EMERGENCY RULES
Effective Date of Rule: Immediately.
Purpose: Part I of chapter 23, Laws of 2010 1st sp. sess. (2ESSB 6143) changed the apportionment and nexus requirements for apportionable activities, effective June 1, 2010. The department has adopted the following emergency rules to explain how these requirements apply:
| • | WAC 458-20-19402 (Rule 19402) Single factor receipts apportionment -- Generally. |
| • | WAC 458-20-19403 (Rule 19403) Single factor receipts apportionment -- Royalties. |
| • | WAC 458-20-19404 (Rule 19404) Financial institutions -- Income apportionment. |
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 82.32.300 and 82.01.060(2).
Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that observing the time requirements of notice and opportunity to comment upon adoption of a permanent rule would be contrary to the public interest.
Reasons for this Finding: An emergency adoption of these new rules is necessary because permanent rules cannot be adopted at this time.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 3, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 3, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: January 13, 2012.
Alan R. Lynn
Rules Coordinator
(a) Section 105, chapter 23, Laws of 2010 1st sp. sess. establishes a new apportionment method for businesses engaged in apportionable activities and that have nexus with Washington. The new apportionment method explained in this rule only applies to business and occupation (B&O) tax liability incurred after May 31, 2010. This rule does not apply to the apportionment of income of financial institutions taxable under RCW 82.04.290, which is governed by WAC 458-20-19404, nor the receipt of royalty income from granting the right to use intangible property under WAC 458-20-19403.
(b) Taxpayers may also find helpful information in the following sections:
(i) WAC 458-20-19401 Minimum nexus thresholds for apportionable activities. This rule describes minimum nexus thresholds that are effective June 1, 2010.
(ii) WAC 458-20-19403 Single factor receipts apportionment -- Royalties. This rule describes the application of single factor receipts apportionment to gross income from royalties and applies only to tax liability incurred after May 31, 2010.
(iii) WAC 458-20-19404 Single factor receipts apportionment -- Financial institutions. This rule describes the application of single factor receipts apportionment to certain income of financial institutions and applies only to tax liability incurred after May 31, 2010.
(iv) WAC 458-20-194 Doing business inside and outside the state. This rule describes separate accounting and cost apportionment and applies only to tax liability incurred from January 1, 2006 through May 31, 2010.
(v) WAC 458-20-14601 Financial institutions -- Income apportionment. This rule describes the apportionment of income for financial institutions for tax liability incurred prior to June 1, 2010.
(c) Examples included in this rule identify a number of facts and then state a conclusion; they should be used only as a general guide. The tax results of all situations must be determined after a review of all the facts and circumstances
(2) Definitions. The following definitions apply to this rule:
(a) "Apportionable income" means gross income of the business generated from engaging in apportionable activities, including income received from apportionable activities performed outside this state if the income would be taxable under this chapter if received from activities in this state, less the exemptions and deductions allowable under chapter 82.04 RCW.
(i) Example 1. Corporation A received $2,000,000 in gross income from its world-wide apportionable activities, including $500,000 in world-wide bona fide initiation fees deductible under RCW 82.04.4282. Corporation A's apportionable income would be $1,500,000.
(b) "Apportionable activities" means only those activities subject to B&O tax under the following classifications:
(i) Service and other activities,
(ii) Royalties (see WAC 458-20-19403 for apportionment of royalties),
(iii) Travel agents and tour operators,
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(iv) International steamship agent, international customs house broker, international freight forwarder, vessel and/or cargo charter broker in foreign commerce, and/or international air cargo agent,
(v) Stevedoring and associated activities,
(vi) Disposing of low-level waste,
(vii) Title insurance producers, title insurance agents, or surplus line brokers,
(viii) Public or nonprofit hospitals,
(ix) Real estate brokers,
(x) Research and development performed by nonprofit corporations or associations,
(xi) Inspecting, testing, labeling, and storing canned salmon owned by another person,
(xii) Representing and performing services for fire or casualty insurance companies as an independent resident managing general agent licensed under the provisions of chapter 48.17 RCW,
(xiii) Contests of chance,
(xiv) Horse races,
(xv) International investment management services,
(xvi) Room and domiciliary care to residents of a boarding home;
(xvii) Aerospace product development,
(xviii) Printing or publishing a newspaper (but only with respect to advertising income),
(xix) Printing materials other than newspapers and publishing periodicals or magazines (but only with respect to advertising income), and
(xx) Cleaning up radioactive waste and other by-products of weapons production and nuclear research and development, but only with respect to activities that would be taxable as an "apportionable activity" under any of the tax classifications listed in (a)(i) through (xviii) of this subsection (2) if this special tax classification did not exist.
(c) "Business activities tax" means a tax measured by the amount of, or economic results of, business activity conducted in a state. The term includes taxes measured in whole or in part on net income or gross income or receipts. The term includes personal income taxes if the gross income from apportionable activities is included in the gross income subject to the personal income tax. The term "business activities tax" does not include a sales tax, use tax, or similar transaction tax, imposed on the sale or acquisition of goods or services, whether or not denominated a gross receipts tax or a tax imposed on the privilege of doing business.
(d) "Customer" means a person or entity to whom the taxpayer makes a sale or renders services or from whom the taxpayer otherwise receives gross income of the business.
(e) "State" means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, any territory or possession of the United States, or any foreign country or political subdivision of a foreign country.
(f) "Taxable in another state" means either:
(i) The taxpayer is actually subject to a business activities tax by another state on its income received from engaging in apportionable activity; or
(ii) The taxpayer is not subject to a business activities tax by another state on its income received from engaging in apportionable activity, but the other state has jurisdiction to subject the taxpayer to a business activities tax on such income under the substantial nexus thresholds described in WAC 458-20-19401.
(3) Apportionment general: Persons earning apportionable income subject to B&O tax and that are also taxable in another state are entitled to determine their taxable income for B&O
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tax purposes by using the apportionment method provided in this rule. Taxable income is determined by multiplying apportionable income from each apportionable activity by its receipts factor.
(4) Receipts Factor. The receipts factor is a fraction that applies to all apportionable income for each calendar year. Separate receipts factors must be calculated for each apportionable activity taxed under a separate business and occupation tax classification.
(a) The numerator of the receipts factor is the total gross income of the business of the taxpayer attributable to this state during the calendar year from engaging in an apportionable activity.
(b) The denominator of the receipts factor is the total gross income of the business of the taxpayer from engaging in an apportionable activity everywhere in the world during the tax year, less amounts that are attributed to states where the taxpayer is not taxable and at least some of the activity is performed in Washington.
(c) Example 2. XYZ Corp. is a Washington business, has no property or payroll outside of Washington, and performs all of its services inside this state. XYZ Corp. has gross income from apportionable activities that is attributed using the criteria listed in subsection (5) below as follows: Washington $500,000; Idaho $200,000; Oregon $100,000; and California $300,000. XYZ Corp. is subject to Oregon corporate income tax, but does not owe any California or Idaho business activities taxes. The $200,000 that would be attributed to Idaho is excluded from the denominator because XYZ Corp. performs the services in Washington, and it is not subject to actual Idaho business activities taxes and does not have substantial nexus with Idaho under Washington thresholds. Although California does not impose a business activities tax on XYZ Corp., XYZ Corp. does have substantial nexus with California using Washington thresholds (more than $250,000 in receipts). Therefore, the California attributed income is not excluded from the denominator. The Oregon receipts remain in the denominator because XYZ Corp. is subject to Oregon corporate income taxes. The receipts factor is 500,000/900,000 or 55.56%.
(d) Example 3. The same facts as Example 2 except all of XYZ's property and payroll are located in Oregon, and XYZ Corp. performs no activities in Washington related to the $200,000 attributed to Idaho. In this situation, the $200,000 is not excluded from the denominator. The receipts factor is 500,000/1,100,000 or 45.45%.
(5) Attribution of income. Income is attributed to states based on a cascading method. That is, each receipt is attributed to a state based on a series of rules. These rules are:
(a)(i) If a taxpayer can reasonably determine the amount of apportionable receipts related to the benefit of the services received in a state, that amount of apportionable receipts is attributable to that state. This may be shown by application of a reasonable method of proportionally assigning the benefit among states. The result determines the receipts attributed to each state. A taxpayer receives the benefit of a service in this state when:
(A) The service relates to real property that is located in this state;
(B) An apportionable service relates to tangible personal property that is located in this state at the time the service is received; or
(C) The service does not relate to real or tangible personal property, and:
(I) The service is provided to a person not engaged in business who is physically present in this state at the time the service is received; or
(II) The service is provided to a person engaged in business in this state, and the service relates to the person's business activities in this state.
(ii) Examples.
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(A) Example 4. Director serves on the board of directors of DEF, Inc. DEF, Inc. is commercially domiciled in State Z. DEF, Inc. is Director's customer. DEF is engaged in business in State Z, and the director's services relate to the management of DEF, Inc. Therefore, DEF, Inc. receives the benefit of Director's services in State Z.
(B) Example 5. ABC is headquartered outside of Washington and provides retail services to customers in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. When those customers fail to pay ABC for its services, ABC contracts with Debt Collector located outside of Washington to collect the debt. ABC pays Debt Collector a percentage of the amount collected. ABC is engaged in business in Washington and the activities of Debt Collector relate to that business, therefore the benefit of the service is received by ABC in Washington when Debt Collector obtains payment from debtors located in Washington.
(C) Example 6. The same facts as Example 5, except Debt Collector is paid a fixed amount per month regardless of the total amount collected from debtors, and the debtors are located in Idaho and Washington. If Debt Collector can reasonably determine the proportion of the benefit received by ABC in each state, then that proportion of the fixed amount is the benefit received in each state. Depending on the circumstances, reasonable means to determine the proportion received in each state could be amounts recovered.
(b) If a taxpayer is unable to separately determine the benefit of the services in specific states under (a), and as a result the customer received the benefit of the service in multiple states, the apportionable receipts of the business is attributed to the state in which the benefit of the service was primarily received. Primarily means in this case more than 50%.
(i) Example 7. The same facts as Example 6, except Debt Collector cannot reasonably determine the portion of the benefit received in each state, Debt Collector will have to use the remaining rules in (c) through (g) of this subsection (5) to attribute the income from ABC.
(c) If the taxpayer is unable to attribute gross income of the business under (a) or (b) of this subsection (5), gross income of the business must be attributed to the state from which the customer ordered the service.
(d) If the taxpayer is unable to attribute gross income of the business under (a), (b), or (c) of this subsection (5), gross income of the business must be attributed to the state to which the billing statements or invoices are sent to the customer by the taxpayer.
(e) If the taxpayer is unable to attribute gross income of the business under (a), (b), (c), or (d) of this subsection (5), gross income of the business must be attributed to the state from which the customer sends payment to the taxpayer.
(f) If the taxpayer is unable to attribute gross income of the business under (a), (b), (c), (d), or (e) of this subsection (5), gross income of the business must be attributed to the state where the customer is located as indicated by the customer's address: (i) Shown in the taxpayer's business records maintained in the regular course of business; or (ii) obtained during consummation of the sale or the negotiation of the contract for services, including any address of a customer's payment instrument when readily available to the taxpayer and no other address is available.
(g) If the taxpayer is unable to attribute gross income of the business under (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f) of this subsection (5), gross income of the business must be attributed to the commercial domicile of the taxpayer.
(6) Reporting methods.
(a) Taxpayers required to use this rule's apportionment method may report their taxable income based on their apportionable income for the reporting period multiplied by the most recent receipts factor the taxpayer has.
(b) If a taxpayer does not calculate its taxable income using (a) of this subsection, the taxpayer must use actual current tax year information.
(c) Reconciliation. Regardless of how a taxpayer reports its taxable income under subsection (a) or (b) of this subsection, when the taxpayer has the information to determine the receipts factor for an entire calendar year, it must file a reconciliation and either obtain a refund or pay any additional tax due. The reconciliation must be filed on a form approved by the department. In either event (refund or additional taxes due), interest will apply in a manner consistent with tax assessments. If the reconciliation is completed prior to October 31st of the following year, no penalties will apply to any additional tax that may be due.
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Reviser's note: The typographical errors in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appear in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.
NEW SECTION
WAC 458-20-19403
Single factor receipts
apportionment -- Royalties.
(1) Introduction. Effective June
1, 2010, section 105, chapter 23, Laws of 2010 1st sp. sess.
changed Washington's method of apportioning the gross income
from royalties. This rule addresses how such gross income
must be apportioned when the business receives royalty
payments from both within and outside the state.
(a) This rule is limited to the apportionment of gross income from royalties. This rule does not apply to apportionment or allocation of income from any other business activity.
(b) Taxpayers may also find helpful information in the following rules:
(i) WAC 458-20-19401 Minimum nexus thresholds for apportionable activities. This rule describes minimum nexus thresholds that are effective June 1, 2010.
(ii) WAC 458-20-19402 Single factor receipts apportionment -- Generally. This rule describes the general application of single factor receipts apportionment that is effective June 1, 2010.
(iii) WAC 458-20-19404 Single factor receipts apportionment -- Financial institutions. This rule describes the application of single factor receipts apportionment to certain income of financial institutions and applies only to tax liability incurred after May 31, 2010.
(iv) WAC 458-20-194 Doing business inside and outside the state. This rule describes separate accounting and cost apportionment and applies only to tax liability incurred from January 1, 2006 through May 31, 2010.
(v) WAC 458-20-14601 Financial institutions -- Income apportionment. This rule describes the apportionment of income for financial institutions for periods prior to June 1, 2010.
(2) Definitions for the purposes of this rule. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this subsection apply throughout this rule.
(a) "Apportionable activity" means those activities conducted by a person in the business of receiving gross income from royalties.
(b) "Apportionable income" means gross income of the business generated from engaging in apportionable activity, including income received from apportionable activity performed outside Washington if the income would be taxable under the business and occupation tax if received from activities in Washington less any allowable exemptions and deductions under chapter 82.04 RCW.
(c) "Business activities tax" means a tax measured by the amount of, or economic results of, business activity conducted in a state by a person. The term includes taxes measured in whole or in part on net income or gross income or receipts. In the case of sole proprietorships and pass-through entities, the term includes personal income taxes if the gross income from royalties is included in the gross income subject to the personal income tax. The term "business activities tax" does not include a sales tax, use tax, or similar transaction tax, imposed on the sale or acquisition of goods or services, whether or not referred to as a gross receipts tax or a tax imposed on the privilege of doing business.
(d) "Customer" means a person who pays royalties or charges in the nature of royalties for the use of the taxpayer's intangible property.
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(e) "Gross income from royalties" means compensation for the use of intangible property, including charges in the nature of royalties regardless of where the intangible property will be used. "Gross income from royalties" does not include compensation for any natural resources, the licensing of prewritten computer software to the end user, or the licensing of digital goods, digital codes, or digital automated services to the end user as defined in RCW 82.04.190(11).
(f) "Intangible property" includes: copyrights, patents, licenses, franchises, trademarks, trade names and similar items.
(g) "State" means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, any territory or possession of the United States, or any foreign country or political subdivision of a foreign country.
(h) "Taxable in another state" means either:
(i) The taxpayer is actually subject to a business activities tax by another state on its income received from engaging in apportionable activity; or
(ii) The taxpayer is not subject to a business activities tax by another state on its income received from engaging in apportionable activity, but the other state has jurisdiction to subject the taxpayer to a business activities tax on such income under the substantial nexus thresholds described in WAC 458-20-19401.
(iii) "Not Taxable" with respect to a particular state means the taxpayer is not actually subject to a business activities tax by that state on its income received from engaging in apportionable activities and that state does not have jurisdiction to subject the taxpayer to a business activities tax on such income under the substantial nexus thresholds described in WAC 458-20-19401.
(3) How does a taxpayer apportion its gross income from royalties? A taxpayer earning gross income from royalties generated on or after June 1, 2010, must apportion such income when the taxpayer is taxable in another state. Gross income is apportioned to Washington by multiplying apportionable income by the receipts factor. The resulting amount of taxable income is then multiplied by the applicable tax rate.
(4) What is the receipts factor? The "receipts factor" is a fraction with the following numerator and denominator:
(a) Numerator: is the total gross income from royalties attributable to Washington during the tax year. Generally, a tax year is the same as a calendar year. For the purposes of this rule, tax years will be referred to as calendar years.
(b) Denominator: is the total gross income from royalties attributable to everywhere in the world during the calendar year, less amounts that are attributed to states where the taxpayer is not taxable if at least some of the apportionable activity is performed in Washington.
(5) How are royalty receipts attributed to Washington? To compute the numerator of the receipts factor, gross income from royalties is attributable to states as follows:
(a) Place of use: where the customer used the taxpayer's intangible property. If a taxpayer can reasonably determine the amount of royalty receipts related to the use in a state, that amount of royalty receipts is attributable to that state. This may be shown by application of a reasonable method of proportionally assigning the use of the intangible property among states.
(b) If a taxpayer is unable to separately determine the use of the intangible property in specific states under (a), and as a result the customer used the intangible property in multiple states, the royalty receipts are attributed to the state in which the intangible property was primarily used. Primarily means in this case more than 50%.
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(c) Office of negotiation: if the taxpayer is unable to attribute gross income to a location under (a) or (b) of this subsection (5), then gross income must be attributed to the office of the customer from which the royalty agreement with the taxpayer was negotiated.
(d) Billing state: if the taxpayer is unable to attribute gross income to a location under (a), (b), or (c) of this subsection (5), then gross income must be attributed to the state to which the billing statement or invoices are sent to the customer by the taxpayer.
(e) Payment state: if the taxpayer is unable to attribute gross income to a location under (a), (b), (c), or (d) of this subsection (5), then gross income must be attributed to the state from which the customer sends payment to taxpayer.
(f) Customer's address: if the taxpayer is unable to attribute gross income under (a), (b), (c), (d), or (e) of this subsection (5), then gross income must be attributed to the state where the customer is located as indicated by customer's address:
(i) As shown in the taxpayer's business records maintained in the regular course of business; or
(ii) Obtained during negotiation of the contract for the use of the taxpayer's intangible property, including any address of a customer's payment instrument when readily available to the taxpayer and no other address is available.
(g) Taxpayer's domicile: if the taxpayer is unable to attribute gross income under (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), or (f) of this subsection (5), then gross income must be attributed to the commercial domicile of the taxpayer.
(6) Examples. Examples included in this subsection identify a number of facts and then state a conclusion; they should be used only as a general guide. The tax results of all situations must be determined after a review of all the facts and circumstances.
(a) Example 1: Taxpayer has its domicile in California and runs a national restaurant franchising business. Taxpayer enters into a contract with Company A under which Taxpayer licenses the right to use its trademark to Company A's so that Company A can display that trademark on its restaurant, menus, marketing materials, etc. Company A has a single restaurant that is located in Washington. Company A pays Taxpayer $500,000 per calendar year for the right to use the trademark at its restaurant in Washington. Pursuant to the first sourcing rule, the intangibles (trademark) are used in Washington. Therefore, Taxpayer would attribute the $500,000 in receipts from Company A to Washington.
(b) Example 2: Same facts as Example 1 except Company A in a single contract receives the right to use Taxpayer's trademark in as many restaurants as it wants in Washington and Idaho and pays $500,000 for each restaurant when the restaurant opens and each calendar year thereafter. Company A opens two restaurants in Idaho and one in Washington. Taxpayer would attribute $500,000 it received from Company A to Washington and $1,000,000 to Idaho.
(c) Example 3: Same facts as Example 1 above, except that Company A now has many locations in Idaho but still only one in Washington. Further, Company A enters into a new contract with Taxpayer under which Company A must now pay $1,500,000 per calendar year for the exclusive and unlimited right to the use of the trademark in Idaho but only a single location in Washington. Because the intangible is used in more than one state, but is primarily used in Idaho, Taxpayer would attribute all receipts received from Company A, (i.e. $1,500,000) to Idaho pursuant to the second sourcing rule.
(7) What data can be used for calculating the receipts factor?
(a) Taxpayers required to use this rule's apportionment method may report their taxable income based on their apportionable income for the reporting period multiplied by the most recent receipts factor the taxpayer has.
(b) If a taxpayer does not calculate its taxable income using (a) of this subsection, the taxpayer must use actual current tax year information.
(c) Reconciliation. Regardless of how a taxpayer reports its taxable income under subsection (a) or (b) of this subsection, when the taxpayer has the information to determine the receipts factor for an entire calendar year, it must file a reconciliation and either obtain a refund or pay any additional tax due. The reconciliation must be filed on a form approved by the department. In either event (refund or additional taxes due), interest will apply in a manner consistent with tax assessments. If the reconciliation is completed prior to October 31st of the following year, no penalties will apply to any additional tax that may be due.
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Reviser's note: The typographical errors in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appear in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.
NEW SECTION
WAC 458-20-19404
Financial institutions -- Income
apportionment.
(1) Introduction.
(a) Effective June 1, 2010, RCW 82.04.460 was amended to change Washington's method of apportioning certain gross income from engaging in business as a financial institution. This rule addresses how such gross income must be apportioned when the financial institution engages in business both within and outside the state.
(b) Taxpayers may also find helpful information in the following rules:
(i) WAC 458-20-19401 Minimum nexus thresholds for apportionable activities. This rule describes minimum nexus thresholds that are effective after May 31, 2010.
(ii) WAC 458-20-19402 Single factor receipts apportionment -- Generally. This rule describes the general application of single factor receipts apportionment and applies only to tax liability incurred after May 31, 2010.
(iii) WAC 458-20-19403 Single factor receipts apportionment -- Royalties. This rule describes the application of single factor receipts apportionment to gross income from royalties and applies only to tax liability incurred after May 31, 2010.
(iv) WAC 458-20-194 Doing business inside and outside the state. This rule describes separate accounting and cost apportionment. It applies only to the period January 1, 2006 through May 31, 2010.
(v) WAC 458-20-14601 Financial institutions -- Income apportionment. This rule describes the apportionment of income for financial institutions for periods prior to June 1, 2010.
(c) Financial institutions engaged in making interstate sales of tangible personal property should also refer to WAC 458-20-193 (Inbound and outbound interstate sales of tangible personal property).
(2) Apportionment and allocation.
(a) Except as otherwise specifically provided, a financial institution taxable under RCW 82.04.290 and taxable in another state must allocate and apportion its income taxable under RCW 82.04.290 as provided in this rule. Any other income from apportionable activities must be apportioned pursuant to WAC 458-20-19402 (Single factor receipts apportionment -- Generally) or WAC 458-20-19403 (Single factor receipts apportionment -- Royalties). "Apportionable income" means gross income taxable under RCW 82.04.290, including income taxable under RCW 82.04.290 attributed outside this state if the income would be taxable under RCW 82.04.290 if attributed to this state, less the exemptions and deductions allowable under chapter RCW 82.04. All gross income that is not apportioned must be allocated pursuant to chapter 82.04 RCW. A financial institution organized under the laws of a foreign country, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory or possession of the United States, except such institutions that are exempt under RCW 82.04.315, whose effectively connected income (as defined under the Federal Internal Revenue Code) is taxable both in this state and another state, other than the state in which it is organized, must allocate and apportion its gross income as provided in this rule.
(b) The apportionment percentage is determined by the taxpayer's receipts factor (as described in subsection (4) of this rule).
(c) The receipts factor must be computed according to the method of accounting (cash or accrual basis) used by the taxpayer for Washington state tax purposes for the taxable period. Persons should refer to WAC 458-20-197 (When tax liability arises) and WAC 458-20-199 (Accounting methods) for further guidance on the requirements of each accounting method. Generally, financial institutions are required to file returns on a monthly basis. To enable financial institutions to more easily comply with this rule, financial institutions may file returns using the receipts factor calculated based on the most recent calendar year for which information is available. If a financial institution does not calculate its receipts factor based on the previous calendar year for which information is available, it must use the current year information to make that calculation. In either event, a reconciliation must be filed for each year not later than October 31st of the following year. The reconciliation must be filed on a form approved by the department. In the case of consolidations, mergers, or divestitures, a taxpayer must make the appropriate adjustments to the receipts factor to reflect its changed operations.
(d) Interest and penalties on reconciliations under (c) of this subsection (2) apply as follows:
(i) In either event (refund or additional taxes due), interest will apply in a manner consistent with tax assessments.
(ii) Penalties as provided in RCW 82.32.090 will apply to any additional tax due only if the reconciliation for a tax year is not completed and additional tax is not paid by October 31st of the following year.
(e) If the allocation and apportionment provisions of this rule do not fairly represent the extent of its business activity related to this state, the taxpayer may petition for, or the department may require, in respect to all or any part of the taxpayer's business activity:
(i) Separate accounting;
(ii) The inclusion of one or more additional factors which will fairly represent the taxpayer's business activity in this state; or
(iii) The employment of any other method to effectuate an equitable allocation and apportionment of the taxpayer's receipts.
(3) Definitions. The following definitions apply throughout this rule unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
(a) "Billing address" means the location indicated in the books and records of the taxpayer on the first day of the taxable period (or on such later date in the taxable period when the customer relationship began) as the address where any notice, statement and/or bill relating to a customer's account is mailed.
(b) "Borrower or credit card holder located in this state" means:
(i) A borrower, other than a credit card holder, that is engaged in a trade or business and maintains its commercial domicile in this state; or
(ii) A borrower that is not engaged in a trade or business or a credit card holder, whose billing address is in this state.
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(c) "Commercial domicile" means:
(i) The headquarters of the trade or business, that is, the place from which the trade or business is principally managed and directed; or
(ii) If a taxpayer is organized under the laws of a foreign country, or of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territory or possession of the United States, such taxpayer's commercial domicile is deemed for the purposes of this rule to be the state of the United States or the District of Columbia from which such taxpayer's trade or business in the United States is principally managed and directed. It is presumed, subject to rebuttal by a preponderance of the evidence, that the location from which the taxpayer's trade or business is principally managed and directed is the state of the United States or the District of Columbia to which the greatest number of employees are regularly connected or out of which they are working, irrespective of where the services of such employees are performed, as of the last day of the taxable period.
(d) "Credit card" means credit, travel or entertainment card.
(e) "Credit card issuer's reimbursement fee" means the fee a taxpayer receives from a merchant's bank because one of the persons to whom the taxpayer has issued a credit card has charged merchandise or services to the credit card.
(f) "Department" means the department of revenue.
(g) "Employee" means, with respect to a particular taxpayer, any individual who, under the usual common-law rules applicable in determining the employer-employee relationship, has the status of an employee of that taxpayer.
(h) "Financial institution" means:
(i) Any corporation or other business entity chartered under Titles 30, 31, 32, or 33 RCW, or registered under the Federal Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, or registered as a savings and loan holding company under the Federal National Housing Act, as amended;
(ii) A national bank organized and existing as a national bank association pursuant to the provisions of the National Bank Act, 12 U.S.C. Sec. 21 et seq.;
(iii) A savings association or federal savings bank as defined in the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. Sec. 1813 (b)(1);
(iv) Any bank or thrift institution incorporated or organized under the laws of any state;
(v) Any corporation organized under the provisions of 12 U.S.C. Secs. 611 to 631;
(vi) Any agency or branch of a foreign depository as defined in 12 U.S.C. Sec. 3101 that is not exempt under RCW 82.04.315;
(vii) Any credit union, other than a state or federal credit union exempt under state or federal law;
(viii) A production credit association organized under the Federal Farm Credit Act of 1933, all of whose stock held by the Federal Production Credit Corporation has been retired.
(i) "Gross income of the business," "gross income," or "income":
(i) Has the same meaning as in RCW 82.04.080 and means the value proceeding or accruing by reason of the transaction of the business engaged in and includes compensation for the rendition of services, gains realized from trading in stocks, gains realized from trading in bonds or other evidences of indebtedness, interest, discount, rents, royalties, fees, commissions, dividends, and other emoluments however designated, all without any deduction on account of the cost of tangible property sold, the cost of materials used, labor costs, interest, discount, delivery costs, taxes, or any other expense whatsoever paid or accrued and without any deduction on account of losses. Provided, that for the purposes of this rule, gross income of the business is limited to income taxable under RCW 82.04.290; and
(ii) Does not include amounts received from an affiliated person if those amounts are required to be determined at arm's length per sections 23A or 23B of the Federal Reserve Act. For the purpose of this subsection (3)(i) affiliated means the affiliated person and the financial institution are under common control. Common control means the possession (directly or indirectly), of more than fifty percent of power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of each entity. Control may be through voting shares, contract, or otherwise.
(iii) Financial institutions must determine their gross income of the business from gains realized from trading in stocks, bonds, and other evidences of indebtedness on a net annualized basis.
(j) "Income taxable under RCW 82.04.290" means the gross income of the business taxable under the service and other activities or international investment management services classifications.
(k) "Loan" means any extension of credit resulting from direct negotiations between the taxpayer and its customer, and/or the purchase, in whole or in part, of such extension of credit from another. "Loan" includes participations, syndications, and leases treated as loans for federal income tax purposes. "Loan" does not include: futures or forward contracts; options; notional principal contracts such as swaps; credit card receivables, including purchased credit card relationships; non-interest bearing balances due from depository institutions; cash items in the process of collection; federal funds sold; securities purchased under agreements to resell; assets held in a trading account; securities; interests in a REMIC, or other mortgage-backed or asset-backed security; and other similar items.
(l) "Loan secured by real property" means that fifty percent or more of the aggregate value of the collateral used to secure a loan or other obligation was real property, when valued at fair market value as of the time the original loan or obligation was incurred.
(m) "Merchant discount" means the fee (or negotiated discount) charged to a merchant by the taxpayer for the privilege of participating in a program whereby a credit card is accepted in payment for merchandise or services sold to the card holder.
(n) "Participation" means an extension of credit in which an undivided ownership interest is held on a pro rata basis in a single loan or pool of loans and related collateral. In a loan participation, the credit originator initially makes the loan and then subsequently resells all or a portion of it to other lenders. The participation may or may not be known to the borrower.
(o) "Person" has the meaning given in RCW 82.04.030.
(p) "Regular place of business" means an office at which the taxpayer carries on its business in a regular and systematic manner and which is continuously maintained, occupied and used by employees of the taxpayer.
(q) "State" means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, any territory or possession of the United States, or any foreign country or political subdivision of a foreign country.
(r) "Syndication" means an extension of credit in which two or more persons fund and each person is at risk only up to a specified percentage of the total extension of credit or up to a specified dollar amount.
(s) "Taxable in another state" means either:
(i) The taxpayer is subject to business activities tax by another state on its income taxable under RCW 82.04.290; or
(ii) The taxpayer is not subject to a business activities tax by another state on its income taxable under RCW 82.04.290, but that state has jurisdiction to subject the taxpayer to a business activities tax on such income under the substantial nexus standards explained in WAC 458-20-19401.
For purposes of this subsection (3)(s), "business activities tax" means a tax measured by the amount of, or economic results of, business activity conducted in a state. The term includes taxes measured in whole or in part on net income or gross income or receipts. "Business activities tax" does not include a retail sales tax, use tax, or a similar transaction tax, imposed on the sale or acquisition of goods or services, whether or not denominated a gross receipts tax or a tax imposed on the privilege of doing business.
(t) "Taxable period" means the calendar year during which tax liability is incurred.
(4) Receipts factor.
(a) General. The receipts factor is a fraction, the numerator of which is the gross income of the taxpayer in this state during the taxable period and the denominator of which is the gross income of the taxpayer inside and outside this state during the taxable period. The method of calculating receipts for purposes of the denominator is the same as the method used in determining receipts for purposes of the numerator. Separate receipts factors must be determined for business and occupation tax under the service and other activities and the international investment management services classifications.
(b) Interest from loans secured by real property.
(i) The numerator of the receipts factor includes interest and fees or penalties in the nature of interest from loans secured by real property if the property is located within this state. If the property is located both within this state and one or more other states, the income described in this subsection (4)(b)(i) is included in the numerator of the receipts factor if more than fifty percent of the fair market value of the real property is located within this state. If more than fifty percent of the fair market value of the real property is not located within any one state, then the income described in this subsection (4)(b)(i) must be included in the numerator of the receipts factor if the borrower is located in this state.
(ii) The determination of whether the real property securing a loan is located within this state must be made as of the time the original agreement was made and any and all subsequent substitutions of collateral must be disregarded.
(c) Interest from loans not secured by real property. The numerator of the receipts factor includes interest and fees or penalties in the nature of interest from loans not secured by real property if the borrower is located in this state. Interest and fees on loans secured by commercial aircraft that qualifies for the exemption from business and occupation tax under RCW 82.04.43391 are not included in either numerator or the denominator of the receipts factor.
(d) Net gains from the sale of loans. The numerator of the receipts factor includes net gains from the sale of loans. Net gains from the sale of loans includes income recorded under the coupon stripping rules of Section 1286 of the Federal Internal Revenue Code.
(i) The amount of net gains (but not less than zero) from the sale of loans secured by real property included in the numerator is determined by multiplying such net gains by a fraction, the numerator of which is the amount included in the numerator of the receipts factor pursuant to (b) of this subsection (4) and the denominator of which is the total amount of interest and fees or penalties in the nature of interest from loans secured by real property.
(ii) The amount of net gains (but not less than zero) from the sale of loans not secured by real property included in the numerator is determined by multiplying such net gains by a fraction, the numerator of which is the amount included in the numerator of the receipts factor pursuant to (c) of this subsection (4) and the denominator of which is the total amount of interest and fees or penalties in the nature of interest from loans not secured by real property.
(e) Receipts from credit card receivables. The numerator of the receipts factor includes interest and fees or penalties in the nature of interest from credit card receivables and income from fees charged to card holders, such as annual fees, if the billing address of the card holder is in this state.
(f) Net gains from the sale of credit card receivables. The numerator of the receipts factor includes net gains (but not less than zero) from the sale of credit card receivables multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the amount included in the numerator of the receipts factor pursuant to (e) of this subsection (4) and the denominator of which is the taxpayer's total amount of interest and fees or penalties in the nature of interest from credit card receivables and fees charged to card holders.
(g) Credit card issuer's reimbursement fees. The numerator of the receipts factor includes all credit card issuer's reimbursement fees multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the amount included in the numerator of the receipts factor pursuant to (e) of this subsection (4) and the denominator of which is the taxpayer's total amount of interest and fees or penalties in the nature of interest from credit card receivables and fees charged to card holders.
(h) Receipts from merchant discount. The numerator of the receipts factor includes receipts from merchant discount if the commercial domicile of the merchant is in this state. Such receipts must be computed net of any cardholder charge backs, but must not be reduced by any interchange transaction fees or by any issuer's reimbursement fees paid to another for charges made by its card holders.
(i) Loan servicing fees.
(i)(A) The numerator of the receipts factor includes loan servicing fees derived from loans secured by real property multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the amount included in the numerator of the receipts factor under (b) of this subsection (4) and the denominator of which is the total amount of interest and fees or penalties in the nature of interest from loans secured by real property.
(B) The numerator of the receipts factor includes loan servicing fees derived from loans not secured by real property multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the amount included in the numerator of the receipts factor under (c) of this subsection (4) and the denominator of which is the total amount of interest and fees or penalties in the nature of interest from loans not secured by real property.
(ii) If the taxpayer receives loan servicing fees for servicing either the secured or the unsecured loans of another, the numerator of the receipts factor includes such fees if the borrower is located in this state.
(j) Receipts from services. The numerator of the receipts factor includes receipts from services not otherwise apportioned under this subsection (4) if the service is performed in this state. If the service is performed both inside and outside this state, the numerator of the receipts factor includes receipts from services not otherwise apportioned under this subsection (4), if a greater proportion of the activity producing the receipts is performed in this state based on cost of performance.
(k) Receipts from investment assets and activities and trading assets and activities.
(i) Interest, dividends, net gains (but not less than zero) and other income from investment assets and activities and from trading assets and activities are included in the receipts factor. Investment assets and activities and trading assets and activities include but are not limited to: Investment securities; trading account assets; federal funds; securities purchased and sold under agreements to resell or repurchase; options; futures contracts; forward contracts; notional principal contracts such as swaps; equities; and foreign currency transactions. With respect to the investment and trading assets and activities described in (k)(i)(A) and (B) of this subsection (4), the receipts factor includes the following:
(A) The receipts factor includes the amount by which interest from federal funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements exceeds interest expense on federal funds purchased and securities sold under repurchase agreements.
(B) The receipts factor includes the amount by which interest, dividends, gains and other receipts from trading assets and activities, including but not limited to assets and activities in the matched book, in the arbitrage book, and foreign currency transactions, exceed amounts paid in lieu of interest, amounts paid in lieu of dividends, and losses from such assets and activities.
(ii) The numerator of the receipts factor includes interest, dividends, net gains (but not less than zero) and other receipts from investment assets and activities and from trading assets and activities described in (k)(i) of this subsection (4) that are attributable to this state.
(A) The amount of interest, dividends, net gains (but not less than zero) and other income from investment assets and activities in the investment account to be attributed to this state and included in the numerator is determined by multiplying all such income from such assets and activities by a fraction, the numerator of which is the average value of such assets which are properly assigned to a regular place of business of the taxpayer within this state and the denominator of which is the average value of all such assets.
(B) The amount of interest from federal funds sold and purchased and from securities purchased under resale agreements and securities sold under repurchase agreements attributable to this state and included in the numerator is determined by multiplying the amount described in (k)(i)(A) of this subsection (4) from such funds and such securities by a fraction, the numerator of which is the average value of federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell which are properly assigned to a regular place of business of the taxpayer within this state and the denominator of which is the average value of all such funds and such securities.
(C) The amount of interest, dividends, gains and other income from trading assets and activities, including but not limited to assets and activities in the matched book, in the arbitrage book and foreign currency transactions, (but excluding amounts described in (k)(i)(A) and (B) of this subsection (4)), attributable to this state and included in the numerator is determined by multiplying the amount described in (k)(i)(B) of this subsection (4) by a fraction, the numerator of which is the average value of such trading assets which are properly assigned to a regular place of business of the taxpayer within this state and the denominator of which is the average value of all such assets.
(D) For purposes of this subsection (4)(k)(ii), the average value of trading assets owned by the taxpayer is the original cost or other basis of such property for federal income tax purposes without regard to depletion, depreciation, or amortization.
(iii) In lieu of using the method set forth in (k)(ii) of this subsection (4), the taxpayer may elect, or the department may require in order to fairly represent the business activity of the taxpayer in this state, the use of the method set forth in this paragraph.
(A) The amount of interest, dividends, net gains (but not less than zero) and other income from investment assets and activities in the investment account to be attributed to this state and included in the numerator is determined by multiplying all such income from such assets and activities by a fraction, the numerator of which is the gross receipts from such assets and activities which are properly assigned to a regular place of business of the taxpayer within this state and the denominator of which is the gross income from all such assets and activities.
(B) The amount of interest from federal funds sold and purchased and from securities purchased under resale agreements and securities sold under repurchase agreements attributable to this state and included in the numerator is determined by multiplying the amount described in (k)(i)(A) of this subsection (4) from such funds and such securities by a fraction, the numerator of which is the gross income from such funds and such securities which are properly assigned to a regular place of business of the taxpayer within this state and the denominator of which is the gross income from all such funds and such securities.
(C) The amount of interest, dividends, gains and other receipts from trading assets and activities, including but not limited to assets and activities in the matched book, in the arbitrage book and foreign currency transactions, (but excluding amounts described in (k)(ii)(A) or (B) of this subsection (4)), attributable to this state and included in the numerator is determined by multiplying the amount described in (k)(i)(B) of this subsection (4) by a fraction, the numerator of which is the gross income from such trading assets and activities which are properly assigned to a regular place of business of the taxpayer within this state and the denominator of which is the gross income from all such assets and activities.
(iv) If the taxpayer elects or is required by the department to use the method set forth in (k)(iii) of this subsection (4), it must use this method on all subsequent returns unless the taxpayer receives prior permission from the department to use, or the department requires a different method.
(v) The taxpayer has the burden of proving that an investment asset or activity or trading asset or activity was properly assigned to a regular place of business outside of this state by demonstrating that the day-to-day decisions regarding the asset or activity occurred at a regular place of business outside this state. If the day-to-day decisions regarding an investment asset or activity or trading asset or activity occur at more than one regular place of business and one such regular place of business is in this state and one such regular place of business is outside this state, such asset or activity is considered to be located at the regular place of business of the taxpayer where the investment or trading policies or guidelines with respect to the asset or activity are established. Such policies and guidelines are presumed, subject to rebuttal by preponderance of the evidence, to be established at the commercial domicile of the taxpayer.
(l) Attribution of certain receipts to commercial domicile. All receipts which would be assigned under this rule to a state in which the taxpayer is not taxable are included in the numerator of the receipts factor, if the taxpayer's commercial domicile is in this state.
(5) Effective date. This rule applies to gross income that is reportable with respect to tax liability beginning on and after June 1, 2010.
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Reviser's note: The typographical error in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appears in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.