Yucca Valley Municipal Code Ch. 3.22 Real Property Documentary Transfer Tax

This Chapter shall be known as the REAL PROPERTY TRANSFER TAX ORDINANCE of the Town. It is adopted pursuant to the authority contained in the Documentary Transfer Tax Act 1 . (Ord. 3, 11-27-1991)

There is imposed on each deed, instrument or writing by which any lands, tenements or other realty sold within the Town shall be granted, assigned, transferred or otherwise conveyed to, or vested in, the purchaser or purchasers, or any other person or persons, by his or their direction, when the consideration or value of the interest or property conveyed (exclusive of the value of any lien or encumbrances remaining thereon at the time of sale) exceeds one hundred dollars ($100.00), a tax at the rate of twenty seven and one-half cents ($0.275) for each five hundred dollars ($500.00) or fractional part thereof. (Ord. 3, 11-27-1991)

Any tax imposed pursuant to Section 3.22.020 of this Chapter shall be paid by any person who makes, signs or issues any document or instrument subject to the tax, or for whose use or benefit the same is made, signed or issued. (Ord. 3, 11-27-1991)

A. Government And Governmental Agencies: The United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof, any state or territory, or political subdivision thereof, or the District of Columbia, shall not be liable for any tax imposed pursuant to this Chapter with respect to any deed, instrument or writing to which it is a party, but the tax may be collected by assessment from any other party liable therefor.

B. Instruments In Writing to Secure Debts: Any tax imposed pursuant to this Chapter shall not apply to any instrument in writing given to secure a debt.

C. Conveyances To Make Effective Plan Of Reorganization Or Adjustment: Any tax imposed pursuant to this Chapter shall not apply to the making, delivering or filing of conveyances to make effective any plan of reorganization or adjustment:

1. Confirmed under the Federal Bankruptcy Act, as amended;

2. Approved in an equity receivership proceeding in a court involving a railroad corporation, as defined in subdivision (m) of section 205 of title 11 of the United States Code, as amended; or

3. Approved in an equity receivership proceeding in a court involving a corporation, as defined in subdivision (3) of section 506 of title 11 of the United States Code, as amended; or

4. Whereby a mere change in identity, form or place or organization is effected.

Subsections C1 to C4, inclusive, of this Section shall only apply if the making, delivery or filing of instruments of transfer or conveyances occurs within five (5) years from the date of such confirmation, approval or change.

D. Make Effective Order Of Securities And Exchange Commission: Any tax imposed pursuant to this Chapter shall not apply to the making or delivery of conveyances to make effective any order of the Securities and Exchange Commission, as defined in subdivision (a) of section 1083 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954; but only if:

1. The order of the Securities and Exchange Commission in obedience to which such conveyance is made recites that such conveyance is necessary or appropriate to effectuate the provisions of section 79k of title 15 of the United States Code, relating to the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935;

2. Such order specifies the property which is ordered to be conveyed;

3. Such conveyance is made in obedience to such order. (Ord. 3, 11-27-1991)

A. In the case of any realty held by a partnership, no levy shall be imposed pursuant to this Chapter by reason of any transfer of an interest in a partnership or otherwise, if:

1. Such partnership (or another partnership) is considered a continuing partnership within the meaning of section 708 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954; and

2. Such continuing partnership continues to hold the realty concerned.

B. If there is a termination of any partnership within the meaning of section 708 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, for purposes of this Chapter, such partnership shall be treated as having executed an instrument whereby there was conveyed, for fair market value (exclusive of the value of any lien of encumbrances remaining thereon), all realty held by such partnership at the time of such termination.

C. Not more than one tax shall be imposed pursuant to this Chapter by reason of a termination described in subsection B of this Section, and any transfer pursuant thereto, with respect to the realty held by such partnership at the time of such termination. (Ord. 3, 11-27-1991)

Each deed, instrument or writing by which lands, tenements or other realty is sold, granted, assigned, transferred or otherwise conveyed shall have noted upon it the tax roll parcel number. The number will be used only for administrative and procedural purposes and will not be proof of title and in the event of any conflicts, the stated legal description noted upon the document shall govern. The validity of such a document shall not be affected by the fact that such parcel number is erroneous or omitted, and there shall be no liability attaching to any person for an error in such number or for omission of such number. The County Recorder shall not accept any deed, instrument or conveyance for recording unless the tax roll parcel number has been noted upon it. A parcel which has been created by the division of an existing parcel and which at the time of recording has no separate parcel number shall have noted upon it the words "portion of" and the parcel number of the parcel from which it was created. (Ord. 3, 11-27-1991)

The County Recorder shall administer this Chapter in conformity with the provisions of California Revenue and Taxation Code part 6.7 of division 2 and the provisions of any County ordinance adopted pursuant thereto. (Ord. 3, 11-27-1991)

Claims for refund of taxes imposed pursuant to this Chapter shall be governed by the provisions of California Revenue and Taxation Code chapter 5 (commencing with section 5096) of part 9 of division 1. (Ord. 3, 11-27-1991)

Any person who makes, signs, issues or accepts or causes to be made, signed, issued or accepted and who submits or causes to be submitted for recordation any deed, instrument or writing subject to the tax imposed by this Chapter and makes any material misrepresentation of fact for the purpose of avoiding all or any part of the tax imposed by this Chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. No person shall be liable civilly or criminally for any unintentional error made in designating the location of the lands, tenements or other realty described in a document subject to the tax imposed by this Chapter. (Ord. 3, 11-27-1991)