(a) The original assessment lists as made out, sworn to, and delivered to the county assessor by any person or property owner of the county and assessment lists made by the county assessor prior to the date on which the assessment rolls are delivered to the county clerk, together with copies of all assessment lists as made out, sworn to, and delivered to the county clerk by the county assessor or any other person after the assessment rolls have been delivered to the county clerk and before the county collector closes his or her books, shall remain in the office of the county assessor for at least four (4) years after the date upon which they shall have been made, during which time the lists shall be filed by the county assessor in such manner that they may be readily referred to and utilized.

(b) Copies of all assessment lists as made by the county assessor or any other person subsequent to the date on which penalty attached for failure to assess and before the assessment record is required to be filed with the county clerk shall be delivered to the county clerk at the same time the assessment record is filed, which lists, together with the original of all assessment lists as may be filed with the county clerk by the county assessor or any other person after the assessment record has been delivered to the county clerk and before the county collector closes his or her books, shall be preserved by the county clerk for the purpose of checking the tax books to determine if all penalties for failure to assess at the proper time have been properly designated and extended.