006.05.91 Ark. Code R. 010 - Sales and Use Tax Construction Contractors 1991-6 Permanent Reg.

Materials purchased for use in construction contracts are expmpt from the additional 1/2% sales and use tax levied by Act 3 of 1991 if the qualifications set out in this regulation are met.

A. DEFINITIONS - for the purposes of this regulation the following definitions apply:

1. "Construction Contract" means a contract to construct, manage or supervise the construction, erection, or substantial modification of a building or other improvement or structure affixed to real property. The term "construction contract" shall not include the following:

a) A contract to produce tangible personal property.

b) A cost plus contract or any contract which allows the contractor to pass any additional tax on to the principal as a part of the contractor's cost.

2. "Recognizable" means capable of being recognized in the finished product. The capability to recognize the effect of the materials upon the finished structure or improvement is insufficient to establish the materials are exempt.

3. "Materials" mean tangible personal property used or purchased by contractors.

B. QUALIFICATIONS - before materials used in construction contract are exempt the materials and construction contract must meet the following qualifications:

1. The materials must be used in a construction contract.

2. The materials must be used in a construction contract entered into before May 1, 1991.

3. The materials must be purchased prior to January 1, 1997.

4. The seller must keep adequate records to identify all materials sold exempt. Records will be adequate where the following information is available.

a) The construction contractor's name and address.

b) The name and address of the party for whom the construction contractor is performing work.

c) A brief description of the work performed by the construction contractor which indicates the contract is actually a "construction contract" as defined in this regulation.

d) The date of the construction contract which must be prior to May 1, 1991.

e) The contract number where applicable.

f) The location where the construction contractor is to perform the construction contract.

5. The construction contractor shall complete and sign, under oath, the "Affidavit and Certificate of Proof to Entitlement to Exemption from Sales and Use Tax Increase for Certain Contractors" form which will be provided upon request by the Revenue Division of The Department of Finance and Administration. The construction contractor shall file a completed copy of each of these executed forms with each seller to whom the exemption is claimed for each contract claimed and also shall mail a copy of each form to:

Office of Field Audit Administration

P. 0. Box 1272

Room 112

Little Rock, Arkansas 72203

6. The invoice reflecting the sale of exempt material shall contain information which will allow an auditor to locate the "Affidavit and Certificate" form, as well as the other records required by this regulation, in the seller's records. This information may consist of a file number or customer number or any identifying mark which will allow reasonable access to the information in the seller's business records.

C. WITHDRAWAL FROM STOCK OR WITHDRAWAL FOR USE:

Some construction contractors maintain an inventory of materials and pay sales or use tax on "withdrawals from stock" (Ark. Code Ann 26-52-103) or "withdrawals for use" (Ark. Code Ann 26-53-102(5)(a)(4). Where a construction contractor claims the exemption, granted by Act 548 ox 1991 for withdrawals, the construction contractor shall maintain all records required by this regulation including maintaining copies of the contracts for which the exemption is claimed.

D. CONSUMER USE TAX REPORTS:

Some construction contractors report the use tax due on materials purchased from out-of-state sellers directly to the Revenue Division of the Department of Finance and Administration. When such a construction contractor claims the exemption granted by Act 548 of 1991 the construction contractor shall keep all records required by this regulation including maintaining copies of the contracts for which the exemption is claimed.

E. EXAMPLES:

On May 6, 1991, a construction contractor purchases a hammer and 50 pounds of nails for use in framing an apartment building. The construction contractor furnishes all necessary information required by this regulation to the seller.

The additional one-half cent tax is due on the price of the hammer. The hammer will not become a recognizable part of the completed structure and therefore is not exempt.

The nails are exempt from the additional one-half cent tax. The nails become part of the frame of the house. The nails cannot be seen after the house is completed, but they remain as a recognizable part of the house.

F. BURDEN OF PROOF:

The burden of proving entitlement to an exemption is on the taxpayer. In the case of an audit of a seller's business, the burden is on the seller to keep records adequate to prove the validity of the claimed exemptions. In the case of an audit of a construction contractor's business, the burden is on the construction contractor to keep records adequate to prove the validity of the claimed exemptions. Failure to keep records adequate to prove the validity of the claimed exemptions will result in the exemptions being disallowed and applicable tax, penalty and interest being assessed on the taxpayer.

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Notes

006.05.91 Ark. Code R. 010

5/20/1991