Brief Description: Relating to revenue and taxation.

Sponsors: Representative McIntire.

Hearing Date: 4/21/05

Staff: Bob Longman (786-7139).

Background:

Business and Occupation Tax. Washington's major business tax is the business and occupation (B&O) tax. The B&O tax is imposed on the gross receipts of business activities conducted within the state, without any deduction for the costs of doing business. The tax is imposed on the gross receipts from all business activities conducted within the state. Although there are several different rates, the most common rates are 0.471 percent for retailing, 0.484 percent for wholesaling, and 1.5 percent for service activity. Businesses that are involved in more than one kind of business activity are required to segregate their income and report under the appropriate tax classification based on the nature of the specific activity.

Retail Sales Tax. The retail sales tax applies to the selling price of tangible personal property and of certain services purchased at retail. The tax base includes goods and certain services, including charges made for the use of facilities to perform services such as cleaning. The tax is levied at a 6.5 percent rate by the state. Cities and counties may levy a local tax at a rate up to a maximum of 3.1 percent; currently, local rates levied range from 0.5 percent to 2.4 percent. Sales tax is paid by the purchaser and collected by the seller.

Use Tax. The use tax is imposed on items used in the state that were not subject to the retail sales tax, and includes purchases made in other states and purchases from sellers who do not collect Washington sales tax. The state and local rates are the same as those imposed under the retail sales tax. Use tax is paid directly to the Department of Revenue.

Property Tax. Property taxes are levied by state and local governments. Property taxes apply to both real property, which includes land, buildings, and fixtures attached to buildings, and personal property, which includes all other property, including tangible and intangible property. With regard to personal property, household items and furnishings are exempt, as are business inventories, but other business personal property is subject to tax.

Property taxes are administered by the counties at the local level for most types of property. The county assessor determines assessed value for each property. The county assessor also calculates the tax rate necessary to raise the correct amount of property taxes for each taxing district. The property tax bill for an individual property is determined by multiplying the assessed value of the property by the tax rate for each taxing district in which the property is located.

Liquor Liter Tax. The liquor liter tax is imposed at the rate of $2.4408 per liter. Revenues generated by the first $1.9608 per liter are deposited in the general fund. Revenues generated by $0.07 per liter are dedicated to youth violence prevention and drug enforcement. The remaining $0.41 per liter is deposited in the health services account.

Nursing Home Maintenance Fee. Historically, state Medicaid programs have used a variety of mechanisms such as provider taxes, provider donations, and intergovernmental transfers to increase federal Medicaid revenues. The federal government has placed restrictions on these mechanisms, in order to limit the extent to which states may use federal funds to cover the state share of Medicaid costs. These restrictions include requirements that provider taxes be broad-based, which means the tax must apply to all providers of the same class, regardless of whether the provider participates in Medicaid or not. Provider taxes must also be imposed at a uniform rate, and they may not include any direct or indirect "hold harmless" provision which guarantees repayment of the tax to all providers.

In 2003, the state levied a new tax of $6.50 per patient day of care on nursing homes. The tax applies to all patient days of care, except those paid by the federal Medicare program. The tax does not apply to nursing homes owned and operated by public agencies. It also does not apply to thirty-six private facilities the federal government agreed could be exempted from the tax without violating Medicaid federal rules.

The tax generates approximately $34 million per year of revenue for the state general fund. Medicaid payment rates were increased in 2003 to cover the cost of the tax on patient days of care paid by the state Medicaid program. After accounting for the state share of that increased Medicaid payment, net state revenues from the tax total about $22 million per year.

Leasehold Excise Tax. The leasehold excise tax applies to interests in publicly owned real or personal property. The tax is "in lieu" of property taxes that would otherwise be paid on the property if the property were privately held. The tax is generally measured by the amount of contract rent, which is the amount paid for the use of the public property. The tax is imposed at a total rate of 12.84 percent. Local governments may impose a tax of up to 6 percent that is a credit against the state tax.

The Department has issued rules that provide that a leasehold interest is established through both possession and use, and the lessee must have some identifiable dominion and control over a defined area to satisfy the possession element.

Extended Warranties. The sales tax is paid on each retail sale of most articles of tangible personal property and certain services. Taxable services include construction, repair, telephone, lodging of less than 30 days, restaurant meals, physical fitness, and some amusement and recreation services. The use tax is imposed on the use of articles of tangible personal property when the sale or acquisition has not been subject to the sales tax. The use tax commonly applies to purchases made from out-of-state firms.

The sales tax applies to manufacturer's warranties that are included in the retail selling price of an article. The sales tax does not apply to non-manufacturer's warranties and manufacturer's warranties not included on the retailing selling price of an article.

High Technology Research and Development B&O Tax Credit. The B&O tax allows a credit for certain operational research and development (R&D) expenditures in high-technology businesses. The credit is provided to businesses, including qualifying nonprofit organizations, that make R&D expenditures in excess of 0.92 percent of taxable income.

In the 2004 session, the Legislature modified the high technology R&D B&O tax credit. The amount of credit that may be taken is based on amounts spent on R&D in excess of 0.92 percent of a business' total taxable amount for the year. In addition, calculation of the credit by for-profit firms must be based on the average tax rate of the firm for the tax reporting period, rather than 1.5 percent, the requirement prior to the 2004 changes. The credit is equal to the average tax rate multiplied by the amount spent on R&D in excess of 0.92 percent of the business total taxable amount.

The 2004 changes to the high tech R&D B&O tax credit provided a definition of "average tax rate" based on a business' taxable income. However, for the purposes of the B&O tax, the measure of tax for some firms includes more than taxable income. Specifically, for firms that manufacture products, the measure of tax is based on the value of the products manufactured. The manner in which"average tax rate" is defined means that the amount of credit that may be taken by firms that engage in manufacturing activities is higher than if the calculation were based on the entire measure of tax for B&O purposes.

As part of the 2004 changes, businesses that take the high tech B&O tax credit for R&D spending must submit an annual survey. The survey, which includes employment, wage, and other information, is in addition to an annual report that must be submitted with information relating to the credit calculation. Both the survey and report are due by March 31 of the year following the year the credits were taken. The amount of taxpayer credit reported on the survey may be disclosed to the public. If the survey is not completed by the due date, the business is not eligible to take or assign the credit. No exceptions are allowed for failure to file even if the failure was for reasons beyond the taxpayer's control.

Comprehensive cancer centers. Nonprofit cancer centers are exempt from property tax, but do not qualify for business and occupation (B&O) tax exemptions or sales and use tax exemptions.

Nonprofit blood, bone, and tissue banks are exempt from property tax. Nonprofit blood, bone, and tissue banks are exempt from B&O tax to the extent the amounts received are exempt from federal income tax. The purchase and use of medical supplies, chemicals, or specialized materials by a nonprofit blood, bone, or tissue bank is exempt from sales and use tax.

In 1999, a question arose as to whether the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center qualified as a blood, bone, or tissue bank for purposes of B&O, sales, and use tax exemptions. Litigation ensued. In 2003, the Thurston County Superior Court ruled that the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center was not eligible for these exemptions. The court decision also invalidated the exemptions for bone and tissue banks, because the title of the original enactment of the exemptions was limited to blood banks. In 2004, the Legislature re-enacted the exemptions for bone and tissue banks.

Self-service laundry facilities. Coin-operated laundry facility services offered in apartment buildings for the exclusive use of tenants are exempt from retail sales and use taxes and are subject to the B&O tax service classification. However, stand-alone laundry establishments must collect and remit retail sales and use taxes and are subject to the B&O tax retailing classification.

Nonprofit boarding homes. A licensed boarding home is a facility that provides board and domiciliary care to seven or more residents. Domiciliary care includes assistance with the activities of daily living and assumes general responsibility for the safety and well-being of the resident. Some boarding homes offer limited nursing services and others specialize in serving people with mental health problems, developmental disabilities, or dementia.

Licensed boarding homes providing room and domiciliary care to residents pay B&O taxes at a rate of 0.275 percent. Amounts received from the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) for adult residential care, enhanced adult residential care, or assisted living services for medicaid recipients are deducted from income before B&O taxes are determined.

Amphitheaters. The Clark County fairgrounds is the site of a an outdoor amphitheater with seating for 18,000 persons for concerts and other events. In 2002, the Clark County Commission approved a twenty year lease for the facility with Quincunx of Washington (QOW), a subsidiary of Q-Prime, a firm that manages a number of popular entertainers. Pursuant to the agreement, Quincunx built the amphitheater with its own funds. Upon completion of construction in July 2003, ownership and title to the amphitheater vested in the County. Under the lease terms, QOW is granted both the right of possession to the amphitheater and the use of parking areas as well, including non-exclusive easement to those areas. Payments made under the lease agreement are subject to state and local leasehold excise taxes.

Delivery charges for direct mail. For B&O, retail sales, and use taxes, the amount of tax is based on statutory definitions that apply tax to the full amount paid by the customer, without any deduction for expenses paid by the seller such as the cost of materials used, labor costs, or delivery costs. Notwithstanding the statutory provisions requiring inclusion of delivery costs, the Department of Revenue (DOR) issued administrative rules more than 30 years ago that allowed printers and mailing bureaus to deduct the cost of postage when calculating B&O and retail sales taxes, if the postage is purchased for a customer and the customer is charged for the postage. Legislation enacted in 2002 caused the DOR to review its rules on printers and mailing bureaus. The DOR discovered that it lacked the statutory authority for the portions of the rules which allow printers and mailing bureaus to deduct postage when calculating B&O and retail sales taxes.

Taxpayers are entitled to rely on rules and other written advice of the DOR until the written rules or advice are modified by the DOR. In January 2005, the DOR issued new rules for printers and mailing bureaus, effective July 1, 2005. On and after that date, printers and mailing bureaus may not deduct postage when calculating taxes.

Aerospace Industry Incentives. In 2003, the Legislature enacted certain tax incentives provided to manufacturers of airplanes and airplane components. Eligible firms include subcontractors and suppliers that are manufacturers. Among the incentives enacted is a credit against the B&O tax for certain property taxes paid. The property tax payments that are eligible include:

1.   Property taxes paid on new buildings and the land upon which the buildings are located, or on renovations or expansions to existing buildings, if the buildings are used in the manufacturing of commercial airplanes or their components; and
2.   property taxes paid on new machinery and equipment that is exempt from sales and use taxes under exemptions originally enacted in 1995 for manufacturers, and that is used in manufacturing commercial airplanes or components of such airplanes.

Historic Automobile Museum. In August of 2002, the City of Tacoma provided for the use of eight acres of land adjacent to the Tacoma Dome for the purposes of constructing a historic car museum. The agreement was made with the Harold E. Lemay museum nonprofit organization. The organization is seeking to begin construction of a museum in 2007 and to begin museum operations in 2008. Construction of the museum will be subject to retail sales and use taxes.

Washington Main Street Program. Many communities may have traditional downtown business districts or neighborhood commercial districts that are in need of revitalization. In 2002, legislation was enacted that provides assistance to communities to revitalize downtown or neighborhood commercial districts. The legislation allows such districts to receive allocations of certain incremental local retail sales and use tax revenues attributable to economic growth to pay for revitalization costs. Such allocations must be authorized by the legislative authority of the city or town in which the district is located.

The Department of Community Trade and Economic Development (DCTED) Downtown Revitalization Program (DRP) assists communities throughout the state to revitalize the economy, appearance and image of traditional business districts through training, technical assistance and the organization of local resources. Utilizing the Main Street methodology developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the DRP emphasizes four critical areas of revitalization: Organization, promotion, design and economic restructuring. Since July 1, 2003, ten Washington communities have been certified as Main Street communities.

Summary of Bill:

Extended Warranties. Warranties that are not included in the selling price of articles of tangible personal property are included in the definition of retail sale. As a result, the sales and use tax applies to the retail sale and use of these warranties. This includes warranties sold on property the repair of which is exempt from sales and use taxes. In addition, the seller's B&O tax rate will change from the 1.5 percent service rate to the 0.471 percent retailing rate.

Liquor Liter Tax. An additional tax is imposed on liquor at the rate of $1.00 per liter. The additional tax is distributed 97.5 percent to the general fund, 2.3 percent to the health services account and 0.2 percent to the violence reduction and drug enforcement account.

Nursing Home Quality Maintenance Fee. The quality maintenance fee is reduced to $4.50 for the 2005-07 biennium, $3.00 for the 2007-09 biennium and $1.50 for the 2009-11 biennium. After July 1, 2011, the fee is no longer imposed.

High Technology Research and Development B&O Tax Credit. For the purposes of calculating the high technology B&O tax credit for R&D spending, the average tax rate is defined to be based on a business' total annual taxable amount, including both taxable income and the value of the products manufactured. The changes to the high tech R&D B&O credit are retroactive to June 10, 2004. Persons who owe additional tax as a result of the changes are liable for interest, and, with respect to taxes paid after 2005, penalties.

Beginning in calendar year 2007, a person claiming the high tech R&D credit may calculate the credit based on the firm's average tax rate or a specified percentage, whichever is higher. The specified percentage is 0.75 percent in calendar year 2007; 1 percent in 2008; and 1.25 percent in 2009, and 1.5 percent in 2010 and thereafter.

A business claiming the high tech R&D credit must submit the survey for the high tech B&O tax credit electronically, unless cumulative tax relief to the taxpayer from taking any of tax incentives requiring surveys or reports is $1,000 or less. A business that fails to submit a survey as a result of circumstances beyond the control of the taxpayer may receive an extension to file of up to 30 days from the date that the Department of Revenue (Department) notifies the taxpayer of such extension.

In situations in which the amount of credit reported by a business on the survey is different than the amount reported by the business on its tax return or otherwise allowed by the Department, the Department is allowed to report the tax return amount for public disclosure purposes.

Comprehensive cancer centers. Comprehensive cancer centers are exempt from property tax. Comprehensive cancer centers are exempt from B&O tax to the extent the amounts received are exempt from federal income tax. The purchase and use of medical supplies, chemicals, or specialized materials by a comprehensive cancer center is exempt from sales and use tax. A comprehensive cancer center is defined as one that it is recognized by the National Cancer Institute and qualifies as an exempt organization under the federal income tax code.

Self-service laundry facilities. An exemption from sales and use taxes is provided for self-service laundry facilities in addition to facilities situated in apartment complexes. The change also modifies the B&O tax classification for such facilities from retail to service, increasing the applicable B&O rate from 0.471 percent to 1.5 percent.

Nonprofit boarding homes. Nonprofit boarding homes are exempt from B&O taxes on amounts received for providing room and domiciliary care. Eligible nonprofit boarding homes are those operated by religious or charitable organizations as part of a nonprofit hospital or public hospital district and exempt from federal income tax as 501(c)(3) organizations.

Amphitheaters. An exemption from the leasehold excise tax is provided for leasehold interests in certain public or entertainment areas of an amphitheater. To qualify for the exemption, the following conditions must be met:
1.   The lessee is responsible for the entire cost of constructing the amphitheater;
2.   the lessee is not reimbursed for any of the construction costs;
3.   both the lessee and the lessor sponsor events at the facility on a regular basis;
4.   the lessee is responsible under the lease agreement to operate and maintain the facility;
5.   the amphitheater has a seating capacity of over 17,000 persons; and
6.   the amphitheater is located in a county with a population of between 350,000 and 400,000 persons.

Delivery charges for direct mail. B&O, retail sales, and use tax does not apply to delivery charges made for direct mail if the charges are separately stated on the billing document given to the purchaser. "Direct mail" means printed material delivered to a mass audience or a mailing list provided by the purchaser without charge to the persons who receive the mail.

Aerospace Industry Incentives. The B&O credit allowed for certain property taxes paid by manufacturers of commercial airplanes and airplane components is modified. Property taxes paid with respect to newly acquired or constructed real property are eligible only if the building is used exclusively in the manufacturing of airplanes or airplane components. Property taxes paid with respect to newly acquired machinery and equipment are eligible to the extent that the manufacturer conducts aerospace manufacturing activity relative to other manufacturing activity.

Historic Automobile Museum. Beginning July 1, 2007, a deferral of sales and use taxes is allowed on the construction of structures, fixtures that become part of the structures, and site preparation for a historic automobile museum. The museum must be nonprofit-run facility used to exhibit a collection of at least 500 vehicles. To receive the deferral, the governing board of the organization must apply to the Department of Revenue. Applications and other information received by the Department may be disclosed to the public.

Taxes must be repaid beginning in the fifth year after the museum is operationally complete. Ten percent of the tax liability is due each year then for ten years. If the department finds the project to be ineligible during the deferral period or if the project is not operational after five years from when the deferral was issued, deferred taxes must be repaid with interest.

Washington Main Street Program. The Washington Main Street Program is created in the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development (DCTED), which will provide technical assistance to communities undertaking a comprehensive downtown or neighborhood commercial district revitalization initiative and management strategy. Financial assistance may be provided to communities for certain program costs. The DCTED will develop the criteria for selecting the recipients of assistance and will provide the designation of local projects. Priority for technical and financial assistance shall be given to downtown or neighborhood revitalization programs located in a rural county. The DCTED may not provide assistant to cities with population 190,000 or more.

The DCTED will operate the program in consultation with the advisory committee. In consultation with the committee, the DCTED must develop a plan that must describe the objectives and strategies of the Washington Main Street Program.

The program is funded through a new business and occupation (B&O) tax credit. The B&O tax credit is available for 75 percent of the amount donated directly to a local program or 50 percent of the contribution amount to the main street trust fund. In order to receive a credit, an application must be submitted to the DOR, which may not approve credits before January 1, 2006. Total credits cannot exceed $100,000 per calendar year for an individual program or $250,000 per calendar year for a business, and may only be claimed against tax due in the calendar year following approval. The total amount of credits per year statewide is capped at $1.5 million per calendar year. Credit may not be approved for cities with population of 190,000 or more.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested April 20, 2005.

Effective Date: The following provisions of the bill are subject to an emergency clause and are effective immediately: Sections 110(5) and 116 through 118, concerning the excise taxation of direct mail; and sections 1001, 1003, 1004, and 1110, concerning the credit against B&O tax for R&D expenditures by high-technology businesses.

The following provisions of the bill take effect January 1, 2006: Section 501, concerning a credit against B&O tax for property taxes paid by commercial airplane manufacturers or their suppliers; and section 1002, concerning the provision that requires high-tech firms that claim credit against B&O tax for R&D expenditures to file all surveys electronically.

Section 701, concerning a deferral of sales and use taxes for the construction of a historic auto museum, takes effect July 1, 2007.

The remainder of the bill is subject to an emergency clause and takes effect July 1, 2005.