A. Each operator shall, on or before the last day of the month following the close of each calendar quarter, or at the close of any shorter reporting period which may be established by the Director of Finance, make a return to the Director of Finance, on forms provided by him, of the total rents charged and received and the amount of tax collected for transient occupancies. At the time the return is filed, the full amount of tax collected shall be remitted to the Director of Finance. The Director of Finance may establish shorter reporting periods for any certificate holder if he deems it necessary in order to insure collection of the tax, and he may require further information in the return. Returns filed or taxes remitted and actually received by the Director of Finance on or before the last day of the month following the close of each calendar quarter shall be deemed timely filed or remitted. Returns filed or taxes remitted by mail shall be deemed timely filed only if the envelope or similar container enclosing the returns or taxes is addressed to the Director of Finance, has sufficient postage and bears a United States postmark or a postage meter imprint prior to midnight on the last day for reporting or remitting without penalty. If such envelope or other container bears a postage meter imprint as well as a United States post office cancellation mark, the latter shall govern in determining whether the filing or remittance is timely.

B. Returns and payments are due immediately upon cessation of business for any reason. All taxes collected by operators pursuant to this chapter shall be held in trust for the account of the City until payment thereof is made to the Director of Finance. All returns and payments submitted by each operator shall be treated as confidential by the Director of Finance and shall not be released by him except upon order of a court of competent jurisdiction or to an officer or agent of the United States, the state of California, the county of San Diego, or the City, for official use only. (Ord. 1471 § 1, 1973; Ord. 1339 § 1; Ord. 986 § 1; prior code § 7.307).