Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Finance Committee

HB 2734

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

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. Businesses must pay the B&O tax even though they may not have any profits or may be operating at a loss.

A taxpayer may have more than one B&O tax rate, depending on the types of activities conducted. Major B&O tax rates are 0.471 percent for retailing; 0.484 percent for manufacturing, wholesaling, and extracting; and 1.5 percent for services and for activities not classified elsewhere. Several preferential rates also apply to specific business activities.

In addition, a taxpayer may be eligible to utilize other tax preferences, including credits and deductions, to reduce their tax liability. For example, a taxpayer engaging in activities subject to different B&O tax rates may be eligible for a multiple activities tax credit. A taxpayer may also be eligible for a small business credit that will either eliminate or reduce their B&O tax liability. In general, the credit is $70 per month for service businesses and $35 per month for all other businesses, multiplied by the number of months in the reporting period. The amount of the credit available phases out based on the business's gross receipts.

Taxation of Businesses that Warehouse and Resell Prescription Drugs.

Businesses registered with the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration and licensed by the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission that warehouse and resell prescription drugs receive a preferential B&O tax rate of 0.138 percent, rather than the general wholesaling tax rate of 0.484 percent.

In 2013 the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) reviewed this preference and recommended the preference continue because it provided tax relief to firms that experience low profit margins and encouraged resellers of prescription drugs to relocate to Washington. The Citizen's Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preference (Commission) endorsed this recommendation with comment. The Commission noted that the inferred public policy was met; however, in light of public comment, it recommended that the Legislature could consider whether to review this preference.

The estimated beneficiary savings in 2017-19 was $39.2 million.

Summary of Bill:

The preferential B&O rate for businesses that warehouse and resell prescription drugs of 0.138 percent is repealed. These businesses will be subject to the standard B&O rate of 0.484 percent. The new rate applies to taxes due for reporting periods beginning on or after the effective of the act.

Each quarter, the DOR must estimate the difference in the tax proceeds collected under the 0.484 percent rate and what would have been collected under the 0.138 percent rate. The state treasurer must transfer the net difference in proceeds quarterly from the state general fund to the newly created recovery pathways account (Account).

Moneys from the Account must only be used for nonmedicaid reimbursable services including pretreatment substance use disorder services and recovery support services. "Pretreatment substance use disorder services" is defined as outreach and engagement services that build trust and hope between individuals in active addiction and provide treatment access. "Recovery support services" means services that support a person's recovery, including but not limited to: recovery housing, education and employment support, recovery coaching, family education, recovery community programs, transportation support, child care support, and technological recovery support.