Tax hearings, investigations, and witness subpoenas

The director may conduct any inquiry, investigation, or hearing relating to any assessment, or the amount of any tax, or the collection of any delinquent tax, including any inquiry or investigation into the financial resources of any delinquent taxpayer of the collectibility of any delinquent tax. The director may administer oaths and take testimony under oath relating to the matter of inquiry or investigation, and subpoena witnesses and require the production of books, papers, documents and records pertinent to such inquiry. If any person disobeys such process or, having appeared in obedience thereto, refuses to answer pertinent questions put to him by the director or to produce any books, papers, documents or records pursuant thereto, the director may apply to the Second Circuit Court setting forth such disobedience to process or refusal to answer; and such court or judge shall cite such person to appear before such court or judge to answer such questions or to produce such books, papers, documents or records, and upon his refusal to do so commit such person to jail until he testifies, but not for a longer period than sixty days. Notwithstanding the serving of the term of commitment by any person, the director may proceed in all respects as if the witness had not previously been called upon to testify. Witnesses, other than the taxpayer or his or its officers, directors, agents and employees, shall be allowed their fees and mileage as in cases in the circuit courts to be paid on vouchers of the County, from any moneys available for expenses of the director. (Ord. 1076 § 3 (part), 1980: prior code § 6-1.4)