BILL REQ. #:  H-0816.1 

Read first time 01/23/2007.   Referred to Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources.

     AN ACT Relating to the business and occupation tax rate for custom farming services; adding a new section to chapter 82.04 RCW; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 82.04 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Upon every person engaging within this state in the business of performing custom farming services; as to such persons, the amount of the tax must be equal to the gross income of the business multiplied by the rate of 0.2904 percent.
     (2) For the purposes of this section:
     (a) "Custom farming services" means the performance of specific farming operations through the use of any farm machinery or equipment, farm implement, or draft animal, together with an operator, when: (i) The specific farming operation consists of activities directly related to the growing, raising, or producing of any agricultural product to be sold or consumed by a farmer; and (ii) the performance of the specific farming operation is for, and under a contract with, or the direction or supervision of, a farmer. "Custom farming services" does not include the custom application of fertilizers, chemicals, or biologicals unless the custom applicator is related to the person for whom the service is rendered.
     (b) "Specific farming operation" includes specific planting, cultivating, or harvesting activities, or similar specific farming operations. The term does not include veterinary services as defined in RCW 18.92.010; farrier, boarding, training, or appraisal services; artificial insemination or stud services, agricultural consulting services; packing or processing of agricultural products; or pumping or other waste disposal services.
     (c) "Related" means having any of the relationships specifically described in section 267(b) (1) through (13) of the internal revenue code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. Sec. 267(b) (1) through (13), as amended or renumbered as of January 1, 2007.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 2007.