For the privilege of renting a rental car, on and after August 1, 2020, each renter shall pay a tax in the amount of twelve and one-half percent (12.5%) of the gross rent charged by the operators. The tax constitutes a debt owed by the renter to the city which is extinguished only by payment to the operators or to the city. The renter shall pay the tax to the operators at the time the rent is paid. The operators shall enter the tax on its records when rent is collected if the operators keeps records on the cash accounting basis; and when earned if the operators keeps records on the accrual accounting basis. If the rent is paid in installments, a proportionate share of the tax shall be paid by the renter to the operators with each installment. If for any reason the tax due is not paid to the operators of the commercial agency, the Chief Financial Officer may require that such tax shall be paid directly to the city. In all cases, the rent paid or charged for rental shall exclude the sale of any goods, services and commodities other than the furnishing of rental cars.