WSR 97-08-050
PERMANENT RULES
DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
[Filed March 31, 1997, 11:00 a.m.]
Date of Adoption: March 31, 1997.
Purpose: WAC 458-20-101 explains the tax registration and tax reporting requirements for persons engaging in business activities in Washington. WAC 458-20-104 explains Washington's gross receipts tax relief for small business, which is composed of a B&O tax credit system and a maximum income exemption for income subject to the public utility tax. These rules are being amended to implement the statutory changes included in chapter 111, Laws of 1996 (HB 2789).
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 458-20-101 Tax registration and tax reporting and 458-20-104 Small business tax relief based on volume of business.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 82.32.300.
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 96-22-092 on November 6, 1996.
Changes Other than Editing from Proposed to Adopted Version: WAC 458-20-101 only, subsection (5) has been revised to clarify the tax registration requirements of businesses that do business within and without Washington. We have added language to clarify that persons with out-of-state locations should not include income that is not associated with their instate activities in their computations for determining whether they are required to register with the department.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, amended 2, repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, amended 2, repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, amended 2, repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.
Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.
March 31, 1997
Russell W. Brubaker
Assistant Director
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 95-07-089, filed 3/17/95, effective
4/17/95)
WAC 458-20-101 Tax registration and tax reporting. (1)
Introduction. This section explains tax registration and tax reporting
requirements for the Washington state department of revenue as
established in RCW 82.32.030 and 82.32.045. These statutes were amended
by chapter 111, Laws of 1996, effective July 1, 1996. ((It)) This
section discusses who is required to be registered, and who must file
excise tax returns. This section also discusses changes in ownership
requiring a new registration, the administrative closure of taxpayer
accounts, and the revocation and reinstatement of a tax ((registration))
reporting account with the department of revenue. Persons required to
file tax returns should also refer to WAC 458-20-104 (Small business tax
relief based on volume of business).
(2) Persons required to obtain tax registration endorsements.
Except as provided in (a) of this subsection, every person who is engaged
in any business activity for which the department of revenue is
responsible for ((administrating)) administering and/or collecting a tax
or fee, shall apply for and obtain a tax registration endorsement with
the department of revenue. (See RCW 82.32.030.) This endorsement shall
be reflected on the face of the business person's registrations and
licenses document. The tax registration endorsement is nontransferable,
and valid for as long as that person continues in business.
(a) Registration under this section is not required if all of the following conditions are met:
(i) ((A)) The person's value of products, gross proceeds of sales,
or gross income of the business, from all business activities taxable
under chapter 82.04 RCW (business and occupation tax), is less than
twelve thousand dollars per year;
(ii) A person's gross income from all business activities taxable under chapter 82.16 RCW (public utility tax), is less than twelve thousand dollars per year;
(iii) The person is not required to collect or pay to the department of revenue retail sales tax or any other tax or fee which the department is authorized to administer and/or collect; and
(((iii))) (iv) The person is not otherwise required to obtain a
license or registration subject to the master application procedure
provided in chapter 19.02 RCW. For the purposes of this section, the
term "license or registration" means any agency permit, license,
certificate, approval, registration, charter, or any form or permission
required by law, including agency rule, to engage in any activity.
(b) ((Persons subject to the public utility tax (chapter 82.16 RCW)
may be required to obtain a tax registration endorsement even if their
gross income from business activities is less than twelve thousand
dollars per year. RCW 82.16.040 provides a minimum tax reporting
threshold of six thousand dollars per year for the public utility tax.
(See also WAC 458-20-104 on minimum tax reporting thresholds.) Persons
receiving taxable income in excess of this minimum threshold must pay
public utility tax to the department. They do not satisfy (a)(ii) of
this subsection, and therefore must obtain a tax registration
endorsement.
(c))) The term "tax registration endorsement," as used in this
section, has the same meaning as the term "tax registration" or
"certificate of registration" used in Title 82 RCW and other sections of
chapter 458-20 WAC.
(((d))) (c) The term "person" has the meaning given in RCW
82.04.030.
(d) The term "tax reporting account number" as used in this section, is the number used to identify persons registered with the department of revenue.
(3) Requirement to file tax returns. Persons registered with the department must file tax returns and remit the appropriate taxes to the department, unless they are placed on an "active nonreporting" status by the department.
(a) The department may relieve any person of the requirement to file returns by placing the person in an active nonreporting status if all of the following conditions are met:
(i) The person's value of products (RCW 82.04.450), gross proceeds of sales (RCW 82.04.070), or gross income of the business (RCW 82.04.080), from all business activities taxable under chapter 82.04 RCW (business and occupation tax), is less than twenty-four thousand dollars per year;
(ii) The person's gross income (RCW 82.16.010) from all business activities taxable under chapter 82.16 RCW (public utility tax), is less than twenty-four thousand dollars per year; and
(iii) The person is not required to collect or pay to the department retail sales tax or any other tax or fee the department is authorized to collect.
(b) The department will notify those persons it places on an active nonreporting status. (A person may request to be placed on an active nonreporting status if the conditions of (a) of this subsection are met.)
(c) Persons placed on an active nonreporting status by the department are required to timely notify the department if their business activities do not meet any of the conditions explained in (a) of this subsection. These persons will be removed from an active nonreporting status, and must file tax returns and remit appropriate taxes to the department, beginning with the first period in which they do not qualify for an active nonreporting status.
(d) Persons that have not been placed on an active nonreporting status by the department must continue to file tax returns and remit the appropriate taxes.
(4) Examples. The following examples identify a number of facts and then state a conclusion. These examples should be used only as a general guide. The status of each situation must be determined after a review of all of the facts and circumstances.
(((i))) (a) Bob Brown is starting a bookkeeping service. The gross
income of the business is expected to be less than twelve thousand
dollars per year. Due to the nature of the business activities, Bob is
not required to pay or collect any other tax which the department is
authorized to collect.
Bob Brown is not required to apply for and obtain a tax registration endorsement with the department of revenue. The conditions under which a business person may engage in business activities without obtaining the tax registration endorsement have been met. However, if Bob Brown in some future period has gross income which exceeds twelve thousand dollars per year, he will be required to obtain a tax registration endorsement. If Bob's gross income exceeds twenty-four thousand dollars per year, he will be required to file tax returns and remit the appropriate taxes.
(((ii))) (b) Cindy Smith is opening a business to sell books written
for children to local customers at retail. The gross proceeds of sales
are expected to be less than twelve thousand dollars per year.
Cindy Smith must apply for and obtain a tax registration endorsement with the department of revenue. While gross income is expected to be less than twelve thousand dollars per year, Cindy Smith is required to collect and remit retail sales tax.
(((iii) Jane Doe is starting a management consulting business. The
gross income of the business is expected to exceed twelve thousand
dollars per year. However, Jane is starting her business effective
October 1, and expects to earn only ten thousand dollars prior to January
1 of the following year. Jane is not required to pay or collect any
other tax which the department is authorized to collect.
Jane Doe must apply for and obtain a tax registration endorsement
with the department of revenue. Jane Doe expects to earn more than
twelve thousand dollars per year. Jane may not delay obtaining a tax
registration endorsement merely because she does not anticipate earning
more than twelve thousand dollars for the balance (October through
December) of the calendar year.
(3))) (c) Alice Smith operates a taxi-cab service with an average
gross income of eighteen thousand dollars per year. She also owns a
management consulting service with an average gross income of fifteen
thousand dollars per year. Assume that Alice is not required to collect
or pay to the department any other tax or fee the department is
authorized to collect. Alice qualifies for an active nonreporting status
because her taxi-cab income is less than the twenty-four thousand dollar
threshold for the public utility tax, and her consulting income is less
than the twenty-four thousand dollar threshold for the business and
occupation (B&O) tax. If the department of revenue does not first place
her on an active nonreporting status, she may request the department to
do so.
(5) Out-of-state businesses. The B&O and public utility taxes are
imposed on the act or privilege of engaging in business activity within
Washington. RCW 82.04.220 and 82.16.020. Out-of-state persons ((not
satisfying the conditions expressed in subsection (2)(a) of this section
must)) who have established sufficient nexus in Washington to be subject
to Washington's B&O or public utility taxes must obtain a tax
registration endorsement with this department if ((any of the following
circumstances prevail:
(a) The person maintains a place of business in this state.
(b) The person has established sufficient nexus in Washington to
incur a business and occupation or retail sales tax liability in this
state. (Refer to WAC 458-20-193 and 458-20-194.)
(c) The seller has established sufficient nexus in Washington to be
required to collect the use tax on sales made into this state. (See also
WAC 458-20-193 and 458-20-221.)
(d) The out-of-state seller, while not statutorily required to do
so, elects to collect the use tax from its retail customers in this
state)) they do not satisfy the conditions expressed in subsection (2)(a)
of this section. Out-of-state persons required to collect Washington's
retail sales or use tax, or who have elected to collect Washington's use
tax, even though not statutorily required to do so, must obtain a tax
registration endorsement.
(a) Persons with out-of-state business locations should not include income that is disassociated from their instate activities in their computations for determining whether the gross income thresholds provided in subsection (2)(a)(i) and (ii) are satisfied.
(b) Out-of-state persons making sales into or doing business within Washington should also refer to the following sections of chapter 458-20 WAC for a discussion of their tax reporting responsibilities:
(i) WAC 458-20-103 (Time and place of sale);
(ii) WAC 458-20-193 (Inbound and outbound interstate sales of tangible personal property);
(iii) WAC 458-20-193D (Transportation, communication, public utility activities, or other services in interstate or foreign commerce);
(iv) WAC 458-20-194 (Doing business inside and outside the state); and
(v) WAC 458-20-221 (Collection of use tax by retailers and selling agents).
(((4))) (6) Registration procedure. The state of Washington
initiated the unified business identifier (UBI) program to simplify the
registration and licensing requirements imposed on the state's business
community. Completion of the master ((business)) application enables
((the business)) a person to register or license with several state
agencies, including the department of revenue, using a single form. The
((business)) person will be assigned one unified business
((identification)) identifier number, which will be used for all state
agencies participating in the UBI program. The department may assign the
unified business identifier number as the taxpayer's revenue tax
reporting account number, or it may assign a different or additional
number as the revenue tax reporting account number.
(a) ((Business)) Persons completing the master ((business))
application will be issued a registrations and licenses document. The
face of this document will list the registrations and licenses
(endorsements) which have been obtained.
(b) The department of revenue does not charge a registration fee for
issuing a tax registration endorsement. Persons required to complete a
master ((business)) application may, however, be subject to other fees.
(c) While the UBI program is administered by the department of
licensing, master ((business)) applications are available at any
participating UBI ((agency office)) service provider location. The
following agencies of the state of Washington participate in the UBI
program (see RCW 19.02.050 for a more complete listing of participating
agencies):
(i) The office of the secretary of state;
(ii) The department of licensing;
(iii) The department of employment security;
(iv) The department of labor and industries;
(v) The department of revenue.
(((5))) (7) Temporary revenue registration certificate. A temporary
revenue registration certificate may be issued to any person who operates
a business of a temporary nature.
(a) Temporary businesses, for the purposes of registration, are those with:
(i) Definite, predetermined dates of operation for no more than two events each year with each event lasting no longer than one month; or
(ii) Seasonal dates of operation lasting no longer than three
months. However, persons engaging in business activities on a seasonal
basis every year should refer to subsection (((6))) (8) of this section.
(b) Each temporary registration certificate is valid for a single event.
(c) Temporary revenue registration certificates may be obtained by making application at any participating UBI agency office, or by completing a seasonal registration form.
(((6))) (8) Seasonal revenue ((registration)) tax reporting
accounts. Persons engaging in seasonal business activities which do not
exceed two quarterly reporting periods each calendar year may be eligible
for a tax reporting account with a seasonal ((revenue registration
account)) reporting status. This is a permanent account until closed by
the taxpayer. The taxpayer must specify in which quarterly reporting
periods he or she will be engaging in taxable business activities. The
quarterly reporting periods in which the taxpayer is engaging in taxable
business activities may or may not be consecutive, but the same quarterly
period or periods must apply each year. The taxpayer is not required to
be engaging in taxable business activities during the entire period.
The department will provide and the taxpayer will be required to
file tax returns only for the quarterly reporting periods specified by
the taxpayer. Examples of persons which may be eligible for the seasonal
((revenue registration account)) reporting status include persons
operating Christmas tree and/or fireworks stands. Persons engaging in
taxable business activities in more than two quarterly reporting periods
in a calendar year will not qualify for ((a)) the seasonal ((revenue
registration account)) reporting status.
(((7))) (9) Display of registrations and licenses document. The
taxpayer is required to display the registrations and licenses document
in a conspicuous place at the business location for which it is issued.
(((8))) (10) Multiple locations. A registrations and licenses
document is required for each place of business at which a taxpayer
engages in business activities for which the department of revenue is
responsible for ((administrating)) administering and/or collecting a tax
or fee, and any main office or principal place of business from which
excise tax returns are to be filed. This requirement applies to
locations both within and without the state of Washington.
(a) For the purposes of this section, the term "place of business" means:
(i) Any separate establishment, office, stand, cigarette vending machine, or other fixed location; or
(ii) Any vessel, train, or the like, at any of which the taxpayer solicits or makes sales of tangible personal property, or contracts for or renders services in this state or otherwise transacts business with customers.
(b) A taxpayer wishing to report all tax liability on a single
excise tax return may request a separate registrations and licenses
document for each location. The original registrations and licenses
document shall be retained for the main office or principal place of
business from which the returns are to be filed, with additional
documents obtained for all branch locations. All registrations and
licenses documents will reflect the same ((registration)) tax reporting
account number.
(c) A taxpayer desiring to file a separate excise tax return
covering a branch location, or a specific construction contract, may
apply for and receive a separate revenue ((registration)) tax reporting
account number. A registrations and licenses document will be issued for
each ((registration)) tax reporting account number and will represent a
separate account.
(d) A master ((business)) application must be completed to obtain
a separate registrations and licenses document, or revenue
((registration)) tax reporting account number, for a new location.
(((9))) (11) Change in ownership. When a change in ownership of a
business occurs, the new owner must apply for and obtain a new
registrations and licenses document. The original document must be
destroyed, and any further use of the ((registration)) tax reporting
account number for tax purposes is prohibited.
(a) A "change in ownership," for purposes of registration, occurs upon but is not limited to:
(i) The sale of a business by one individual, firm or corporation to another individual, firm or corporation;
(ii) The dissolution of a partnership;
(iii) The withdrawal, substitution, or addition of one or more
partners where the general partnership continues as a business
organization and the change in the ((number)) composition of the partners
is equal to or greater than fifty percent;
(iv) Incorporation of a business previously operated as a
partnership or sole proprietorship; ((or))
(v) Changing from a corporation to a partnership or sole proprietorship; or
(vi) Changing from a corporation, partnership or sole proprietorship to a limited liability company or a limited liability partnership.
(b) For the purposes of registration, a "change in ownership" does not occur upon:
(i) The sale of all or part of the common stock of a corporation;
(ii) The transfer of assets to an assignee for the benefit of creditors or upon the appointment of a receiver or trustee in bankruptcy;
(iii) The death of a sole proprietor where there will be a continuous operation of the business by the executor, administrator, or trustee of the estate or, where the business was owned by a marital community, by the surviving spouse of the deceased owner;
(iv) The withdrawal, substitution, or addition of one or more
partners where the general partnership continues as a business
organization and the change in the ((number)) composition of the partners
is less than fifty percent; or
(v) A change in the trade name under which the business is conducted.
(c) While changes in a business entity may not result in a "change
in ownership," the completion of a new master ((business)) application
may be required to reflect the changes in the registered account.
(((10))) (12) Change in location. Whenever the place of business
is moved to a new location, the taxpayer must notify the department of
the change. A new registrations and licenses document will be issued to
reflect the change in location.
(((11))) (13) Lost registrations and licenses documents. If any
registrations and licenses document is lost, destroyed or defaced as a
result of accident or of natural wear and tear, a new document will be
issued upon request.
(((12))) (14) Administrative closure of taxpayer accounts. The
department may, upon written notification to the taxpayer, close the
taxpayer's tax reporting account and rescind its tax registration
endorsement whenever the taxpayer has reported no gross income((,)) and
there is no indication of taxable activity for two consecutive years, or
the account has been in an active nonreporting status for five years or
more.
The taxpayer may request, within thirty days of notification of
closure, that the account remain open. ((This request must be in writing
and state the reasons why the account should remain active.)) A taxpayer
may also request that the account remain open on an "active nonreporting"
status if the requirements of subsection (3)(a) of this section are met.
The request shall be reviewed by the department and if found to be
warranted, the department will immediately reopen the account. The
following are acceptable reasons for continuing as an active account:
(a) The taxpayer is engaging in business activities in Washington which may result in tax liability.
(b) The taxpayer is required to collect or pay to the department of revenue a tax or fee which the department is authorized to administer and/or collect.
(c) The taxpayer has in fact been liable for excise taxes during the previous two years.
(((13))) (15) Reopening of taxpayer accounts. A business person
choosing to resume business activities for which the department of
revenue is responsible for ((administrating)) administering and/or
collecting a tax or fee, may request a previously closed account be
reopened. The business person must complete a new master ((business))
application. When an account is reopened a new registrations and
licenses document, reflecting a current tax registration endorsement,
shall be issued. Persons requesting the reopening of an account which
had previously been closed due to a revocation action should refer to
subsection (((14))) (16) of this section.
(((14))) (16) Revocation and reinstatement of tax registration
endorsements. Actions to revoke tax registration endorsements must be
conducted by the department pursuant to the provisions of chapter 34.05
RCW, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the taxpayers bill of rights
of chapter 82.32A RCW. Persons should refer to WAC 458-20-10001,
Adjudicative proceedings--Brief adjudicative proceedings--Wholesale and
retail cigarette license revocation/suspension--Certificate of
registration (tax registration endorsement) revocation, for an
explanation of the procedures and processes pertaining to the revocation
of tax registration endorsements.
(a) The department of revenue may, by order, revoke a tax registration endorsement if any tax warrant issued under the provisions of RCW 82.32.210 is not paid within thirty days after it has been filed with the clerk of the superior court, or for any other reason expressly provided by law.
(b) The revocation order will be posted in a conspicuous place at the main entrance to the taxpayer's place of business and must remain posted until the tax registration endorsement has been reinstated. A revoked endorsement will not be reinstated until:
(i) The amount due on the warrant has been paid, or satisfactory arrangements for payment have been approved by the department; and
(ii) The taxpayer has posted with the department a bond or other security in an amount not exceeding one-half the estimated average annual liability of the taxpayer.
(c) It is unlawful for any taxpayer to engage in business after its tax registration endorsement has been revoked.
(((15))) (17) Penalties for noncompliance. The law provides that
any person engaging in any business activity, for which registration with
the department of revenue is required, shall obtain a tax registration
endorsement.
(a) The failure to obtain a tax registration endorsement prior to engaging in any taxable business activity constitutes a gross misdemeanor.
(b) Engaging in business after a tax registration endorsement has been revoked by the department constitutes a Class C felony.
(c) Any tax found to have been due, but delinquent, and any tax unreported as a result of fraud or misrepresentation, may be subject to penalty as provided in chapter 82.32 RCW, WAC 458-20-228 and 458-20-230.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 82.32.300. 95-07-089, 458-20-101, filed
3/17/95, effective 4/17/95; 93-13-126, 458-20-101, filed 6/22/93,
effective 7/23/93; 86-12-015 (Order ET 86-11), 458-20-101, filed
5/27/86; 83-07-032 (Order ET 83-15), 458-20-101, filed 3/15/83; Order
ET 73-1, 458-20-101, filed 11/2/73; Order ET 71-1, 458-20-101, filed
7/22/71; Order ET 70-3, 458-20-101 (Rule 101), filed 5/29/70, effective
7/1/70.]
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 95-07-088, filed 3/17/95, effective
4/17/95)
WAC 458-20-104 Small business tax relief based on volume of
business. (1) Introduction. ((The law provides a business and
occupation (B&O) tax credit for small businesses under certain
conditions. Chapter 2, Laws of 1994, sp. sess., changed the method for
computing the volume of business exemption for B&O taxes from a minimum
tax reporting threshold exemption to a B&O tax credit system. This
change became effective July 1, 1994. This section explains the tax
credit system for B&O tax, and the minimum tax reporting threshold
exemption for the public utility tax. All persons required to obtain,
or having obtained, a tax registration endorsement with the department
of revenue must complete and file an excise tax return with the
department to claim either a B&O small business tax credit, or a public
utility income exemption.)) This section explains the small business B&O
tax credit (RCW 82.04.4451), and the public utility tax income exemptions
(RCW 82.16.040). Chapter 111, Laws of 1996, amended RCW 82.16.040 to
increase the income exemptions for the public utility tax, effective July
1, 1996. (See also WAC 458-20-101 on tax registration and tax reporting
requirements.)
(2) Business and occupation tax. Persons subject to ((the)) B&O tax
may be eligible to claim a small business tax credit against the amount
of B&O tax otherwise due. The B&O tax credit operates completely
independent of the volume exemption which applies to the public utility
tax. This tax credit should be computed after claiming any other B&O tax
credits available under chapter 82.04 RCW, but prior to any credits
provided under other chapters of Title 82 RCW. The maximum amount of
small business tax credit available to a person is thirty-five dollars
multiplied by the number of months in the reporting period assigned by
the department of revenue under the provisions of RCW 82.32.045. The
small business tax credit applies to the entire reporting period, even
though the business may not have been operating during the entire period.
(a) If the amount of B&O tax ((due)) from all activities engaged in
by the taxpayer is equal to or less than the maximum credit, a small
business tax credit equal to the amount of the B&O tax ((liability)) will
be allowed. If the amount of B&O tax ((due)) from all activities is
greater than the maximum credit, a reduced credit may be available. This
reduced credit will be equal to twice the maximum credit minus the B&O
tax otherwise due. The credit cannot be less than zero. RCW 82.04.4451.
(b) Persons having multiple tax reporting accounts are eligible for only one small business tax credit per tax reporting period.
(c) Spouses who operate distinct and separate businesses that have different tax registrations are each eligible for the small business tax credit.
(3) Retail sales tax. Persons making retail sales must collect and
remit all applicable retail sales taxes even if B&O tax is not due.
There is no small business tax credit or volume of business exemption for
retail sales tax ((exemption or tax credit system based upon the volume
of sales)).
(4) Public utility tax. Persons subject to ((the)) public utility
tax are exempt from ((the)) payment of this tax for any reporting period
in which the taxable amount reported under the combined total of all
public utility tax classifications does not equal or exceed the ((minimum
tax reporting threshold)) maximum exemption for the assigned reporting
period. RCW 82.16.040. The ((minimum tax reporting thresholds)) maximum
exemptions for ((the)) public utility tax are:
Monthly reporting basis $((500)) 2,000 per month
Quarterly reporting basis $((1,500)) 6,000 per quarter
Annual reporting basis $((6,000)) 24,000 per annum
If the taxable amount for a reporting period equals or exceeds the
((minimum tax reporting threshold)) maximum exemption, tax must be
remitted on the full taxable amount. The public utility tax ((reporting
thresholds)) maximum exemptions apply to the entire reporting period,
even though the business may not have operated during the entire period.
(5) Tax reporting frequencies. Persons interested in knowing the thresholds used by the department when assigning tax reporting frequencies should refer to WAC 458-20-22801 (Tax reporting frequency--forms).
(6) Examples. The following examples illustrate how the small business B&O tax credit and public utility income exemption systems apply to typical situations. These examples should be used only as a general guide. The tax status of other situations must be determined after a review of all of the facts and circumstances.
(a) JD Inc. has been assigned a quarterly reporting period by the
department of revenue. JD Inc.'s B&O tax liability from all business
activities for the third quarter is ninety dollars. This B&O tax
liability is less than the one hundred five-dollar maximum small business
B&O tax credit available for a quarterly reporting period (three times
the monthly credit amount of thirty-five dollars). JD Inc. may claim a
small business B&O tax credit for the entire ninety-dollar B&O tax
liability.
Maximum Credit available for quarterly
filers (3 x $35) $105
B&O Tax ((due)) $ 90
----
Credit Available $ 90
Net B&O Tax Due 0
(b) HM Corporation has been assigned a quarterly reporting period
by the department of revenue. HM's B&O tax liability from all business
activities for the fourth quarter is one hundred twenty dollars. This
tax liability exceeds the one hundred five-dollar maximum small business
B&O tax credit available for a quarterly period (three times the monthly
credit amount of thirty-five dollars). However, a reduced small business
tax credit is available. This credit is computed by subtracting HM's B&O
tax liability of one hundred twenty dollars from the figure of two
hundred ten dollars (twice the maximum credit available for a quarterly
reporting period). HM Corporation may claim a small business tax credit
of ninety dollars.
Twice the Maximum Credit available for
quarterly filers (2 x $105) $210
Less: B&O Tax ((due)) $120
----
Credit Available $ 90
Net B&O Tax Due $ 30
(c) XY Inc. has been assigned a quarterly reporting period by the
department of revenue. XY's B&O tax liability for the first quarter is
two hundred fifty dollars. As XY's B&O tax liability exceeds the two
hundred ten-dollar figure used to determine any reduced B&O tax credit
(twice the maximum credit available for a quarterly reporting period),
XY Inc. is not eligible for the small business B&O tax credit.
Twice the Maximum Credit available for
quarterly filers (2 x $105) $210
Less: B&O Tax ((due)) $250
----
Credit Available $ 0
Net B&O Tax Due $250
(d) BG Manufacturing has been assigned a quarterly reporting period.
BG has incurred a ninety-dollar tax liability under the wholesaling B&O
tax classification, and a seventy-dollar tax liability under the
manufacturing B&O tax classification, for a total B&O tax liability of
one hundred sixty dollars during the first quarter. As BG manufactures
much of what it sells at wholesale, BG qualifies for an internal multiple
activities tax credit (MATC) of sixty dollars. (See WAC 458-20-19301 on
multiple activities tax credits.) BG Manufacturing would claim its MATC
prior to computing its small business B&O tax credit. BG's B&O tax
liability net of the MATC is one hundred dollars, which is less than the
one hundred five-dollar maximum credit available for the reporting
period. BG may claim a one hundred-dollar small business B&O tax credit.
Wholesaling B&O Tax ((due)) $ 90
Add: Manufacturing B&O Tax ((due)) $ 70
----
Subtotal of B&O Tax ((due)) $160
Less: MATC $ 60
----
Total B&O Tax Liability $100
Maximum Credit available for quarterly
filers (3 x $35) $105
B&O Tax ((due)) $100
----
Credit Available $100
Net B&O Tax Due 0
(e) OK Inc. has two separate tax reporting accounts with the
department, both of which have been assigned quarterly reporting periods.
OK Inc. is only allowed one small business B&O tax credit for the
activity of both accounts. The total B&O tax for both accounts for this
quarter is one hundred fifty dollars (one hundred dollars from the first
account and fifty dollars from the second account). Its maximum small
business tax credit is sixty dollars.
B&O tax account #1 $100
B&O tax account #2 $ 50
----
Total B&O tax $150
Twice the Maximum Credit available for
quarterly filers (2 x $105) $210
Less: B&O tax ($150)
----
Credit Available $ 60
Net B&O Tax Due $ 90
The credit should be taken from the account that will allow for it to be deducted in full. If one account does not have enough B&O tax to absorb the full credit, it can be applied on the other account until the full credit is used. If the reporting frequency is different between the two accounts, the small business tax credit should not be taken until the filing of the less frequent tax reporting account (the credit computation for the two accounts must cover the same period of time).
(f) BB Corporation has been assigned a quarterly reporting period
by the department of revenue. BB's total taxable public utility income
for the third quarter is ((one thousand three)) five thousand eight
hundred dollars. BB Corporation is exempt for the payment of public
utility tax because BB's taxable public utility income does not exceed
the ((one thousand five hundred)) six thousand-dollar ((minimum taxable
amount)) maximum exemption for this reporting period.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 82.32.300. 95-07-088, 458-20-104, filed 3/17/95, effective 4/17/95; 83-07-034 (Order ET 83-17), 458-20-104, filed 3/15/83; Order ET 70-3, 458-20-104 (Rule 104), filed 5/29/70, effective 7/1/70.]