(1) The administration of this chapter shall be vested in the Department of Revenue, which has authority to adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to enforce the provisions of this chapter and shall administer and enforce the taxes levied and imposed by this chapter. The Department of Revenue may enter upon the premises of any taxpayer, and examine or cause to be examined by any agent or representative designated by it for that purpose, any books, papers, records, or memoranda bearing upon the amount of taxes payable, and secure other information directly or indirectly concerned in the enforcement of this chapter. Any person, subject to this tax, who shall by any practice or evasion make it difficult to enforce the provisions of this chapter by inspection, or any person, agent or officer, who shall, after demand by the department or any agent or representative designated by it for that purpose, refuse to allow full inspection of the premises or any part thereof, or any books, records, documents, or other instruments in any way relating to the liability of the taxpayer for the tax herein imposed, or shall hinder or in anywise delay or prevent such inspection, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(2) The county comptroller or, if there be none, then the clerk of the circuit court, shall serve ex officio, and the Department of Revenue may appoint others, as agents for the collection of the tax imposed by this chapter. The department may adopt rules and regulations requiring the agents to meet certain standards, including, without limitation, a demonstrated volume of business or a geographical distribution. All agents shall be subject to audit and shall post a bond as may be required by the Department of Revenue. The Department of Revenue may purchase a blanket bond; however, all costs associated with such a bond shall be allocated by department regulation to those agents so bonded. An agent shall be compensated 0.5 percent of the tax collected as collection costs in the form of a deduction from the amount of the tax due and remitted by the agent, and the department shall allow the said deduction to the agent paying and remitting the tax in the manner as provided for by the department. However, no deduction or allowance shall be granted when there is a manifest failure to maintain proper records or make proper reports.
History.—s. 2, ch. 15787, 1931; CGL 1936 Supp. 1279(112), 7473(5); ss. 21, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 104, ch. 71-136; s. 1, ch. 71-344; s. 2, ch. 74-325; s. 1, ch. 76-199; s. 1050, ch. 95-147; s. 10, ch. 96-395; s. 16, ch. 98-200.
Structure Florida Statutes
Title XIV - Taxation and Finance
Chapter 201 - Excise Tax on Documents
201.01 - Documents Taxable, Generally.
201.02 - Tax on Deeds and Other Instruments Relating to Real Property or Interests in Real Property.
201.0201 - Interpretation of S. 201.02.
201.07 - Tax on Bonds, Debentures, and Certificates of Indebtedness.
201.09 - Renewal of Existing Promissory Notes and Mortgages; Exemption.
201.091 - Correction of Prior Error.
201.10 - Certificates of Deposit Issued by Banks Exempt.
201.11 - Administration of Law by Department of Revenue.
201.12 - Duties of Clerks of the Circuit Court.
201.13 - Department of Revenue to Furnish Stamps for Tax for Specified Period.
201.133 - Payment of Tax on Documents Not to Be Recorded; Certificates of Registration.
201.14 - Cancellation of Stamps When Used.
201.15 - Distribution of Taxes Collected.
201.16 - Other Laws Made Applicable to Chapter.
201.165 - Credit for Tax Paid to Other States.
201.17 - Penalties for Failure to Pay Tax Required.
201.18 - Penalties for Illegal Use of Stamps.
201.20 - Penalties for Illegally Avoiding Tax on Notes.
201.21 - Notes and Other Written Obligations Exempt Under Certain Conditions.
201.22 - Financing Statements Under Chapter 679 of the Uniform Commercial Code.
201.23 - Foreign Notes and Other Written Obligations Exempt.
201.24 - Obligations of Municipalities, Political Subdivisions, and Agencies of the State.