82.38.230 - Delinquency -- Seizure and sale of property -- Notice -- Distribution of excess.

Delinquency — Seizure and sale of property — Notice — Distribution of excess.

Whenever any licensee is delinquent in the payment of any obligation imposed hereunder, and such delinquency continues after notice and demand for payment by the department, the department shall proceed to collect the amount due from the licensee in the following manner: The department shall seize any property subject to the lien of said excise tax, penalty, and interest and thereafter sell it at public auction to pay said obligation and any and all costs that may have been incurred on account of the seizure and sale. Notice of such intended sale and the time and place thereof shall be given to such delinquent licensee and to all persons appearing of record to have an interest in such property. The notice shall be given in writing at least ten days before the date set for the sale by enclosing it in an envelope addressed to the licensee at the licensee's address as the same appears in the records of the department and, in the case of any person appearing of record to have an interest in such property, addressed to such person at his or her last known residence or place of business, and depositing such envelope in the United States mail, postage prepaid. In addition, the notice shall be published for at least ten days before the date set for the sale in a newspaper of general circulation published in the county in which the property seized is to be sold. If there is no newspaper of general circulation in such county, the notice shall be posted in three public places in the county for a period of ten days. The notice shall contain a description of the property to be sold, together with a statement of the amount due under this chapter, the name of the licensee and the further statement that unless such amount is paid on or before the time fixed in the notice the property will be sold in accordance with law.

     The department shall then proceed to sell the property in accordance with the law and the notice, and shall deliver to the purchaser a bill of sale or deed which shall vest title in the purchaser. If upon any such sale the moneys received exceed the amount due to the state under this chapter from the delinquent licensee, the excess shall be returned to the licensee and the licensee's receipt obtained for the excess. If any person having an interest in or lien upon the property has filed with the department prior to such sale, notice of such interest or lien, the department shall withhold payment of any such excess to the licensee pending a determination of the rights of the respective parties thereto by a court of competent jurisdiction. If for any reason the receipt of the licensee is not available, the department shall deposit such excess with the state treasurer as trustee for the licensee or the licensee's heirs, successors, or assigns: PROVIDED, That prior to making any seizure of property as provided for in this section, the department may first serve upon the licensee's bondsperson a notice of the delinquency, with a demand for the payment of the amount due.

[2007 c 218 § 78; 1998 c 176 § 77; 1979 c 40 § 17; 1971 ex.s. c 175 § 24.]

Notes: Intent -- Finding -- 2007 c 218: See note following RCW 1.08.130.