(1) Whenever any person has paid a motor vehicle license fee, and together therewith has paid a locally imposed excise tax, and the director determines that the payor is entitled to a refund of the entire amount of the license fee as provided by law, then the payor shall also be entitled to a refund of the entire excise tax collected under the provisions of this chapter. In case the director determines that any person is entitled to a refund of only a part of the license fee so paid, the payor shall be entitled to a refund of the difference, if any, between the excise tax collected and that which should have been collected.

     (2) In case no claim is to be made for the refund of the license fee or any part thereof, but claim is made by any person that he or she has paid an erroneously excessive amount of excise tax, the department shall determine in the manner generally provided in this chapter the amount of such excess, if any, that has been paid and shall certify to the state treasurer that such person is entitled to a refund in such amount.

     (3) In any case where due to error, a person has been required to pay an excise tax pursuant to this chapter and a vehicle license fee pursuant to Title 46 RCW which amounts to an overpayment of ten dollars or more, such person shall be entitled to a refund of the entire amount of such overpayment, regardless of whether or not a refund of the overpayment has been requested. Conversely, if due to error, the department or its agents has failed to collect the full amount of the license fee and excise tax due, which underpayment is in the amount of ten dollars or more, the department shall charge and collect such additional amount as will constitute full payment of the tax.

     (4) Any claim for refund of an erroneously excessive amount of excise tax or overpayment of excise tax with a motor vehicle license fee must be filed with the director within three years after the claimed erroneous payment was made.

     (5) If the department approves the claim it shall notify the state treasurer to that effect, and the treasurer shall make such approved refunds from the general fund and shall mail or deliver the same to the person entitled thereto.

     (6) Any person making any false statement under which he or she obtains any amount of refund to which he or she is not entitled under the provisions of this section is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

     (7) Before a local government subject to this chapter may impose a motor vehicle excise tax, the local government shall contract with the department for reimbursement for any refunds paid to a person by the treasurer.

[2006 c 318 § 8; 2003 c 53 § 403; 1993 c 307 § 3; 1990 c 42 § 307; 1989 c 68 § 2; 1983 c 26 § 3; 1979 c 120 § 2; 1975 1st ex.s. c 278 § 95; 1974 ex.s. c 54 § 4; 1967 c 121 § 2; 1963 c 199 § 5; 1961 c 15 § 82.44.120. Prior: 1949 c 196 § 18; 1945 c 152 § 3; 1943 c 144 § 11; Rem. Supp. 1949 § 6312-125.]

NOTES:

     Reviser's note: See note following RCW 82.44.010.

     Intent -- Effective date -- 2003 c 53: See notes following RCW 2.48.180.

     Purpose -- Headings -- Severability -- Effective dates -- Application -- Implementation -- 1990 c 42: See notes following RCW 82.36.025.

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

     Severability -- Effective dates -- 1974 ex.s. c 54: See notes following RCW 82.48.080.