PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 458-20-244 Retail sales tax and use tax exemptions for food and food ingredients.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 82.32.300 and 82.01.060(2).
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: RCW 82.08.0293 and 82.12.0293 provide, respectively, a retail sales tax and use tax exemption for food and food ingredients. In 2003 and 2004, the legislature amended these statutes to alter the definitions used to determine whether a particular food or food ingredient qualifies for the exemptions. The amendments were made in compliance with the national streamlined sales and use tax agreement (SSUTA). The department anticipates amending WAC 458-20-244 to incorporate these statutory changes, as well as final interpretations adopted by the SSUTA advisory council.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: Parties interested in this rule making may contact the individual listed below. The public may also participate by providing written comments throughout this rule making or giving oral testimony at the public meeting or public hearing.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Written comments may be submitted by mail, fax, or at the public meeting. Oral comments will be accepted at the public meeting. A preliminary draft of possible rule changes is available for viewing and printing on our web site at http://dor.wa.gov/content/laws/RuleMaking/default.aspx.
Written comments on and/or requests for copies of the rule may be directed to Kate M. Adams, Interpretations and Technical Advice, P.O. Box 47453, Olympia, WA 98504-7453, e-mail katea@dor.wa.gov, phone (360) 570-6115, fax (360) 586-5543.
Public Meeting Location: Capital Plaza Building, 4th Floor, L&P Large Conference Room, 1025 Union Avenue S.E., Olympia, WA, on September 27, 2006, at 9:30 a.m.
Assistance for Persons With Disabilities: Contact Sandy Davis no later than ten days before the meeting date, TTY 1-800-451-7985 or (360) 725-7499.
August 23, 2006
Alan R. Lynn
Rules Coordinator