Washington § 82.24.120 - Violations — Penalties and interest.

(1) If any person, subject to the provisions of this chapter or any rules adopted by the department of revenue under authority of this section, is found to have failed to affix the stamps required, or to have them affixed as provided in this section, or to pay any tax due under this section, or to have violated any of the provisions of this chapter or rules adopted by the department of revenue in the administration of this chapter, there must be assessed and collected from such person, in addition to any tax that may be found due, a remedial penalty equal to the greater of ten dollars per package of unstamped cigarettes or ten dollars per twenty roll-your-own cigarettes, or two hundred fifty dollars, plus interest on the amount of the tax at the rate as computed under RCW 82.32.050(2) from the date the tax became due until the date of payment, and upon notice mailed to the last known address of the person or provided electronically as provided in RCW 82.32.135. The amount is due and payable in thirty days from the date of the notice. If the amount remains unpaid, the department or its duly authorized agent may make immediate demand upon such person for the payment of all such taxes, penalties, and interest.

(2) The department, for good reason shown, may waive or cancel all or any part of penalties imposed, but the taxpayer must pay all taxes due and interest thereon, at the rate as computed under RCW 82.32.050(2) from the date the tax became due until the date of payment.

(3) The keeping of any unstamped articles coming within the provisions of this chapter is prima facie evidence of intent to violate the provisions of this chapter.

(4) This section does not apply to taxes or tax increases due under RCW 82.24.280.

Reviser's note: In an order on motion for reconsideration and request for stay pending appeal dated September 25, 2006, the United States District Court for the Western District ruled that chapter 14, Laws of 2006 is preempted by the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 1334(b) only in application of the law to cigarette sampling. (Case No. C06-5223, W.D. Wash. 2006.)

Effective date—2012 2nd sp.s. c 4: See note following RCW 82.24.030.

Part headings not law—2007 c 111: See note following RCW 82.16.120.

Finding—Intent—2006 c 14: See note following RCW 70.155.050.

Findings—Intent—Effective date—1996 c 149: See notes following RCW 82.32.050.

Effective date—1995 c 278: See note following RCW 82.24.010.

Effective date—1990 c 267: "This act shall take effect January 1, 1991." [ 1990 c 267 s 3.]

Construction—Severability—1975 1st ex.s. c 278: See notes following RCW 11.08.160.