Any owner whose application for proportional registration has been accepted shall preserve the records on which the application is based for a period of four years following the preceding year or period upon which the application is based. These records shall be complete and shall include, but not be limited to, the following: Copies of proportional registration applications and supplements for all jurisdictions in which the fleet is prorated; proof of proportional or full registration with other jurisdictions; vehicle license or trip permits; temporary authorization permits; documents establishing the latest purchase year and cost of each fleet vehicle in ready-for-the-road condition; weight certificates indicating the unladen, ready-for-the-road, weight of each vehicle in the fleet; periodic summaries of mileage by fleet and by individual vehicles; individual trip reports, driver's daily logs, or other source documents maintained for each individual trip that provide trip dates, points of origin and destinations, total miles traveled, miles traveled in each jurisdiction, routes traveled, vehicle equipment number, driver's full name, and all other information pertinent to each trip. Upon request of the department, the owner shall make the records available to the department at its designated office for audit as to accuracy of records, computations, and payments. The department shall assess and collect any unpaid fees and taxes found to be due the state and provide credits or refunds for overpayments of Washington fees and taxes as determined in accordance with formulas and other requirements prescribed in this chapter. If the owner fails to maintain complete records as required by this section, the department shall attempt to reconstruct or reestablish such records. However, if the department is unable to do so and the missing or incomplete records involve mileages accrued by vehicles while they are part of the fleet, the department may assess an amount not to exceed the difference between the Washington proportional fees and taxes paid and one hundred percent of the fees and taxes. Further, if the owner fails to maintain complete records as required by this section, or if the department determines that the owner should have registered more vehicles in this state under this chapter, the department may deny the owner the right of any further benefits provided by this chapter until any final audit or assessment made under this chapter has been satisfied.

     The department may audit the records of any owner and may make arrangements with agencies of other jurisdictions administering motor vehicle registration laws for joint audits of any such owner. No assessment for deficiency or claim for credit may be made for any period for which records are no longer required. Any fees, taxes, penalties, or interest found to be due and owing the state upon audit shall bear interest at the rate of one percent per month, or fraction thereof, from the first day of the calendar month after the amount should have been paid until the date of payment. If the audit discloses a deliberate and willful intent to evade the requirements of payment under RCW 46.87.140, a penalty of ten percent shall also be assessed.

     If the audit discloses that an overpayment to the state in excess of ten dollars has been made, the department shall certify the overpayment to the state treasurer who shall issue a warrant for the overpayment to the vehicle operator. Overpayments shall bear interest at the rate of eight percent per annum from the date on which the overpayment is incurred until the date of payment.

[1996 c 91 § 2; 1993 c 307 § 15; 1987 c 244 § 44.]

NOTES:

     Effective date -- 1996 c 91: See note following RCW 46.87.150.

     Effective dates -- 1987 c 244: See note following RCW 46.87.010.