Agenda Date: 10/20/2020
Subject:
Title
Resolution 71-2020: Authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement between the Colorado Department of Revenue and the City of Littleton for the collection of municipal taxes under the Sales and Use Tax Software System
Body
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Prepared by: |
Tiffany Hooten, Finance Director |
PURPOSE:
Does council authorize an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) between the Colorado Department of Revenue and the City of Littleton for the collection of municipal taxes under the Sales and Use Tax Software System?
PRESENTATIONS:
Staff Presenter(s): Tiffany Hooten
Additional Presenter(s): N/A
SUMMARY:
This intergovernmental agreement regarding the Sales and Use Tax Software (SUTS) System will allow Littleton taxpayers to use the State of Colorado’s SUTS system. The SUTS System permits the acceptance of returns and processing of payments for the sales and use tax levied by the state and any local taxing jurisdictions.
PRIOR ACTIONS OR DISCUSSIONS:
N/A
ANALYSIS:
Staff Analysis
The SUTS System is a one-stop portal that allows multiple tasks related to collecting and remitting sales and use tax in an easy, automated and seamless fashion. The system has the following capabilities:
• Single point of remittance and a uniform remittance form
• Taxability and exemption matrix
• Ability to calculate tax rates on items with differing tax rates in the same jurisdiction
• A record of the history of any changes
By joining the State's SUTS system, remittance of sales and use taxes for out of state vendors will be easier, and harder to oppose legally.
If the proposed resolution is approved by the City Council, Littleton will join several other home rule and self-collecting municipalities that are participating in SUTS, including Arvada, Brighton, Englewood, Fort Collins, Golden, Lone Tree, Sheridan, and Colorado Springs. Staff believes that several other municipalities will participate in SUTS.
Council Goal, Objective, and/or Guiding Principle
This ordinance supports Goal 2: Financial Sustainability.
Fiscal Impacts
The proposed IGA may result in a slight increase in sales tax revenues as more taxpayers come into compliance. The anticipated increase in sales tax revenues may not be significant since several larger remote online vendors are already collecting and remitting Littleton sales tax.
Alternatives
An alternative would be to not approve the IGA which would result in Littleton not being able to use the SUTS system to collect sales tax from vendors.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that Council approve the IGA with the State as the benefits are in the City's
and taxpayer's favor.
PROPOSED MOTION:
Proposed Motion
I move to approve the resolution authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement between the Colorado Department of Revenue and the City of Littleton for the collection of municipal taxes under the Sales and Use Tax Software System.