HB 2466 -
By Committee on International Trade & Economic Development
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1 A new section is added to chapter 82.08 RCW
to read as follows:
(1) The tax levied by RCW 82.08.020 does not apply to sales of
computer hardware, computer peripherals, or software, used primarily in
aerospace product development, or to sales of or charges made for labor
and services rendered in respect to installing the computer hardware,
computer peripherals, or software. The exemption is available only
when the buyer provides the seller with an exemption certificate in a
form and manner prescribed by the department. The seller shall retain
a copy of the certificate for the seller's files.
(2) As used in this section:
(a) "Aerospace product development" means research, design, and
engineering activities performed in relation to the development of:
(i) Commercial airplanes and components of such airplanes;
(ii) Tooling that is used in the manufacture of commercial
airplanes or components of such airplanes;
(iii) Maintenance, repair, or overhaul support equipment that is
used by airlines or others in the aftermarket support of commercial
airplanes;
(iv) Ground support equipment, including service, maintenance, and
test equipment, that is used by airlines or others to support
aeronautical operations and related activities; or
(v) General aviation aircraft and components of such aircraft.
(b) "Commercial airplane" and "component" have the meanings
provided in RCW 82.32.550.
(c) "General aviation aircraft" means aircraft used in that segment
of civil aviation that encompasses all facets of aviation except air
carriers, commuter, and military. It includes aircraft used for
charter and corporate-executive transportation, instruction, rental,
aerial application, aerial observation, business, pleasure, and other
special uses.
(d) "Peripherals" includes keyboards, monitors, mouse devices, and
other accessories that operate outside of the computer, excluding
cables, conduit, wiring, and other similar property.
(3) This section expires July 1, 2024.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2 A new section is added to chapter 82.12 RCW
to read as follows:
(1) The provisions of this chapter do not apply in respect to the
use of computer hardware, computer peripherals, or software, used
primarily in aerospace product development, or to the use of labor and
services rendered in respect to installing the computer hardware,
computer peripherals, or software.
(2) The definitions in section 1 of this act apply to this section.
(3) This section expires July 1, 2024.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3 A new section is added to chapter 82.04 RCW
to read as follows:
(1) In computing the tax imposed under this chapter, a credit is
allowed for each person for qualified aerospace product development
expenditures occurring after the effective date of this section.
(2) The credit is equal to the amount of qualified aerospace
product development expenditures of a person, multiplied by the rate of
1.5 percent.
(3) The credit shall be taken against taxes due for the same
calendar year in which the qualified aerospace product development
expenditures are incurred. Credits may not be carried over. The
credit for each calendar year may not exceed the amount of tax
otherwise due under this chapter for the calendar year. Refunds may
not be granted in the place of a credit.
(4) Any person entitled to the credit in this section as a result
of qualified aerospace product development conducted under contract may
assign all or any portion of the credit to the person contracting for
the performance of the qualified aerospace product development.
(5) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this
section.
(a)(i) "Aerospace product development" means research, design, and
engineering activities performed in relation to the development of a
product, product line, model, or model derivative, including prototype
development, testing, and certification. The development of a product,
product line, model, or model derivative, shall be for:
(A) Commercial airplanes and components of such airplanes;
(B) Tooling that is used in the manufacture of commercial airplanes
or components of such airplanes;
(C) Maintenance, repair, or overhaul support equipment that is used
by airlines or others in the aftermarket support of commercial
airplanes;
(D) Ground support equipment, including service, maintenance, and
test equipment, that is used by airlines or others to support
aeronautical operations and related activities; or
(E) General aviation aircraft and components of such aircraft.
(ii) "Aerospace product development" includes the discovery of
technological information, the translating of technological information
into new or improved products, processes, techniques, formulas, or
inventions, and the adaptation of existing products and models into new
products or new models, or derivatives of products or models. The term
does not include manufacturing activities or other production-oriented
activities. The term does not include surveys and studies, social
science and humanities research, market research or testing, quality
control, sale promotion and service, computer software developed for
internal use, and research in areas such as improved style, taste, and
seasonal design.
(b) "General aviation aircraft" means aircraft used in that segment
of civil aviation that encompasses all facets of aviation except air
carriers, commuter, and military. It includes aircraft used for
charter and corporate-executive transportation, instruction, rental,
aerial application, aerial observation, business, pleasure, and other
special uses.
(c) "Qualified aerospace product development" means aerospace
product development performed within this state.
(d) "Qualified aerospace product development expenditures" means
operating expenses, including wages, compensation of a proprietor or a
partner in a partnership as determined by the department, benefits,
supplies, and computer expenses, directly incurred in qualified
aerospace product development by a person claiming the credit provided
in this section. The term does not include amounts paid to a person
other than a public educational or research institution to conduct
qualified aerospace product development. The term does not include
capital costs and overhead, such as expenses for land, structures, or
depreciable property.
(6) Credit may not be claimed for expenditures for which a credit
is claimed under RCW 82.04.4452 or 82.04.4461.
(7) This section expires July 1, 2024.
Sec. 4 RCW 82.04.250 and 2003 2nd sp.s. c 1 s 2 are each amended
to read as follows:
(1) Upon every person ((except persons taxable under RCW 82.04.260
(5) or (13), 82.04.272, or subsection (2) of this section)) engaging
within this state in the business of making sales at retail, except
persons taxable as retailers under other provisions of this chapter, as
to such persons, the amount of tax with respect to such business shall
be equal to the gross proceeds of sales of the business, multiplied by
the rate of 0.471 percent.
(2) Upon every person engaging within this state in the business of
making sales at retail that are exempt from the tax imposed under
chapter 82.08 RCW by reason of RCW 82.08.0261, 82.08.0262, or
82.08.0263, except persons taxable under RCW 82.04.260 (((13))) (11) or
(12), or subsection (3) of this section, as to such persons, the amount
of tax with respect to such business shall be equal to the gross
proceeds of sales of the business, multiplied by the rate of 0.484
percent.
(3) Until July 1, 2011, upon every person engaging within this
state in the business of making sales at retail that are exempt from
the tax imposed under chapter 82.08 RCW by reason of RCW 82.08.0261,
82.08.0262, or 82.08.0263, that is classified by the federal aviation
administration as a FAR part 145 certificated repair station with
airframe and instrument ratings and limited ratings for nondestructive
testing, radio, class 3 accessory, and specialized services, as to such
persons, the amount of tax with respect to such business shall be equal
to the gross proceeds of sales of the business, multiplied by the rate
of .2904 percent.
Sec. 5 RCW 82.04.260 and 2005 c 513 s 2 and 2005 c 443 s 4 are
each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
(1) Upon every person engaging within this state in the business of
manufacturing:
(a) Wheat into flour, barley into pearl barley, soybeans into
soybean oil, canola into canola oil, canola meal, or canola byproducts,
or sunflower seeds into sunflower oil; as to such persons the amount of
tax with respect to such business shall be equal to the value of the
flour, pearl barley, oil, canola meal, or canola byproduct
manufactured, multiplied by the rate of 0.138 percent;
(b) Seafood products which remain in a raw, raw frozen, or raw
salted state at the completion of the manufacturing by that person; as
to such persons the amount of tax with respect to such business shall
be equal to the value of the products manufactured, multiplied by the
rate of 0.138 percent;
(c) Dairy products that as of September 20, 2001, are identified in
21 C.F.R., chapter 1, parts 131, 133, and 135, including byproducts
from the manufacturing of the dairy products such as whey and casein;
or selling the same to purchasers who transport in the ordinary course
of business the goods out of state; as to such persons the tax imposed
shall be equal to the value of the products manufactured multiplied by
the rate of 0.138 percent. As proof of sale to a person who transports
in the ordinary course of business goods out of this state, the seller
shall annually provide a statement in a form prescribed by the
department and retain the statement as a business record;
(d) Until July 1, 2009, alcohol fuel, biodiesel fuel, or biodiesel
feedstock, as those terms are defined in RCW 82.29A.135; as to such
persons the amount of tax with respect to the business shall be equal
to the value of alcohol fuel, biodiesel fuel, or biodiesel feedstock
manufactured, multiplied by the rate of 0.138 percent; and
(e) Alcohol fuel or wood biomass fuel, as those terms are defined
in RCW 82.29A.135; as to such persons the amount of tax with respect to
the business shall be equal to the value of alcohol fuel or wood
biomass fuel manufactured, multiplied by the rate of 0.138 percent.
(2) Upon every person engaging within this state in the business of
splitting or processing dried peas; as to such persons the amount of
tax with respect to such business shall be equal to the value of the
peas split or processed, multiplied by the rate of 0.138 percent.
(3) Upon every nonprofit corporation and nonprofit association
engaging within this state in research and development, as to such
corporations and associations, the amount of tax with respect to such
activities shall be equal to the gross income derived from such
activities multiplied by the rate of 0.484 percent.
(4) Upon every person engaging within this state in the business of
slaughtering, breaking and/or processing perishable meat products
and/or selling the same at wholesale only and not at retail; as to such
persons the tax imposed shall be equal to the gross proceeds derived
from such sales multiplied by the rate of 0.138 percent.
(5) Upon every person engaging within this state in the business of
acting as a travel agent or tour operator; as to such persons the
amount of the tax with respect to such activities shall be equal to the
gross income derived from such activities multiplied by the rate of
0.275 percent.
(6) Upon every person engaging within this state in business as an
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; as to such
persons the amount of the tax with respect to only international
activities shall be equal to the gross income derived from such
activities multiplied by the rate of 0.275 percent.
(7) Upon every person engaging within this state in the business of
stevedoring and associated activities pertinent to the movement of
goods and commodities in waterborne interstate or foreign commerce; as
to such persons the amount of tax with respect to such business shall
be equal to the gross proceeds derived from such activities multiplied
by the rate of 0.275 percent. Persons subject to taxation under this
subsection shall be exempt from payment of taxes imposed by chapter
82.16 RCW for that portion of their business subject to taxation under
this subsection. Stevedoring and associated activities pertinent to
the conduct of goods and commodities in waterborne interstate or
foreign commerce are defined as all activities of a labor, service or
transportation nature whereby cargo may be loaded or unloaded to or
from vessels or barges, passing over, onto or under a wharf, pier, or
similar structure; cargo may be moved to a warehouse or similar holding
or storage yard or area to await further movement in import or export
or may move to a consolidation freight station and be stuffed,
unstuffed, containerized, separated or otherwise segregated or
aggregated for delivery or loaded on any mode of transportation for
delivery to its consignee. Specific activities included in this
definition are: Wharfage, handling, loading, unloading, moving of
cargo to a convenient place of delivery to the consignee or a
convenient place for further movement to export mode; documentation
services in connection with the receipt, delivery, checking, care,
custody and control of cargo required in the transfer of cargo;
imported automobile handling prior to delivery to consignee; terminal
stevedoring and incidental vessel services, including but not limited
to plugging and unplugging refrigerator service to containers,
trailers, and other refrigerated cargo receptacles, and securing ship
hatch covers.
(8) Upon every person engaging within this state in the business of
disposing of low-level waste, as defined in RCW 43.145.010; as to such
persons the amount of the tax with respect to such business shall be
equal to the gross income of the business, excluding any fees imposed
under chapter 43.200 RCW, multiplied by the rate of 3.3 percent.
If the gross income of the taxpayer is attributable to activities
both within and without this state, the gross income attributable to
this state shall be determined in accordance with the methods of
apportionment required under RCW 82.04.460.
(9) Upon every person engaging within this state as an insurance
agent, insurance broker, or insurance solicitor licensed under chapter
48.17 RCW; as to such persons, the amount of the tax with respect to
such licensed activities shall be equal to the gross income of such
business multiplied by the rate of 0.484 percent.
(10) Upon every person engaging within this state in business as a
hospital, as defined in chapter 70.41 RCW, that is operated as a
nonprofit corporation or by the state or any of its political
subdivisions, as to such persons, the amount of tax with respect to
such activities shall be equal to the gross income of the business
multiplied by the rate of 0.75 percent through June 30, 1995, and 1.5
percent thereafter. The moneys collected under this subsection shall
be deposited in the health services account created under RCW
43.72.900.
(11)(a) Beginning October 1, 2005, upon every person engaging
within this state in the business of manufacturing commercial
airplanes, or components of such airplanes, as to such persons the
amount of tax with respect to such business shall, in the case of
manufacturers, be equal to the value of the product manufactured, or in
the case of processors for hire, be equal to the gross income of the
business, multiplied by the rate of:
(i) 0.4235 percent from October 1, 2005, through the later of June
30, 2007, or the day preceding the date final assembly of a
superefficient airplane begins in Washington state, as determined under
RCW 82.32.550; and
(ii) 0.2904 percent beginning on the later of July 1, 2007, or the
date final assembly of a superefficient airplane begins in Washington
state, as determined under RCW 82.32.550.
(b) Beginning October 1, 2005, upon every person engaging within
this state in the business of making sales, at retail or wholesale, of
commercial airplanes, or components of such airplanes, manufactured by
that person, as to such persons the amount of tax with respect to such
business shall be equal to the gross proceeds of sales of the airplanes
or components multiplied by the rate of:
(i) 0.4235 percent from October 1, 2005, through the later of June
30, 2007, or the day preceding the date final assembly of a
superefficient airplane begins in Washington state, as determined under
RCW 82.32.550; and
(ii) 0.2904 percent beginning on the later of July 1, 2007, or the
date final assembly of a superefficient airplane begins in Washington
state, as determined under RCW 82.32.550.
(c) For the purposes of this subsection (11), "commercial
airplane," "component," and "final assembly of a superefficient
airplane" have the meanings given in RCW 82.32.550.
(d) In addition to all other requirements under this title, a
person eligible for the tax rate under this subsection (11) must report
as required under RCW 82.32.545.
(e) This subsection (11) does not apply after the earlier of: July
1, 2024; or December 31, 2007, if assembly of a superefficient airplane
does not begin by December 31, 2007, as determined under RCW 82.32.550.
(12)(a) Upon every person engaging within this state in the
business of manufacturing the following: (i) Tooling that is used in
the manufacture of commercial airplanes or components of such
airplanes; (ii) maintenance, repair, or overhaul support equipment that
is used by airlines or others in the aftermarket support of commercial
airplanes; (iii) ground support equipment, including service,
maintenance, and test equipment, that is used by airlines or others in
support of commercial airplanes; or (iv) general aviation aircraft, as
defined in section 3 of this act, or components of such aircraft; as to
such persons the amount of the tax with respect to the business shall,
in the case of manufacturers, be equal to the value of the product
manufactured, or in the case of processors for hire, be equal to the
gross income of the business, multiplied by the rate of 0.2904 percent.
(b) Upon every person engaging within this state in the business of
making sales, at retail or wholesale, of the following: (i) Tooling
that is used in the manufacture of commercial airplanes or components
of such airplanes; (ii) maintenance, repair, or overhaul support
equipment that is used by airlines or others in the aftermarket support
of commercial airplanes; (iii) ground support equipment, including
service, maintenance, and test equipment, that is used by airlines or
others in support of commercial airplanes; or (iv) general aviation
aircraft, as defined in section 3 of this act, or components of such
aircraft; as to such persons the amount of the tax with respect to the
business shall be equal to the gross proceeds of sales, multiplied by
the rate of 0.2904 percent.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 6 A new section is added to chapter 82.04 RCW
to read as follows:
(1) In computing the tax imposed under this chapter, a credit is
allowed for property taxes paid during the calendar year.
(2) The credit is equal to:
(a)(i) Property taxes paid on new buildings, and land upon which
this property is located, built after the effective date of this act,
and used exclusively in manufacturing:
(A) Tooling that is used in the manufacture of commercial airplanes
or components of such airplanes;
(B) Maintenance, repair, or overhaul support equipment that is used
by airlines or others in the aftermarket support of commercial
airplanes;
(C) Ground support equipment, including service, maintenance, and
test equipment, that is used by airlines or others to support
aeronautical operations and related activities; or
(D) General aviation aircraft and components of such aircraft; or
(ii) Property taxes attributable to an increase in assessed value
due to the renovation or expansion, after the effective date of this
act, of a building used exclusively in manufacturing activities
described in (a)(i)(A) through (D) of this subsection; and
(b) Property taxes paid on machinery and equipment exempt under RCW
82.08.02565 or 82.12.02565 and used exclusively in the manufacturing
activities described in (a)(i)(A) through (D) of this subsection.
(3) A person taking the credit under this section is subject to all
the requirements of chapter 82.32 RCW. A credit earned during one
calendar year may be carried over to be credited against taxes incurred
in a subsequent calendar year, but may not be carried over a second
year. No refunds may be granted for credits under this section.
(4) In addition to all other requirements under this title, a
person taking the credit under this section must report as required
under section 8 of this act.
(5) A person shall not take a credit under this section and RCW
82.04.4463.
(6) This section expires July 1, 2024.
Sec. 7 RCW 82.04.440 and 2005 c 301 s 3 are each amended to read
as follows:
(1) Every person engaged in activities which are within the purview
of the provisions of two or more of sections RCW 82.04.230 to
82.04.298, inclusive, shall be taxable under each paragraph applicable
to the activities engaged in.
(2) Persons taxable under RCW 82.04.2909(2), 82.04.250, 82.04.270,
82.04.294(2), or 82.04.260 (4) ((or (13))), (11), or (12) with respect
to selling products in this state shall be allowed a credit against
those taxes for any (a) manufacturing taxes paid with respect to the
manufacturing of products so sold in this state, and/or (b) extracting
taxes paid with respect to the extracting of products so sold in this
state or ingredients of products so sold in this state. Extracting
taxes taken as credit under subsection (3) of this section may also be
taken under this subsection, if otherwise allowable under this
subsection. The amount of the credit shall not exceed the tax
liability arising under this chapter with respect to the sale of those
products.
(3) Persons taxable under RCW 82.04.240 or 82.04.260(1)(b) shall be
allowed a credit against those taxes for any extracting taxes paid with
respect to extracting the ingredients of the products so manufactured
in this state. The amount of the credit shall not exceed the tax
liability arising under this chapter with respect to the manufacturing
of those products.
(4) Persons taxable under RCW 82.04.230, 82.04.240, 82.04.2909(1),
82.04.294(1), or 82.04.260 (1), (2), (4), (((6), or (13))) (11), or
(12) with respect to extracting or manufacturing products in this state
shall be allowed a credit against those taxes for any (i) gross
receipts taxes paid to another state with respect to the sales of the
products so extracted or manufactured in this state, (ii) manufacturing
taxes paid with respect to the manufacturing of products using
ingredients so extracted in this state, or (iii) manufacturing taxes
paid with respect to manufacturing activities completed in another
state for products so manufactured in this state. The amount of the
credit shall not exceed the tax liability arising under this chapter
with respect to the extraction or manufacturing of those products.
(5) For the purpose of this section:
(a) "Gross receipts tax" means a tax:
(i) Which is imposed on or measured by the gross volume of
business, in terms of gross receipts or in other terms, and in the
determination of which the deductions allowed would not constitute the
tax an income tax or value added tax; and
(ii) Which is also not, pursuant to law or custom, separately
stated from the sales price.
(b) "State" means (i) the state of Washington, (ii) a state of the
United States other than Washington, or any political subdivision of
such other state, (iii) the District of Columbia, and (iv) any foreign
country or political subdivision thereof.
(c) "Manufacturing tax" means a gross receipts tax imposed on the
act or privilege of engaging in business as a manufacturer, and
includes (i) the taxes imposed in RCW 82.04.240, 82.04.2909(1),
82.04.260 (1), (2), (4), (11), and (((13))) (12), and 82.04.294(1); and
(ii) similar gross receipts taxes paid to other states.
(d) "Extracting tax" means a gross receipts tax imposed on the act
or privilege of engaging in business as an extractor, and includes the
tax imposed in RCW 82.04.230 and similar gross receipts taxes paid to
other states.
(e) "Business", "manufacturer", "extractor", and other terms used
in this section have the meanings given in RCW 82.04.020 through
82.04.212, notwithstanding the use of those terms in the context of
describing taxes imposed by other states.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 8 A new section is added to chapter 82.32 RCW
to read as follows:
(1) The legislature finds that accountability and effectiveness are
important aspects of setting tax policy. In order to make policy
choices regarding the best use of limited state resources the
legislature needs information on how a tax incentive is used.
(2)(a) A person claiming a tax incentive shall file a complete
annual survey with the department. The survey is due by March 31st
following any year in which a tax incentive is claimed. The department
may extend the due date for timely filing of annual surveys under this
section as provided in RCW 82.32.590. The survey shall include the
amount of any tax incentive claimed. For a person claiming a credit
under section 3 of this act, the survey shall also include the
qualified aerospace product development expenditures during the
calendar year for which the credit was claimed, whether the credit has
been assigned under section 3(4) of this act and who assigned the
credit, the number of new products or research projects by general
classification, and the number of trademarks, patents, and copyrights
associated with the qualified aerospace product development activities
for which the credit was claimed. The first survey filed under this
subsection shall include employment, wage, and benefit information for
the twelve-month period immediately before first use of a tax
incentive. The annual survey shall also include the following
information for employment positions in Washington:
(i) The number of total employment positions;
(ii) Full-time, part-time, and temporary employment positions as a
percent of total employment;
(iii) The number of employment positions according to the following
wage bands: Less than thirty thousand dollars; thirty thousand dollars
or greater, but less than sixty thousand dollars; and sixty thousand
dollars or greater. A wage band containing fewer than three
individuals may be combined with another wage band; and
(iv) The number of employment positions that have employer-provided
medical, dental, and retirement benefits, by each of the wage bands.
(b) As part of the annual survey, the department may request
additional information necessary to measure the results of, or
determine eligibility for, the tax incentive.
(c) All information collected under this section, except the amount
of any tax incentive claimed, is deemed taxpayer information under RCW
82.32.330. Information on the amount of any tax incentive claimed is
not subject to the confidentiality provisions of RCW 82.32.330 and may
be disclosed to the public upon request, except as provided in (d) of
this subsection. If the amount of any tax incentive reported on the
survey is different than the amount actually claimed on the taxpayer's
tax returns or otherwise allowed by the department, the amount actually
claimed or allowed may be disclosed.
(d) Persons for whom the actual amount of all tax incentives
claimed on the taxpayer's returns or otherwise allowed by the
department is less than ten thousand dollars during the period covered
by the survey may request the department to treat the tax incentive
amount as confidential under RCW 82.32.330.
(3) If a person fails to submit a complete annual survey under
subsection (2) of this section by the due date or any extension under
RCW 82.32.590, the department shall declare the amount of taxes against
which any tax incentive was claimed, including the amount of taxes
reduced under the preferential rate in RCW 82.04.250(3) and
82.04.260(12), for that year to be immediately due and payable. The
department shall assess interest, but not penalties, on the taxes
against which the tax incentive was claimed. Interest shall be
assessed at the rate provided for delinquent excise taxes under this
chapter, retroactively to the date the tax incentive was claimed, and
shall accrue until the taxes against which the tax incentive was
claimed are repaid.
(4) The department shall use the information from the annual survey
required under subsection (2) of this section to prepare summary
descriptive statistics by category. No fewer than three taxpayers
shall be included in any category. The department shall report these
statistics to the legislature each year by September 1st.
(5) In conjunction with the reports due under RCW 82.32.545, by
November 1, 2010, and November 1, 2023, the fiscal committees of the
house of representatives and the senate, in consultation with the
department, shall report to the legislature on the effectiveness of the
tax incentives authorized in sections 3 and 6 of this act, RCW
82.04.250(3), and 82.04.260(12) in regard to keeping Washington
competitive. The report shall measure the effect of the tax incentives
authorized in sections 3 and 6 of this act, RCW 82.04.250(3), and
82.04.260(12) on job retention, net jobs created for Washington
residents, company growth, diversification of the state's economy,
cluster dynamics, and other factors as the committees select. The
reports shall include a discussion of principles to apply in evaluating
whether the legislature should reenact the tax incentives authorized in
sections 3 and 6 of this act, RCW 82.04.250(3), and 82.04.260(12).
(6) A person who is subject to the requirements in RCW 82.32.545 is
not required to file a complete annual survey under this section if the
person timely files the annual report required by RCW 82.32.545.
(7) For the purposes of this section, "tax incentive" means a tax
credit under sections 3 and 6 of this act and the preferential tax
rates in RCW 82.04.260(12) and 82.04.250(3).
Sec. 9 RCW 82.32.330 and 2005 c 326 s 1 and 2005 c 274 s 361 are
each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
(1) For purposes of this section:
(a) "Disclose" means to make known to any person in any manner
whatever a return or tax information;
(b) "Return" means a tax or information return or claim for refund
required by, or provided for or permitted under, the laws of this state
which is filed with the department of revenue by, on behalf of, or with
respect to a person, and any amendment or supplement thereto, including
supporting schedules, attachments, or lists that are supplemental to,
or part of, the return so filed;
(c) "Tax information" means (i) a taxpayer's identity, (ii) the
nature, source, or amount of the taxpayer's income, payments, receipts,
deductions, exemptions, credits, assets, liabilities, net worth, tax
liability deficiencies, overassessments, or tax payments, whether taken
from the taxpayer's books and records or any other source, (iii)
whether the taxpayer's return was, is being, or will be examined or
subject to other investigation or processing, (iv) a part of a written
determination that is not designated as a precedent and disclosed
pursuant to RCW 82.32.410, or a background file document relating to a
written determination, and (v) other data received by, recorded by,
prepared by, furnished to, or collected by the department of revenue
with respect to the determination of the existence, or possible
existence, of liability, or the amount thereof, of a person under the
laws of this state for a tax, penalty, interest, fine, forfeiture, or
other imposition, or offense: PROVIDED, That data, material, or
documents that do not disclose information related to a specific or
identifiable taxpayer do not constitute tax information under this
section. Except as provided by RCW 82.32.410, nothing in this chapter
shall require any person possessing data, material, or documents made
confidential and privileged by this section to delete information from
such data, material, or documents so as to permit its disclosure;
(d) "State agency" means every Washington state office, department,
division, bureau, board, commission, or other state agency;
(e) "Taxpayer identity" means the taxpayer's name, address,
telephone number, registration number, or any combination thereof, or
any other information disclosing the identity of the taxpayer; and
(f) "Department" means the department of revenue or its officer,
agent, employee, or representative.
(2) Returns and tax information shall be confidential and
privileged, and except as authorized by this section, neither the
department of revenue nor any other person may disclose any return or
tax information.
(3) This section does not prohibit the department of revenue from:
(a) Disclosing such return or tax information in a civil or
criminal judicial proceeding or an administrative proceeding:
(i) In respect of any tax imposed under the laws of this state if
the taxpayer or its officer or other person liable under Title 82 RCW
is a party in the proceeding; or
(ii) In which the taxpayer about whom such return or tax
information is sought and another state agency are adverse parties in
the proceeding;
(b) Disclosing, subject to such requirements and conditions as the
director shall prescribe by rules adopted pursuant to chapter 34.05
RCW, such return or tax information regarding a taxpayer to such
taxpayer or to such person or persons as that taxpayer may designate in
a request for, or consent to, such disclosure, or to any other person,
at the taxpayer's request, to the extent necessary to comply with a
request for information or assistance made by the taxpayer to such
other person: PROVIDED, That tax information not received from the
taxpayer shall not be so disclosed if the director determines that such
disclosure would compromise any investigation or litigation by any
federal, state, or local government agency in connection with the civil
or criminal liability of the taxpayer or another person, or that such
disclosure would identify a confidential informant, or that such
disclosure is contrary to any agreement entered into by the department
that provides for the reciprocal exchange of information with other
government agencies which agreement requires confidentiality with
respect to such information unless such information is required to be
disclosed to the taxpayer by the order of any court;
(c) Disclosing the name of a taxpayer with a deficiency greater
than five thousand dollars and against whom a warrant under RCW
82.32.210 has been either issued or filed and remains outstanding for
a period of at least ten working days. The department shall not be
required to disclose any information under this subsection if a
taxpayer: (i) Has been issued a tax assessment; (ii) has been issued
a warrant that has not been filed; and (iii) has entered a deferred
payment arrangement with the department of revenue and is making
payments upon such deficiency that will fully satisfy the indebtedness
within twelve months;
(d) Disclosing the name of a taxpayer with a deficiency greater
than five thousand dollars and against whom a warrant under RCW
82.32.210 has been filed with a court of record and remains
outstanding;
(e) Publishing statistics so classified as to prevent the
identification of particular returns or reports or items thereof;
(f) Disclosing such return or tax information, for official
purposes only, to the governor or attorney general, or to any state
agency, or to any committee or subcommittee of the legislature dealing
with matters of taxation, revenue, trade, commerce, the control of
industry or the professions;
(g) Permitting the department of revenue's records to be audited
and examined by the proper state officer, his or her agents and
employees;
(h) Disclosing any such return or tax information to a peace
officer as defined in RCW 9A.04.110 or county prosecuting attorney, for
official purposes. The disclosure may be made only in response to a
search warrant, subpoena, or other court order, unless the disclosure
is for the purpose of criminal tax enforcement. A peace officer or
county prosecuting attorney who receives the return or tax information
may disclose that return or tax information only for use in the
investigation and a related court proceeding, or in the court
proceeding for which the return or tax information originally was
sought;
(i) Disclosing any such return or tax information to the proper
officer of the internal revenue service of the United States, the
Canadian government or provincial governments of Canada, or to the
proper officer of the tax department of any state or city or town or
county, for official purposes, but only if the statutes of the United
States, Canada or its provincial governments, or of such other state or
city or town or county, as the case may be, grants substantially
similar privileges to the proper officers of this state;
(j) Disclosing any such return or tax information to the Department
of Justice, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco ((and)), Firearms
((of the Department of the Treasury)) and Explosives within the
Department of Justice, the Department of Defense, the Immigration and
Customs Enforcement and the Customs and Border Protection agencies of
the United States ((Customs Service)) Department of Homeland Security,
the Coast Guard of the United States, and the United States Department
of Transportation, or any authorized representative thereof, for
official purposes;
(k) Publishing or otherwise disclosing the text of a written
determination designated by the director as a precedent pursuant to RCW
82.32.410;
(l) Disclosing, in a manner that is not associated with other tax
information, the taxpayer name, entity type, business address, mailing
address, revenue tax registration numbers, North American industry
classification system or standard industrial classification code of a
taxpayer, and the dates of opening and closing of business. This
subsection shall not be construed as giving authority to the department
to give, sell, or provide access to any list of taxpayers for any
commercial purpose;
(m) Disclosing such return or tax information that is also
maintained by another Washington state or local governmental agency as
a public record available for inspection and copying under the
provisions of chapter 42.56 RCW or is a document maintained by a court
of record not otherwise prohibited from disclosure;
(n) Disclosing such return or tax information to the United States
department of agriculture for the limited purpose of investigating food
stamp fraud by retailers;
(o) Disclosing to a financial institution, escrow company, or title
company, in connection with specific real property that is the subject
of a real estate transaction, current amounts due the department for a
filed tax warrant, judgment, or lien against the real property;
(p) Disclosing to a person against whom the department has asserted
liability as a successor under RCW 82.32.140 return or tax information
pertaining to the specific business of the taxpayer to which the person
has succeeded; ((or))
(q) Disclosing such return or tax information in the possession of
the department relating to the administration or enforcement of the
real estate excise tax imposed under chapter 82.45 RCW, including
information regarding transactions exempt or otherwise not subject to
tax; or
(r) Disclosing the least amount of return or tax information
necessary for the reports required in section 8 (4) and (5) of this act
when the number of taxpayers included in the reports or any part of the
reports cannot be classified to prevent the identification of taxpayers
or particular returns, reports, tax information, or items in the
possession of the department.
(4)(a) The department may disclose return or taxpayer information
to a person under investigation or during any court or administrative
proceeding against a person under investigation as provided in this
subsection (4). The disclosure must be in connection with the
department's official duties relating to an audit, collection activity,
or a civil or criminal investigation. The disclosure may occur only
when the person under investigation and the person in possession of
data, materials, or documents are parties to the return or tax
information to be disclosed. The department may disclose return or tax
information such as invoices, contracts, bills, statements, resale or
exemption certificates, or checks. However, the department may not
disclose general ledgers, sales or cash receipt journals, check
registers, accounts receivable/payable ledgers, general journals,
financial statements, expert's workpapers, income tax returns, state
tax returns, tax return workpapers, or other similar data, materials,
or documents.
(b) Before disclosure of any tax return or tax information under
this subsection (4), the department shall, through written
correspondence, inform the person in possession of the data, materials,
or documents to be disclosed. The correspondence shall clearly
identify the data, materials, or documents to be disclosed. The
department may not disclose any tax return or tax information under
this subsection (4) until the time period allowed in (c) of this
subsection has expired or until the court has ruled on any challenge
brought under (c) of this subsection.
(c) The person in possession of the data, materials, or documents
to be disclosed by the department has twenty days from the receipt of
the written request required under (b) of this subsection to petition
the superior court of the county in which the petitioner resides for
injunctive relief. The court shall limit or deny the request of the
department if the court determines that:
(i) The data, materials, or documents sought for disclosure are
cumulative or duplicative, or are obtainable from some other source
that is more convenient, less burdensome, or less expensive;
(ii) The production of the data, materials, or documents sought
would be unduly burdensome or expensive, taking into account the needs
of the department, the amount in controversy, limitations on the
petitioner's resources, and the importance of the issues at stake; or
(iii) The data, materials, or documents sought for disclosure
contain trade secret information that, if disclosed, could harm the
petitioner.
(d) The department shall reimburse reasonable expenses for the
production of data, materials, or documents incurred by the person in
possession of the data, materials, or documents to be disclosed.
(e) Requesting information under (b) of this subsection that may
indicate that a taxpayer is under investigation does not constitute a
disclosure of tax return or tax information under this section.
(5) Any person acquiring knowledge of any return or tax information
in the course of his or her employment with the department of revenue
and any person acquiring knowledge of any return or tax information as
provided under subsection (3)(f), (g), (h), (i), (j), or (n) of this
section, who discloses any such return or tax information to another
person not entitled to knowledge of such return or tax information
under the provisions of this section, is guilty of a misdemeanor. If
the person guilty of such violation is an officer or employee of the
state, such person shall forfeit such office or employment and shall be
incapable of holding any public office or employment in this state for
a period of two years thereafter.
Sec. 10 RCW 82.32.590 and 2005 c 514 s 1001 are each amended to
read as follows:
(1) If the department finds that the failure of a taxpayer to file
an annual survey under RCW 82.04.4452 or section 8 of this act by the
due date was the result of circumstances beyond the control of the
taxpayer, the department shall extend the time for filing the survey.
Such extension shall be for a period of thirty days from the date the
department issues its written notification to the taxpayer that it
qualifies for an extension under this section. The department may
grant additional extensions as it deems proper.
(2) In making a determination whether the failure of a taxpayer to
file an annual survey by the due date was the result of circumstances
beyond the control of the taxpayer, the department shall be guided by
rules adopted by the department for the waiver or cancellation of
penalties when the underpayment or untimely payment of any tax was due
to circumstances beyond the control of the taxpayer.
Sec. 11 RCW 82.32.600 and 2005 c 514 s 1002 are each amended to
read as follows:
(1) Persons required to file surveys under RCW 82.04.4452 or
section 8 of this act must electronically file with the department all
surveys, returns, and any other forms or information the department
requires in an electronic format as provided or approved by the
department((, unless the department grants relief under subsection (2)
of this section)). As used in this section, "returns" has the same
meaning as "return" in RCW 82.32.050.
(2) ((Upon request, the department may relieve a person of the
obligations in subsection (1) of this section if the person's taxes
have been reduced a cumulative total of less than one thousand dollars
from all of the credits, exemptions, or preferential business and
occupation tax rates, for which a person is required to file an annual
survey under RCW 82.04.4452, 82.32.535, 82.32.545, 82.32.570,
82.32.560, 82.60.070, or 82.63.020.)) Any survey, return, or any other form or information required
to be filed in an electronic format under subsection (1) of this
section is not filed until received by the department in an electronic
format.
(3) Persons who no longer qualify for relief under subsection (2)
of this section will be notified in writing by the department and must
comply with subsection (1) of this section by the date provided in the
notice.
(4)
(3) The department may waive the electronic filing requirement in
subsection (1) of this section for good cause shown.
Sec. 12 RCW 82.04.4463 and 2005 c 514 s 501 are each amended to
read as follows:
(1) In computing the tax imposed under this chapter, a credit is
allowed for property taxes and leasehold excise taxes paid during the
calendar year.
(2) The credit is equal to:
(a)(i)(A) Property taxes paid on new buildings, and land upon which
this property is located, built after December 1, 2003, and used
exclusively in manufacturing commercial airplanes or components of such
airplanes; and
(B) Leasehold excise taxes paid with respect to a building built
after January 1, 2006, the land upon which the building is located, or
both, if the building is used exclusively in manufacturing commercial
airplanes or components of such airplanes; or
(ii) Property taxes attributable to an increase in assessed value
due to the renovation or expansion, after December 1, 2003, of a
building used exclusively in manufacturing commercial airplanes or
components of such airplanes; and
(b) An amount equal to property taxes paid on machinery and
equipment exempt under RCW 82.08.02565 or 82.12.02565 and acquired
after December 1, 2003, multiplied by a fraction. The numerator of the
fraction is the total taxable amount subject to the tax imposed under
RCW 82.04.260(((13))) (11) and the denominator of the fraction is the
total taxable amount subject to the tax imposed under all manufacturing
classifications in chapter 82.04 RCW, required to be reported on the
person's returns for the calendar year before the calendar year in
which the credit under this section is earned. No credit is available
under this subsection (2)(b) if either the numerator or the denominator
of the fraction is zero. If the fraction is greater than or equal to
nine-tenths, then the fraction is rounded to one. For purposes of this
subsection, "returns" means the combined excise tax returns for the
calendar year.
(3) For the purposes of this section, "commercial passenger
airplane" and "component" have the meanings given in RCW 82.32.550.
(4) A person taking the credit under this section is subject to all
the requirements of chapter 82.32 RCW. In addition, the person must
report as required under RCW 82.32.545. A credit earned during one
calendar year may be carried over to be credited against taxes incurred
in a subsequent calendar year, but may not be carried over a second
year. No refunds may be granted for credits under this section.
(5) In addition to all other requirements under this title, a
person taking the credit under this section must report as required
under RCW 82.32.545.
(6) This section expires July 1, 2024.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 13 Section 12 of this act applies with respect
to leasehold excise taxes paid on or after January 1, 2007.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 14 Sections 1 through 11 of this act take
effect July 1, 2006.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 15 Sections 12 and 13 of this act take effect
January 1, 2007."
HB 2466 -
By Committee on International Trade & Economic Development
On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "businesses;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "amending RCW 82.04.250, 82.04.440, 82.32.590, 82.32.600, and 82.04.4463; reenacting and amending RCW 82.04.260 and 82.32.330; adding a new section to chapter 82.08 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 82.12 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 82.04 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 82.32 RCW; creating a new section; providing effective dates; and providing expiration dates."