§ 45-7-241 — Levy of Tax; Disposition of Funds; Construction with State Sales Tax Statutes

(a) The following words, terms, and phrases as used in this section shall have the following respective meanings except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
(1) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Revenue of the State.
(2) “County” means Butler County in the State of Alabama.
(3) “Fiscal Year” means the period commencing on October 1 of each calendar year and ending on September 30 of the next succeeding calendar year.
(4) “Month” means a calendar month.
(5) “Quarterly Period” means the period of three months ending on the last of each March, June, September, and December.
(6) “Registered Seller” means the person registered with the State Department of Revenue pursuant to the state use tax statutes or licenses under the state sales tax statutes.
(7) “State” means the State of Alabama.
(8) “State Department of Revenue” means the Department of Revenue of the State.
(9) “State Sales Tax” means the tax or taxes imposed by the state sales tax statutes.
(10) “State Sales Tax Statutes” means Division 1 of Article 1 of Chapter 23 of Title 40, as amended, including all other statutes of the state which expressly set forth any exemptions from the computation of the taxes levied in Division 1 and all other statutes which expressly apply to, or purport to affect, the administration of Division 1 and the incidence and collection of the taxes imposed therein.
(11) “State Use Tax” means the tax or taxes imposed by the state use tax statutes.
(12) “State Use Tax Statutes” means Article 2 of Chapter 23 of Title 40, as amended, including all other statutes of the state which expressly set forth any exemptions from the computation of the tax levied in Article 2 and all other statutes of the state which expressly apply to, or purport to affect, the administration of Article 2 and the incidence and collection of the taxes imposed therein.
(b) Except where another meaning is clearly indicated by the context, all definitions set forth in the state sales tax statutes and the state use tax statutes shall be effective as definitions of the words, terms, and phrases used in this section. All words, terms, and phrases used herein, other than those hereinabove specifically defined, shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the state sales tax statutes and the state use tax statutes and shall have the same scope and effect that the same words, terms, and phrases have where used in the state sales tax statutes and the state use tax statutes.
(c) The governing body of the county is hereby authorized to levy and impose in the county, in addition to all other taxes of every kind now imposed by law, and to collect as herein provided, a privilege or license tax on account of the business activities and in the amount to be determined by the application of rates against gross sales or gross receipts, as the case may be, as follows:
(1) Upon every person, firm, or corporation, (including the State of Alabama, the University of Alabama, Auburn University and all other institutions of higher learning in the state, whether such institutions by denominational, state, county, or municipal institutions, and any association or other agency or instrumentality of such institutions) engaged, or continuing within Butler County in the business of selling at retail any tangible personal property whatsoever, including merchandise and commodities of every kind and character, (not including, however, bonds or other evidences of debts or stocks, nor sale or sales of material and supplies to any person for use in fulfilling a contract for the painting, repair, or reconditioning of vessels, barges, ships, and other watercraft of over 50 tons burden), an amount equal to one percent of the gross proceeds of sales of the business except where a different amount is expressly provided herein. Provided, however, that any person engaging or continuing in business as a retailer and wholesaler or jobber shall pay the tax required on the gross proceeds of retail sales of such business at the rates specified, when his or her books are kept so as to show separately the gross proceeds of sales of each business, and when his or her books are not so kept he or she shall pay the tax as retailer on the gross sales of the business.
(2) Upon every person, firm, or corporation engaged, or continuing within Butler County, in the business of conducting, or operating places of amusement or entertainment, billiard and pool rooms, bowling alleys, amusement devices, musical devices, theaters, opera houses, moving picture shows, vaudevilles, amusement parks, athletic contests, including wrestling matches, prize fights, boxing and wrestling exhibitions, football and baseball games, (including athletic contests, conducted by or under the auspices of any education institution within Butler County, or any athletic association thereof, or other association whether such institution or association be a denominational, a state, or county, or a municipal institution or association or a state, county, or city school, or other institution, association or school), skating rinks, race tracks, golf courses, or any other place at which any exhibition, display, amusement or entertainment is offered to the public or place or places where an admission fee is charged, including public bathing places, public dance halls of every kind and description within Butler County, an amount equal to one percent of the gross receipts of any such business.
(3) Upon every person, firm, or corporation engaged or continuing within Butler County in the business of selling at retail machines used in mining, quarrying, compounding, processing, and manufacturing of tangible personal property, an amount equal to one fifth percent of the gross proceeds of the sale of such machines; provided, that the term “machines,” as herein used, shall include machinery which is used for mining, quarrying, compounding, processing, or manufacturing tangible personal property, and the parts of such machines, attachments, and replacements therefor which are made or manufactured for use on or in the operation of such machines and which are necessary to the operation of such machines and are customarily so used.
(4) Upon every person, firm, or corporation engaged or continuing within Butler County in the business of selling at retail any automotive vehicle or truck trailer, semitrailer, or house trailer, an amount equal to one fifth percent of the gross proceeds of sale of the automotive vehicle or truck trailer, semitrailer, or house trailer, provided, however, where a person subject to the tax provided for in this subdivision withdraws from his or her stock in trade any automotive vehicle or truck trailer, semitrailer, or house trailer for use by him or her or by his or her employee or agent in the operation of such business, there shall be paid, in lieu of the tax levied herein, a fee of one dollar twenty-five cents ($1.25) per year or part thereof during which such automotive vehicle, truck trailer, semitrailer, or house trailer shall remain the property of such person. Each such year or part thereof shall begin with the day or anniversary date, as the case may be, or such withdrawal and shall run for the 12 succeeding months or part thereof during which such automotive vehicle, truck trailer, or house trailer shall remain the property of such person.
Where any used automotive vehicle or truck trailer, semitrailer, or house trailer is taken in trade or in a series of trades, as a credit or part payment on the sale of a new or used vehicle, the tax levied herein shall be paid on the net difference, that is, the price of the new or used vehicle sold less the credit for the used vehicle taken in trade.
(5) Upon every person, firm, or corporation engaged or continuing within Butler County in the business of selling at retail any machine, machinery, or equipment which is used in planting, cultivating, and harvesting farm products, or used in connection with the production of agricultural produce or products, livestock, or poultry on farms, and the parts of such machines, machinery, or equipment, attachments, and replacements therefor which are made or manufactured for use on or in the operation of such machine, machinery, or equipment, and which are necessary to and customarily used in the operation of such machine, machinery or equipment, an amount equal to one fifth percent of the gross proceeds of the sale thereof. Provided, however, the one fifth percent rate herein prescribed with respect to parts, attachments, and replacements shall not apply to any automotive vehicle or trailer designed primarily for public highway use, except farm trailers used primarily in the production and harvesting of agricultural commodities.
Where any used machine, machinery, or equipment which is used in planting, cultivating, and harvesting farm products, or used in connection with the production of agricultural produce or products, livestock, and poultry on farms is taken in trade or in a series of trades as a credit or part payment on a sale of a new or used machine, machinery, or equipment, the tax levied herein shall be paid on the net difference, that is, the price of the new or used machine, machinery, or equipment sold, less the credit for the used machine, machinery or equipment taken in trade.
(6) Upon every person, firm, or corporation engaged or continuing within Butler County in the business of selling through coin-operated dispensing machines, food and food products for human consumption, not including beverages other than coffee, milk, milk products, and substitutes therefor, there is hereby levied a tax equal to one percent of the cost of such food, food products, and beverages sold through such machines, which cost for the purpose of this subdivision shall be the gross proceeds of sale of such business.
(d) The taxes provided for by subsection (c) shall be subject to all definitions, exceptions, exemptions, proceedings, requirements, rules, regulations, provisions, discounts, penalties, fines, punishments, and deductions that are applicable to the taxes levied by the state sales tax statutes, except where inapplicable or where herein otherwise provided, including all provision of the state sales tax statutes for enforcement and collection of taxes.
(e) The governing body of the county is hereby authorized to levy and impose excise taxes on the storage, use, or other consumption in the county of the following:
(1) Tangible personal property (not including materials and supplies bought for use in fulfilling a contract for the painting, repairing, or reconditioning of vessels, barges, ships, and other watercraft of more than 50 tons burden) purchased at retail on or after March 28, 1986, for storage, use, or other consumption in Butler County, except as provided in subdivisions (2), (3), and (4) at the rate of one percent of the sale price of such property.
(2) Any machines used in mining, quarrying, compounding, processing, and manufacturing of tangible personal property purchased at retail on or after March 28, 1986, at the rate of one fifth percent of the sales price of any such machine; provided, that the term “machine” as herein used, shall include machinery which is used for mining, quarrying, compounding, processing, or manufacturing tangible personal property, and the parts of such machines, attachments, and replacements therefor, which are made or manufactured for use on or in the operation of such machines and which are necessary to the operation of such machines and are customarily so used.
(3) Any automotive vehicle or truck tailer, semitrailer, or house trailer purchased at retail on or after March 28, 1986, for storage, use, or other consumption in Butler County at the rate of one fifth percent of the sales price of such automotive vehicle, truck trailer, semitrailer, or house trailer. Where any used automotive vehicle, truck trailer, semitrailer, or house trailer is taken in trade, or in a series of trades, as a credit or part payment on the sale of a new or used vehicle, the tax levied herein shall be paid on the net difference, that is, the price of the new or used vehicle sold less the credit for the used vehicle taken in trade.
(4) Any machine, machinery, or equipment which is used in planting, cultivating, and harvesting farm products, or used in connection with the production of agricultural produce or products, livestock, or poultry on farms, and the parts of such machines, machinery, or equipment, attachments, and replacements therefor which are made or manufactured for use on or in the operation of such machine, machinery, or equipment, and which are necessary to and customarily used in the operation of such machine, machinery, or equipment, which is purchased at retail after March 28, 1986, for the storage, use, or other consumption in Butler County at the rate of one fifth percent of the sales price of such property; regardless of whether the retailer is or is not engaged in the business in this county. Provided, however, the one fifth percent rate herein prescribed with respect to parts, attachments, and replacements shall not apply to any automotive vehicle or trailer designed primarily for public highway use, except farm trailers used primarily in the production and harvesting of agricultural commodities. Where any used machine, machinery, or equipment which is used in planting, cultivating, and harvesting farm products or used in connection with the production of agricultural produce or products, livestock, and poultry on farms is taken in trade or in a series of trades as a credit or part payment on a sale of a new or used machine, machinery, or equipment, the tax levied herein shall be paid on the net difference, that is, the price of the new or used machine, machinery, or equipment sold, less the credit for the used machine, machinery, or equipment taken in trade.
(f) The taxes provided for by subsection (e) shall be subject to all definitions, exceptions, exemptions, proceedings, requirements, rules, regulations, provisions, discounts, penalties, fines, punishments, and deductions that are applicable to the taxes levied by the state use tax statutes except where inapplicable or where herein otherwise provided including all provisions of the state use tax statutes for enforcement and collection of taxes.
(g) The sales taxes authorized to be levied in subsection (c) shall be paid to and collected by the State Department of Revenue at the same time as and along with the payment and collection of the state sales tax; and the use taxes authorized to be levied in subsection (e) shall be paid and collected by the State Department of Revenue at the same time as and along with the payment and collection of the state use tax.
(h) The taxes authorized to be imposed by this section shall constitute a debt due the county and may be collected by civil suit, in addition to all other methods provided by law and in this section. The taxes, together with interest and penalties with respect thereto, shall constitute and be secured by a lien upon the property of any person from whom the taxes are due or who is required to collect the taxes. All the provisions of the revenue laws of the state which apply to the enforcement of liens for license taxes due the state shall apply fully to the collection of the taxes herein authorized to be levied, and the State Department of Revenue, for the use and benefit of the county, shall collect such taxes and enforce this section and shall have and exercise for such collection and enforcement all rights and remedies that the State Department of Revenue has for collection of the state sales tax and the state use tax. The State Department of Revenue shall have full authority to employ such special counsel as it deems necessary from time to time to enforce collection of the taxes authorized to be levied by this section and otherwise to enforce the provisions of this section, including the institution, prosecution, and defense of any litigation involving this section; and the Department shall pay such special counsel such fees as it deems necessary and proper from the proceeds of the taxes collected by it hereunder.
(i) All provisions of the state sales tax statutes with respect to payment, assessment, and collection of the state sales tax, making of monthly reports, and keeping and preserving records with respect thereto, interest after the due date of the tax, penalties for failure to pay the tax, make reports or otherwise comply with the state sales tax statutes, the promulgation of rules and regulations with respect to the state sales tax, and the administration and enforcement of the state sales tax statutes, which are not inconsistent with this section, when applied to the sales tax authorized to be levied in subsection (c), shall apply to the sales tax authorized to be levied in subsection (c) and all provisions of the state use tax statutes with respect to payment, assessment, and collection of the state use tax, making quarterly reports, and keeping and preserving records with respect thereto, interest after the due date of the state use tax, penalties for failure to pay the tax, make reports or otherwise to comply with the state use tax statutes, the promulgation of rules and regulations with respect to the state use tax and the administration and enforcement of the state use tax statutes, which are not inconsistent with, when applied to the use tax authorized to be levied in this section, shall apply to the use tax authorized to be levied in subsection (e). The Commissioner and the State Department of Revenue shall have and exercise the same powers, duties, and obligations, with respect to the taxes herein authorized to be levied, that are imposed on the commissioner and the department by the state sales tax statutes and the state use tax statutes that are made applicable by this section to the taxes herein authorized to be levied and to the administration of this section are incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof as if fully set forth herein.
(j) The State Department of Revenue shall charge Butler County for collecting the taxes levied under this section such amount or percentage of total collections as may be agreed upon by the Commissioner of Revenue and the Butler County Commission, but such charge shall not, in any event, exceed five percent of the total amount of the taxes collected in the county under this section. Such charge for collecting such taxes may be deducted each month from the gross revenues from such taxes before certification of the amount of the proceeds thereof due Butler County for that month. The Commissioner of Revenue shall pay into the State Treasury all taxes collected under this section, as such taxes are received by the Department of Revenue, and on or before the first day of each successive month (commencing with the month following the month in which the department makes the first collection hereunder) the commissioner shall certify to the State Comptroller the amount of taxes collected under this section and paid by him or her into the State Treasury for the benefit of Butler County during the month immediately preceding such certification. Provided, however, that before certifying the amount of the taxes paid into the State Treasury for the benefit of Butler County during each month, the commissioner may deduct from the taxes collected in the month the charge due the department for the collection of the taxes for the county. It shall be the duty of the State Comptroller to issue his or her warrant each month payable to the Butler County Commission in an amount equal to the amount so certified by the Commissioner of Revenue as having been collected for the use of the county.
(k) The proceeds of any taxes provided for herein shall be paid over by the county within 10 days after their receipt as follows:
(1) Fifty percent shall be paid over to the county board of education;
(2) Fifty percent shall be paid over to the county general fund.

Legislative History

(Act 86-198, p. 254, §§1-10.)