SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL - Record No: CB 118547

• Record No: CB 118547
• Version: 1
• Council Bill No: CB 118547
• Type: Ordinance (Ord)
• Status: Passed
• Current Controlling Legislative Body: City Clerk
• On agenda: 11/23/2015
• Ordinance No: Ord 124910
• Title: AN ORDINANCE related to ending the square footage business tax for periods after December 31, 2015; and amending Section 5.46.030 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
• Sponsors: Nick Licata
• Supporting documents: 1. Summary and Fiscal Note, 2. Signed Ord 124910

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
12/1/2015	1	City Clerk	attested by City Clerk
12/1/2015	1	Mayor	returned
12/1/2015	1	Mayor	Signed
11/30/2015	1	City Clerk	submitted for Mayor's signature
11/23/2015	1	City Council	passed	Pass
11/16/2015	1	Select Budget Committee	pass	Pass
10/26/2015	1	City Council	referred
10/20/2015	1	City Clerk	sent for review
9/28/2015	1	Mayor	Mayor's leg transmitted to Council

CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
title
AN ORDINANCE related to ending the square footage business tax for periods after December 31, 2015; and amending Section 5.46.030 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
body
WHEREAS, the State of Washington grants cities the power to license businesses for the purpose of raising revenue; and
WHEREAS, the City of Seattle has, since 1932, imposed a business license tax (also known as a business and occupation tax, B&O tax, or gross receipts tax) based on the gross receipts of persons engaging in business in Seattle; and
WHEREAS, in 2003 the Legislature passed HB 2030, now codified as chapter 35.102 RCW, which changed how cities impose B&O taxes; and
WHEREAS, in response to projections at that time that the mandated changes to the imposition of B&O taxes could result in substantial decreases in tax revenue paid to the City, the City imposed the square footage business tax to complement the business license tax and to protect against adverse tax revenue impacts; and
WHEREAS, enough time has passed for the City to assess and adapt to the changes in the B&O tax imposed by HB 2030; and
WHEREAS, economic conditions have changed since 2008, and the City desires to simplify its tax code and end the square footage business tax for periods after December 31, 2015 in order to support economic activity and encourage job growth in Seattle; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Subsection 5.46.030.A of the Seattle Municipal Code, which section was last amended by Ordinance 123704, is amended as follows:
5.46.030 Tax Imposed-Measure of the Tax((.))
A. For all periods from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2015, a ((A)) square footage business tax for the act or privilege of engaging in business activities within the city is hereby levied upon and shall be collected from every person that leases, owns, occupies, or otherwise ...