PERMANENT RULES
Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.
Purpose: WAC 458-20-177 (Rule 177) explains the tax consequences and tax exemption requirements for sales of motor vehicles, campers, and trailers to nonresidents. This rule has been revised to reflect provisions of SHB 2158 (chapter 135, Laws of 2007). This legislation identifies in statute the type of documentation a seller of motor vehicles, trailers, or campers needs to retain from a nonresident buyer, the consequences for noncompliance by a seller, and when the department may contact a buyer when the sale was made on or after July 22, 2007.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 458-20-177 Sales of motor vehicles, campers, and trailers to nonresident consumers.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 82.32.300 and 82.01.060(2).
Other Authority: RCW 82.08.0264.
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 08-06-092 on March 5, 2008.
Changes Other than Editing from Proposed to Adopted Version: In subsection (3)(c)(ii) examples of acceptable documents, as proof of nonresidency, have been added. Language has been added to subsection (6)(b) to clarify that if the department finds upon contacting a buyer claiming to be a nonresident that the buyer is not eligible for sales tax exemption, the department pursue collection of tax from the buyer. A new subsection (subsection (11)) has been added that includes language from RCW 82.08.0264(4), which explains buyers' obligations when claiming an exemption.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: July 29, 2008.
Alan R. Lynn
Rules Coordinator
OTS-1368.5
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 05-14-086, filed 6/30/05,
effective 7/31/05)
WAC 458-20-177
Sales of motor vehicles, campers, and
trailers to nonresident consumers.
(1) Introduction. This
((rule)) section applies to any sale of a vehicle to a
consumer who is not a resident of the state, including
nonresident military personnel temporarily stationed in
Washington. The ((rule)) section describes the different
business and occupation (B&O) and retail sales tax
consequences that result from vehicle sales to nonresidents,
particularly the sales tax exemption provided by RCW 82.08.0264. It also describes the documentation a seller must
retain to demonstrate that a sale is exempt.
For information on use tax liability associated with vehicles, see WAC 458-20-178, Use tax.
For sales of vehicles to Indians or Indian tribes and required documentation, see WAC 458-20-192, Indians -- Indian country.
Questions regarding vehicle licensing or registration requirements should be directed to the department of licensing.
(2) What is a "vehicle"? For the purposes of this
((rule)) section, a "vehicle" is any vehicle of a type that
may be lawfully licensed under chapter 46.16 RCW for operation
on a public highway in this state, except that the term does
not include any machinery and implements for use in conducting
a farming activity subject to RCW 82.08.0268. The term
"vehicle" includes, but is not limited to, a car, truck,
camper, trailer, bus, motorhome, and motorcycles equipped for
road use. It does not include farm tractors, bicycles,
mopeds, motorized scooters, snowmobiles, or vehicles that are
manufactured for exclusively off-road use.
(3) What are the tax consequences when a vehicle sold to a nonresident is delivered in-state? A sale of a vehicle to a nonresident where the vehicle is delivered in-state is exempt from retail sales tax if the sale meets the requirements of RCW 82.08.0264. In all other cases where the vehicle is delivered to the buyer in this state, the retail sales tax applies and must be collected at the time of sale, unless otherwise exempt by law. The mere fact that the buyer may be or claims to be a nonresident or that the buyer intends to, and actually does, use the vehicle in some other state does not, by itself, entitle the buyer to the exemption. In any case where the seller licenses or registers the vehicle in Washington on the buyer's behalf, the retail sales tax applies.
In computing the B&O tax liability of persons engaged in the business of selling vehicles, no deduction is allowed for a sale made to a nonresident for use outside this state if the nonresident buyer takes delivery in Washington. This is true even if the buyer is entitled to an exemption from the retail sales tax.
(a) Exemption requirements. If a vehicle is delivered within this state to a nonresident buyer, retail sales tax does not apply if the vehicle is purchased for use outside this state and, immediately upon delivery, the vehicle:
(i) Is removed from the state under the authority of a trip permit issued by the department of licensing pursuant to RCW 46.16.160 or any agency of another state that has authority to issue similar permits; or
(ii) Is registered and licensed in the state of the buyer's residence, will not be used in this state more than three months, and will not be legally required to be registered and licensed in this state.
If the vehicle bears Washington state license plates, the seller must remove the Washington plates before delivering the vehicle and retain evidence of that removal to avoid liability for collection and payment of the retail sales tax.
(b) Seller obligations; documentation. For sales completed before July 22, 2007, the seller must properly document the following facts:
(i) The buyer is a nonresident of Washington;
(ii) The vehicle is for use outside this state;
(iii) The vehicle is to be removed from the seller's premises under the authority of either:
(A) A trip permit; or
(B) Valid license plates issued for that vehicle by the state of the buyer's residence, with the plates actually affixed to the vehicle upon final delivery; and
(iv) If the vehicle bears Washington state license plates, the seller has removed the Washington plates before delivery.
(c) Seller obligations effective July 22, 2007. For sales completed on or after July 22, 2007, the seller must retain the following documents, which must be made available upon request by the department of revenue (department):
(i) A copy of the buyer's currently valid out-of-state driver's license or other official picture identification issued by a jurisdiction other than Washington state;
(ii) A copy of any one of the following documents, on which there is an out-of-state address for the buyer:
• A current residential rental agreement;
• A property tax statement from the current or previous year;
• A utility bill, dated within the previous two months;
• A state income tax return from the previous year;
• A voter registration card;
• A current credit report; or
• Any other document determined by the department to be acceptable, with buyer's street address, such as:
(A) A bank statement issued within the previous two months;
(B) A government check issued within the previous two months;
(C) A pay check issued within the previous two months;
(D) Mortgage documents of current residence;
(E) Current vehicle insurance card;
(F) Letter or other documentation issued by the postmaster within the previous two months;
(G) Other government document issued within the previous two months;
(iii) A witnessed declaration in the form designated by the department, signed by the buyer, and stating that the buyer's purchase meets the requirements of this section (buyer's affidavit); and
(iv) A seller's certification, in the form designated by the department, that either a vehicle trip permit was issued or the vehicle was immediately registered and licensed in another state as required by RCW 82.08.0264.
To comply with these requirements, the seller must retain
a properly completed buyer's affidavit and seller's
certificate (in-state delivery) ((in substantially the form
prescribed in subsection (5) of this rule. The seller must
also retain documentation of the buyer's nonresidence, as
required in subsection (6) of this rule)). If the nonresident
buyer is a corporation, the seller must also retain the number
of the corporate nonresident permit.
(d) What are the consequences for noncompliance?
(i) Any seller that makes sales without collecting the tax to a person who does not provide the documents required under (c) of this subsection, and any seller who fails to retain the documents required under (c) of this subsection for the period prescribed by RCW 82.32.070 is personally liable for the amount of tax due.
(ii) Any seller that makes sales without collecting the retail sales tax under RCW 82.08.0264 and who has actual knowledge that the buyer's documentation required by (c) of this subsection is fraudulent is guilty of a misdemeanor and, in addition, is liable for the tax and subject to a penalty equal to the greater of one thousand dollars or the tax due on such sales. In addition, both the buyer and the seller are liable for any penalties and interest assessable under chapter 82.32 RCW.
(4) What are the tax consequences when a vehicle sold to a nonresident is delivered out-of-state? A sale of a vehicle to a nonresident where the seller delivers the vehicle out-of-state is exempt from retail sales tax. If the vehicle is delivered to the buyer outside the state, the seller may also deduct the sale amount from the gross proceeds of sales for B&O tax purposes. The deductible amount must be included in the gross income reported on the excise tax return and then deducted on the return to determine the amount of taxable income. The deduction must be identified on the deduction detail page of the return as an "interstate and foreign sales" deduction.
(a) Requirements. If a vehicle is delivered outside the state to a nonresident buyer, retail sales tax does not apply if:
(i) The seller, as required by the contract of sale, delivers possession of the vehicle to the buyer at a point outside Washington; and
(ii) The vehicle is not licensed or registered in this state. If the vehicle bears Washington state license plates, the seller must remove the Washington plates before delivery and retain evidence of that removal to avoid liability for collection and payment of the retail sales tax.
(b) Seller obligations; documentation. The seller must properly document the following facts:
(i) The buyer's out-of-state address;
(ii) The vehicle is not licensed or registered in this state or the Washington state license plates have been removed from the vehicle before delivery;
(iii) Under the terms of the sales agreement, the seller is required to deliver the vehicle to the buyer at a point outside this state; and
(iv) The out-of-state delivery was actually made by the seller or by a common carrier acting as the seller's agent.
To comply with these requirements, the seller must retain
a properly completed buyer's certificate and seller's
certificate (out-of-state delivery) ((in substantially the
form prescribed in subsection (5) of this rule)). The
seller's certificate must be signed by the person who actually
delivers the vehicle to the buyer at the out-of-state location
and may be completed only after delivery occurs.
(c) Documentation when delivery is made by common carrier. When a vehicle is delivered outside the state by common carrier acting as the seller's agent, no buyer's certificate or seller's certificate is required. Instead, the seller must retain:
(i) Evidence that the vehicle's license plates (if licensed in Washington) were removed; and
(ii) A signed copy of the bill of lading issued by the carrier. The bill of lading must show the seller as the consignor and indicate that the carrier agrees to transport the vehicle to a point outside the state.
(5) What forms should be used to document an exempt sale?
The ((following)) documents: "Buyer's Affidavit," "Seller's
Certificate In-State Delivery," "Buyer's Certificate
Out-of-State Delivery," and "Seller's Certificate Out-of-State
Delivery" are necessary to substantiate exempt sales to
nonresidents. Do not send the documents ((described in this
subsection)) to the department ((of revenue)), but keep them
as part of the seller's permanent records for five years.
Without this documentation, claims that a transaction was
exempt from tax will be disallowed.
Copies of the forms can be obtained:
• From the department's internet web site at http://dor.wa.gov
• By facsimile by calling fast fax at 360-705-6705 or 800-647-7706 (using menu options)
• By writing to:
Taxpayer Services
Washington State Department of Revenue
P.O. Box 47478
Olympia, Washington 98504-7478
Documents in substantially the same form as the
department's forms will be accepted in lieu of the
department's documents.
(a) In-state delivery. A sale with in-state delivery requires a completed buyer's affidavit and seller's certificate-in-state delivery.
((The buyer's affidavit must be substantially in the
following form:
((The buyer's certificate must be substantially in the
following form: