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Public works contract clearance
What is the contract clearance process?
RCW 60.28 mandates that the Department of Revenue certifies that all excise taxes have been paid in full before a public agency releases retainage withheld on public works contracts over $35,000.
When a public works project over $35,000 is completed, the public agency submits a Notice of Completion to the Department of Revenue.
Once the Department receives a Notice of Completion:
- A Reconciliation of Taxes and a copy of the Notice of Completion are sent to the general contractor.
- The contractor completes the Reconciliation of Taxes which details how they reported their income from the project and calculates any additional tax or credit due.
Or - An auditor may be assigned to assist in reviewing the reported project information and completing the reconciliation.
When all excise taxes due on the contract have been paid, a Certificate of Payment is issued by the Department to the public agency with a copy to the contractor. This notifies the public agency that state excise, sales and/or use taxes reported on the project have been paid and the Department is releasing their interest in the retainage.
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