Original Notice.

Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 99-12-078.

Title of Rule: WAC 458-20-135 Extracting natural products, 458-20-136 Manufacturing, processing for hire, fabricating, and 458-20-13601 Manufacturers and processors for hire -- Sales and use tax exemption for machinery and equipment.

Purpose: To explain the B&O, retail sales, and use tax reporting responsibilities of extractors and manufacturers/processors for hire, and identify available tax exemptions.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 82.32.300.

Statute Being Implemented: RCW 82.04.100, 82.04.110, 82.04.120, 82.08.02565, and 82.12.02565.

Summary: Rule 135 explains the tax-reporting responsibilities of extractors and clarifies when an extracting activity ends and a manufacturing activity begins. Rule 136 explains the tax-reporting responsibilities of manufacturers/processors for hire. Rule 136 identifies the special tax classifications that apply to specific manufacturing activities and the factors considered when determining if a person combining various items is a manufacturer. Rule 13601 explains the retail sales tax and use tax exemption provided by RCW 82.08.02565 and 82.12.02565 for certain machinery and equipment used directly in a manufacturing operation or research and development operation.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: Rules 135 and 136 are being revised to incorporate legislative changes that have occurred subsequent to when they were last revised, in particular chapter 211, Laws of 1999. Rule 13601 is being proposed to explain the retail sales and use tax exemption provided by RCW 82.08.02565 and 82.12.02565.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Leslie Cushman (Rule 13601), 711 Capitol Way South, Suite #303, Olympia, WA, (360) 664-0057 and Alan R. Lynn (Rules 135 and 136), 711 Capitol Way South, Suite #303, Olympia, WA, (360) 586-9040; Implementation: Claire Hesselholt, 711 Capitol Way South, Suite #303, Olympia, WA, (360) 753-3446; and Enforcement: Russell Brubaker, 711 Capitol Way South, Suite #303, Olympia, WA, (360) 586-0257.

Name of Proponent: Department of Revenue, governmental.

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: Rules 135 and 136 explain the B&O, retail sales, and use tax reporting responsibilities of extractors and manufacturers/processors for hire. They also identify tax exemptions that may apply to certain extractors and/or manufacturers/processors for hire. Persons extracting natural products often use the same extracted products in a manufacturing process. Rule 135 clarifies when the extracting activity ends and the manufacturing activity begins. Rule 136 identifies the special tax classifications that apply to specific manufacturing activities, and activities that are specifically excluded from the definition of "to manufacture." Rule 136 also identifies the factors to be considered when determining if a person combining various items is a manufacturer.

Rule 13601 explains the retail sales tax and use tax exemption provided by RCW 82.08.02565 and 82.12.02565 for certain machinery and equipment used directly in a manufacturing operation or research and development operation. It provides pertinent definitions, and explains the legislative history of the exemption, the steps to determine whether the "useful life" threshold is satisfied, and the criteria used to determine whether the machinery and equipment is "used directly" in a qualifying operation.

Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: The department is proposing revisions to WAC 458-20-135 Extracting natural products and 458-20-136 Manufacturing, processing for hire, fabricating. Rules 135 and 136 are being revised to incorporate legislative changes that have occurred subsequent to when they were last revised, in particular chapter 211, Laws of 1999. Information now found in related excise tax advisories is also being incorporated to reduce the need for persons to look for multiple documents to determine tax-reporting responsibilities. Rule 13601 is being proposed to explain the retail sales and use tax exemption provided by RCW 82.08.02565 and 82.12.02565, including the effect of chapter 211, Laws of 1999, which in part clarified the exemption and was retroactive to 1995.

No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. A small business economic impact statement is not required because Rules 135, 136, and 13601 and the proposed amendments to Rules 135 and 136 do not impose any requirements or burdens upon small businesses that are not already required by statute.

RCW 34.05.328 does not apply to this rule adoption. This rule is an interpretive rule as defined in RCW 34.05.328.

Hearing Location: General Administration Building, 2nd Floor Conference Room #207, 210 West 11th and Columbia Streets, Olympia, WA, on March 8, 2000, at 9:30 a.m.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Ginny Dale no later than ten days before the hearing date, TDD 1-800-451-7985, or (360) 586-0721.

Submit Written Comments to: Alan R. Lynn, Department of Revenue, P.O. Box 47467, Olympia, WA 98504-7467, fax (360) 664-0693, e-mail alanl@dor.wa.gov, by March 8, 2000.

Date of Intended Adoption: March 15, 2000.

January 24, 2000

Claire Hesselholt

Rules Manager

Legislation and Policy Division

OTS-3774.1

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order ET 86-7, filed 4/17/86)

WAC 458-20-135
Extracting natural products.

((The word "'extractor' means every person who, from the person's own land or from the land of another under a right or license granted by lease or contract, either directly or by contracting with others for the necessary labor or mechanical services, for sale or for commercial or industrial use mines, quarries, takes or produces coal, oil, natural gas, ore, stone, sand, gravel, clay, mineral or other natural resource product, or fells, cuts or takes timber, Christmas trees or other natural products, or takes fish, or takes, cultivates, or raises shellfish, or other sea or inland water foods or products.      'Extractor' does not include persons performing under contract the necessary labor or mechanical services for others or persons cultivating or raising fish entirely within confined rearing areas on the person's own land or on land in which the person has a present right of possession." (RCW 82.04.100.)

The following examples are illustrative of operations which are included within the extractive activity:

(1) Logging operations, including the bucking, yarding, and loading of timber or logs after felling, as well as the actual cutting or severance of trees.      It includes other activities necessary and incidental to logging, such as logging road construction, slash burning, slashing, scarification, stream cleaning, miscellaneous cleaning, and trail work, where such activities are performed pursuant to a timber harvest operation: Provided, That persons performing such activities must identify in their business records the timber harvest operation of which their work is a part.

(2) Mining and quarrying operations, including the activities incidental to the preparation of the products for market, such as screening, sorting, washing, crushing, etc.

(3) Fishing operations, including the taking of any fish, or the taking, cultivating, or raising of shellfish, or other sea or inland water foods or products (whether on publicly or privately owned beds, and whether planted and cultivated or not) for sale or commercial use.      It includes the removal of the meat from the shell, and the cleaning and icing of fish or sea products by the person catching or taking them.      It does not include cultivating or raising fish entirely within confined rearing areas under RCW 82.04.100.

If the person also extracts materials used in the manufacturing process, the extracting B&O tax is due on the value of the extracted materials and a MATC may be taken. For example, Quarry extracts rock, crushes the rock into desired size, and then uses the crushed rock in its parking lot. The use of the crushed rock by Quarry in its parking lot is a commercial or industrial use. Quarry is subject to the extracting and manufacturing B&O taxes and may claim a MATC. Quarry is also responsible for remitting use tax on the value of the crushed rock applied to the parking lot.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 82.32.300.      86-09-058 (Order ET 86-7), § 458-20-135, filed 4/17/86; 83-07-034 (Order ET 83-17), § 458-20-135, filed 3/15/83.      Statutory Authority: RCW 82.01.060(2) and 82.32.300.      78-07-045 (Order ET 78-4), § 458-20-135, filed 6/27/78; Order ET 70-3, § 458-20-135 (Rule 135), filed 5/29/70, effective 7/1/70.]

OTS-3776.3

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 88-7, filed 10/7/88)

WAC 458-20-136
Manufacturing, processing for hire, fabricating.

(((1) Definitions.      "The term 'to manufacture' embraces all activities of a commercial or industrial nature wherein labor or skill is applied, by hand or machinery, to materials so that as a result thereof a new, different or useful substance or article of tangible personal property is produced for sale or commercial or industrial use, and shall include the production or fabrication of special made or custom made articles." (RCW 82.04.120.) It means the business of producing articles for sale, or for commercial or industrial use from raw materials or prepared materials by giving these matters new forms, qualities, properties, or combinations.      It includes such activities as making, fabricating, processing, refining, mixing, slaughtering, packing, curing, aging, canning, etc.      It includes also the preparing, packaging and freezing of fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, meats and other food products, the making of custom made suits, dresses, coats, awnings, blinds, boats, curtains, draperies, rugs, and tanks, and other articles constructed or made to order, and the curing of animal hides and food products.

(2) The word "manufacturer" means every person who, from the person's own materials or ingredients manufactures for sale, or for commercial or industrial use any articles, substance or commodity either directly, or by contracting with others for the necessary labor or mechanical services.

(3) However, a nonresident of the state of Washington who owns materials processed for hire in this state is not deemed to be a manufacturer because of such processing.      Further, any owner of materials from which a nuclear fuel assembly is fabricated in this state by a processor for hire is also not deemed to be a manufacturer because of such processing.

(4) The term "to manufacture" does not include conditioning of seed for use in planting or activities which consist of cutting, grading, or ice glazing of seafood which has been cooked, frozen, or canned outside this state; the mere cleaning and freezing of whole fish; or the repairing and reconditioning of tangible personal property for others.

(5) The term "processing for hire" means the performance of labor and mechanical services upon materials belonging to others so that as a result a new, different or useful article of tangible personal property is produced for sale or commercial or industrial use.      Thus, a processor for hire is any person who would be a manufacturer if that person were performing the labor and mechanical services upon that person's own materials.

(6) Persons who both manufacture and sell those products in this state must report their gross receipts under both the manufacturing and retailing or wholesaling classifications.      A credit may then be taken against the selling tax in the amount of the manufacturing tax reported.      (See also WAC 458-20-19301.)

(7) Manufacturing -- interstate or foreign sales.      Persons who manufacture products in this state and sell the same in interstate or foreign commerce are taxable under the classification manufacturing upon the value of the products so sold, and are not taxable under retailing or wholesaling-all others in respect to such sales.      (See also WAC 458-20-193A.) A credit may be applicable if a gross receipts tax is paid on the selling activity to another state.      (See also WAC 458-20-19301.)

(8) Business and occupation tax -- hops.      The business and occupation tax shall not apply to amounts received by hop growers or dealers for hops which are shipped outside the state of Washington for first use, if those hops have been processed into extract, pellets, or powder in this state.      Amounts charged by a processor or warehouser for processing or warehousing, however, are not exempt.

(9) Manufacturing -- special classifications.      The law provides several special classifications and rates for activities which constitute "manufacturing" as defined in this rule.      These include manufacturing wheat into flour, barley into pearl barley, soybeans into soybean oil, or sunflower seeds into sunflower oil (RCW 82.04.260(2)); splitting or processing dried peas (RCW 82.04.260(3)); manufacturing seafood products which remain in a raw, raw frozen, or raw salted state (RCW 82.04.260(4)); manufacturing by canning, preserving, freezing or dehydrating fresh fruits and vegetables (RCW 82.04.260(5)); and manufacturing nuclear fuel assemblies (RCW 82.04.260(9)).      In all such cases the principles set forth in subsections (6) and (7) of this section concerning multiple tax classifications and credit provisions are also applicable.

(10) The special classification and rate for slaughtering, breaking and/or processing perishable meat products and/or selling the same at wholesale (RCW 82.04.260(7)) combines manufacturing and nonmanufacturing activities into a single taxable business activity.      For persons who break, slaughter, and/or process meat products for others, the statutory classification and rate are applicable to the value of products so processed and delivered to customers within this state and to interstate or foreign customers.      The mere wholesale selling of perishable meat products not manufactured by the vendor is subject to the statutory classification and rate only upon gross receipts from sales within this state.      Interstate or foreign sales are deductible from gross proceeds of sales.      (See WAC 458-20-193A.)

(11) Manufacturing for commercial use.      Persons who manufacture products in this state for their own commercial or industrial use are taxable under the classification manufacturing on the value of the products so manufactured and used.      (See WAC 458-20-134 for definition of commercial or industrial use.)

(12) Processing for hire.      Persons processing for hire for consumers or for persons other than consumers are taxable under the processing for hire classification upon the total charge made therefor.

(13) Materials furnished in part by customer.      In some instances, the persons furnishing the labor and mechanical services undertakes to produce a new article, substance, or commodity from materials or ingredients furnished in part by them and in part by the customer.      In such instances, tax liability is as follows:

(a) The persons furnishing the labor and mechanical services will be presumed to be the manufacturer if the value of the materials or ingredients furnished by them is equal to or exceeds 20% of the total value of all materials or ingredients which become a part of the finished product.

(b) If the person furnishing the labor and mechanical services furnishes materials constituting less than 20% of the value of all of the materials which become a part of the finished product, such person will be presumed to be processing for hire.      The person for whom the work is performed is the manufacturer in that situation, and will be taxable as such.

(c) In cases where the person furnishing the labor and mechanical services supplies, sells, or furnishes to the customer, before processing, 20% or more in value of the materials from which the finished product is made, the person furnishing the labor and mechanical services will be deemed to be the owner of the materials and taxable as a manufacturer.

(14) Retail sales tax.      Persons taxable as engaging in the business of manufacturing and selling at retail any of the products manufactured and persons manufacturing, fabricating, or processing for hire tangible personal property for consumers shall collect the retail sales tax upon the total charge made to their customers.

(15) Sales to processors for hire and to manufacturers of articles of tangible personal property which do not become an ingredient or component part of a new article produced, or are not chemicals used in processing the same, are retail sales, and the retail sales tax must be collected thereon.      (However, see WAC 458-20-113 and 458-20-134 for certain express exemptions.)

(16) Use tax.      Manufacturers are taxable under the use tax upon the use of articles manufactured by them for their own use in this state.      (See WAC 458-20-113 and 458-20-134 for certain express exemptions.)

(17) See WAC 458-20-244 for sales and use tax on food products.)) (1) Introduction. This rule explains the application of the business and occupation (B&O), retail sales, and use taxes to manufacturers. It identifies the special tax classifications and rates that apply to specific manufacturing activities. The law provides a retail sales and use tax exemption for certain machinery and equipment used by manufacturers. Refer to RCW 82.08.02565, 82.12.02565, and WAC 458-20-13601 (Manufacturers and processors for hire--Sales and use tax exemption for machinery and equipment) for more information regarding this exemption. Persons engaging in both extracting and manufacturing activities should also refer to WAC 458-20-135 (Extracting natural products) and 458-20-13501 (Timber harvest operations).

(2) Manufacturing activities. RCW 82.04.120 explains that the phrase "to manufacture" embraces all activities of a commercial or industrial nature wherein labor or skill is applied, by hand or machinery, to materials so that as a result thereof a new, different, or useful substance or articles of tangible personal property is produced for sale or commercial or industrial use. The phrase includes the production or fabrication of special-made or custom-made articles.

(a) "To manufacture" includes, but is not limited to:

(i) The production or fabrication of dental appliances, devices, restorations, substitutes, or other dental laboratory products by a dental laboratory or dental technician, effective October 1, 1998 (chapter 168, Laws of 1998);

(ii) The cutting, delimbing, and measuring of felled, cut, or taken trees;

(iii) The crushing and/or blending of rock, sand, stone, gravel, or ore; and

(iv) The cleaning (removal of the head, fins, or viscera) of fish.

(b) "To manufacture" does not include:

(i) The conditioning of seed for use in planting;

(ii) The cubing of hay or alfalfa;

(iii) The growing, harvesting, or producing of agricultural products;

(iv) The cutting, grading, or ice glazing of seafood which has been cooked, frozen, or canned outside this state;

(v) The packing of agricultural products, including sorting, washing, rinsing, grading, waxing, treating with fungicide, packaging, chilling, or placing in controlled atmospheric storage; and

(vi) The repairing and reconditioning of tangible personal property for others.

(3) Manufacturers and processors for hire. RCW 82.04.110 defines "manufacturer" to mean every person who, either directly or by contracting with others for the necessary labor or mechanical services, manufactures for sale or for commercial or industrial use from his or her own materials or ingredients any articles, substances, or commodities. However, a nonresident of the state of Washington who is the owner of materials processed for it in this state by a processor for hire is not deemed to be a manufacturer in this state because of that processing. Additionally, any owner of materials from which a nuclear fuel assembly is fabricated in this state by a processor for hire is also not deemed to be a manufacturer because of such processing.

(a) The term "processor for hire" means a person who performs labor and mechanical services upon property belonging to others so that as a result a new, different, or useful article of tangible personal property is produced for sale or commercial or industrial use. Thus, a processor for hire is any person who would be a manufacturer if that person were performing the labor and mechanical services upon his or her own materials.

(b) If a particular activity is excluded from the definition of "to manufacture," a person performing the labor and mechanical services upon materials owned by another is not a processor for hire. For example, the cutting, grading, or ice glazing of seafood that has been cooked, frozen, or canned outside this state is excluded from the definition of "to manufacture." Because of this exclusion, a person who performs these activities on seafood belonging to others is not a "processor for hire."

(c) A person who produces aluminum master alloys, regardless of the portion of the aluminum provided by that person's customer, is considered a "processor for hire." RCW 82.04.110. For the purpose of this specific provision, the term "aluminum master alloy" means an alloy registered with the Aluminum Association as a grain refiner or a hardener alloy using the American National Standards Institute designating system H35.3.

(d) In some instances, a person furnishing the labor and mechanical services undertakes to produce an article, substance, or commodity from materials or ingredients furnished in part by the person and in part by the customer. Depending on the circumstances, this person will either be considered a manufacturer or a processor for hire.

(i) If the person furnishing the labor and mechanical services furnishes materials constituting less than twenty percent of the value of all of the materials or ingredients which become a part of the produced product, that person will be presumed to be processing for hire.

(ii) The person furnishing the labor and mechanical services will be presumed to be a manufacturer if the value of the materials or ingredients furnished by the person is equal to or greater than twenty percent of the total value of all materials or ingredients which become a part of the produced product.

(iii) If the person furnishing the labor and mechanical services supplies, sells, or furnishes to the customer, before processing, twenty percent or more in value of the materials or ingredients from which the product is produced, the person furnishing the labor and mechanical services will be deemed to be the owner of the materials and considered a manufacturer.

(e) There are occasions where a manufacturing facility and ingredients used in the manufacturing process are owned by one person, while another person performs the actual manufacturing activity. The person operating the facility and performing the manufacturing activity is a processor for hire. The owner of the facility and ingredients is the manufacturer.

(4) Tax-reporting responsibilities for income received by manufacturers and processors for hire. Persons who manufacture products in this state are subject to the manufacturing B&O tax upon the value of the products, including by-products (see also WAC 458-20-112 regarding "value of products"), unless the activity qualifies for one of the special tax rates discussed in subsection (5), below. See also WAC 458-20-193 (Inbound and outbound interstate sales of tangible personal property).

For example, Corporation A stains door panels that it purchases. Corporation A also affixes hinges, guide wheels, and pivots to unstained door panels. Corporation B shears steel sheets to dimension, and slits steel coils to customer's requirements. The resulting products are sold and delivered to out-of-state customers. Corporation A and Corporation B are subject to the manufacturing B&O tax upon the value of these manufactured products. These manufacturing activities take place in Washington, even though the manufactured product is delivered out-of-state. A credit may be available if a gross receipts tax is paid on the selling activity to another state. (See also WAC 458-20-19301 on multiple activities tax credits.)

(a) Manufacturers who sell their products at retail or wholesale in this state are also subject to either the retailing or wholesaling B&O tax, as the case may be. In such cases, the manufacturer must report under both the "production" (manufacturing) and "selling" (wholesaling or retailing) classifications of the B&O tax, and claim a tax credit under the multiple activities tax credit (MATC). See also WAC 458-20-19301 for a more detailed explanation of the MATC reporting requirements.

For example, Incorporated purchases raw fish that it fillets and/or steaks. The resulting product is then sold at wholesale in its raw form to customers located in Washington. Incorporated is subject to both the manufacturing raw seafood B&O tax upon the value of the manufactured product, and the wholesaling B&O tax upon the gross proceeds of sale. Incorporated is entitled to claim a tax credit under the MATC.

(b) Processors for hire are subject to the processing for hire B&O tax upon the total charge made to those services, including any charge for materials furnished by the processor. The B&O tax applies whether the resulting product is delivered to the customer within or outside this state.

(c) The measure of tax for manufacturers and processors for hire with respect to "cost-plus" or "time and material" contracts includes the amount of profit or fee above cost received, plus the reimbursements or prepayments received on account of materials and supplies, labor costs, taxes paid, payments made to subcontractors, and all other costs and expenses incurred by the manufacturer or processor for hire.

(d) A manufacturing B&O tax exemption is available for the cleaning of fish, if the cleaning activities are limited to the removal of the head, fins, or viscera from fresh fish without further processing other than freezing. RCW 82.04.2403. Processors for hire performing these cleaning activities remain subject to the processing for hire B&O tax.

(e) Amounts received by hop growers or dealers for hops shipped outside the state of Washington for first use, even though the hops have been processed into extract, pellets, or powder in this state are exempt from the B&O tax. RCW 82.04.337. However, a processor for hire with respect to hops is not exempt on amounts charged for processing these products.

(f) Manufacturers and processors for hire making retail sales must collect and remit retail sales tax on all sales to consumers, unless the sale is exempt by law (e.g., see WAC 458-20-244 regarding sales of certain food products). A manufacturer or processor for hire making wholesale sales must obtain resale certificates from the customers to document the wholesale nature of any transaction. (Refer to WAC 458-20-102 on resale certificates.)

(5) Manufacturing--Special tax rates/classifications. RCW 82.04.260 provides several special B&O tax rates/classifications for manufacturers engaging in certain manufacturing activities. In all such cases the principles set forth in subsection (4) of this rule concerning multiple activities and the resulting credit provisions are also applicable.

(a) Special tax classifications/rates are provided for the activities of:

(i) Manufacturing wheat into flour, barley into pearl barley, soybeans into soybean oil, canola into canola oil, meal, or canola byproducts, or sunflower seeds into sunflower oil;

(ii) Splitting or processing dried peas;

(iii) Manufacturing seafood products, which remain in a raw, raw frozen, or raw salted state;

(iv) Manufacturing by canning, preserving, freezing, processing, or dehydrating fresh fruits and vegetables;

(v) Slaughtering, breaking, and/or processing perishable meat products and/or selling the same at wholesale and not at retail; and

(vi) Manufacturing nuclear fuel assemblies.

(6) Repairing and/or refurbishing distinguished from manufacturing. The term "to manufacture" does not include the repair or refurbishing of tangible personal property. To be considered "manufacturing," the application of labor or skill to materials must result in a "new, different, or useful article." If the activity merely restores an existing article of tangible personal property to its original utility, the activity is considered a repair or refurbishing of that property. (See WAC 458-20-173 for tax-reporting information on repairs.)

(a) In making a determination whether an activity is manufacturing as opposed to a repair or reconditioning activity, consideration is given to a variety of factors including, but not limited to:

(i) Whether the activity merely restores or prolongs the useful life of the article;

(ii) Whether the activity significantly enhances the article's basic qualities, properties, or functional nature; and

(iii) Whether the activity is so extensive that a new, different, or useful article results.

(b) The following example illustrates the distinction between a manufacturing activity resulting in a new, different, or useful article, and the mere repair or refurbishment of an existing article. This example should only be used as a general guide. The tax results of other situations must be determined after a review of all the facts and circumstances. In cases of uncertainty, persons should contact the department for a ruling.

(i) Corporation rebuilds engine cores. When received, each core is assigned an individual identification number and disassembled. The cylinder head, connecting rods, crankshaft, valves, springs, nuts, and bolts are all removed and retained for reassembly into the same engine core. Unusable components are discarded. The block is then baked to burn off dirt and impurities, then blasted to remove any residue. The cylinder walls are rebored because of wear and tear. The retained components are cleaned, and if needed straightened and/or reground. Corporation then reassembles the cores, replacing the pistons, gaskets, timing gears, crankshaft bearings, and oil pumps with new parts. The components retained from the original engine core are incorporated only into that same core.

(ii) Corporation is under these circumstances not engaging in a manufacturing activity. The engine cores are restored to their original condition, albeit with a slightly larger displacement because of wear and tear. The cores have retained their original functional nature as they run with approximately the same efficiency and horsepower. The rebuilding of these cores is not so extensive as to result in a new, different, or useful article. Each engine core has retained its identity because all reusable components of the original core are reassembled in the same core. Corporation has taken an existing article and extended its useful life.

(7) Combining and/or assembly of products to achieve a special purpose as manufacturing. The physical assembly of products from various components is manufacturing because it results in a "new, different, or useful" product, even if the cost of the assembly activity is minimal when compared with the cost of the components. For example, the bolting of a motor to a pump, whether bolted directly or by using a coupling, is a manufacturing activity. Once physically joined, the resulting product is capable of performing a pumping function that the separate components cannot.

(a) In some cases the assembly may consist solely of combining parts from various suppliers to create an entirely different product that is sold as a kit for assembly by the purchaser. In these situations, the manufacturing B&O tax applies even if the person combining the parts does not completely assemble the components, but sells them as a package. For example, a person who purchases component parts from various suppliers to create a wheelbarrow, which will be sold in a "kit" or "knock-down" condition with some assembly required by purchaser, is a manufacturer. The purchaser of the wheelbarrow kit is not a manufacturer, however, even though the purchaser must attach the handles and wheel.

(b) The department considers various factors in determining if a person combining various items into a single package is engaged in a manufacturing activity. Any single one of the following factors is not considered conclusive evidence of a manufacturing activity, though the presence of one or more of these factors raises a presumption that a manufacturing activity is being performed:

(i) The ingredients are purchased from various suppliers;

(ii) The person combining the ingredients attaches his or her own label to the resulting product;

(iii) The ingredients are purchased in bulk and broken down to smaller sizes;

(iv) The combined product is marketed at a substantially different value from the selling price of the individual components; and

(v) The person combining the items does not sell the individual items except within the package.

(c) The following examples should be used only as a general guide. The specific facts and circumstances of each situation must be carefully examined to determine if the combining of ingredients is a manufacturing activity or merely a packaging or marketing activity. In cases of uncertainty, persons combining items into special purpose packages should contact the department for a ruling.

(i) Combining prepackaged food products and gift items into a wicker basket for sale as a gift basket is not a manufacturing activity when:

(A) The products combined in the basket retain their original packaging;

(B) The person does not attach his or her own labels to the components or the combined basket;

(C) The person maintains an inventory for sale of the individual components and does sell these items in this manner as well as the combined baskets.

(ii) Combining bulk food products and gift items into a wicker basket for sale as a gift basket is a manufacturing activity when:

(A) The bulk food products purchased by the taxpayer are broken into smaller quantities; and

(B) The taxpayer attaches its own labels to the combined basket.

(iii) Combining components into a kit for sale is not a manufacturing activity when:

(A) All components are conceived, designed, and specifically manufactured by and at the person's direction to be used with each other;

(B) The person's label is attached to or imprinted upon the components by supplier;

(C) The person packages the components with no further assembly, connection, reconfiguration, change, or processing.

(8) Tax liability with respect to purchases of equipment or supplies and property manufactured for commercial or industrial use. The retail sales tax applies to purchases of tangible personal property by manufacturers and processors for hire unless the property becomes an ingredient or component part of a new article produced for sale, or is a chemical used in the processing of an article for sale. If the seller fails to collect the appropriate retail sales tax, the buyer is required to remit the retail sales tax (commonly referred to as "deferred retail sales tax") or use tax directly to the department. Refer to WAC 458-20-113 for additional information about what qualifies as an ingredient or component or a chemical used in processing.

(a) RCW 82.08.02565 and 82.12.02565 provide a retail sales and use tax exemption for certain machinery and equipment used by manufacturers and/or processors for hire. Refer to WAC 458-20-13601 for additional information regarding how these exemptions apply.

(b) Persons manufacturing tangible personal property for commercial or industrial use are subject to both the manufacturing B&O and use taxes upon the value of the property manufactured, unless a specific exemption applies. (See also WAC 458-20-134 on commercial or industrial use.) Persons who also extract the product used as an ingredient in a manufacturing process should refer to WAC 458-20-135 for additional information regarding their tax-reporting responsibilities.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 82.32.300.      88-21-014 (Order 88-7), § 458-20-136, filed 10/7/88; 86-20-027 (Order 86-17), § 458-20-136, filed 9/23/86; 83-07-032 (Order ET 83-15), § 458-20-136, filed 3/15/83.      Statutory Authority: RCW 82.01.060(2) and 82.32.300.      78-07-045 (Order ET 78-4), § 458-20-136, filed 6/27/78; Order ET 71-1, § 458-20-136, filed 7/22/71; Order ET 70-3, § 458-20-136 (Rule 136), filed 5/29/70, effective 7/1/70.]

OTS-3708.1

NEW SECTION
WAC 458-20-13601
Manufacturers and processors for hire -- Sales and use tax exemption for machinery and equipment.

(1) Introduction. This rule explains the retail sales and use tax exemption provided by RCW 82.08.02565 and 82.12.02565 for sales to or use by manufacturers or processors for hire of machinery and equipment (M&E) used directly in a manufacturing operation or research and development operation. This rule explains the requirements that must be met to substantiate a claim of exemption. For information regarding the distressed area sales and use tax deferral refer to WAC 458-20-24001 and chapter 82.60 RCW. For the high technology business sales and use tax deferral refer to chapter 82.63 RCW.

On and after July 25, 1999, a person engaged in testing for manufacturers or processors for hire is eligible to take the exemption, subject to the requirements explained below.

(2) Legislative history. The manufacturing machinery and equipment exemption, codified as RCW 82.08.02565 and 82.12.02565, became effective July 1, 1995. The exemption has since been the subject of a number of changes: See 1995 1st sp.s. c 3, 1996 c 173, 1996 c 247, 1998 c 330, and 1999 c 211. The 1995 legislation covered installation charges for qualifying machinery and equipment as well as replacement parts that increased the productivity, improved efficiency, or extended the useful life of the machinery and equipment.

(a) In 1996, the exemption was extended to include charges for repairing, cleaning, altering, or improving the machinery and equipment. The same act also revised the definition of "machinery and equipment" to include tangible personal property that becomes an ingredient or component of the machinery and equipment, including repair and replacement parts. A second act extended the exemption to research and development engaged in by manufacturers or processors for hire. Both acts took effect June 6, 1996.

(b) In 1998, the duplicate certificate and annual reporting requirements were eliminated, effective June 11, 1998.

(c) In 1999, the 1995 legislation was clarified retroactively by ESHB 1887, chapter 211, Laws of 1999, to include certain logging and mining activities, segmented manufacturing, and off-site testing by manufacturers, and to explain that hand-powered tools were excluded. On July 25, 1999, the exemption was extended on a prospective basis to persons who perform third-party testing for manufacturers or processors for hire.

(3) Definitions. For purposes of the manufacturing machinery and equipment tax exemption the following definitions will apply.

(a) "Cogeneration" means the simultaneous generation of electrical energy and low-grade heat from the same fuel. See RCW 82.08.02565.

(b) "Device" means an item that is not attached to the building or site. Examples of devices are: Forklifts, chainsaws, air compressors, clamps, free standing shelving, software, ladders, wheelbarrows, and pulleys.

(c) "Industrial fixture" means an item attached to a building or to land. Fixtures become part of the real estate to which they are attached and upon attachment are classified as real property, not personal property. Examples of "industrial fixtures" are fuel oil lines, boilers, craneways, and certain concrete slabs.

(d) "Machinery and equipment" means industrial fixtures, devices, and support facilities, and tangible personal property that becomes an ingredient or component thereof, including repair parts and replacement parts. "Machinery and equipment" includes pollution control equipment installed and used in a qualifying operation to prevent air pollution, water pollution, or contamination that might otherwise result from the operation. "M&E" means "machinery and equipment."

(e) "Manufacturer" has the same meaning as provided in chapter 82.04 RCW.

(f) "Manufacturing" has the same meaning as "to manufacture" in chapter 82.04 RCW.

(g) "Manufacturing operation" means the manufacturing of articles, substances, or commodities for sale as tangible personal property. A manufacturing operation begins at the point where the raw materials enter the manufacturing site and ends at the point where the processed material leaves the manufacturing site. The operation includes storage of raw materials at the site, the storage of in-process materials at the site, and the storage of the processed material at the site. The manufacturing operation is defined in terms of a process occurring at a location. To be eligible as a qualifying use of M&E, the use must take place within the manufacturing operation, unless specifically excepted by law. Storage of raw material or other tangible personal property, packaging of tangible personal property, and other activities that potentially qualify under the "used directly" criteria, and that do not constitute manufacturing in and of themselves, are not within the scope of the exemption unless they take place at a manufacturing site. The statute specifically allows testing to occur away from the site.

The term "manufacturing operation" also includes that portion of a cogeneration project that is used to generate power for consumption within the manufacturing site of which the cogeneration project is an integral part. The term does not include the production of electricity by a light and power business as defined in RCW 82.16.010 or the preparation of food products on the premises of a person selling food products at retail.

(i) Neither duration or temporary nature of the manufacturing activity nor mobility of the equipment determine whether a manufacturing operation exists. For example, operations using portable saw mills or rock crushing equipment are considered "manufacturing operations" if the activity in which the person is engaged is manufacturing. Rock crushing equipment that deposits material onto a roadway is not used in a manufacturing operation because this is a part of the constructing activity, not a manufacturing activity. Likewise, a portable cement mixer at a construction site is not used in a manufacturing operation because the activity is constructing, not manufacturing. Other portable equipment used in nonmanufacturing activities, such as continuous gutter trucks or trucks designed to deliver and combine aggregate, or specialized carpentry tools, do not qualify for the same reasons.

(ii) Manufacturing tangible personal property for sale can occur in stages, taking place at more than one manufacturing site. For example, if a taxpayer processes pulp from wood at one site, and transfers the resulting pulp to another site that further manufactures the product into paper, two separate manufacturing operations exist. The end product of the manufacturing activity must result in an article, substance, or commodity for sale.

(h) "Processor for hire" has the same meaning as used in chapter 82.04 RCW and as explained in WAC 458-20-136.

(i) "Qualifying operation" means a manufacturing operation, a research and development operation, or, as of July 25, 1999, a testing operation.

(j) "Research and development operation" means engaging in research and development as defined in RCW 82.63.010 by a manufacturer or processor for hire. RCW 82.63.010 defines "research and development" to mean: Activities performed to discover technological information, and technical and nonroutine activities concerned with translating technological information into new or improved products, processes, techniques, formulas, inventions, or software. The term includes exploration of a new use for an existing drug, device, or biological product if the new use requires separate licensing by the Federal Food and Drug Administration under chapter 21, C.F.R., as amended. The term does not include adaptation or duplication of existing products where the products are not substantially improved by application of the technology, nor does the term 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.

(k) "Sale" has the same meaning as "sale" in chapter 82.08 RCW, which includes by reference RCW 82.04.040. RCW 82.04.040 includes by reference the definition of "retail sale" in RCW 82.04.050. "Sale" includes renting or leasing, conditional sale contracts, leases with option to purchase, and any contract under which possession of the property is given to the purchaser but title is retained by the vendor as security for the payment of the purchase price.

(l) "Site" means the location at which the manufacturing or testing takes place.

(m) "Support facility" means a part of a building, or a structure or improvement, used to contain or steady an industrial fixture or device. A support facility must be specially designed and necessary for the proper functioning of the industrial fixture or device and must perform a function beyond being a building or a structure or an improvement. It must have a function relative to an industrial fixture or a device. To determine if some portion of a building is a support facility, the parts of the building are examined. For example, a highly specialized structure, like a vibration reduction slab under a microchip clean room, is a support facility. Without the slab, the delicate instruments in the clean room would not function properly. The ceiling and walls of the clean room are not support facilities if they only serve to define the space and do not have a function relative to an industrial fixture or a device.

(n) "Tangible personal property" has its ordinary meaning.

(o) "Testing" means activities performed to establish or determine the properties, qualities, and limitations of tangible personal property.

(p) "Testing operation" means the testing of tangible personal property for a manufacturer or processor for hire. A testing operation begins at the point where the tangible personal property enters the testing site and ends at the point where the tangible personal property leaves the testing site. The term also includes that portion of a cogeneration project that is used to generate power for consumption within the site of which the cogeneration project is an integral part. The term does not include the production of electricity by a light and power business as defined in RCW 82.16.010 or the preparation of food products on the premises of a person selling food products at retail. The testing operation is defined in terms of a process occurring at a location. To be eligible as a qualifying use of M&E, the use must take place within the testing operation, unless specifically excepted by law.

(4) Sales and use tax exemption. The M&E exemption provides a retail sales and use tax exemption for machinery and equipment used directly in a manufacturing operation or research and development operation. Sales of or charges made for labor and services rendered in respect to installing, repairing, cleaning, altering, or improving qualifying machinery and equipment are also exempt from sales tax. However, because the exemption is limited to items with a useful life of one year or more, some charges for repair, labor, services, and replacement parts may not be eligible for the exemption. In the case of labor and service charges that cover both qualifying and nonqualifying repair and replacement parts, the labor and services charges are presumed to be exempt. If all of the parts are nonqualifying, the labor and service charge is not exempt.

On and after July 25, 1999, the exemption may be taken for qualifying machinery and equipment used directly in a testing operation by a person engaged in testing for a manufacturer or processor for hire.

Sellers remain subject to the retailing B&O tax on all sales of machinery and equipment to consumers if delivery is made within the state of Washington, notwithstanding that the sale may qualify for an exemption from the retail sales tax.

(a) Sales tax. The purchaser must provide the seller with an exemption certificate. The exemption certificate must be completed in its entirety. The seller must retain a copy of the certificate as a part of its records. This certificate may be issued for each purchase or in blanket form certifying all future purchases as being exempt from sales tax. Blanket forms must be renewed every four years.

The form must contain the following information:

(i) Name, address, and registration number of the buyer;

(ii) Name of the seller;

(iii) Name and title of the authorized agent of the buyer/user;

(iv) Authorized signature;

(v) Date; and

(vi) Whether the form is a single use or blanket-use form.

A copy of a M&E certificate form may be obtained from the department of revenue on the Internet at http://www.dor.wa.gov/, under "Other forms and schedules" or by contacting the department's taxpayer services division at:

Department of Revenue

Taxpayer Services

P.O. Box 47478

Olympia, WA 98504-7478

(b) Use tax. The use tax complements the retail sales tax by imposing a tax of like amount upon the use within this state as a consumer of any tangible personal property purchased at retail, where the user has not paid retail sales tax with respect to the purchase of the property used. (See also chapter 82.12 RCW and WAC 458-20-178.) If the seller fails to collect the appropriate retail sales tax, the purchaser is required to pay the retail sales tax (commonly referred to as "deferred sales tax") or the use tax directly to the department unless the purchase and/or use is exempt from the retail sales and/or use tax. A qualifying person using eligible machinery and equipment in Washington in a qualifying manner is exempt from the use tax. If an item of machinery and equipment that was eligible for use tax or sales tax exemption fails to overcome the majority use threshold or is totally put to use in a nonqualifying manner, use tax is due on the fair market value at the time the item was put to nonqualifying use. See subsection (10) of this rule for an explanation of the majority use threshold.

(5) Who may take the exemption. The exemption may be taken by a manufacturer or processor for hire who manufactures articles, substances, or commodities for sale as tangible personal property, and who, for the item in question, meets the used directly test and overcomes the majority use threshold. (See subsection (9) of this rule for a discussion of the "used directly" criteria and see subsection (10) of this rule for an explanation of the majority use threshold.) However, for research and development operations, there is no requirement that the operation produce tangible personal property for sale. A processor for hire who does not sell tangible personal property is eligible for the exemption if the processor for hire manufactures articles, substances, or commodities that will be sold by the manufacturer. For example, a person who is a processor for hire but who is manufacturing with regard to tangible personal property that will be used by the manufacturer, rather than sold by the manufacturer, is not eligible. See WAC 458-20-136 and RCW 82.04.110 for more information. On and after July 25, 1999, persons who engage in testing for manufacturers or processors for hire are eligible for the exemption. To be eligible for the exemption, the taxpayer need not be a manufacturer or processor for hire in the state of Washington, but must meet the Washington definition of manufacturer.

(6) What is eligible for the exemption. Machinery and equipment used directly in a qualifying operation by a qualifying person is eligible for the exemption, subject to overcoming the majority use threshold.

There are three classes of eligible machinery and equipment: Industrial fixtures, devices, and support facilities. Also eligible is tangible personal property that becomes an ingredient or component of the machinery and equipment, including repair parts and replacement parts. "Machinery and equipment" also includes pollution control equipment installed and used in a qualifying operation to prevent air pollution, water pollution, or contamination that might otherwise result from the operation.

(7) What is not eligible for the exemption. In addition to items that are not eligible because they do not meet the used directly test or fail to overcome the majority use threshold, there are four categories of items that are statutorily excluded from eligibility. The following property is not eligible for the M&E exemption:

(a) Hand-powered tools. Screw drivers, hammers, clamps, tape measures, and wrenches are examples of hand-powered tools. Electric powered, including cordless tools, are not hand-powered tools, nor are calipers, plugs used in measuring, or calculators.

(b) Property with a useful life of less than one year. All eligible machinery and equipment must satisfy the useful life criteria, including repair parts and replacement parts. For example, items such as blades and bits are generally not eligible for the exemption because, while they may become component parts of eligible machinery and equipment, they generally have a useful life of less than one year. Blades generally having a useful life of one year or more, such as certain sawmill blades, are eligible. See subsection (8) of this rule for thresholds to determine useful life.

(c) Buildings, other than machinery and equipment that is permanently affixed to or becomes a physical part of a building. Buildings provide work space for people or shelter machinery and equipment or tangible personal property. The building itself, and some of its components, such as walls, partitions, floors, ceilings, windows, and doors, are not eligible for the exemption. The industrial fixtures and support facilities that become affixed to or part of the building might be eligible. The subsequent real property status of industrial fixtures and support facilities does not affect eligibility for the exemption.

(d) Building fixtures that are not integral to the manufacturing operation, testing operation, or research and development operation that are permanently affixed to and become a physical part of a building, such as utility systems for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, communications, plumbing, or electrical. Examples of nonqualifying fixtures are: Fire sprinklers, building electrical systems, or washroom fixtures. Fixtures that are integral to the manufacturing operation might be eligible, depending on whether the item meets the other requirements for eligibility, such as the used directly test.

(8) The "useful life" threshold. RCW 82.08.02565 has a per se exception for "property with a useful life of less than one year." Property that meets this description is not eligible for the M&E exemption. The useful life threshold identifies items that do not qualify for the exemption, such as supplies, consumables, and other classes of items that are not expected or intended to last a year or more. For example, tangible personal property that is acquired for a one-time use and is discarded upon use, such as a mold or a form, has a useful life of less than one year and is not eligible. If it is clear from taxpayer records or practice that an item is not used for at least one year, the item is not eligible, regardless of the answers to the four threshold questions. The following steps should be used in making a determination whether an item meets the "useful life" threshold. The series of questions progress from simple documentation to complex documentation. In order to substantiate qualification under any step, a taxpayer must maintain adequate records. Catastrophic loss, damage, or destruction of an item does not affect eligibility of machinery and equipment that otherwise qualifies. Assuming the machinery and equipment meets all of the other M&E requirements and does not have a single one-time use or is not discarded during the first year, useful life can be determined by answering the following questions for an individual piece of machinery and equipment:

(a) Is the machinery and equipment capitalized for either federal tax purposes or accounting purposes?

- If the answer is "yes," it qualifies for the exemption.

- If the answer is "no,"

(b) Is the machinery and equipment warranted by the manufacturer to last at least one year?

- If the answer is "yes," it qualifies for the exemption.

- If the answer is "no,"

(c) Is the machinery and equipment normally replaced at intervals of one year or more, as established by industry or business practice? (This is commonly based on the actual experience of the person claiming the exemption.)

- If the answer is "yes," it qualifies for the exemption.

- If the answer is "no,"

(d) Is the machinery and equipment expected at the time of purchase to last at least one year, as established by industry or business practice? (This is commonly based on the actual experience of the person claiming the exemption.)

- If the answer is "yes," it qualifies for the exemption.

- If the answer is "no," it does not qualify for the exemption.

(9) The "used directly" criteria. Items that are not used directly in a qualifying operation are not eligible for the exemption. The statute provides eight descriptions of the phrase "used directly." The manner in which a person uses an item of machinery and equipment must match one of these descriptions. If M&E is not "used directly" it is not eligible for the exemption. Examples of items that are not used directly in a qualifying operation are cafeteria furniture, safety equipment not part of qualifying M&E, packaging materials, shipping materials, or administrative equipment. Machinery and equipment is "used directly" in a manufacturing operation, testing operation, or research and development operation, if the machinery and equipment meets any one of the following criteria:

(a) Acts upon or interacts with an item of tangible personal property. Examples of this are drill presses, cement mixers (agitators), ready-mix concrete trucks, hot steel rolling machines, rock crushers, and band saws. Also included is machinery and equipment used to repair, maintain, or install tangible personal property. Computers qualify under this criteria if:

(i) They direct or control machinery or equipment that acts upon or interacts with tangible personal property; or

(ii) If they act upon or interact with an item of tangible personal property.

(b) Conveys, transports, handles, or temporarily stores an item of tangible personal property at the manufacturing site or the testing site. Examples of this are wheelbarrows, handcarts, storage racks, forklifts, tanks, vats, robotic arms, piping, and concrete storage pads. Floor space in buildings does not qualify under this criteria. Not eligible under this criteria are items that are used to ship the product or in which the product is packaged, as well as materials used to brace or support an item during transport.

(c) Controls, guides, measures, verifies, aligns, regulates, or tests tangible personal property at the site or away from the site. Examples of "away from the site" are road testing of trucks, air testing of planes, or water testing of boats, with the machinery and equipment used off site in the testing eligible under this criteria. Machinery and equipment used to take readings or measurements is eligible under this criteria.

(d) Provides physical support for or access to tangible personal property. Examples of this are catwalks adjacent to production equipment, scaffolding around tanks, braces under vats, and ladders near controls. Machinery and equipment used for access to the building or to provide a work space for people or a space for tangible personal property or machinery and equipment, such as stairways or doors, is not eligible under this criteria.

(e) Produces power for or lubricates machinery and equipment. A generator providing power to a sander is an example of machinery and equipment that produces power for machinery and equipment. An electrical generating plant that provides power for a building is not eligible under this criteria. Lubricating devices, such as hoses, oil guns, pumps, and meters, whether or not attached to machinery and equipment, are eligible under this criteria.

(f) Produces another item of tangible personal property for use in the manufacturing operation, testing operation, or research and development operation. Machinery and equipment that makes dies, jigs, or molds, and printers that produce camera-ready images are examples of this.

(g) Places tangible personal property in the container, package, or wrapping in which the tangible personal property is normally sold or transported.

(h) Is integral to research and development as defined in RCW 82.63.010. "Integral" means a part of the whole, and in this context means that the machinery and equipment is necessary for research and development.

(10) The majority use threshold.

(a) Machinery and equipment both used directly in a qualifying operation and used in a nonqualifying manner is eligible for the exemption only if the qualifying use satisfies the majority use requirement. Examples of situations in which an item of machinery and equipment is used for qualifying and nonqualifying purposes include: The use of machinery and equipment in manufacturing and repair activities, such as using a power saw to make cabinets in a shop versus using it to make cabinets at a customer location; the use of machinery and equipment in manufacturing and constructing activities, such as using a forklift to move finished sheet rock at the manufacturing site versus using it to unload sheet rock at a customer location; and the use of machinery and equipment in manufacturing and transportation activities, such as using a mixer truck to make concrete at a manufacturing site versus using it to deliver concrete to a customer. Majority use can be expressed as a percentage, with the minimum required amount of qualifying use being greater than fifty percent compared to overall use. To determine whether the majority use requirement has been satisfied, the person claiming the exemption must retain records documenting the measurement used to substantiate a claim for exemption. Majority use is measured by looking at the use of an item during a calendar year using any of the following:

(i) Time. Time is measured using hours, days, or other unit of time, with qualifying use of the M&E the numerator, and total time used the denominator. Suitable records for time measurement include employee time sheets or equipment time use logs.

(ii) Value. Value means the value to the person, measured by revenue if the qualifying and nonqualifying uses both produce revenue. Value is measured using gross revenue, with revenue from qualifying use of the M&E the numerator, and total revenue from use of the M&E the denominator. If there is no revenue associated with the use of the M&E, such as in-house accounting use of a computer system, the value basis may not be used. Suitable records for value measurement include taxpayer sales journals, ledgers, account books, invoices, and other summary records.

(iii) Volume. Volume is measured using amount of product, with volume from qualifying use of the M&E the numerator and total volume from use of the M&E the denominator. Suitable records for volume measurement include production numbers, tonnage, and dimensions.

(iv) Other comparable measurement for comparison. The department may agree to allow a taxpayer to use another measure for comparison, provided that the method results in a comparison between qualifying and nonqualifying uses. For example, if work patterns or routines demonstrate typical behavior, the taxpayer can satisfy the majority use test using work site surveys as proof.

(b) Each piece of M&E does not require a separate record if the taxpayer can establish that it is reasonable to bundle M&E into classes. Classes may be created only from similar pieces of machinery and equipment and only if the uses of the pieces are the same. For example, forklifts of various sizes and models can be bundled together if the forklifts are doing the same work, as in moving wrapped product from the assembly line to a storage area. An example of when not to bundle classes of M&E for purposes of the majority use threshold is the use of a computer that controls a machine through numerical control versus use of a computer that creates a camera ready page for printing.

(c) Typically, whether the majority use threshold is met is decided on a case-by-case basis, looking at the specific manufacturing operation in which the item is being used. However, for purposes of applying the majority use threshold, the department may develop industry-wide standards. For instance, the aggregate industry uses concrete mixer trucks in a consistent manner across the industry. Based on a comparison of selling prices and delivery prices the department has determined that concrete trucks overcome the majority use threshold. Only in those limited instances where it is apparent that the use of the concrete truck is atypical for the industry would the taxpayer be required to provide recordkeeping on the use of the truck in order to support the exemption.

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