H-2371.1  _______________________________________________

 

                    SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1623

          _______________________________________________

 

State of Washington      56th Legislature     1999 Regular Session

 

By House Committee on Finance (originally sponsored by Representatives Haigh, Cairnes, Reardon and Thomas; by request of Department of Revenue)

 

Read first time 03/08/1999.

  Updating the tax code by making administrative clarifications, correcting oversights, and deleting obsolete references.


    AN ACT Relating to updating the tax code by making administrative clarifications, correcting oversights, and deleting obsolete references; amending RCW 82.04.3651, 82.08.02567, 82.08.0266, 82.08.02665, 82.04.355, 82.12.020, 82.12.02567, 82.12.0282, 82.16.047, 82.32.060, 82.32.070, 82.35.080, 84.36.041, 84.36.350, and 84.36.383; reenacting RCW 82.04.270 and 82.04.270; adding a new section to chapter 82.12 RCW; repealing RCW 84.36.353 and 84.36.485; and providing effective dates.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

 

    Sec. 1.  RCW 82.04.270 and 1998 c 312 s 6 and 1998 c 329 s 1 are each reenacted to read as follows:

    Upon every person except persons taxable under RCW 82.04.260(5) ((or 82.04.332)) engaging within this state in the business of making sales at wholesale; as to such persons the amount of tax with respect to such business shall be equal to the gross proceeds of sales of such business multiplied by the rate of 0.484 percent.

 

    Sec. 2.  RCW 82.04.270 and 1998 c 343 s 2 and 1999 c . . . s 1 (section 1 of this act) are each reenacted to read as follows:

    Upon every person except persons taxable under RCW 82.04.260(5) or 82.04.272 engaging within this state in the business of making sales at wholesale; as to such persons the amount of tax with respect to such business shall be equal to the gross proceeds of sales of such business multiplied by the rate of 0.484 percent.

 

    Sec. 3.  RCW 82.04.3651 and 1998 c 336 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) This chapter does not apply to amounts received by nonprofit organizations, as defined in subsection (2) of this section, for fund-raising activities.

    (2) As used in this section, a "nonprofit organization" means:

    (a) An organization exempt from tax under section 501(c) (3), (4), or (10) of the federal internal revenue code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 501(c) (3), (4), or (10));

    (b) A nonprofit organization that would qualify under (a) of this subsection except that it is not organized as a nonprofit corporation; or

    (c) A nonprofit organization that ((means [meets])) meets all of the following criteria:

    (i) The members, stockholders, officers, directors, or trustees of the organization do not receive any part of the organization's gross income, except as payment for services rendered;

    (ii) The compensation received by any person for services rendered to the organization does not exceed an amount reasonable under the circumstances; and

    (iii) The activities of the organization do not include a substantial amount of political activity, including but not limited to influencing legislation and participation in any campaign on behalf of any candidate for political office.

    (3) As used in this section, the term "fund-raising activity" means ((both activities involving the direct solicitation)) soliciting or  accepting contributions of money or other property ((and)) or activities involving the anticipated exchange of goods or services for money between the soliciting organization and the organization or person solicited, for the purpose of furthering the goals of the nonprofit organization.  "Fund-raising activity" does not include the operation of a regular place of business in which sales are made during regular hours such as a bookstore, thrift shop, restaurant, or similar business or the operation of a regular place of business from which services are provided or performed during regular hours such as the provision of retail, personal, or professional services.  The sale of used books, used videos, used sound recordings, or similar used information products in a library, as defined in RCW 27.12.010, is not the operation of a regular place of business for the purposes of this section, if the proceeds of the sales are used to support the library.

 

    Sec. 4.  RCW 82.08.02567 and 1998 c 309 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) The tax levied by RCW 82.08.020 shall not apply to sales of machinery and equipment used directly in generating electricity using wind, sun, or landfill gas as the principal source of power, or to sales of or charges made for labor and services rendered in respect to installing such machinery and equipment, but only if the purchaser develops with such machinery, equipment, and labor a facility capable of generating not less than two hundred kilowatts of electricity and provides the seller with an exemption certificate in a form and manner prescribed by the department by rule((, and the purchaser provides the department with a duplicate of the certificate or a summary of exempt sales as the department may require)).  The seller shall retain a copy of the certificate for the seller's files.

    (2) For purposes of this section and RCW 82.12.02567:

    (a) "Landfill gas" means biomass fuel of the type qualified for federal tax credits under 26 U.S.C. Sec. 29 collected from a landfill.  "Landfill" means a landfill as defined under RCW 70.95.030;

    (b) "Machinery and equipment" means industrial fixtures, devices, and support facilities that are integral and necessary to the generation of electricity using wind, sun, or landfill gas as the principal source of power;

    (c) "Machinery and equipment" does not include:  (i) Hand-powered tools; (ii) property with a useful life of less than one year; (iii) repair parts required to restore machinery and equipment to normal working order; (iv) replacement parts that do not increase productivity, improve efficiency, or extend the useful life of machinery and equipment; (v) buildings; or (vi) building fixtures that are not integral and necessary to the generation of electricity that are permanently affixed to and become a physical part of a building;

    (d) Machinery and equipment is "used directly" in generating electricity by wind energy, solar, or landfill gas power if it provides any part of the process that captures the energy of the wind, sun, or landfill gas, converts that energy to electricity, and transforms or transmits that electricity for entry into electric transmission and distribution systems.

    (3) This section expires June 30, 2005.

 

    Sec. 5.  RCW 82.08.0266 and 1980 c 37 s 33 are each amended to read as follows:

    The tax levied by RCW 82.08.020 shall not apply to sales to nonresidents of this state for use outside of this state of watercraft requiring coast guard registration or registration by the state of principal use according to the Federal Boating Act of 1958, even though delivery be made within this state, but only when (1) the watercraft will not be used within this state for more than forty-five days and (2) an appropriate exemption certificate supported by identification ascertaining residence as ((provided)) required by the department of revenue and signed by the purchaser or his agent establishing the fact that the purchaser is a nonresident and that the watercraft is for use outside of this state, ((one)) a copy ((to be filed with the department of revenue with the regular report and a duplicate to be)) of which shall be retained by the dealer.

 

    Sec. 6.  RCW 82.08.02665 and 1993 c 119 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

    The tax levied by RCW 82.08.020 does not apply to sales of vessels to residents of foreign countries for use outside of this state, even though delivery is made within this state, but only if (1) the vessel will not be used within this state for more than forty-five days and (2) an appropriate exemption certificate supported by identification as ((provided)) required by ((and filed with)) the department of revenue and signed by the purchaser or the purchaser's agent establishes the fact that the purchaser is a resident of a foreign country and that the vessel is for use outside of this state.  ((One)) A copy of the exemption certificate ((is to be filed with the department of revenue and a duplicate)) is to be retained by the dealer.

    As used in this section, "vessel" means every watercraft used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on the water, other than a seaplane.

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 7.  A new section is added to chapter 82.12 RCW to read as follows:

    The provisions of this chapter shall not apply in respect to the use of amusement and recreation services by a nonprofit youth organization, as defined in RCW 82.04.4271, to members of the organization.

 

    Sec. 8.  RCW 82.04.355 and 1979 c 111 s 17 are each amended to read as follows:

    This chapter does not apply to any funds received in the course of commuter ride sharing or ride sharing for ((the elderly and the handicapped)) persons with special transportation needs in accordance with RCW 46.74.010.

 

    Sec. 9.  RCW 82.12.020 and 1998 c 332 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) There is hereby levied and there shall be collected from every person in this state a tax or excise for the privilege of using within this state as a consumer:  (a) Any article of tangible personal property purchased at retail, or acquired by lease, gift, repossession, or bailment, or extracted or produced or manufactured by the person so using the same, or otherwise furnished to a person engaged in any business taxable under RCW 82.04.280 (2) or (7); or (b) any canned software, regardless of the method of delivery, but excluding canned software that is either provided free of charge or is provided for temporary use in viewing information, or both((; or (c) any amusement or recreation service defined as a retail sale in RCW 82.04.050(3)(a))).

    (2) This tax shall apply to the use of every service defined as a retail sale in RCW 82.04.050(3)(a) and the use of every article of tangible personal property, including property acquired at a casual or isolated sale, and including byproducts used by the manufacturer thereof, except as hereinafter provided, irrespective of whether the article or similar articles are manufactured or are available for purchase within this state.

    (3) Except as provided in RCW 82.12.0252, payment by one purchaser or user of tangible personal property or service of the tax imposed by chapter 82.08 or 82.12 RCW shall not have the effect of exempting any other purchaser or user of the same property or service from the taxes imposed by such chapters.

    (4) The tax shall be levied and collected in an amount equal to the value of the article used by the taxpayer multiplied by the rate in effect for the retail sales tax under RCW 82.08.020.

 

    Sec. 10.  RCW 82.12.02567 and 1998 c 309 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) The provisions of this chapter shall not apply with respect to machinery and equipment used directly in generating not less than two hundred kilowatts of electricity using wind, sun, or landfill gas as the principal source of power((, but only when the user provides the department with:

    (a) An exemption certificate in a form and manner prescribed by the department within sixty days of the first use of such machinery and equipment in this state; or

    (b) An annual summary listing the machinery and equipment by January 31st of the year following the calendar year in which the machinery and equipment is first used in this state)).

    (2) The definitions in RCW 82.08.02567 apply to this section.

    (3) This section expires June 30, 2005.

 

    Sec. 11.  RCW 82.12.0282 and 1996 c 88 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

    The tax imposed by this chapter shall not apply with respect to the use of passenger motor vehicles used as ride-sharing vehicles((, as defined in RCW 46.74.010(3),)) by not less than five persons, including the driver, with a gross vehicle weight not to exceed 10,000 pounds where the primary usage is for commuter ride-sharing, as defined in RCW 46.74.010(((1))), by not less than four persons including the driver when at least two of those persons are confined to wheelchairs when riding, or passenger motor vehicles where the primary usage is for ride-sharing for ((the elderly and the handicapped)) persons with special transportation needs, as defined in RCW 46.74.010(((2))), if the vehicles are exempt under RCW 82.44.015 for thirty-six consecutive months beginning within thirty days of application for exemption under this section.  If used as a ride-sharing vehicle for less than thirty-six consecutive months, the registered owner of one of these vehicles shall notify the department of revenue upon termination of primary use of the vehicle as a ride-sharing vehicle and is liable for the tax imposed by this chapter.

    To qualify for the tax exemption, those passenger motor vehicles with five or six passengers, including the driver, used for commuter ride-sharing, must be operated either within the state's eight largest counties that are required to develop commute trip reduction plans as directed by chapter 70.94 RCW or in other counties, or cities and towns within those counties, that elect to adopt and implement a commute trip reduction plan.  Additionally at least one of the following conditions must apply:  (1) The vehicle must be operated by a public transportation agency for the general public; or (2) the vehicle must be used by a major employer, as defined in RCW 70.94.524 as an element of its commute trip reduction program for their employees; or (3) the vehicle must be owned and operated by individual employees and must be registered either with the employer as part of its commute trip reduction program or with a public transportation agency serving the area where the employees live or work.  Individual employee owned and operated motor vehicles will require certification that the vehicle is registered with a major employer or a public transportation agency.  Major employers who own and operate motor vehicles for their employees must certify that the commuter ride-sharing arrangement conforms to a carpool/vanpool element contained within their commute trip reduction program.

 

    Sec. 12.  RCW 82.16.047 and 1979 c 111 s 18 are each amended to read as follows:

    This chapter does not apply to any funds received in the course of commuter ride sharing or ride sharing for ((the elderly and the handicapped in accordance with RCW 46.74.010)) persons with special transportation needs in accordance with RCW 46.74.010.

 

    Sec. 13.  RCW 82.32.060 and 1997 c 157 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) If, upon receipt of an application by a taxpayer for a refund or for an audit of the taxpayer's records, or upon an examination of the returns or records of any taxpayer, it is determined by the department that within the statutory period for assessment of taxes, penalties, or interest prescribed by RCW 82.32.050 any amount of tax, penalty, or interest has been paid in excess of that properly due, the excess amount paid within, or attributable to, such period shall be credited to the taxpayer's account or shall be refunded to the taxpayer, at the taxpayer's option.  Except as provided in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, no refund or credit shall be made for taxes, penalties, or interest paid more than four years prior to the beginning of the calendar year in which the refund application is made or examination of records is completed.

    (2) The execution of a written waiver under RCW 82.32.050 or 82.32.100 shall extend the time for making a refund or credit of any taxes paid during, or attributable to, the years covered by the waiver if, prior to the expiration of the waiver period, an application for refund of such taxes is made by the taxpayer or the department discovers a refund or credit is due.

    (3) Notwithstanding the foregoing limitations there shall be refunded or credited to taxpayers engaged in the performance of United States government contracts or subcontracts the amount of any tax paid, measured by that portion of the amounts received from the United States, which the taxpayer is required by contract or applicable federal statute to refund or credit to the United States, if claim for such refund is filed by the taxpayer with the department within one year of the date that the amount of the refund or credit due to the United States is finally determined and filed within four years of the date on which the tax was paid:  PROVIDED, That no interest shall be allowed on such refund.

    (4) Any such refunds shall be made by means of vouchers approved by the department and by the issuance of state warrants drawn upon and payable from such funds as the legislature may provide.  However, taxpayers who are required to pay taxes by electronic funds transfer under RCW 82.32.080 shall have any refunds paid by electronic funds transfer.

    (5) Any judgment for which a recovery is granted by any court of competent jurisdiction, not appealed from, for tax, penalties, and interest which were paid by the taxpayer, and costs, in a suit by any taxpayer shall be paid in the same manner, as provided in subsection (4) of this section, upon the filing with the department of a certified copy of the order or judgment of the court.

    (a) Interest at the rate of three percent per annum shall be allowed by the department and by any court on the amount of any refund, credit, or other recovery allowed to a taxpayer for taxes, penalties, or interest paid by the taxpayer before January 1, 1992.  This rate of interest shall apply for all interest allowed through December 31, 1998.  Interest allowed after December 31, 1998, shall be computed at the rate as computed under RCW 82.32.050(2).  The rate so computed shall be adjusted on the first day of January of each year for use in computing interest for that calendar year.

    (b) For refunds or credits of amounts paid or other recovery allowed to a taxpayer after December 31, 1991, the rate of interest shall be the rate as computed for assessments under RCW 82.32.050(2) less one percent.  This rate of interest shall apply for all interest allowed through December 31, 1998.  Interest allowed after December 31, 1998, shall be computed at the rate as computed under RCW 82.32.050(2).  The rate so computed shall be adjusted on the first day of January of each year for use in computing interest for that calendar year.

 

    Sec. 14.  RCW 82.32.070 and 1997 c 54 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1)(((a))) Every person liable for any fee or tax imposed by chapters 82.04 through 82.27 RCW shall keep and preserve, for a period of five years, suitable records as may be necessary to determine the amount of any tax for which he may be liable, which records shall include copies of all federal income tax and state tax returns and reports made by him.  All his books, records, and invoices shall be open for examination at any time by the department of revenue.  In the case of an out-of-state person or concern which does not keep the necessary books and records within this state, it shall be sufficient if it produces within the state such books and records as shall be required by the department of revenue, or permits the examination by an agent authorized or designated by the department of revenue at the place where such books and records are kept.  Any person who fails to comply with the requirements of this section shall be forever barred from questioning, in any court action or proceedings, the correctness of any assessment of taxes made by the department of revenue based upon any period for which such books, records, and invoices have not been so kept and preserved.

    (((b))) (2) A person liable for any fee or tax imposed by chapters 82.04 through 82.27 RCW who contracts with another person or entity for work subject to chapter 18.27 or 19.28 RCW shall obtain and preserve a record of the unified business identifier account number for the person or entity performing the work.  Failure to obtain or maintain the record is subject to RCW 39.06.010 and to a penalty determined by the director, but not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars.  The department shall notify the taxpayer and collect the penalty in the same manner as penalties under RCW 82.32.100.

    (((2) Any person claiming a credit against the tax imposed by chapter 82.04 RCW by reason of the provisions of RCW 82.04.435 shall keep and preserve until the claim has been verified or allowed by the department of revenue sufficient books, records and invoices to prove the right to and amount of such claim for credit, and no such claim shall be allowed by the department of revenue unless such books, records and invoices have been kept and preserved.))

 

    Sec. 15.  RCW 82.35.080 and 1996 c 186 s 522 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, the department shall revoke any certificate issued under this chapter if it finds that any of the following have occurred with respect to the certificate:

    (a) The certificate was obtained by fraud or deliberate misrepresentation;

    (b) The certificate was obtained through the use of inaccurate data but without any intention to commit fraud or misrepresentation;

    (c) The facility was constructed or operated in violation of any provision of this chapter or provision imposed by the department as a condition of certification; or

    (d) The cogeneration facility is no longer capable of being operated for the primary purpose of cogeneration.

    (2) If the department finds that there are few inaccuracies under subsection (1)(b) of this section and that cumulatively they are insignificant in terms of the cost or operation of the facility or that the inaccurate data is not attributable to carelessness or negligence and its inclusion was reasonable under the circumstances, then the department may provide for the continuance of the certificate and whatever modification it considers in the public interest.

    (3) Any person, firm, corporation, or organization that obtains a certificate revoked under this section shall be liable for the total amount of money saved by claiming the credits and exemptions provided under this chapter ((and RCW 84.36.485)).  The total amount of the credits shall be collected as delinquent business and occupation taxes, and the total of the exemptions shall be collected and distributed as delinquent property taxes.  Interest shall accrue on the amounts of the credits and exemptions from the date the taxes were otherwise due.

    (4) The department of community, trade, and economic development shall provide technical assistance to the department in carrying out its responsibilities under this section.

 

    Sec. 16.  RCW 84.36.041 and 1998 c 311 s 20 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) All real and personal property used by a nonprofit home for the aging that is reasonably necessary for the purposes of the home is exempt from taxation if the benefit of the exemption inures to the home and:

    (a) At least fifty percent of the occupied dwelling units in the home are occupied by eligible residents; or

    (b) The home is subsidized under a federal department of housing and urban development program.  The department of revenue shall provide by rule a definition of homes eligible for exemption under this subsection (b), consistent with the purposes of this section.

    (2) All real and personal property used by a nonprofit home for the aging that is reasonably necessary for the purposes of the home is exempt from taxation if the benefit of the exemption inures to the home and the construction, rehabilitation, acquisition, or refinancing of the home is financed under a program using bonds exempt from federal income tax if at least seventy-five percent of the total amount financed uses the tax exempt bonds and the financing program requires the home to reserve a percentage of all dwelling units so financed for low-income residents.  The initial term of the exemption under this subsection shall equal the term of the tax exempt bond used in connection with the financing program, or the term of the requirement to reserve dwelling units for low-income residents, whichever is shorter.  If the financing program involves less than the entire home, only those dwelling units included in the financing program are eligible for total exemption.  The department of revenue shall provide by rule the requirements for monitoring compliance with the provisions of this subsection and the requirements for exemption including:

    (a) The number or percentage of dwelling units required to be occupied by low-income residents, and a definition of low income;

    (b) The type and character of the dwelling units, whether independent units or otherwise; and

    (c) Any particular requirements for continuing care retirement communities.

    (3) A home for the aging is eligible for a partial exemption on the real property and a total exemption for the home's personal property if the home does not meet the requirements of subsection (1) of this section because fewer than fifty percent of the occupied dwelling units are occupied by eligible residents, as follows:

    (a) A partial exemption shall be allowed for each dwelling unit in a home occupied by a resident requiring assistance with activities of daily living.

    (b) A partial exemption shall be allowed for each dwelling unit in a home occupied by an eligible resident.

    (c) A partial exemption shall be allowed for an area jointly used by a home for the aging and by a nonprofit organization, association, or corporation currently exempt from property taxation under one of the other provisions of this chapter.  The shared area must be reasonably necessary for the purposes of the nonprofit organization, association, or corporation exempt from property taxation under one of the other provisions of this chapter, such as kitchen, dining, and laundry areas.

    (d) The amount of exemption shall be calculated by multiplying the assessed value of the property reasonably necessary for the purposes of the home, less the assessed value of any area exempt under (c) of this subsection, by a fraction.  The numerator of the fraction is the number of dwelling units occupied by eligible residents and by residents requiring assistance with activities of daily living.  The denominator of the fraction is the total number of occupied dwelling units as of January 1st of the year for which exemption is claimed.

    (4) To be exempt under this section, the property must be used exclusively for the purposes for which the exemption is granted, except as provided in RCW 84.36.805.

    (5) A home for the aging is exempt from taxation only if the organization operating the home is exempt from income tax under section 501(c) of the federal internal revenue code as existing on January 1, 1989, or such subsequent date as the director may provide by rule consistent with the purposes of this section.

    (6) In order for the home to be eligible for exemption under subsections (1)(a) and (((2))) (3)(b) of this section, each eligible resident of a home for the aging shall submit an income verification form to the county assessor by July 1st of the assessment year in which the application for exemption is ((made)) filed.  The income verification form shall be prescribed and furnished by the department of revenue.  An eligible resident who has filed a form for a previous year need not file a new form until there is a change in status affecting the person's eligibility.

    (7) In determining the assessed value of a home for the aging for purposes of the partial exemption provided by subsection (3) of this section, the assessor shall apply the computation method provided by RCW 84.34.060 and shall consider only the use to which such property is applied during the years for which such partial exemptions are available and shall not consider potential uses of such property.

    (8) As used in this section:

    (a) "Eligible resident" means a person who:

    (i) Occupied the dwelling unit as a principal place of residence as of January 1st of the year for which the exemption is ((claimed)) filed.  Confinement of the person to a hospital or nursing home does not disqualify the claim of exemption if the dwelling unit is temporarily unoccupied or if the dwelling unit is occupied by a spouse, a person financially dependent on the claimant for support, or both; and

    (ii) Is sixty-one years of age or older on December 31st of the year in which the exemption claim is filed, or is, at the time of filing, retired from regular gainful employment by reason of physical disability.  Any surviving spouse of a person who was receiving an exemption at the time of the person's death shall qualify if the surviving spouse is fifty-seven years of age or older and otherwise meets the requirements of this subsection; and

    (iii) Has a combined disposable income of no more than the greater of twenty-two thousand dollars or eighty percent of the median income adjusted for family size as most recently determined by the federal department of housing and urban development for the county in which the person resides.  For the purposes of determining eligibility under this section, a "cotenant" means a person who resides with an eligible resident and who shares personal financial resources with the eligible resident.

    (b) "Combined disposable income" means the disposable income of the person submitting the income verification form, plus the disposable income of his or her spouse, and the disposable income of each cotenant occupying the dwelling unit for the preceding calendar year, less amounts paid by the person submitting the income verification form or his or her spouse or cotenant during the previous year for the treatment or care of either person received in the dwelling unit or in a nursing home.  If the person submitting the income verification form was retired for two months or more of the preceding year, the combined disposable income of such person shall be calculated by multiplying the average monthly combined disposable income of such person during the months such person was retired by twelve.  If the income of the person submitting the income verification form is reduced for two or more months of the preceding year by reason of the death of the person's spouse, the combined disposable income of such person shall be calculated by multiplying the average monthly combined disposable income of such person after the death of the spouse by twelve.

    (c) "Disposable income" means adjusted gross income as defined in the federal internal revenue code, as amended prior to January 1, 1989, or such subsequent date as the director may provide by rule consistent with the purpose of this section, plus all of the following items to the extent they are not included in or have been deducted from adjusted gross income:

    (i) Capital gains, other than ((nonrecognized gain on the sale of a principal residence under section 1034 of the federal internal revenue code, or)) gain excluded from income under section 121 of the federal internal revenue code to the extent it is reinvested in a new principal residence;

    (ii) Amounts deducted for loss;

    (iii) Amounts deducted for depreciation;

    (iv) Pension and annuity receipts;

    (v) Military pay and benefits other than attendant-care and medical-aid payments;

    (vi) Veterans benefits other than attendant-care and medical-aid payments;

    (vii) Federal social security act and railroad retirement benefits;

    (viii) Dividend receipts; and

    (ix) Interest received on state and municipal bonds.

    (d) "Resident requiring assistance with activities of daily living" means a person who requires significant assistance with the activities of daily living and who would be at risk of nursing home placement without this assistance.

    (e) "Home for the aging" means a residential housing facility that (i) provides a housing arrangement chosen voluntarily by the resident, the resident's guardian or conservator, or another responsible person; (ii) has only residents who are at least sixty-one years of age or who have needs for care generally compatible with persons who are at least sixty-one years of age; and (iii) provides varying levels of care and supervision, as agreed to at the time of admission or as determined necessary at subsequent times of reappraisal.

    (9) A for-profit home for the aging that converts to nonprofit status after June 11, 1992, and would otherwise be eligible for tax exemption under this section may not receive the tax exemption until five years have elapsed since the conversion.  The exemption shall then be ratably granted over the next five years.

 

    Sec. 17.  RCW 84.36.350 and 1975 1st ex.s. c 3 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) The following property shall be exempt from taxation:

    (a) Real or personal property owned and used by a nonprofit corporation in connection with the operation of a sheltered workshop for handicapped persons, and used primarily in connection with the manufacturing and the handling, sale or distribution of goods constructed, processed, or repaired in such workshops or centers; and

    (b) Inventory owned by a sheltered workshop for sale or lease by the sheltered workshop or to be furnished under a contract of service, including raw materials, work in process, and finished products.

    (2) Unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context, "sheltered workshop" means a rehabilitation facility, or that part of a rehabilitation facility operated by a nonprofit corporation, where any manufacture or handiwork is carried on and operated for the primary purpose of:  (a) Providing gainful employment or rehabilitation services to the handicapped as an interim step in the rehabilitation process for those who cannot be readily absorbed in the competitive labor market or during such time as employment opportunities for them in the competitive labor market do not exist; or (b) providing evaluation and work adjustment services for handicapped individuals.

 

    Sec. 18.  RCW 84.36.383 and 1995 1st sp.s. c 8 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

    As used in RCW 84.36.381 through 84.36.389, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

    (1) The term "residence" ((shall)) means a single family dwelling unit whether such unit be separate or part of a multiunit dwelling, including the land on which such dwelling stands not to exceed one acre.  The term shall also include a share ownership in a cooperative housing association, corporation, or partnership if the person claiming exemption can establish that his or her share represents the specific unit or portion of such structure in which he or she resides.  The term shall also include a single family dwelling situated upon lands the fee of which is vested in the United States or any instrumentality thereof including an Indian tribe or in the state of Washington, and notwithstanding the provisions of RCW 84.04.080 and 84.04.090, such a residence shall be deemed real property.

    (2) The term "real property" shall also include a mobile home which has substantially lost its identity as a mobile unit by virtue of its being fixed in location upon land owned or leased by the owner of the mobile home and placed on a foundation (posts or blocks) with fixed pipe, connections with sewer, water, or other utilities((:  PROVIDED, That)).  A mobile home located on land leased by the owner of the mobile home ((shall be)) is subject, for tax billing, payment, and collection purposes, only to the personal property provisions of chapter 84.56 RCW and RCW 84.60.040.

    (3) "Department" ((shall)) means the state department of revenue.

    (4) "Combined disposable income" means the disposable income of the person claiming the exemption, plus the disposable income of his or her spouse, and the disposable income of each cotenant occupying the residence for the assessment year, less amounts paid by the person claiming the exemption or his or her spouse during the assessment year for:

    (a) Drugs supplied by prescription of a medical practitioner authorized by the laws of this state or another jurisdiction to issue prescriptions; and

    (b) The treatment or care of either person received in the home or in a nursing home.

    (5) "Disposable income" means adjusted gross income as defined in the federal internal revenue code, as amended prior to January 1, 1989, or such subsequent date as the director may provide by rule consistent with the purpose of this section, plus all of the following items to the extent they are not included in or have been deducted from adjusted gross income:

    (a) Capital gains, other than ((nonrecognized gain on the sale of a principal residence under section 1034 of the federal internal revenue code, or)) gain excluded from income under section 121 of the federal internal revenue code to the extent it is reinvested in a new principal residence;

    (b) Amounts deducted for loss;

    (c) Amounts deducted for depreciation;

    (d) Pension and annuity receipts;

    (e) Military pay and benefits other than attendant-care and medical-aid payments;

    (f) Veterans benefits other than attendant-care and medical-aid payments;

    (g) Federal social security act and railroad retirement benefits;

    (h) Dividend receipts; and

    (i) Interest received on state and municipal bonds.

    (6) "Cotenant" means a person who resides with the person claiming the exemption and who has an ownership interest in the residence.

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 19.  The following acts or parts of acts are each repealed:

    (1) RCW 84.36.353 (Property owned or used for sheltered workshops for handicapped--Shelter workshop defined) and 1998 c 311 s 22 & 1970 ex.s. c 81 s 2; and

    (2) RCW 84.36.485 (Cogeneration facilities--Claims for exemption--Forms--Verification--Administrative rules) and 1979 ex.s. c 191 s 9.

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 20.  Sections 1 and 3 through 19 of this act take effect August 1, 1999.

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 21.  Section 2 of this act takes effect July 1, 2001.

 


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