§45-8-22. Special licenses; additional taxes; maintenance of records.

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation, other than the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, to sell at retail in Calhoun County any spirituous or vinous liquors without first obtaining a special license from the judge of probate that shall be in addition to all other licenses required by law. The amount of the special license shall be determined by the county commission and shall be levied in the same manner as other county licenses are levied. Licenses required by this subsection shall expire on September 30th following the date of purchase. All proceeds from sales of the special licenses shall be placed in the general fund of the county.

(b) In addition to all other taxes levied on the possession for sale, or the sale, of alcoholic beverages in Alabama, a tax is levied on the possession for sale, or the sale of, spirituous or vinous beverages in Calhoun County in an amount set by the county commission that shall be a percentage of the purchase price of the beverages and shall be levied in the same manner as other county taxes are levied.

(c) The proceeds of the tax imposed by this section less the costs of issuance, shall be paid into the county general fund and shall be distributed as follows:

(1) Twenty-five percent to the city and county boards of education in the county on the same basis as funds are distributed to the board under the minimum program fund laws.

(2) Fifteen percent to the mental health authority serving the county.

(3) Twelve and one-half percent to be apportioned among the municipalities according to their pro rata collections of the taxes.

(4) Thirty-five percent shall be deposited in a special fund and used by the county commission in its discretion for medical and hospital care for the indigent.

(5) Twelve and one-half percent to the general fund of the county to be used for general county purposes.

(d) The tax authorized by this section shall be collected by the judge of probate who shall be solely responsible for the administration of this section. The judge of probate shall also provide rules, regulations, and administrative procedure for the enforcement and collection of the tax levied by this section. It shall be the duty of the sheriff and other local and state law enforcement officers to enforce the provisions of this section.

(e)(1) No later than the 15th day of the first full calendar month immediately following May 15, 1992, and no later than the 20th day of each calendar month thereafter, each alcoholic beverage licensee subject to this section shall file with the judge of probate a record of the amount of each purchase of spirituous and vinous liquor made by the licensee during the month next preceding together with the name and address of the state wholesale store from which the purchase was made, and the date of the purchase, on forms prescribed and supplied by the judge of probate. Any licensee failing to timely file the reports shall be subject to a penalty in an amount equal to 20 percent of the total purchases delinquently filed.

(2) Any licensee failing, refusing, or omitting to file the required records shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and each day the default continues shall constitute a separate offense.

(f)(1) Upon demand by the Calhoun County Judge of Probate or his or her authorized agent, auditor, or representative, any person, firm, or corporation subject to the tax imposed by this section shall furnish, without delay, all information required to determine the correct amount of tax that the person or entity is required to pay under this section. All books of account, invoices, papers, reports, sales receipts, inventories, bank statements, and deposits, and any other information from which the correct amount of tax to be paid may be determined shall be made available during business hours at the place of business of the licensee subject to the tax imposed by this section. Failure or refusal to submit the required information for inspection or examination, upon lawful demand therefor, shall be a Class C misdemeanor, punishable as provided by law.

(2) Any licensee subject to this section who fails to keep and control correct and detailed books of account, invoices, papers, and reports of memoranda that correctly show the date and information necessary for the determination of the correct amount of the tax due, and the required information on sales in the several tax areas, or if, possessing the required information, the licensee fails or refuses to submit and exhibit it for inspection and examination as required, then, the judge of probate may ascertain from the information the amount of tax due from the licensee and assess the tax against the licensee and give notice of the assessment and demand from the licensee immediate payment of the taxes. Failure to pay the taxes within 10 days of receipt of the demand for the taxes shall be a Class C misdemeanor punishable as prescribed by law. Each day of delay in payment shall constitute a separate offense.

(Act 94-465, p. 932, §§1-6; Act 93-535, p. 881, §1.)