ARTICLE 2 - LOCAL SALES TAX
SECTION 39-15-203. - Imposition.

39-15-203. Imposition.

(a) Taxable event. The following shall apply:

(i) The following provisions apply to imposition of the general purpose excise tax under W.S. 39-15-204(a)(i):

(A) Except as provided by subparagraph (F) of this paragraph, no tax shall be imposed under W.S. 39-15-204(a)(i) until the proposition to impose the taxes is submitted to the vote of the qualified electors of the county, and a majority of those casting their ballots vote in favor of imposing the taxes. A county may impose both taxes authorized in W.S. 39-15-204(a)(i) and (ii), but the proposition to impose each tax shall be individually stated and voted upon. Except as otherwise provided, excise taxes imposed under this paragraph shall commence as provided by W.S. 39-15-207(c) following the election approving the imposition of the tax;

(B) The proposition to impose an excise tax shall be at the expense of the county and be submitted to the electors of the county upon the receipt by the board of county commissioners of a petition requesting the election signed by at least five percent (5%) of the electors of the county or of a resolution approving the proposition from the governing body of the county and the governing bodies of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the incorporated municipalities within the county. If proposed by petition by electors, the number of electors required shall be determined by the number of votes cast at the last general election. The election shall be at the direction and under the supervision of the board of county commissioners;

(C) The proposition may be submitted at an election held on a date authorized under W.S. 22-21-103. A notice of election shall be given in at least one (1) newspaper of general circulation published in the county in which the election is to be held, and the notice shall specify the object of the election. The notice shall be published at least once each week for a thirty (30) day period preceding the election. At the election the ballots shall contain the words "for the county sales and use tax" and "against the county sales and use tax". If a portion of the proceeds from the tax will be used for economic development as provided by W.S. 39-15-211(a)(i), the ballot shall contain the words "a portion (or specific percentage) of the tax proceeds shall be used for economic development" in a clear and appropriate manner. If the proposition is approved the same proposition shall be submitted at subsequent general elections as provided in this subparagraph until the proposition is defeated. If the tax proposed is approved after July 1, 1989, the same proposition shall be submitted at every other subsequent general election until the proposition is defeated. However in those counties where the tax is not in effect, the county commissioners with the concurrence of the governing bodies of two-thirds (2/3) of the municipalities may establish the initial term of the tax at two (2) years. If the term of the tax is limited to two (2) years, the term of the tax shall be stated in the proposition submitted to the voters. If approved, the proposition shall be submitted at the next general election and at every other subsequent general election thereafter until the proposition is defeated;

(D) If the proposition to impose or continue the tax is defeated the proposition shall not again be submitted to the electors of the county for at least eleven (11) months. If the proposition is defeated at any general election following initial adoption of the proposition the tax is repealed and shall not be collected following June 30 of the year immediately following the year in which the proposition is defeated;

(E) If the proposition is approved by the qualified electors or under subparagraph (F) of this paragraph, the board of county commissioners shall by ordinance impose an excise tax upon retail sales of tangible personal property, admissions and services. The board of county commissioners or the city or town council shall adopt an ordinance for the tax authorized by W.S. 39-15-204(a)(i). The ordinance shall include the following:

(I) A provision imposing an excise tax upon every retail sale of tangible personal property, admissions and services made within the county, whichever is appropriate;

(II) Provisions identical to those contained in article 1 of this chapter except for W.S. 39-15-102(a), insofar as it relates to sales taxes, except the name of the county as the taxing agency shall be substituted for that of the state and an additional license to engage in business shall not be required if the vendor has been issued a state license pursuant to law;

(III) A provision that any amendments made to article 1 or to chapter 16 not in conflict with article 1 of this chapter or to chapter 16 shall automatically become a part of the sales tax ordinances of the county, city or town;

(IV) A provision that the county, city or town, as appropriate, shall contract with the department prior to the effective date of the county sales tax ordinances whereby the department shall perform all functions incident to the administration of the sales tax ordinances of the county, city or town;

(V) A provision that the amount subject to the sales tax shall not include the amount of any sales tax imposed by the state of Wyoming.

(F) In lieu of the requirements of subparagraph (C) of this paragraph providing for the submission of the proposition at subsequent elections, the tax authorized under W.S. 39-15-204(a)(i) may be continued subject to the following terms and conditions:

(I) The tax shall be initially imposed following approval of the electorate in accordance with subparagraphs (B) and (C) of this paragraph;

(II) The tax shall be continued if favorably supported by a resolution adopted by the governing body of the county and by ordinances adopted by the governing bodies of at least a majority of the incorporated municipalities within the county;

(III) Ordinances under this subparagraph shall conform with subdivisions (E)(I) through (V) of this paragraph;

(IV) Excise taxes shall be continued under this subparagraph only if the county clerk has certified to the county treasurer that a sufficient number of ordinances or resolutions to continue the tax under this subparagraph have been adopted at least ninety (90) days prior to the election to determine the continuation of the tax. Within five (5) days of receipt of such certification from the county clerk, the county treasurer shall notify the department of revenue of this tax. If the tax is not continued pursuant to this subparagraph it shall be subject to the provisions of subparagraph (C) of this paragraph for continuation;

(V) The tax may be terminated in the same manner as it was continued under subdivisions (II) and (IV) of this subparagraph except that ordinances and resolutions shall be for the rescinding of the tax. If the tax is continued under subdivisions (II) and (IV) of this subparagraph, it may also be terminated by an election to rescind the tax conducted subject to subparagraphs (B) through (D) of this paragraph.

(ii) The following provisions apply to imposition of the lodging excise tax under W.S. 39-15-204(a)(ii):

(A) The tax on lodging services authorized by W.S. 39-15-204(a)(ii) shall be in addition to and not in lieu of the tax authorized by W.S. 39-15-204(a)(i) and (iii) if both taxes are imposed. If the proposition to impose a tax on lodging services within the county is approved in accordance with subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, a city or town shall not impose a lodging tax in addition to the county wide tax even though the additional tax does not exceed the limitation established under W.S. 39-15-204(a)(ii);

(B) No tax shall be imposed under W.S. 39-15-204(a)(ii) until the proposition to impose the taxes is submitted to the vote of the qualified electors of the county or of a city or town if the proposition is to impose the tax only city wide or town wide, and a majority of those casting their ballots vote in favor of imposing the taxes. A county may impose both taxes authorized in W.S. 39-15-204(a)(i) and (ii), but the proposition to impose each tax shall be individually stated and voted upon. Except as otherwise provided, excise taxes imposed under this paragraph shall commence as provided by W.S. 39-15-207(c) following the election approving the imposition of the tax;

(C) The proposition to impose an excise tax shall be at the expense of the county and be submitted to the electors of the county upon the receipt by the board of county commissioners of a petition requesting the election signed by at least five percent (5%) of the electors of the county or of a resolution approving the proposition from the governing body of the county and the governing bodies of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the incorporated municipalities within the county. If proposed by petition by electors, the number of electors required shall be determined by the number of votes cast at the last general election. The election shall be at the direction and under the supervision of the board of county commissioners;

(D) The proposition may be submitted at an election held on a date authorized under W.S. 22-21-103. A notice of election shall be given in at least one (1) newspaper of general circulation published in the county in which the election is to be held or in the city or town if only a city wide or town wide tax is proposed, and the notice shall specify the object of the election. The notice shall be published at least once each week for a thirty (30) day period preceding the election. At the election the ballots shall contain the words "for the county (or city or town) lodging tax" and "against the county (or city or town) lodging tax". If the proposition is approved the same proposition shall be submitted at subsequent general elections as provided in this subparagraph until the proposition is defeated. If the proposition to impose the lodging tax pursuant to W.S. 39-15-204(a)(ii) is approved, the same proposition shall be submitted, until defeated, at the second general election following the election at which the proposition was initially approved and at the general election held every four (4) years thereafter. If a county, city or town has in place a lodging tax pursuant to W.S. 39-15-204(a)(ii), either through a petition or by request of the county, city or town, the proposition posed at the next election may contain a larger tax not to exceed four percent (4%);

(E) If the proposition to impose or continue the tax is defeated the proposition shall not again be submitted to the electors of the county for at least eleven (11) months. If the proposition is defeated at any general election following initial adoption of the proposition the tax is repealed and shall not be collected following June 30 of the year immediately following the year in which the proposition is defeated;

(F) If the proposition is approved by the qualified electors the board of county commissioners, city council or town council, as appropriate, shall by ordinance impose an excise tax upon the sales price for lodging services. Following approval of a proposition to impose the tax, the county, city or town shall within thirty (30) days following certification of the election results and annually thereafter each year the tax is in effect, notify the department of revenue of the ordinance or resolution imposing the lodging tax and shall submit a list to the department of all persons selling lodging services within their respective jurisdiction. The board of county commissioners or the city or town council shall adopt an ordinance for the tax authorized by this paragraph. The ordinance shall include the following:

(I) A provision imposing an excise tax on every sale of lodging services within the county, city or town at the rate approved by the qualified electors, whichever is appropriate;

(II) Provisions identical to those contained in article 1 of this chapter except for W.S. 39-15-102(a), insofar as it relates to sales taxes except the name of the county as the taxing agency shall be substituted for that of the state and an additional license to engage in business shall not be required if the vendor has been issued a state license pursuant to law;

(III) A provision that any amendments made to article 1 or to chapter 16 not in conflict with article 1 of this chapter or to chapter 16 shall automatically become a part of the sales tax ordinances of the county, city or town;

(IV) A provision that the county, city or town, as appropriate, shall contract with the department prior to the effective date of the county sales tax ordinances whereby the department shall perform all functions incident to the administration of the sales tax ordinances of the county, city or town;

(V) A provision that the amount subject to the tax shall not include the amount of any sales tax imposed by the state of Wyoming.

(G) No person shall be liable for payment of the tax imposed under W.S. 39-15-204(a)(ii) for any sale of lodging services made more than one (1) year prior to the date he is notified by the department of revenue of his liability for the tax.

(iii) The following provisions apply to imposition of the specific purpose excise tax under W.S. 39-15-204(a)(iii):

(A) Before any proposition to impose the tax or incur the debt shall be placed before the electors, the governing body of a county and the governing bodies of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the incorporated municipalities within the county shall adopt a resolution approving the proposition, setting forth a procedure for qualification of a ballot question for placement on the ballot and specifying how excess funds shall be expended;

(B) The revenue from the tax shall be used in a specified amount for specific purposes authorized by the qualified electors. Specific purposes may include one (1) time major maintenance, renovation or reconstruction of a specifically defined section of a public roadway. Specific purposes shall not include ordinary operations of local government except those operations related to a specific project;

(C) No tax shall be imposed under this paragraph until the proposition to impose the tax for specific purposes in specific amounts is approved by the vote of the majority of the qualified electors voting on the proposition. The amount of revenue to be collected and the purpose or purposes for which it is proposed to be used shall be specified in the proposition. The election shall be held in accordance with W.S. 22-21-101 through 22-21-112. Any debt created may also be repaid, in whole or in part, by a property tax levy if general obligation bonds are authorized by the electors. Any excise tax imposed under this subsection shall commence as provided by W.S. 39-15-207(c) following the election approving the imposition of the tax, except that it shall commence on the first day of any subsequent month following the receipt of tax funds in the approved amount by any tax previously imposed under this subsection as provided by subparagraph (E) of this paragraph. Unless terminated earlier by the sponsoring entities pursuant to subparagraph (G) of this paragraph, the tax shall terminate as provided by W.S. 39-15-207(c) when the amount approved by the electors is collected;

(D) No debt may be incurred or approved which when added to the existing indebtedness of the sponsoring entity or entities, would exceed the constitutional debt limitation of the sponsoring entity or entities. However, nothing herein prohibits the approval of a proposition which establishes a fund for accumulation of funds sufficient to carry out the purpose approved or to pay a sufficient amount of the cost so as to bring the remainder of the debt within the debt limitation of the sponsoring entity or entities;

(E) Upon certification of the election results by the county clerk to the treasurer, the county treasurer shall, within ten (10) days, notify the department of revenue of the requirement for imposition of any tax under this subsection and shall, upon the estimated collection of all tax funds in the amount approved, notify the department of revenue that the special sales tax levy is terminated. When determining the point in time in which to terminate the tax, the county treasurer in consultation with the department shall estimate future receipts of tax collections to minimize excess collection. The county treasurer shall make his best effort to ensure that sufficient money is collected while minimizing any excess collection. In no event shall the action or inaction of the county treasurer or the department be deemed to prohibit the collection of the full amount of the tax approved by the voters. The department of revenue shall, upon notification, inform all holders of sales tax licenses within the county of the requirement for the collection and payment of the additional tax. After receipt of notice that the amount has been collected or that the sponsoring entities have terminated the tax pursuant to subparagraph (G) of this paragraph, the department shall notify the license holders of the termination of the tax;

(F) The first county imposing the tax provided by this act shall be responsible for payment of costs incurred by the department to initially set up computer records and support systems for administration of this tax. These costs shall be withheld by the department from the proceeds to be distributed pursuant to the preceding paragraph until such costs are fully recovered;

(G) The sponsoring entities may agree to terminate the tax if the tax collected reaches the actual cost of the completed projects and the amount specified in the proposition exceeds the actual cost of the completed projects. The sponsoring entities shall inform the department of revenue and the county treasurer that the tax is terminated.

(iv) The following provisions apply to imposition of the resort district excise tax under W.S. 39-15-204(a)(v):

(A) The tax shall be imposed if favorably supported by a resolution adopted by the board of the resort district and approved by a majority of the district voters under W.S. 18-16-119;

(B) The tax may be terminated by a resolution to rescind the tax adopted by the board of the resort district.

(v) The following provisions apply to imposition of the excise tax under W.S. 39-15-204(a)(vi) the purpose of which is economic development:

(A) No tax shall be imposed under W.S. 39-15-204(a)(vi) until the proposition to impose the tax is submitted to the vote of the qualified electors of the county, and a majority of those casting their ballots vote in favor of imposing the taxes. Except as otherwise provided, excise taxes imposed under this paragraph shall commence as provided by W.S. 39-15-207 following the election approving the imposition of the tax;

(B) The proposition to impose an excise tax shall be at the expense of the county and be submitted to the electors of the county upon the receipt by the board of county commissioners of a petition requesting the election signed by at least five percent (5%) of the electors of the county or of a resolution approving the proposition from the governing body of the county and the governing bodies of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the incorporated municipalities within the county. If proposed by petition by electors, the number of electors required shall be determined by the number of votes cast at the last general election. The election shall be at the direction and under the supervision of the board of county commissioners;

(C) The proposition may be submitted at an election held on a date authorized under W.S. 22-21-103. A notice of election shall be given in at least one (1) newspaper of general circulation published in the county in which the election is to be held, and the notice shall specify the object of the election. The notice shall be published at least once each week for a thirty (30) day period preceding the election. At the election the ballots shall contain the words "for the county sales and use tax for economic development" and "against the county sales and use tax for economic development". If the tax proposed is approved, the same proposition shall be submitted at every other subsequent general election until the proposition is defeated. However, the county commissioners with the concurrence of the governing bodies of two-thirds (2/3) of the municipalities may establish the initial term of the tax at two (2) years. If the term of the tax is limited to two (2) years, the term of the tax shall be stated in the proposition submitted to the voters. If approved, the proposition shall be submitted at the next general election and at every other subsequent general election thereafter until the proposition is defeated;

(D) If the proposition to impose or continue the tax is defeated the proposition shall not again be submitted to the electors of the county for at least eleven (11) months. If the proposition is defeated at any general election following initial adoption of the proposition the tax is repealed and shall not be collected following June 30 of the year immediately following the year in which the proposition is defeated;

(E) If the proposition is approved by the qualified electors, the board of county commissioners shall by ordinance impose an excise tax upon retail sales of tangible personal property, admissions and services. The board of county commissioners or the city or town council shall adopt an ordinance for the tax authorized by W.S. 39-15-204(a)(vi). The ordinance shall include the following:

(I) A provision imposing an excise tax upon every retail sale of tangible personal property, admissions and services made within the county;

(II) Provisions identical to those contained in article 1 of this chapter except for W.S. 39-15-102(a), insofar as it relates to sales taxes, except the name of the county as the taxing agency shall be substituted for that of the state and an additional license to engage in business shall not be required if the vendor has been issued a state license pursuant to law;

(III) A provision that any amendments made to article 1 or to chapter 16 not in conflict with article 1 of this chapter or to chapter 16 shall automatically become a part of the sales tax ordinances of the county, city or town;

(IV) A provision that the county, city or town, as appropriate, shall contract with the department prior to the effective date of the county sales tax ordinances whereby the department shall perform all functions incident to the administration of the sales tax ordinances of the county, city or town;

(V) A provision that the amount subject to the sales tax shall not include the amount of any sales imposed by the state of Wyoming.

(F) The tax may be terminated by an election to rescind the tax conducted subject to subparagraphs (B) through (D) of this paragraph;

(G) In no event shall any of the revenue collected from the tax imposed under this paragraph be expended, either directly or indirectly, to finance or involuntarily acquire any public utility as defined in W.S. 37-1-101 or any telecommunications system by condemnation or other legal process.

(b) Basis of tax. There are no specific applicable provisions for the basis of tax for this article.

(c) Taxpayer. There are no specific applicable provisions for the taxpayer for this article.