Finance

The earnings you received throughout the course of the year are considered taxable income. You should present the 1099 form to your income tax preparer.

As a vendor who receives payments for goods sold or services rendered, it is required that the City of Lacey keeps your Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN#) on file.

For many years, the City of Lacey conducted periodic on-site public auctions to dispose of obsolete municipal equipment and property, including computers, electronics, office furniture and vehicles. Proceeds from the auctions help defray costs of future purchases. The city now contracts with an online auction service to make purchase of surplus items more convenient to the general public. More info: http://www.ci.lacey.wa.us/city-government/city-departments/finance/other-services/surplus-property-program

The Lacey’s sales tax rate is 9.4 percent. The City of Lacey receives only a small portion of the sales taxes collected. The following is the sales tax distribution* on a one dollar sales transaction:6.5 cents;  State1.9 cents; Local option sales tax** (cities, counties, transit, and others).15 cent; Counties***.85 cent; Cities***
* Based on city sales tax average of 9.4%** 0.2 cents of the total local option sales tax is attributed to the Lacey  Transportation Benefit District*** For sales sourced to unincorporated areas, counties receive the full 1 cent. More info: http://www.ci.lacey.wa.us/city-government/city-departments/finance/taxes-city-finances/sales-tax

The 2020 Lacey assessed value is $7,881,846,863 which is 19.4 percent of Thurston County’s assessed value.

The 2020 levies, collected in 2021, consist of the following: General Levy of $0.9628 per $1,000 of assessed value;Lacey Fire Safety General Obligation Bond Levy of $0.0632 per $1,000 of assessed value; andLacey Parks Improvement General Obligation Bond Levy of $0.0876 per $1,000 of assessed value.
For additional property tax information visit the Thurston County Treasurer’s website: https://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/treasurer/Pages/default.aspx

Yes. The state tax is a separate tax from the city’s. On your state tax report, be sure to show sales made in Lacey. The tax code number for Lacey is 3402.

Not if they meet the definition of wholesale sales as defined in Lacey Municipal Code section 3.02.110.

Contact the Finance Department. Honest mistakes are understandable. We can work with you so that your future returns are correct.

Yes, you must file a return showing zero receipts. However, you may request in writing to file an annual tax return. Once approved, you would need to only file once each year.

Yes. Any work done within the city, regardless of the point of origin, is taxable.

Yes, as of July 1, 2008, Washington State implemented “destination-based sourcing” which translates as the activity takes place and is reported to where the delivery to the buyer occurs. Services are also allocated to the location where the activity takes place. The exception to destination-based sourcing would be if delivery is done solely via common carrier (i.e. USPS, UPS, FedEx, or other commercial common carrier).

No. You would pay tax on the receipts for work within Lacey only. Revenue from retail sale items & services delivered to destinations outside of Lacey city limits is a deductible amount.

As a speculative builder, you are not required to pay B&O tax on the sale of a new home. However, if you have a sales office that sells other items (e.g. T-shirts, hats, etc.) or are paid commission to sell the homes, you are required to pay tax on these items. In either case, a return must still be filed.

Yes. Anyone doing business within the city must be licensed and are subject to the B&O tax. This includes subcontractors, independent contractors, entrepreneurs, etc. If you are an employee of a company, your company is subject to the B&O tax.

You have 15 calendar days from the date the ticket was issued.

The fine will increase by $52, the Department of Licensing will begin the process to suspend your driving privilege. In approximately 60 days, the ticket will be sent to a collection agency where additional fees will be incurred.

If you are unable to pay the fine in full, a monthly payment plan is available. The amount of the monthly payments will be based upon the amount of the fine. A one-time, $10 fee per ticket will be assessed for set up and maintenance of the payment plan. A signed promissory note is required, therefore payment plans should be set up in person.

If you’re going to be a few days late, call and request a short extension. Postmarks are accepted for payment and hearing request date. If your payment is more than 15 days late, without an extension, the ticket will be removed from the payment plan and will be subject to additional penalties and driver’s license suspension. A second payment plan will not be granted.

Cash, check, or money order.

Lacey Violations Bureau contracts with Thurston County District Court (TCDC). Although your initial response will be made to Lacey Violations, the hearing will be held at Thurston County District Court, 2000Ê Lakeridge Dr SW, Olympia 98502.

There are three options printed on the ticket:

• Payment – you can pay in full or request a payment plan.
• Mitigation Hearing – admitting guilt but wanting to explain circumstances and possible reduction of fine.
• Contested Hearing – a statement that you did not commit the infraction and believe it should be dismissed.

There is a possible fourth option, available to those who qualify, called a deferral. A deferral will allow a ticket to remain off of your Department of Licensing driving record. You can only have one deferral, statewide, in any seven year period. Please call the Lacey Violations Bureau for more information and to verify eligibility.

Community service will be considered on a case by case basis. Community service is credited $10/hr toward the fine. To apply, call or visit the Lacey Violations Bureau at 420 College Street SE or (360) 491-3211.

Hearing requests and payments may be made at Lacey City Hall, 420 College Street SE, Lacey, WA 98503 by mail or in person. Deferral requests should be made in person at Lacey City Hall.

Yes. Please call (844) 305-2288

Effective February 1, 2010, Lacey Violations Bureau contracts with Grimm Collections. Their phone numbers are (360) 754-6333 or (800) 584-8908.

Yes, you can set it up online at: http://www.ci.lacey.wa.us/city-government/city-departments/finance/utility-customer-service

Yes, customers may store card information through our website utility billing portal at http://www.ci.lacey.wa.us/city-government/city-departments/finance/utility-customer-service. After you login to your account, simply browse to the digital wallet and store your credit or debit card information. Your account information is not stored in the City of Lacey’s data center, but off site in a cloud server owned by the billing software vendor, so your account information is separate from city servers, and has an added layer of security.

Payments can be made at Lacey City Hall, 420 College St SE, Lacey, WA 98503-1238. Our offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m. A drop box is located in the parking lot for payments after business hours. Payments can also be made using a Visa/Mastercard online at http://www.ci.lacey.wa.us/city-government/city-departments/finance/utility-customer-service
or by calling (360) 491-5616. Payments by phone require you to have your account number ready. Account numbers will not be given out over the telephone.

A leak adjustment will be allowed under the following circumstances:

The Repair occurred with 30 days of notification by the City. No Leak Adjustments have been granted within five (5) years of any previous leak adjustment.The consumption associated with the leak exceeded $50.The source of the leak was not from appliances, fixtures, or from inside the structure.Adequate documentation of the repair and location of the leak is provided. The methodology for a leak adjustment shall be 50 percent of the consumption associated with the leak on ONE bill only. Commercial accounts may be granted credit for the sewer portion of the bill if the water did not enter the sanitary sewer system.

You can easily check for an error in the meter reading used to calculate your bill. Simply read your water meter to see if the reading is higher or lower then the reading on your bill. If it is lower, call Customer Service immediately and we will make the necessary adjustments. If the reading is higher, you should check for a leak in your house plumbing or service line.
Call Utility Billing at (360) 491-5616 for assistance.

You can easily check for an error in the meter reading used to calculate your bill. Simply read your water meter to see if the reading is higher or lower then the reading on your bill. If it is lower, call Customer Service immediately and we will make the necessary adjustments. If the reading is higher, you should check for a leak in your house plumbing or service line.
Call Utility Billing at (360) 491-5616 for assistance.

Any payments made prior to 3:00 p.m. will be restored same day. Payments made after 3:00 p.m. will be restored the next business day. If your water has been shut off, and you have made a payment online, you will need to call and let the staff know at (360) 491-5616.

It’s a base rate on the meter which pays for the reading, maintenance, and billing of your account. Resident means that your house is inside the city limits and non-resident means your house is outside the city limits. Visit About Your Utility Bill for more information.

Yes, however the City of Lacey does not receive funds electronically from all banks. Your bank may mail a check. Please allow 7 to 10 days of lead time if paying through online via your bank.

Yes, all bills are due the 3rd Friday of each month. You have 5 calendar days as a grace period, before penalties are assessed.

The City of Lacey needs a minimum of one business day before you plan to leave in order to get an accurate meter reading.

No, there are no additional fees imposed for paying with a Visa or MasterCard card.

At this time, due dates cannot be changed.

Yes. As long as you are gone for a minimum of six weeks, the city will come out and shut your water off for no charge. While the water is off, you will not be charged for any services. If you are gone for less than six weeks, there is a fee of $12.50.

Yes. Anyone doing business within the city must be licensed and are subject to the B&O tax. This includes subcontractors, independent contractors, entrepreneurs, etc. If you are an employee of a company, your company is subject to the B&O tax.

It depends – in July 2008 Washington State implemented “destination-based sourcing” which translates as the activity takes place and is reported to where the delivery to the buyer occurs. Services are also allocated to the location where the activity takes place. The exception to destination-based sourcing would be if delivery is done solely via common carrier (i.e. USPS, UPS, FedEx, or other commercial common carrier). In the event of the use of a common carrier, the common carrier is required to have a City of Lacey license.

Yes. Engaging in business within the City of Lacey, regardless of the point of origin, requires city licensing. For a more detailed definition of “Engaging in Business” see Lacey Municipal Code (LMC) section 3.02.040.F.

Yes, every business operating in the City of Lacey must register with the city. This includes in-home businesses, in-city businesses (owned & operated in the city), out-of-city businesses that have business transactions in Lacey, and temporary businesses (i.e. fruit stands, Christmas tree lots, any type of mobile unit). Some types of businesses require additional registrations/fees (i.e. tow trucks, taxis, solicitors, etc).

Every business operating in the City of Lacey must be registered with the city. This includes in-home businesses, in-city businesses (owned & operated in the city), out-of-city businesses that have business transactions in Lacey, and temporary businesses (i.e. fruit stands, Christmas tree lots, any type of mobile unit). Some types of businesses require additional registrations/fees (i.e. tow trucks, taxis, solicitors, etc).