Background:

In 1994 legislation was enacted to create a program of business and occupation (B&O) tax credits for qualified research and development (R&D) expenditures, and a sales tax deferral program for high- technology R&D and pilot-scale manufacturing facilities. The R&D tax preferences expired January 1, 2015.

Business and Occupation 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. Revenues are deposited in the State General Fund. A business may have more than one B&O tax rate, depending on the types of activities conducted. Major B&O tax rates include: 0.471 percent for retailing; 0.484 percent for manufacturing, wholesaling, and extracting; and 1.5 percent for professional and personal services, and activities not classified elsewhere.

Business and Occupation Tax Credit for High-Technology Research and Development.

"Taxable amount" meant the amount subject to the B&O tax, as must be reported on combined excise tax returns, less any credit that may be claimed by a person engaged in an activity that is subject to more than one B&O tax rate. "Qualified research and development" meant R&D performed within Washington in the fields of advanced computing, advanced materials, biotechnology, electronic device technology, and environmental technology. Until January 1, 2015, a B&O tax credit was available to a person whose qualified R&D spending during the year in which the credit was claimed exceeded 0.92 percent of the person's taxable amount.

In 2014 the B&O tax credit available was 1.5 percent of the greater of: (1) R&D expenditures that exceed 0.92 percent of the person's taxable income; or (2) 80 percent of the compensation received for conducting qualified R&D under contract. "Person" was defined to include, among other categories, individuals, companies, political subdivisions, nonprofits, and federal agencies. No person could take more than $2 million a year in credit.

Sales and Local Tax Deferral for Certain Construction-Related Expenses.

Until January 1, 2015, application for deferral of sales taxes could be made before initiation, construction, or acquisition of equipment or machinery for an investment project. "Investment project" was defined as an investment in qualified buildings or machinery and equipment, including labor and services rendered in the planning, installation, and construction or improvement of the project. The Department of Revenue (DOR) was required to issue a sales and use tax deferral certificate for taxes due on each eligible investment project.

Annual Survey.

Taxpayers claiming either R&D tax preference were required to an annual survey with the DOR. The annual survey included a report of the tax preference amounts claimed each calendar year and information related to employment positions and wages in Washington.

Tax Preference Performance Statement and Expiration Date.

All new tax preference legislation must include a tax preference performance statement. Tax preferences include deductions, exemptions, preferential tax rates, and tax credits. The performance statement must clearly specify the public policy objectives of the tax preference, and the specific metrics and data that will be used by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) to evaluate the efficacy of the tax preference.

New tax preferences expire 10 years after the effective date of the tax preference, unless otherwise provided.

Summary of Bill:

A research and development B&O tax credit and sales tax deferral program are created, effective January 1, 2018, and expiring January 1, 2027. Persons claiming a tax credit or deferral for advanced spacecraft-related activities must have an active registration with the DOR and be actively engaged in advanced spacecraft manufacturing.

Business and Occupation Tax Credit for Research and Development.

A business whose qualified R&D spending during the same calendar year in which the credit is claimed exceeds 0.92 percent of the business's taxable amount is eligible to receive a B&O tax credit for qualified R&D expenditures. "Qualified research and development" means R&D performed within Washington in the fields of advanced spacecraft manufacturing, life science, and environmental technology. Qualified R&D expenditures that may be claimed include those directly incurred as operating expenses, partner or owner compensation, benefits, supplies, and computer expenses. Excluded as claimable expenses are amounts paid to a person other than a public educational or R&D institution to conduct R&D, and capital costs and overhead, including expenses for land and structures.

The B&O tax credit is calculated by multiplying 1.5 percent times the greater of: (1) qualified R&D expenditures that exceed 0.92 percent of the business's taxable amount; or (2) 80 percent of the compensation received for conducting qualified R&D under contract. The total tax credit that may be claimed by a person is capped at the lesser of $500,000 or the amount of total B&O tax due for the calendar year.

Sales and Local Tax Deferral for Certain Construction-Related Expenses.

The High-Technology Sales and Use Tax Deferral provides a sales and use tax deferral and ultimate waiver on the construction or expansion of an eligible R&D facility or pilot scale manufacturing facility, and certain machinery and equipment purchases related to qualifying R&D.

The DOR must issue a sales and use tax deferral certificate upon receipt of an application from a person for an eligible investment project, if the application indicates that meaningful construction will occur within five years of the application date.

"Investment project" means an investment in qualified buildings, including labor and services rendered in the planning, installation, and construction or improvement of the project.
"Eligible investment project" means an investment project that either initiates a new operation or expands or diversifies a current operation by expanding, renovating, or equipping an existing facility. In the case of an investment project involving multiple qualified buildings, applications must be made for each qualified building before the initiation of construction.
"Meaningful construction" means an active construction site where excavation of a building site, laying of a building foundation, or other tangible signs of construction are taking place, and that clearly shows a progression in the construction process at the location designated by the taxpayer in the application for deferral. Planning, permitting, or land clearing before excavation of the building site, without more, does not constitute meaningful construction.
"Pilot-scale manufacturing" means design, construction, and testing of preproduction prototypes and models in the fields of advanced spacecraft manufacturing, life science, and environmental technology for purposes other than commercial sale.
"Qualified buildings" means construction of new structures and expansion or renovation of existing structures for the purpose of increasing floor space or production capacity used for pilot-scale manufacturing or qualified R&D.
"Qualified machinery and equipment" means fixtures, equipment, and support facilities that are an integral and necessary part of a pilot-scale manufacturing or qualified R&D operation.
"Qualified research and development" means R&D performed within Washington in the fields of advanced spacecraft manufacturing, life science, and environmental technology.

Approved deferral applications may be amended to update the completion date, estimated expenses, and square footage of the project. However, requests to amend previously approved applications for projects for which meaningful construction has not commenced within five years of the application date must be denied. The DOR may require additional information, such as project milestones, indicating that meaningful construction will not occur within two years of the application date. If meaningful construction of a project does not begin within five years of the application date, or a project is not operationally complete within 10 years of the application date, the full amount of deferred tax is due immediately.

Sales and Use Tax Deferral Limits.

The total amount of sales and use tax deferred is limited to $1 million per eligible project, per person, and only one eligible project per person may qualify for a deferral under this chapter per calendar year. The DOR may not issue a deferral certificate for investment projects that have already received certain other deferrals for Investment Projects in Rural Counties or High-Technology Businesses. However, qualified R&D projects that are being adapted for use in pilot-scale manufacturing are eligible, even if they have previously received a deferral.

Annual Survey.

A person claiming either tax preference must file a complete annual survey with the DOR.

Tax Preference Performance Statement.

A tax preference performance statement provides that the goal of the tax preferences is to improve industry competitiveness and create or retain jobs. To measure the effectiveness of the tax preferences, the JLARC must evaluate whether the number of businesses participating in the credit and deferral programs, and the overall number of jobs participating in the credit and deferral programs performing R&D, have increased compared to the number at the time of enactment. If so, the Legislature intends to extend the expiration date of the tax preferences. The JLARC may refer to data available from the Employment Security Department and DOR to perform the review.

The tax preferences are effective January 1, 2018, and expire on January 1, 2027.